Vice President JD Vance defended President Trump's claims connecting diversity, equity, and inclusion hiring practices within the FAA to a recent plane crash. Despite widespread shortages of air traffic controllers, there is no evidence that DEI policies affected aviation safety. Vance asserted that the Biden administration's DEI regime led to short-staffed air traffic controllers, claiming this impacted hiring decisions. However, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association stated that certification standards are not based on race or gender. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also found no evidence linking DEI initiatives to staffing shortages. The crash involved a medical transport jet with six Mexican citizens on board, including a child who had just received care and her mother. The NTSB classified the crash as an accident, with no distress call made before the fiery impact. Despite Trump's assertions, there is no factual basis connecting DEI efforts to the tragic event.