Trump must do better in tragedy

To the editor: 

When tragedies like the crash of an American Eagle commercial jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk happen, the president can provide comfort to the families of the victims and assurances to the public. 

President Donald Trump began the press conference the next morning with words of condolence to the families of the victims. He commended the rescue and recovery efforts, acknowledging local, state and federal agencies, and the military. And then, in true “As the Trump Turns” style, he went off course. 

“We do not know what led to this crash, but we have some very strong opinions and ideas, and I think we’ll probably state those opinions now.”  

Without any facts in hand, the president made statements that implied diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs could be the cause, although the investigation into the disaster had only just begun. He also impugned the actions of the Army helicopter crew.

Seriously, before any kind of real investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board, the president is assuming the guilt of the helicopter crew? 

President Trump criticized the previous administration’s management of the Federal Aviation Administration. He cited the FAA's website disabilities definition that included “hearing, vision, missing extremities, partial paralysis, complete paralysis, epilepsy, severe intellectual disability, psychiatric disability, and dwarfism.” The president claimed people with these disabilities would qualify for air controller positions. The FAA’s website did not say that. 

When Trump took questions after his remarks, he was asked whether he believed the crash was the result of diversity hiring.

Instead of taking a step back and saying, “I didn’t mean to suggest that” his response was, “It just could have been.” 

Air traffic controllers receive extensive training and must pass mental fitness tests to qualify for their positions. According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the tests are to determine that air traffic controllers don’t have personality or mental disorders that demonstrate “a potential hazard to safety in the air traffic control system.”  

People with disabilities do serve as air traffic controllers. But the disabilities they have do not interfere with performing their jobs. There is no evidence that anyone with intellectual disabilities is serving as an air traffic controller. None.

The air safety system in the United States has dramatically improved over the past 20 years. The Jan. 29 crash was the first of its kind in the U.S. since 2013. That year, three people died and more than 180 injured in a commercial airline crash in San Francisco. Between 2003 and 2012, there were five commercial airline crashes in the U.S., including two that killed 49 people each. Whatever the NTSB and other agencies are doing is making a difference. 

But cracks in air safety are developing. It is well known we need more air traffic controllers. There are other issues. These must be addressed as soon as humanly possible.

It’s also fine to push the NTSB to move with greater speed in coming to conclusions, provided due diligence is not lost.  

But the press briefing on Jan. 30 was not the time to attack the people who are doing their jobs as air traffic controllers, pilots, NTSB investigators or serving in the military. We do not need anyone, including the president, smearing these public servants or coming up with solutions before the facts are in.   

At times when the American people are rocked by tragedy, we need our president to speak words of condolence, encouragement and assurance.

Presidents Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama all did it with grace.

Look back at their words, President Trump. Please do better next time.     

Eric R. Rogers

Portland