Transportation Secretary Admits Lack of Knowledge, Shifts Blame Toward Pete Hegseth. In a recent interview on Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy found himself under intense scrutiny after a troubling incident at Washington’s Reagan National Airport. Two commercial flights were forced to divert due to a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter entering restricted airspace, raising serious questions about aviation safety, coordination between federal agencies, and VIP flight priorities.
The Incident: Black Hawk Disrupts Commercial Flights
The controversy stems from an event last week when a Delta Airbus A319 and a Republic Airways Embraer E170 were ordered by air traffic controllers to perform “go-arounds” — essentially aborting their landing attempts — due to an incoming military helicopter bound for the Pentagon. According to reports from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the incident occurred around 2:30 p.m., after the Black Hawk was told to circle the Pentagon before landing.
During the interview, Duffy explained the technical aspects of the situation, stating, “There has to be at least a mile and a half of nautical separation and 500 feet of altitude separation between aircraft. The helicopter entered that protected airspace, so the commercial planes had to go around.”
Who Was on the Helicopter? Shifts Blame Toward Pete Hegseth
The discussion quickly turned to the question of who exactly was onboard the helicopter and why such VIP movement was prioritized over civilian air traffic. Duffy speculated about the ranks of the military officials, questioning whether it was a two-star or three-star general. He also pointedly remarked on the transportation choices of other high-level officials, saying, “The top brass at the White House take a car, a suburban, or even a Tesla. Why are these generals taking helicopters just to attend meetings?”
Laura Ingraham pressed Duffy further, asking him directly who was on the helicopter. Duffy admitted he did not know, suggesting that responsibility likely lay with the Department of Defense (DoD). He added that the FAA also lacked this information, highlighting a concerning gap in inter-agency communication.
Public Frustration and Calls for Transparency
Throughout the interview, Duffy expressed visible frustration, criticizing the Department of Defense for what he described as a lack of transparency. “The DoD has promised radical transparency. They need to tell us who is qualified to take helicopters out of the Pentagon,” Duffy asserted.
Ingraham challenged him again, suggesting he could simply call Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Duffy stammered in response, eventually conceding, “I should actually… why don’t you call?” This exchange underscored not only Duffy’s annoyance but also the apparent lack of clarity and coordination between the Transportation Department and the Pentagon on these matters.
Duffy concluded his point by stating that only the highest-level leaders — such as the president, vice president, or Secretary Hegseth himself — should routinely fly in helicopters. “But a two-star general? Come on,” he remarked, signaling his frustration with what he sees as unnecessary military VIP helicopter use that jeopardizes civilian flight safety.
Duffy’s Pattern of Shifting Blame
This episode is not the first time Duffy has deflected responsibility in the face of transportation controversies. Just days earlier, he appeared on Fox & Friends attempting to downplay rising public concern over airplane safety. Duffy argued that media coverage, not an actual increase in incidents, was driving fears. “The numbers of crashes or aircraft incidents haven’t gone up; it’s been steady over the last six to eight years. But the media covers it more since the DCA incident,” he told the hosts.
Aviation Accident Statistics
According to the NTSB, the number of aviation accidents in the United States has actually decreased by nearly 10 percent compared to the same period last year. Between January and April of this year, the NTSB investigated 250 aviation accidents, compared to 275 during the same period last year, as reported by ABC News.
Despite trying to calm public fears, Duffy did acknowledge that there are existing issues within the air traffic control system. One of the most pressing concerns is a shortage of air traffic controllers — a problem that has been building over years. “We need more air traffic controllers; we’re 3,000 controllers short,” Duffy admitted, highlighting the strain on the system and its potential impact on flight safety.
Key Points from the Interview
- Helicopter Incident: A military Black Hawk helicopter forced two commercial planes to divert at Reagan National Airport due to airspace violations.
- Separation Requirements: Aircraft must maintain 1.5 nautical miles and 500 feet altitude separation to avoid conflicts.
- VIP Travel Questions: Duffy questioned why generals use helicopters when other officials rely on cars, expressing frustration with military priorities.
- Accountability Gap: The Transportation Secretary admitted he did not know who was onboard and criticized the DoD for not providing information.
- Media Blame: Earlier, Duffy claimed that media coverage, not an increase in incidents, was fueling public fear about aviation safety.
- Staff Shortages: Duffy acknowledged the need for more air traffic controllers, citing a shortage of 3,000 controllers nationwide.
Final Thoughts
The recent interview with Sean Duffy highlights growing tensions within the U.S. government over aviation safety and accountability. The Black Hawk incident exposed weaknesses in interagency communication and raised legitimate questions about military flight priorities. At the same time, Duffy’s attempt to deflect blame onto the Department of Defense, while brushing off public safety concerns as a media-driven narrative, has drawn its own share of criticism.
As aviation remains a critical piece of national infrastructure, these issues of transparency, staffing, and accountability will likely remain under the public and media microscope in the months ahead. For now, Americans are left with more questions than answers about who is really responsible when things go wrong in the skies above.