Washington, D.C. – White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt strongly rebuked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., on Tuesday for attempting to link former President Donald Trump to a recent Delta Air Lines crash in Toronto.

Appearing on Fox News’ America Reports, Leavitt condemned Schumer’s remarks as “irresponsible” and accused him of politicizing an ongoing investigation.

“It’s incredibly irresponsible for Chuck Schumer to say such a thing when the investigation is still underway,” Leavitt said, responding to the senator’s claim that Trump’s recent cuts to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) workforce played a role in the accident.

Delta Flight Crash-Lands in Toronto

The controversy erupted after a Delta Air Lines flight originating from Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport crash-landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday.

Video footage of the harrowing moment showed the aircraft touching down on the runway before flipping onto its top side, engulfed in a burst of flames. The violent impact left the plane upside-down as passengers scrambled to evacuate through the emergency exits.

Fortunately, all 80 passengers aboard survived, though 18 sustained injuries, including three who were reported to be in critical condition. Canadian aviation officials, along with the FAA, have since launched a formal investigation into the crash.

Schumer Blames Trump for FAA Cuts

In the wake of the crash, Schumer took to X (formerly Twitter) to suggest that recent layoffs at the FAA under Trump’s administration contributed to the incident.

“I’m thankful that everyone in the flight incident in Toronto that took off from Minneapolis is safe, but we keep seeing these incidents day after day,” Schumer wrote. “Meanwhile, Trump’s doing massive layoffs at the FAA—including safety specialists—and making our skies less and less safe.”

He followed up with another post, stating, “To those asking whether it matters that the plane’s destination was in Canada: The flight took off from Minneapolis. The FAA was still responsible for inspecting the aviation equipment, and Trump just let go of FAA safety specialists.”

Schumer’s remarks immediately sparked political controversy, with conservatives accusing him of using a tragedy to score political points.

White House Press Secretary Fires Back

Leavitt wasted no time in dismissing Schumer’s claims, arguing that it was premature to place blame on workforce reductions before investigators had even determined the cause of the crash.

“For Schumer to point fingers at President Trump without a shred of evidence is reckless and dishonest,” Leavitt said. “This is nothing more than a partisan attempt to shift blame and create fear.”

Leavitt also pointed out that the FAA remains fully operational and that the agency is working closely with Canadian aviation officials to determine the cause of the accident.

“This administration is committed to aviation safety,” she added. “We will let investigators do their jobs instead of jumping to baseless conclusions.”

Political Divide Over Aviation Safety

Schumer’s comments reflect a broader debate between Democrats and Republicans over aviation safety and government oversight.

Democrats have long argued that budget cuts and workforce reductions at the FAA could jeopardize passenger safety, pointing to recent incidents of near-misses and technical failures in the airline industry. In contrast, Republicans maintain that excessive regulation and bureaucratic inefficiency are the real threats to aviation safety, advocating for a more streamlined approach to oversight.

The debate over FAA staffing and funding has been a contentious issue in Washington, particularly as Congress debates new transportation budgets. Earlier this year, Democrats proposed increased funding for the FAA, citing concerns over outdated technology and staffing shortages. Meanwhile, Republicans have pushed back, calling for a reassessment of the agency’s spending priorities.

Investigation Ongoing

As political tensions rise, aviation experts caution against drawing premature conclusions. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and its Canadian counterpart, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB), have launched a joint investigation into the Delta crash.

Initial reports indicate that weather conditions were not a major factor, raising questions about potential mechanical issues or pilot error. However, officials stress that it is too early to determine a definitive cause.

“We are gathering evidence, analyzing flight data, and interviewing crew members to piece together what happened,” a TSB spokesperson said. “Speculation at this stage does not help the investigation.”

Public Reaction and Political Fallout

Schumer’s remarks have drawn mixed reactions from the public and political analysts. Some Democrats have echoed his concerns, arguing that aviation safety should not be compromised due to budget cuts. Others, however, criticized the senator for politicizing a tragic event before facts were established.

Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers have rallied behind Leavitt’s defense of Trump, calling Schumer’s comments a “desperate political attack.”

“This is a classic example of Democrats using fearmongering to push their agenda,” Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, tweeted. “They’ll blame Trump for anything, even before investigators know what happened.”

What Comes Next?

As the investigation continues, all eyes will be on the FAA and its response to concerns over aviation safety. While Schumer’s remarks have reignited the debate over FAA funding and regulations, officials stress that their primary focus remains on determining the exact cause of the crash and ensuring passenger safety in the future.

For now, both political sides remain locked in a heated debate, with the White House pushing back against Schumer’s accusations while aviation experts urge patience.

As the facts emerge, one thing remains clear: the Delta crash in Toronto has not only shaken passengers and the airline industry but has also reignited political divisions over the future of air travel safety in America.