Trump seeks to reshape FAA with hiring shakeup
January 23, 2025
Donald Trump has issued a Presidential Memorandum directing significant changes to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) hiring policies.
The memorandum terminates diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programmes implemented under the Biden Administration.
The controversial directive calls for an immediate halt to DEI-focused hiring initiatives within the FAA and mandates the Secretary of Transportation and FAA Administrator to prioritise “safety and efficiency” as the sole criteria for recruitment.
Opponents of the move warn the changes will limit efforts to ensure federal agency workforces are representative of the US population. Critics of DEI programmes claim they prioritise diversity over safety and efficiency, as the statement from the White House states.
The memorandum mirrors Trump’s broader stance on reducing DEI initiatives in government. The impact of these changes on FAA operations and broader discussions about diversity in federal hiring remains to be seen.
