Despite current policy, the FAA during Trump’s first administration actively sought to recruit workers with disabilities.

DALLAS — On January 21, 2025, the White House issued a memorandum on “Keeping Americans Safe in Aviation,” directing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the US' foremost aviation safety body, and the Department of Transportation (DOT) to immediately end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in favor of merit-based hiring.

President Donald Trump is doubling down on purging diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts within the U.S. government. Less than two days after his inauguration, his administration is taking aim at the FAA.

Donald Trump issued an executive order when he took office in January 2025, removing Joe Biden’s DEI programs in the government.

The Trump administration is ordering all federal employees in diversity, equity and inclusion roles placed on paid leave by Wednesday evening, according to a new memo from the Office of Personnel Management.

The Washington, D.C., area is governed by a Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) within a 30-mile radius of Reagan National Airport. Flying unmanned aircraft within the 15-mile inner ring is prohibited without specific FAA authorization, requiring Transportation Security Administration and FAA waivers and special clearance.

For over a decade, you couldn’t easily fly a DJI drone over restricted areas in the United States. DJI’s software would automatically stop you from flying over runways, power plants, public emergencies like wildfires,

A software update from Chinse drone makers DJI removed geofencing restrictions and allows operators to fly in restricted areas like airports. This could cause chaos.

U.S. President Donald Trump escalated his assault on diversity programs on Tuesday by pressuring the private sector to join the initiative, ordering aviation officials to review diversity hires and telling employees of DEI government offices and programs they would be placed on paid leave.

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order promising to eliminate what he incorrectly labels “the electric vehicle mandate” imposed under former President Joe Biden.