Is this why we’re having more air incidents?

2 CommentsCommentary, Corruption

Sean Duffy, President Trump’s newly appointed Transportation Secretary, has initiated a full investigation into allegations of cheating in the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) air traffic controller hiring process. The probe follows a Daily Mail audio report exposing claims that a “DEI activist” employee provided exam answers to minority candidates

All DEI hires at the FAA put on notice by Sean Duffy after bombshell leaked audio | Daily Mail [Source: Daily Mail, March 14, 2025].

According to The Post Millennial, Duffy announced on X, “I am launching a full investigation into the DEI hiring allegations at the FAA immediately. If true, swift accountability will come for those responsible. We need the best and brightest, not buzzword, DEI hires” [Source: The Post Millennial, March 14, 2025]. The investigation stems from a leaked voicemail allegedly involving Shelton Snow, a New York air traffic control supervisor and influential member of the National Black Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees (NBCFAE).

In the recording, Snow reportedly promised to send test answer screenshots to minority candidates, stating, “I am about 99.99 percent sure that it is exactly how you need to answer each question” [Source: Daily Mail, March 14, 2025]. The information, allegedly shared in 2014, was intended for black, female, and other minority applicants, while white male candidates were excluded to reduce competition. A former NBCFAE member told reporters, “I know several people who cheated and I know several people who are controlling planes as we speak.”

This scandal emerges as the Trump administration works to dismantle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs within the FAA and other federal agencies. The FAA had recently planned to overhaul its hiring practices following former President Obama’s directive to prioritize diversity. The timing of the voicemail’s release has intensified scrutiny on these initiatives.

The allegations raise serious concerns about the FAA’s hiring integrity and the influence of DEI policies on federal employment. Duffy’s investigation will focus on ensuring that air traffic controllers are selected based on merit and competence, critical factors for maintaining the safety and reliability of U.S. airspace. Updates on the investigation are expected as it progresses.

[Published: March 15, 2025]