President Donald Trump began his White House briefing Thursday with a moment of silence and a prayer for victims of Wednesday's crash at Reagan National Airport. But his remarks quickly became a diatribe against diversity hiring and his allegation — so far without evidence — that lowered standards were to blame for the

But within minutes, the “presidential” mirage dissolved. Trump unleashed an unusually appallingly rant, blaming the crash on Barack Obama, Joe Biden, former Transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg, DEI and people with disabilities.

An American Airlines regional jet went down in the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

The plane crash at DCA raised questions about recent leadership changes within the federal agencies charged with regulating air travel.

Trump said he didn't know what caused the crash but "we have some very strong opinions and ideas."

President Trump and his advisers were updated on the crash on Wednesday night from the Situation Room, according to a White House official. National security adviser Mike Waltz and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy briefed Trump on the situation.

It's the first crisis of the 11-day-old Donald Trump's administration. The president claims the collision between the Black Hawk helicopter and American Airlines could be blamed on DEI hiring policies.