Friday morning news: January 31, 2025

Aircraft collision investigation » Investigators in the nation’s capital are still working to assemble the puzzle pieces in the wake of a deadly mid-air collision near Reagan National airport.

Officials say it appears that the U.S. Army helicopter flew into the path of the American Airlines jet as it was in the process of landing. But how or why that happened is not yet clear.

National Transportation Safety Board member Todd Inman:

INMAN:  We don't know what we know just yet. We do not know enough facts to be able to rule in or out human factor, mechanical factors. That is part of the NTSB investigative process.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Defense Sec. Pete Hegseth described the crew of the helicopter as reasonably experienced …

HEGSETH: On a routine annual retraining of night flights on a standard corridor for a continuity of government mission. The military does dangerous things. It does routine things on a regular basis. Tragically, last night a mistake was made.

He suggested the helicopter was not flying at the proper elevation to avoid the flight path of incoming planes.

The NTSB has pledged to release a preliminary report within 30 days. And Hegseth said the Pentagon is also conducting a thorough investigation.

The jet was carrying 64 people. Three soldiers were aboard the helicopter. All are presumed dead.

Aircraft collision future changes » In the wake of the crash, President Trump announced new leadership at the Federal Aviation Administration.

TRUMP:  I'm also immediately appointing an acting commissioner to the FAA Christopher Rocheleau, a 22 year veteran of the agency. Highly respected.

And the collision will raise questions about what must be done to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Hassan Shahidi is president of the Flight Safety Foundation. He said we generally have very competent pilots and air traffic controllers across the country …

SHAHIDI: But we also need to understand what else is needed in terms of technology, in terms of modernization of the air traffic control system, in terms of additional personnel and training support that's needed.

Other experts say changes will be needed to alleviate congestion in the skies over Reagan National airport.

Tariffs on Canada, Mexico » Speaking in the Oval Office Thursday, President Trump announced that he will impose 25-percent tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico starting tomorrow. And the president said there are multiple reasons for that:

TRUMP:  Number one is the people that are poured into our country so horribly and so much. Number two are the drugs, fentanyl and everything else that have come into the country.

And the third reason he cited: Trade deficits with the neighboring countries.

The President said that oil imports won't be affected.

Confirmation: Kash » The U.S. Senate on Thursday continued questioning President Trump’s cabinet picks, including Kash Patel, nominee for FBI director.

Democrats on the Judiciary Committee pressed Patel about past remarks referring to January 6th rioters as political prisoners.

And Ranking Member on the Judiciary Committee. He said in Patel, President Trump has found a loyalist.

DURBIN:  Mr. Patel's loyalty includes touting conspiracy theories and threatened efforts at President Trump's enemies.

But Patel pushed back, saying remove political weaponization from the FBI.

PATEL:  I have no interest, no desire, and will not, if confirmed, go backwards. There will be no politicization at the FBI. There will be no retributive actions taken by any FBI should I be confirmed as the FBI director.

Confirmation: Gabbard » And in another contentious hearing, members of the Senate Intelligence grilled Trump's pick for Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard.

Critics of the former Democratic congressman and military combat veteran have accused her of voicing sympathies - or perhaps even loyalties to America’s enemies. Some senators brought up her past remarks about Russia and others.

And Republican Congresswoman Susan Collins asked Gabbard:

COLLINS:  Have you ever knowingly met with any members, leaders, or affiliates of Hezbollah?

GABBARD: No. And it is an absurd accusation.

As many as a half-dozen Republicans may have concerns about confirming Gabbard.

And Sen. Collins is a major swing vote on Gabbard. Opposition from her could block Gabbard's nomination from ever hitting the floor.

SOUND: [Tears of joy]

Gaza hostage release » Tears of joy as 20-year-old Agam Berger was reunited with her family after being held hostage by Hamas for more than 15 months.

Berger was one of eight hostages released Thursday as part of the ceasefire deal between Israel and the terror group.

But that deal appeared to be in jeopardy yesterday.

SOUND: [Chaotic crowds]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took issue with crowds of thousands of Palestinians who swarmed the hostages during the release.

SOUND: [Speaking Hebrew]

Netanyahu briefly threatened to cancel the release of more than 100 Palestinian prisons Israel agreed to set free as part of the deal. But in the end…

SOUND: [Prisoners released]

...those prisoners were delivered to the West Bank city of Ramallah, arriving aboard Red Cross buses.

I’m Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: weeping with those who weep. A community responds to the Washington, D.C. plane crash. Plus, Culture Friday with John Stonestreet.

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