Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, has strongly criticized former President Donald Trump, accusing him of using the recent tragic midair collision in Washington, D.C. to advance a "racist" agenda. The collision between a military helicopter and a passenger plane resulted in the likely deaths of all 67 people on board.

Clarke condemned Trump's speculation during a press conference about the potential role of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the crash. Trump questioned whether DEI hiring practices might have contributed to the incident, emphasizing the need for "brainpower" and "psychological quality" in roles like air traffic control. He also criticized the Biden administration for allegedly reversing stricter standards implemented during his presidency.

Clarke, speaking at a press conference in Brooklyn, New York, characterized Trump's remarks as an attempt to "capitalize on this tragedy" and promote his "racist, insane agenda." She expressed outrage that Trump would focus on such matters rather than offering condolences to the victims' families or uniting the nation in mourning. She further accused Trump of seeking to create a federal workforce that is as "White and as male" as possible.

While Trump did not explicitly mention race in his comments, Clarke interpreted his statements as dog whistles aimed at promoting a racially biased agenda. She stressed the importance of waiting for the results of the ongoing investigation, which has not yet identified a definitive cause for the crash. There is currently no evidence linking DEI practices to the incident.

Democrats have widely criticized Trump for connecting the crash to DEI policies. Some left-leaning commentators have, conversely, blamed Trump-era policies aimed at reducing the size of the federal government. The White House has been contacted for a response to Clarke's accusations.