The Truth About "Trump vs FAA Diversity"

Let's breakdown what he said and where he got his information

In a press briefing on January 30, 2025, President Donald Trump appeared to blame the FAA’s "diversity push" for the tragic crash of American Airlines Flight 5342. Justifying his statement, he explained:

"The FAA Diversity push including hiring people with severe intellectual and psychiatric disabilities."

He went on to say:

"FAA says people with severe disabilities are the most underrepresented members of the workforce."

Where Does This Come From?

President Trump’s remarks are based on a real FAA policy document that highlights the agency’s efforts to increase workforce diversity and in particular, workforce members that have “targeted disabilities.” . According to the FAA’s guidelines, last updated on March 23, 2022:

Targeted disabilities are those disabilities that the Federal government, as a matter of policy, has identified for special emphasis in recruitment and hiring. They include hearing, vision, missing extremities, partial paralysis, complete paralysis, epilepsy, severe intellectual disability, psychiatric disability, and dwarfism.

The “targeted disabilities.” list above is not unique to the FAA — it was a standard list across the Federal government. It refers to all positions with the FAA, not specifically to air traffic controlers or other safety-sensitive roles. It is a standard federal hiring policy under Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act, which encourages hiring disabled individuals where appropriate but does not lower job qualifications or safety requirements.

What About Air Traffic Controllers?

When it comes to air traffic controllers, the FAA maintains a distinct and rigorous set of hiring and training standards. The FAA Air Traffic Controller Workforce Plan (2022) states:

"The FAA is fully committed in both controller hiring and training to the tenets of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) as outlined in the agency’s Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan. These principles are supported by focusing and increasing outreach and recruitment to underrepresented communities through intern programs, outreach to colleges, universities, and community organizations, and partnerships with other federal agencies."

This is just the beginning of the qualification process for ATC’s. To become an air traffic controller with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), candidates must successfully complete a comprehensive selection and training process, which includes:

1. Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA): A 3.5-hour test conducted at approved testing facilities to evaluate candidates’ aptitude for air traffic control duties.

2. Medical Examination: A thorough physical exam to ensure candidates meet the health standards required for the role.

3. Psychological Screening: Administration of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) to assess psychological suitability.

4. FAA Academy Training: Successful candidates attend the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City for several months of intensive training, covering both classroom instruction and practical simulations.

Upon completing these steps, candidates undergo additional on-the-job training at assigned facilities before achieving full certification as professional air traffic controllers.

The Real Takeaway

The FAA’s DEI efforts are a broader attempt to expand federal employment opportunities, but safety-critical roles, such as air traffic controllers, maintain strict qualification and competency requirements.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and FAA have both stated that while they seek to promote a diverse workforce, safety remains paramount. In a 2023 statement, the FAA reaffirmed:

"Diversity in hiring does not mean lowering standards. Our controllers must meet the same rigorous qualifications as always to ensure the safety of the national airspace."

Trump’s remarks, while highlighting a real FAA policy, misrepresent its application to air traffic controllers. The FAA’s hiring practices ensure that only the most capable individuals are entrusted with critical safety roles, regardless of diversity initiatives.

COMMENT: As much as it’s clear to me that Trump is manipulating facts to suit his narrative — it is also clear to me that people at someplace like the FAA should have really thought twice about publishing DEI standards that talk about hiring people with “severe intellectual disability” and “psychological disability” — precisely because even a reasonable person might read that and say …WTF? Air Traffic Controllers? As it is, Trump has been handed a talking point which he will use to his advantage to bash his political opponents, probably with success.