Trump Signs January 22 Executive Order Ending DEI Hiring at FAA, Emphasizing Merit for 45,000 Flights and 2.9 Million Passengers

Jan 22, 2025, 02:47 AM

On January 22, 2025, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order terminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) hiring initiatives within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The order mandates the Secretary of Transportation and the FAA Administrator to revert to non-discriminatory, merit-based hiring practices, emphasizing the importance of competence and skill over identity factors such as race and gender. This decision effectively rescinds previous directives from the Biden administration aimed at promoting diversity in hiring, including provisions for candidates with disabilities. The FAA, responsible for overseeing safety for over 45,000 flights and 2.9 million airline passengers daily, is now directed to ensure that hiring practices prioritize qualifications and safety. The executive order follows a broader move by Trump to dismantle federal diversity programs across various agencies.