On Friday, Morning Joe analyst Katty Kay took aim at the Democratic Party, accusing them of not pushing back against President Donald Trump’s controversial comments about the deadly plane crash in Washington D.C.
Earlier, fill-in host Jonathan Lemire had criticized Trump for politicizing the tragedy, which killed 67 people, by blaming diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring practices in the federal government.
Kay Questions the Lack of Democratic Response to Trump’s Claims
Kay, a British journalist, expressed frustration over what she saw as a missed opportunity for Democrats to hold Trump accountable.
She pointed out that the former president, despite making baseless claims about the crash, is not facing much resistance.
“It looks like Donald Trump is feeling extremely powerful and realizing that even if he says something or goes too far, then he’s not going to get much pushback, right?” she remarked during the discussion.
Trump Blames Diversity Initiatives for DC Crash
The incident in question involved a collision between an American Airlines plane and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River on Wednesday night.
Trump had suggested that DEI initiatives in federal hiring might have contributed to the crash, sparking backlash from various public figures.
While former Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg called Trump’s remarks “despicable,” Kay pointed out that Democrats hadn’t come together in a unified response.
Criticism Grows as Trump Makes Unsubstantiated Claims
Kay argued that Trump was effectively blaming marginalized groups, including Black and brown people, women, and people with disabilities, for the crash.
She expressed disappointment over the lack of a coordinated outcry from the Democratic Party.
“Where is the outcry?” Kay asked, reflecting on the missed opportunity for the party to call out the president’s unfounded accusations.
Buttigieg and Other Democrats Respond to Trump’s Remarks
Several Democratic figures, including Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, strongly condemned Trump’s remarks.
Van Hollen called Trump’s comments “grotesque,” noting that the president had no evidence to support his claims.
Schumer echoed the sentiment, accusing Trump of politicizing a national tragedy before the facts were even clear.
Trump’s Comments Are Seen as Irresponsible and Dangerous
In addition to the political backlash, other public figures, including former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, criticized Trump for his lack of leadership in the wake of the tragedy.
Buttigieg, who served under President Biden, pointed out that Trump’s comments showed a lack of understanding about air safety and claimed that his policies, including firing key personnel at the FAA, were detrimental to safety.
Public Reaction to Trump’s Comments Intensifies
The backlash continued to grow as the investigation into the crash, the worst U.S. air disaster in 23 years, remains ongoing.
Critics, including MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell and Rachel Maddow, lambasted Trump for his speculative and prejudiced remarks.
O’Donnell described Trump’s theory as “based entirely on his own profoundly ignorant, prejudiced guess,” adding to the chorus of condemnation.
The Crash Investigation Continues Amid Political Outrage
As the political debate rages on, the investigation into the crash, which involved both a commercial airline and a military helicopter, is still in its early stages.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the inquiry, and D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly has called it an “accident.”
However, many are still waiting for definitive answers, while others continue to push for accountability from all sides.