I flew today but didn’t learn of last night’s crash until after I landed. I cannot imagine what the families were going through and my hearts go out them.

I could not help but emphatically nod along when I saw this comment on Reddit describing the timeline of events:

  • Jan 20: FAA director fired
  • Jan 21: Air Traffic Controller hiring frozen
  • Jan 22: Aviation Safety Advisory Committee disbanded
  • Jan 28: Buyout/retirement demand sent to existing employees
  • Jan 29: First American mid-air collision in 16 years
  • Jan 30: Whitehouse addresses the nation. Donald Trump blames DEI, Joe Biden, and Barack Obama for the tragic accident.

I don’t want to come across as crass by comparing a real-world tragedy with fiction, but I was immediately reminded of an unforgettable scene in the season 2 finale of Breaking Bad (spoiler warning) when we learn Jane’s father is an air traffic controller. Having just lost his daughter, he is grief-stricken and a plane crash occurs. It shows that despite Walt continuing to justify his misdeeds, our actions have severe, irreversible, and widespread consequences. Far beyond what we can fathom.

There will be an extensive investigation to what happened but I feel like this Reddit user put together the pieces. In the name of “government efficiency” Trump is dismantling the structures that keep us safe. Let’s not mince words: 67 people died because of Trump’s actions. As with everything else, there will be zero consequences for him.

As wrap up week two of Trump’s presidency I urge you to imagine the harm he will cause over the next four years.

(PS Matt Birchler had a great take on Trump’s anti-DEI rhetoric on this, which is again, deflecting from the core issue of not respecting labor in this country. Especially in demanding and serious occupations.)