Trump appoints new acting FAA administrator in wake of DCA plane crash

President Donald Trump on Thursday named a new acting administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and signed a memorandum that called for an "immediate assessment of Aviation Safety," in the wake of a tragic plane crash near Washington, D.C.

An American Airlines flight collided with a military helicopter and plunged into the Potomac River along side Washington, D.C. on Wednesday night, which officials believed killed all 64 people onboard the plane and three people on the helicopter. 

Trump appointed Christopher Rocheleau, a 22-year FAA veteran, as acting FAA administrator. Former FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker resigned earlier this month.

“I’m ... immediately appointing an acting commissioner to the FAA, Christopher Rocheleau. A 22-year veteran of the agency, highly respected. Christopher, thank you very much, appreciate it,” Trump told reporters in the White House briefing room.

The FAA administrator will still need to be confirmed by the Senate, and will serve a five-year term. Whitaker only served just over one year before resigning his post.

Trump also ordered Rocheleau and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to end Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) practices in the aviation sector, and undo hiring practices from former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden's administrations that "minimized merit and competence" in the FAA.

"On my second day in office, I ordered an immediate return to merit-based recruitment, hiring, and promotion, elevating safety and ability as the paramount standard," Trump wrote in the memorandum. "Yesterday’s devastating accident tragically underscores the need to elevate safety and competence as the priority of the FAA.

"Consistent with the Presidential Memorandum of January 21, 2025, the Secretary and the Administrator shall take all actions necessary to reverse concerning safety and personnel trends during the prior 4 years, instill an unwavering commitment to aviation safety, and ensure that all Americans fly with peace of mind," he added.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.