‘No Credibility’ Pete Buttigieg Was a ‘DEI Hire’: ‘Trump is Absolutely Correct’

Senator Markwayne Mullin raised concerns over the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) hiring practices, arguing that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) requirements are leading to understaffed training programs and inefficiencies in government operations.

Speaking about the FAA’s training hub in Oklahoma City, Mullin pointed to class sizes being limited to 70-80% capacity due to DEI quotas, despite having enough qualified applicants.

“Where the FAA towers get trained is right here inside Oklahoma and Oklahoma City. That’s their training hub,” Mullin said.

“And I will tell you, we were having a hard time filling their classes because of DEI, because of the diversity, equality and inclusion that they required us to have. You couldn’t fill the role rather than us just simply saying, we need the best and brightest individuals, and we’re going to hire you specifically on merit. We’re going to train you specifically on merit.”

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According to Mullin, DEI requirements imposed a specific ratio for each class, preventing them from reaching full capacity despite strong applicant interest.

“Instead of these classes being 100% full, we were at 80% or 70%, and it wasn’t from the lack of individuals applying for it, except each class had a ratio that they had to have on it,” he explained.

Mullin aligned with President Donald Trump’s stance on hiring based on merit and expertise, emphasizing that government operations improve when qualified individuals are placed in key positions.

“So President Trump is absolutely correct,” Mullin stated.

“When you’re not hiring people based on merit and expertise, you’re hiring them based on diversity, equity and inclusion… that has a huge problem moving forward for us.”

Mullin pointed to Trump’s business background as an example of effective leadership, arguing that the former president’s success was built on hiring the most capable people for the job.

“And by the way, he’s a successful business guy. He didn’t get successful by not putting the right people in place,” Mullin said.

“If we get the right people in place, our government runs smoother, and that’s what he’s saying here. We have to put the right people in place.”

The senator also took aim at former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, suggesting that he was placed in the position not due to merit but because of DEI-driven hiring decisions.

“So Pete Buttigieg carries no credibility. The only reason why he was there was probably because of DEI to begin with,” Mullin said.

He emphasized that Trump’s focus on appointing qualified individuals would ensure government efficiency and effectiveness.

“President Trump is putting the right people in place to get us on track,” he concluded.

DEI is done. Merit is back. ✅ pic.twitter.com/sJmX4nKxm4

— Markwayne Mullin (@SenMullin) February 1, 2025

As Trump continues to push for a return to merit-based hiring across government agencies, Mullin’s remarks highlight ongoing concerns about DEI policies and their impact on critical sectors like aviation.

The debate over hiring practices at the FAA and other agencies remains a key issue as Trump seeks to reshape government operations in his second term.

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