Aviation expert and former Marine pilot JP Tristani said Wednesday on Newsmax that today’s air traffic controller shortage — and resulting safety concerns — can be traced back to diversity-focused hiring implemented during the Obama administration.

Tristani blamed current air traffic controller issues on hiring changes initiated under  President Barack Obama and warned that safety risks could increase unless staffing and system upgrades are addressed urgently.

Appearing on “Finnerty,” Tristani pointed to Obama-era diversity, equity, and inclusion policies as a root cause of today’s controller shortage.

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