Karoline Leavitt Criticizes Chuck Schumer Over FAA Cuts Blame for Delta Crash
The White House press secretary disputes Schumer's claims linking Trump-era FAA workforce reductions to a Delta plane crash in Toronto, highlighting Canadian oversight of the incident.
- A Delta Air Lines flight from Minneapolis crash-landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport, flipping upside-down and injuring 18 of the 80 passengers onboard.
- Senator Chuck Schumer attributed the crash to Donald Trump's recent FAA workforce reductions, specifically citing cuts to safety specialists.
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called Schumer's comments 'irresponsible,' noting that the crash occurred in Canadian airspace under the direction of Canadian air traffic controllers.
- Leavitt disputed claims of FAA layoffs, stating that no air traffic controllers were let go and emphasizing the Trump administration's focus on merit-based hiring for FAA positions.
- The crash's cause remains under investigation, with potential factors including weather, human error, or mechanical failure.