Quick Hit:

As first responders continue recovery efforts in the Potomac River following the deadliest U.S. airline crash in nearly 25 years, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) remained without a Senate-confirmed leader. President Trump acted swiftly, appointing Christopher Rocheleau, a 22-year FAA veteran, as acting administrator. Trump called Rocheleau “highly respected” as he signed the official appointment Thursday afternoon.

Key Details:

• The FAA has been without a confirmed leader since former Administrator Michael Whitaker resigned last week upon Trump taking office. Whitaker, who served for 15 months, faced criticism from Trump ally Elon Musk over the FAA’s oversight of SpaceX.

• Rocheleau, previously the FAA’s deputy administrator, assumed his new role early Thursday—just hours after an American Airlines jet carrying 64 people collided with a U.S. Army helicopter carrying three passengers.

• Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, who was sworn in on Tuesday, vowed to thoroughly investigate the crash, stating, “I will not rest until you have the truth” and pledging to root out any negligence or failures.

Diving Deeper:

President Trump has moved quickly to fill the leadership gap at the FAA, reportedly appointing longtime aviation official Christopher Rocheleau as acting administrator just hours after a tragic midair collision in Washington, D.C. Rocheleau, a U.S. Air Force veteran, has extensive experience in aviation safety, having previously served as the FAA’s deputy associate administrator for aviation safety before taking a leadership role in the National Business Aviation Association in 2022.

The FAA has struggled with stability in recent years, with Rocheleau becoming the fourth acting administrator since 2018. The agency has faced mounting challenges, including scrutiny over Boeing’s safety practices, increased incidents of unruly passenger behavior, and persistent airline staffing shortages.

Whitaker, who was unanimously confirmed in October 2023, stepped down in December amid the transition to the new administration. His departure followed tensions with Elon Musk, who publicly criticized the FAA’s handling of SpaceX, calling its regulatory oversight “nonsense” after the agency imposed $600,000 in fines for unapproved launch modifications. Musk even called for Whitaker’s resignation months before his departure.

Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation, now led by former Rep. Sean Duffy, is launching a full investigation into Thursday’s deadly air collision. Duffy pledged a swift and thorough review, stating, “I will not tolerate delays or bureaucratic excuses” and vowing to fix any systemic failures uncovered in the probe.