Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg faced significant backlash for attributing responsibility to former President Donald Trump for the tragic collision between a helicopter and a plane near Washington D.C.’s Reagan National Airport. An American Airlines aircraft, with approximately 64 people on board, collided with a Blackhawk helicopter in the vicinity last Wednesday evening, leading to a devastating loss of 67 lives.
In the wake of this disaster, Buttigieg quickly pointed fingers at the Trump administration, alleging staffing reductions. He claimed, “The Trump administration contacted air traffic controllers, offering buyouts to leave their jobs. It’s a very easily proven fact,” despite mounting evidence to the contrary. Buttigieg’s comments seemed to ignore the persistent aviation staffing shortages over the years, with 285 out of 313 air traffic control facilities reportedly grappling with understaffing.
They can't spin this away. The Trump administration contacted air traffic controllers, offering buyouts to leave their jobs. It's a very easily proven fact.
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) February 2, 2025
Obama left 1000 qualified ATCs in the wind because they were white males.
— Dr. Michael Jones (@TruthorConseq12) February 2, 2025
A preliminary report from the FAA highlighted staffing deficiencies at the DCA Air Traffic Control tower during the time of the incident. Disturbingly, the report revealed that only one controller managed both helicopter and airplane traffic, a task typically divided among multiple controllers to ensure safety. Webcam footage from the Kennedy Center vividly depicted the harrowing moment when the Blackhawk helicopter collided directly with the American Airlines plane.
Webcam at the Kennedy Center caught an explosion mid-air across the Potomac. https://t.co/v75sxitpH6 pic.twitter.com/HInYdhBYs5
— Alejandro Alvarez (@aletweetsnews) January 30, 2025
Critically, the FAA’s staffing challenges were exacerbated by its decision to reject a thousand air traffic controller applicants based on its commitment to “Marxist DEI” (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies. Yet Buttigieg conveniently side-stepped these pressing issues, choosing instead to blame an administration no longer in power. Furthermore, it is essential to note that air traffic controllers were specifically excluded from the federal buyout programs under Trump, debunking Buttigieg’s unfounded accusations.
Another layer of controversy emerged when it was reported that one of the Blackhawk helicopter’s co-pilots was 28-year-old Rebecca Lobach, who also served as a White House aide for President Joe Biden. Her presence raised questions, particularly in light of the DEI narrative being pushed, further intensifying the scrutiny on current administration policies.
You were on maternity leave playing pretend chestfeeding during most of the last four years when you could’ve been addressing the ATC shortage. STFU and sit down.
— Bad Hombre (@joma_gc) February 2, 2025
You didn't even read your own article. "An official for the Office for Personnel Management, the U.S. government’s human resources arm, said Friday that controllers weren’t eligible for the resignation plan or subject to the hiring freeze across much of the rest of federal…
— murd4 (@murderof4Crows) February 2, 2025
Critics swiftly dismantled Buttigieg’s narrative, emphasizing the misleading nature of his statements. Given that air traffic controllers were not part of Trump’s federal buyout list, the attempt to cast blame appeared more as a diversion from the real issues plaguing the FAA and its leadership.
You should be in jail Pete Buttigieg.
Your perverse obsession with identity over ability is why the FAA collapsed under Joe Biden.
You’re a disgraceful DEI hire who caused countless disasters in the US while you served as Secretary of Transportation.
Thankfully you got fired.
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) February 2, 2025
Trump supporters noted that the attempt to scapegoat him was not only factually incorrect but also highlighted the refusal of current leadership to own up to the tangible administrative failures that could jeopardize lives.
C’mon man 1 Pothole Pete would have done a much better job, if he weren’t on maternity leave to breast feeding his partner and baby.
Actions show hes for more crashes in FAA
Oops.
He spent more getting his backside reamed than addressing DOT needs.
Buttplug needs to be arrested over his lunatic policies that led to deaths!
Bootyjudge is the cause of this horrific crash. No one else, unless we go higher up to the vegetable Biden. In the private sector, you do your job. Crazy huh? Did anyone even see bootyjudge any where his post was for the last two years. Hey Pete, could you list your accomplishments for the last four years please. Very interested!!
Didn’t he FAIL to show up to a railway crash? He was man ready feeding or something like that. That took “months “ for him to show ANY interest.
Biden was very proud of his legacy….”Biden administration appoints record number of LGBTQI+ officials. The United States currently has its most diverse administration ever, including the most LGBTQI+ officials.”-The Wipe House.”
Buttigieg is like ALL the other incompetent “people” from the “Biden administration.” ALL are losers that probably has taken America with them. As much as Trump is trying, I am not sure We the STUPID People are savable. I just wish I would still be alive in 20 years to watch historians roast the Democrat party, and especially the Biden crime family.
YES!!!!! 100%…
So within a week, Trump offered controllers a buy-out, they accepted it and retired, causing a controller shortage.
Come on Butt-guy, nobody is stupid enough to believe that. No wonder you sucked as Sec of Transportation.
This article says former President Trump instead of President Trump. Apparently they missed the election and inauguration.
Note: Now lets hold up just a minute. Pete has proven time and time again over the years that the lessons learned presented below are correct in many ways. I must thank him for demonstrating that most of the people he has sworn to protect and serve mean little to him. Since Donald Trump game on the scene many politicians, bureaucrats, academicians, and media folks like Pete have lead the way in their particular organizations in trying to rule America versus protecting/serving the American people.
Soldier/Cop, Retired
RAPE, PILLAGE, PLUNDER; AMERICA YOU’VE BEEN HAD! WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
My fellow Americans, as an 82 year old soldier/cop serving primarily in counter-terrorism and installation/community security activities throughout most of my career (joined army while Eisenhower was in office) I have been trying since 1986 to make each of you aware of the primary threats to you, your family, and your country. I have asked Americans over and over again what will it take for you to stand up and take back those rights given to you by God and promised to be respected/protected by our founding fathers when they drafted the Constitution? From what I see/hear/feel each and everyday since Joe Biden stole the presidency I must admit to the American people that those of us serving in the military and/or as police officers have failed to protect you from all of your enemies both foreign and most especially domestic.
Now, In consideration of all of the corruption/incompetence/treachery/etc., coming forth under the brightest light ever thanks to the Biden/Harris administration and their bosses/supporters here and around the world, I am just asking where most of you Americans stand in regards to your rights/roles/duties as citizens.
Seems the arrival of Donald J. Trump followed by Biden’s theft of the Presidency has stripped us all naked to expose not only the sores on our bodies, but those on our souls as well!
The lessons learned I am presenting to you may give you a glimpse into the inner world of a government that devotes most of its time/energy ruling you versus serving/protecting you from the vantage point of one who served in government from the municipal through the federal level as a soldier and cop.
Most of the lessons learned (Note: After the Biden/Harris administration’s performance to date in dealing with hurricanes Helene and Milton, and now the ongoing disaster in California displaying in roaring flames the incompetence/corruption of the far left dominated governments, I have only included those lessons learned most relevant to the current situation and eliminated those that may overly stress many of you.) were originally drafted in the late eighties as the prelude to a book titled: ‘Rape, Pillage, Plunder; America, You’ve Been Had!’ The Department of Defense denied permission to publish the book in that they classified an investigation detailed therein that named a gaggle of politicians and bureaucrats at every level of government as subjects. Three of those subjects went on to be elected to the office of President of the United States of America!
A SOLDIER/COP’S LESSONS LEARNED
NOTE: Newest and hopefully best lessons learned first.
*Donald Trump, is the American people’s last hope and the only “Battle Captain” to ever serve as our Commander-in-Chief is now standing tall among us. America, are you willing to stand with him?
*The end goal of the World/American elites and their minions is not (nor ever has been) socialism, communism, fascism, or capitalism. The elites of the World/America and their minions have used all manner of ideologies, religions, terrorism, wars, etc., to drive the masses/peasants/serfs/whoever/whomever/whatever in one direction. That direction leads to one of the oldest forms of human control ever employed in the history of mankind. That form of human control is; “FEUDALISM!”
* The ‘Seven C’s of Leadership’ according to a survey of Vietnam era ground combat veterans listed of the order of their importance to the veterans are; Candor, Competence, Consistency, Commitment, Courage, Compassion, and Courtesy. The reason the veterans chose “Candor” first and foremost, is because candor encompasses both omission and co-mission. To a combat veteran the lack of absolute candor, be it co-mission or omission, are equal sins! It has been my observation that, democrats are masters of co-mission while republicans are masters of omission! How many politicians do you know who even attempt to follow the the Seven C’s of Leadership?
*The American people are the most effectively lied to people in modern times thanks primarily to the political class, the bureaucracy, the media, and academia.
*The greatest threats to the American people are the hoards of self-serving, corrupt, and/or incompetent politicians/bureaucrats/academicians found at every level of government/academia, and the majority of the so-called media.
*The second greatest threat to the American people is that presented by radical Muslims bent on ridding the world of non-believers, installing Sharia as the only law of the land, and Islam as the world’s only religion. Note: For all of you non-Muslims who think you support Islam I strongly suggest you carefully study the game plan supposedly first presented by Mohammad (The Prophet) in the early 600’s and the current socialization/cultural practices of the current Iranian government. I submit unless you are a sadistic male you will not enjoy life as a Muslim.
*Most of the politicians/bureaucrats/academicians/media types I have encountered during my years as a soldier and a cop I currently refer to as; self-serving, witless, corrupt, incompetent, cowards. Prior to retiring to the deep woods I referred to most of the before mentioned folks as self-serving, witless, corrupt, incompetent, cowardly, piss-ants. After retiring to the deep woods I came to know that piss-ants are neither self-serving nor witless, and certainly not cowards!
*There are only two primary requirements to be a career soldier and/or cop in America. One must be smart enough to do the work and dumb enough to take the job.
*American soldiers and police officers must in addition to mastering all of their professionally mandated tasks learn to accomplish the same with at least one arm tied behind their backs, and their vision and hearing impaired 50% or more.
*After carefully watching the whole of the political class for many years I can say without reservation that most of the group will sell their souls and our bodies just to remain in power.
*Want to see what the United States of America will look like if the left/progressives take total control of the government? Take your pick, New York City, Baltimore, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Oakland, Portland, or the complete packages; California, New York, Illinois, etc, etc, etc…..!
*Arrogance minus knowledge equals stupidity (A – K = S!).
Have a nice day,
Soldier/Cop,Retired
Trump’s hiring freeze did not include air traffic controller’s or critical safety personnel. Any problems safety or traffic control would be the result Buttigieg’s policies and oversight.