Immediate Assessment of Aviation Safety

Memorandums

TLDR

This executive order mandates a review of FAA hiring and safety protocols from the past 4 years, authorizes personnel changes for unqualified staff, and implements new safety measures. It criticizes previous administrations’ hiring practices, particularly DEI initiatives, while emphasizing a return to merit-based standards in aviation safety.

This executive memorandum focuses on aviation safety following a reported collision between a commercial aircraft and military helicopter near Reagan National Airport.

Primary actions ordered:

  • Immediate review of all hiring decisions and safety protocol changes from the previous 4 years
  • Assessment of potential deterioration in hiring and safety standards during the Biden administration
  • Authorization to replace individuals not meeting qualification standards
  • Implementation of corrective actions to ensure aviation safety

The memorandum makes several assertions about previous administrations:

  • Claims the Obama administration implemented a biographical questionnaire that shifted focus from aptitude
  • States the Biden administration rejected merit-based hiring in favor of DEI initiatives
  • References a January 21, 2025 memorandum titled “Keeping Americans Safe in Aviation”

The memorandum represents a significant shift in FAA hiring practices, potentially affecting:

  • Current FAA employees hired under previous administration’s policies
  • Existing diversity and inclusion programs within the FAA
  • Safety protocol implementation and oversight

Potential concerns:

  • The broad authority to review and replace personnel could lead to significant workforce disruption
  • The memorandum’s characterization of previous hiring practices may oversimplify complex policy decisions
  • The direct connection drawn between DEI initiatives and safety concerns lacks substantiated evidence

Implementation challenges:

  • The broad scope of the review could strain FAA resources
  • Rapid personnel changes might temporarily reduce operational capacity
  • The timeline for implementation is not clearly defined

Legal considerations:

  • Personnel changes must comply with federal employment laws and regulations
  • Review process must adhere to due process requirements
  • Any corrective actions need to be based on objective safety criteria

This memorandum represents a significant policy shift in FAA operations and hiring practices, with potentially far-reaching implications for aviation safety oversight and workforce management.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION

SUBJECT: Immediate Assessment of Aviation Safety

On January 29, 2025, a commercial aircraft and a military helicopter horrifically collided near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. American families today woke up without their loved ones after what should have been a routine trip, and the entire Nation mourns the loss of the victims.

This shocking event follows problematic and likely illegal decisions during the Obama and Biden Administrations that minimized merit and competence in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The Obama Administration implemented a biographical questionnaire at the FAA to shift the hiring focus away from objective aptitude. During my first term, my Administration raised standards to achieve the highest standards of safety and excellence. But the Biden Administration egregiously rejected merit-based hiring, requiring all executive departments and agencies to implement dangerous “diversity equity and inclusion” tactics, and specifically recruiting individuals with “severe intellectual” disabilities in the FAA.

On my second day in office, I ordered an immediate return to merit-based recruitment, hiring, and promotion, elevating safety and ability as the paramount standard. Yesterday’s devastating accident tragically underscores the need to elevate safety and competence as the priority of the FAA.

Consistent with the Presidential Memorandum of January 21, 2025 (Keeping Americans Safe in Aviation), I am further ordering the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (Administrator) to review all hiring decisions and changes to safety protocols made during the prior 4 years, and to take such corrective action as necessary to achieve uncompromised aviation safety, including the replacement of any individuals who do not meet qualification standards. This review shall include a systematic assessment of any deterioration in hiring standards and aviation safety standards and protocols during the Biden Administration.

Consistent with the Presidential Memorandum of January 21, 2025, the Secretary and the Administrator shall take all actions necessary to reverse concerning safety and personnel trends during the prior 4 years, instill an unwavering commitment to aviation safety, and ensure that all Americans fly with peace of mind.