Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg responded to President Trump’s criticism of the FAA and the prior administration, calling it “despicable” at a time of tragedy and disputing his characterization of events.

An American Airlines flight from Wichita in Kansas was landing at Washington Reagan National Airport when it collided with a military helicopter, crashing into the Potomac river in the worst US aviation disaster in more than 20 years.

Buttigieg pointed out that the U.S. hadn't had a deadly airline crash in 16 years and that Trump fired "key personnel who helped keep our skies safe."

Pete Buttigieg, former transportation secretary and former South Bend mayor, called Trump's comments during today's press briefing "despicable."

Trump said he didn't know what caused the crash but "we have some very strong opinions and ideas."

Pete Buttigieg was less than thrilled when President Donald Trump called him out Thursday during a news conference.

President Donald Trump on Thursday blasted the Federal Aviation Administration's DEI standards at a press conference addressing Wednesday night's deadly plane crash in Washington, D.C.

President Donald Trump slammed former Secretary of Transportation Buttigieg after a deadly collision between a helicopter and a plane near Reagan National Airport.

President Donald Trump attacks former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg at press conference. Buttigieg responds on X.

U.S. President Trump states that Buttigieg is a disaster and that diversity is not integral to the FAA's mission. He also criticizes the Obama administration's efforts to address diversity and equity in the FAA.

Trump fired the head of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and dismissed all members of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee as well last week. The Aviation Security Advisory Committee was created by Congress in 1988 after the PanAm Flight 103 bombing.