Safe Skies Only: FAA Ditches DEI for Top-Tier Talent Hiring
Published Date: 1/31/2025
Presidential Document
Summary
The President has ordered the FAA to stop all hiring based on race, disability, or other non-job-related factors and focus only on skills and safety. This affects FAA employees and future hires, ensuring only the most capable people keep our skies safe. The changes start immediately, with reviews of current staff to replace anyone not meeting top safety standards.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
FAA must end DEI-based hiring
On January 21, 2025, the President ordered the FAA to immediately stop hiring based on race, sex, disability, or any other criteria other than job-related capability. The Memorandum requires rescinding all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and returning to merit-based hiring focused on individual capability, competence, achievement, and dedication.
Review and replace FAA critical-safety staff
The Secretary of Transportation and the FAA Administrator must review past performance and performance standards of all individuals in critical safety positions and take appropriate action to replace any individual who fails to demonstrate requisite capability with a high-capability individual to ensure top-notch air safety and efficiency. This review is ordered to begin immediately in the Memorandum dated January 21, 2025.
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