Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg faced sharp criticism after blaming former President Donald Trump for a deadly plane crash in Toronto. A Delta flight skidded off the runway and flipped upside down during a snowstorm, injuring over a dozen people. Buttigieg claimed Trump’s push for peace talks between Ukraine and Russia distracted from aviation safety upgrades.
Conservative commentator Chris Salcedo blasted Buttigieg’s remarks as “shameless blame-shifting.” He argued Buttigieg ignored his own failures as transportation secretary while attacking Trump. Salcedo pointed to crumbling infrastructure, supply chain crises, and delayed safety reforms under Buttigieg’s leadership as proof of incompetence.
The fiery response highlighted Buttigieg’s rocky track record. Critics noted his slow response to last year’s toxic Ohio train derailment and his focus on “woke” policies over basic infrastructure repairs. Salcedo accused Buttigieg of prioritizing political agendas instead of protecting American travelers.
Trump’s supporters rallied behind Salcedo’s comments online. Many called out Buttigieg for using tragedy to score political points rather than taking responsibility. They praised Trump’s “America First” policies, which they say prioritized border security and energy independence over foreign conflicts.
The Delta crash investigation remains ongoing with no clear cause identified yet. Weather reports showed heavy snow and strong winds during the landing attempt. Canadian officials confirmed all passengers survived but warned runway closures could cause travel delays for days.
Buttigieg’s critics say his latest remarks follow a pattern of avoiding accountability. From supply chain meltdowns to rail disasters, conservatives argue he deflects blame instead of fixing problems. Many called for his resignation, saying he’s unfit to lead critical transportation systems.
As investigators work to determine what caused the crash, tensions between Biden administration officials and Trump allies continue heating up. Republicans vow to hold hearings on aviation safety failures while pushing for stronger oversight of federal agencies under Democrat control.
The clash underscores deepening divides over border security infrastructure spending and America’s role overseas heading into the next election cycle Conservatives say voters will reject Biden’s team for putting politics ahead of public safety while praising Trump’s record of putting Americans first
