President Donald Trump blasted the Federal Aviation Administration's DEI standards at a press conference addressing Wednesday night's deadly plane crash in Washington, D.C. on Thursday.

Trump offered no evidence that diversity hiring practices contributed to the fatal plane and helicopter collision.

Trump said he didn't know what caused the crash, but said "we have some very strong opinions and ideas."

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Thursday questioned the actions of the Army helicopter pilot and air traffic controller ahead of a deadly midair collision in Washington and quickly veered into politics to speculate that Democrats and diversity initiatives shared blame for the deaths of 67 people.

President Donald Trump on Thursday claimed, without citing evidence, that diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives for air traffic controllers at the Federal Aviation Administration -- under Democratic presidents -- were partly to blame for the tragic plane and helicopter collision in Washington on Wednesday night.

The FAA is actively recruiting workers who suffer severe intellectual disabilities, psychiatric problems, and other mental and physical conditions," Trump said.

Democrats previously hit out at the president's federal hiring freeze for hindering the "number one safety issue" in aviation.

The plane crash at DCA raised questions about recent leadership changes within the federal agencies charged with regulating air travel.

The president at points acknowledged that it was too soon to draw conclusions as he encouraged the nation to pray for the victims. But he moved nonetheless to assign blame.

Former President Trump made unsubstantiated claims about a midair collision, linking it to FAA diversity policies from the Obama and Biden administrat