Donald Trump has declared "Americans' hearts are shattered" before he blamed Joe Biden and Barrack Obama for the devastating air crash involving an American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter. Speaking from the White House, the recently inaugurated US president said that the country is in a state of grief as he confirmed all 64 plane passengers and the three on board the helicopter were dead.
He revealed that a large-scale "search and rescue operation" was initially launched but has now transitioned to a recovery effort. He said: "Sadly there are no survivors. As one nation we grieve for every precious soul that has been taken from us so suddenly."
Trump admitted the calamity has "really shaken a lot of people," extending to international communities with nationals aboard the aircraft. He proceeded to extend his and Melania Trump's heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families.
"We do not know what led to this crash but we have some very strong opinions and ideas," he asserted, committing to prevent any recurrence of such a tragedy.
The cause of the tragic mid-air crash remains uncertain, but Trump assured that the US military and the National Transportation Safety Board are on the case. "We'll find out how this disaster occurred and will ensure that nothing like this ever happens again," he promised, reports the Mirror.
As the search for victims persists, Trump reflected: "We are one family and today we are all heartbroken."
In response to the incident, Trump announced the appointment of Chris Rocheleau, a seasoned Federal Aviation Administration expert, as the acting commissioner, noting that a permanent commissioner would need Senate approval.
During the press conference, Trump took a swipe at Barack Obama and Joe Biden for weakening regulations. He said: "I put safety first. Obama, Biden and the Democrats put policy first. They put politics at a level that nobody's ever seen."
He continued, slamming their approach as "their policy was horrible" and claimed his presidency brought in executive orders that kicked air traffic standards into high gear.
In the aftermath of the crash, Trump popped off on Truth Social claiming it "looks like it should have been prevented."
Trump has been posting on his truth social account a lot over the past hour. He wrote: "I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport."
He went on to offer prayers and kudos to the heroes on the scene, saying: "May god bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise."
Fears are mounting for all 64 people on the ill-fated aircraft, with this potentially being the gravest US aviation tragedy in nearly 25 years, per Thursday's briefings. Rescue crews have retrieved at least 28 bodies from the Potomac River following the crash while the plane was landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, authorities reported.
The doomed plane was packed with 60 passengers and a crew of four, alongside three soldiers on the helicopter.
"We don't believe there are any survivors," admitted John Donnelly, the top fire officer in the nation's capital. "We are now at the point where we are switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation."
The downed plane was discovered in three pieces, belly-up in waist-deep water, with first responders scouring a stretch of the Potomac River as far down as the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, about 3 miles south of the airport, shared Donnelly.
Debris from the helicopter involved was also located. Should there be no survivors, this tragedy would mark the deadliest US air disaster since 2009.
While the cause of the fatal crash is currently unknown, officials reported that weather conditions were clear as the jet from Wichita, Kansas, approached carrying US and Russian figure skaters among others, ready for a standard landing. American Airlines boss Robert Isom disclosed, "On final approach into Reagan National, it collided with a military aircraft on an otherwise normal approach," adding, "At this time, we don't know why the military aircraft came into the path of the ... aircraft."
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