Pete Buttigieg was less than thrilled when President Donald Trump called him out Thursday during a news conference.

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg responded to President Trump’s criticism of the FAA and the prior administration, calling it “despicable” at a time of tragedy and disputing his characterization of events.

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg hit back after President Trump criticized the Biden administration and diversity initiatives in the aftermath of a deadly midair collision outside

In his first news conference since the aircraft collision over the Potomac River, President Donald Trump on Thursday implied that diversity, equity and inclusion programs could be the cause, although an investigation has only just begun into the fatal disaster.

Mike Whitaker, unanimously confirmed as the FAA administrator in October 2023, stepped down early from his five-year term on Jan. 20 when Trump took office and for 10 days the FAA declined to say who was running the agency on an acting basis. Trump has not yet named a permanent candidate to replace Whitaker.

Pete Buttigieg, former transportation secretary and former South Bend mayor, called Trump's comments during today's press briefing "despicable."

President Donald Trump blasted the Federal Aviation Administration's DEI standards at a press conference addressing Wednesday night's deadly plane crash in Washington, D.C. on Thursday.

Trump fired the head of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and dismissed all members of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee as well last week. The Aviation Security Advisory Committee was created by Congress in 1988 after the PanAm Flight 103 bombing.

After a deadly air disaster in the U.S., President Trump appointed Chris Rocheleau as the acting head of the FAA. The incident sparked political debate, with Trump questioning previous diversity efforts at the agency.

President Donald Trump attacks former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg at press conference. Buttigieg responds on X.

Trump said he didn't know what caused the crash but "we have some very strong opinions and ideas."