President Donald Trump addressed the nation Thursday from the White House press room, fulfilling a solemn presidential role—offering condolences in the wake of tragedy. However, his remarks quickly shifted from sympathy to politics, underscoring how his administration continues to break from tradition.

Speaking just hours after a deadly mid-air collision over Washington, Trump expressed sorrow for the lives lost before swiftly blaming what he called inadequate hiring standards for air traffic controllers under the Biden administration. Without presenting direct evidence, he linked the crash to federal “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) initiatives—programs designed to create a more diverse government workforce.

“This just could have been,” Trump speculated, asserting that DEI policies were at fault “because I have common sense.”

Trump’s Republican allies, including his vice president and the secretaries of transportation and defense, echoed his concerns, using the tragedy to criticize federal hiring practices. However, longstanding shortages of air traffic controllers within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) challenge the claim that DEI policies have compromised safety.

The president’s response made two things clear: his determination to dominate the national conversation remains unchanged, and he sees no moment—however tragic—as off-limits for political attacks and advancing his agenda.