Editor’s note: This headline has been updated.As U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy took to X to criticize a Democratic congressman for raising concerns about cuts to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), following a minor collision between two planes on Thursday, news broke of a second, far more serious aircraft accident—a fatal helicopter crash with reportedly no survivors.“Six people died when a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River Thursday afternoon, a person familiar with the situation told CBS News,” the media outlet’s local New York affiliate reported. “The incident happened at roughly 3:15 p.m. Thursday near Jersey City, not far from River Drive South and Newport Parkway, near the Water’s Soul sculpture.”READ MORE: ‘MAGA Cruelty’: Johnson Blasted for Blaming ‘Young Men’ to Justify GOP’s Medicaid Cuts“Three adults and at least two children were on board, according to the NYPD. All of the bodies have been recovered, a person familiar with the situation told CBS News. City Hall sources identify the victims as a family from Spain. The pilot was also killed.”At 3:37 PM, the NYPD announced the helicopter crash.At 3:40 PM, Secretary Duffy posted a response on X to U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), who had been a passenger in the earlier, non-fatal plane incident. At least five other members of Congress were aboard the plane whose wing was clipped, NBC News reported.At the time, no mention had yet been made on Duffy’s social media account regarding the helicopter crash. By 4:40 PM.—nearly 90 minutes after the deadly incident occurred—he had shared additional posts, including praise for President Donald Trump, but no mention of the crash.“While waiting to take off on the runway at DCA just now, another plane struck our wing,” Congressman Gottheimer wrote earlier Thursday afternoon. “Thankfully, everyone is safe. Just a reminder: Recent cuts to the FAA weaken our skies and public safety.”READ MORE: ‘Giant Grift’: Calls for Trump Insider Trading Probe Surge Over ‘Corruption’ QuestionsSecretary Duffy responded to Congressman Gottheimer: “Glad to hear everyone on board is safe. But stop the fear mongering and let’s stick to the facts. No safety-critical positions at the FAA have been cut. I look forward to your support for @POTUS’ plan to build an all new, state of the art air traffic control system.”Hours earlier, according to Secretary Duffy’s social media account, he was in the Trump Cabinet meeting decrying the “radical left requirements” he was removing from Biden era infrastructure projects.During his Cabinet meeting remarks, Duffy mentioned he had recently attended the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, which he described as “dilapidated.”In video posted to his social media account (below), Secretary Duffy praised the “incredible men and women there who will be our marine force of the future.”“We are going to fight to get them what they need,” Duffy vowed.“But,” he insisted, “first let’s move Jesus out of the basement.”
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Watch the video above or at this link.READ MORE: ‘Pump and Dump’: Market Manipulation Questions Swirl Over Trump Tariff Pause
