President Donald Trump blamed diversity hiring at the Federal Aviation Administration for Wednesday night’s deadly midair collision in Washington, D.C. — days after his new administration banned diversity, equity and inclusion efforts across the federal government, including at the FAA.

President Donald Trump began his White House briefing Thursday with a moment of silence and a prayer for victims of Wednesday's crash at Reagan National Airport. But his remarks quickly became a diatribe against diversity hiring and his allegation — so far without evidence — that lowered standards were to blame for the

Trump provided no evidence and said it was "common sense" the crash was caused by diversity in hiring.

The president implied that the crash was caused by the FAA's recruitment of people with "severe intellectual disabilities" and "psychiatric problems."

President Trump blamed diversity, equity and inclusion programs and the last two Democratic presidents for the crash—without citing evidence to support his assertions. “Brilliant people have to be in those positions,

Following the deadly midair collision between an American Airlines jet and a military helicopter, President Donald Trump put the blame on Federal Aviation Administration's diversity, equity and inclusion programs.