Pee Dee News

James E. Clyburn, a long-serving member of the U.S. Congress representing South Carolina's 6th district, has expressed his thoughts on recent events through a series of tweets. These tweets address a tragic plane collision and subsequent discussions about air traffic safety and leadership.

On January 30, 2025, Clyburn tweeted his condolences to those affected by a plane collision at DCA, acknowledging the efforts of first responders and rescue teams. "My prayers are with the families and everyone impacted by the tragic plane collision at DCA. Thankful to the first responders, rescue teams, and other critical assistance on the ground."

Later that day, he criticized leadership in response to the crash, emphasizing the importance of waiting for an investigation before assigning blame. He wrote: "Yesterday’s plane crash was a tragedy. A responsible leader would wait for a thorough investigation to uncover the facts before casting blame. We don’t have a responsible leader. What we have is someone who cares more about his twisted political agenda than helping the…"

On January 31, 2025, Clyburn defended air traffic controllers against claims questioning their professionalism and competence. He stated: "Air traffic controllers are highly trained professionals who work 24/7 to keep millions of passengers, crew, and aviation staff safe. Any claim to the contrary is false. I remain supportive of all measures to ensure America has a safe air traffic control system."