In the aftermath of national tragedies, Americans turn to the president for comfort and inspiration, regardless of their political affiliation.
After the Kennedy assassination, President Lyndon B. Johnson said, “This a sad time for all people. I will do my best. That is all I can do. I ask for your help – and God’s.”
After the explosion of the Challenger spacecraft, President Ronald Reagan, referencing the crew, spoke, “We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, as they waved goodbye and ‘slipped the surly bonds of earth’ to ‘touch the face of God.’”
President Barack Obama, after the shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut, said, “This evening, Michelle and I will do what I know every parent in America will do, which is hug our children a little tighter, and we’ll tell them that we love them. But there are families in Connecticut who cannot do that tonight.”
Unfortunately, President Donald J. Trump, during his first public appearance after the recent plane crash in Washington, did not provide comfort to the nation. Instead, immediately after calling for a moment of prayer, he launched into a misinformed attack, blaming “DEI” – or to put it in less coded language: Black people and Democrats – for the accident that claimed the lives of 67 Americans.
Trump cited “I have common sense” as the source of his allegation.
Here are the facts from the U.S. Census Bureau: 78% of air traffic controllers are men, while 22% are women. White individuals comprise 71% of the total, while Black individuals account for 8%.
Further, according to the Chicago Tribune, when you hear “This is your captain” on a commercial flight in the United States, there’s over a 90% chance that the speaker is a White male. Only 3.4% of pilots are Black.
When asked if he planned to visit the crash site, Trump replied, “You want me to go swimming?”
This grieving nation deserved better from the president.
The Washington Informer extends its prayers and condolences to the families impacted by the collision of American 5342 and the U.S. Army Black Hawk.