{"id":2583081,"date":"2026-03-23T20:31:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T00:31:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/duffy-hochul-and-mamdani-hold-presser-on-laguardia-plane-crash\/"},"modified":"2026-03-23T20:32:24","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T00:32:24","slug":"duffy-hochul-and-mamdani-hold-presser-on-laguardia-plane-crash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/duffy-hochul-and-mamdani-hold-presser-on-laguardia-plane-crash\/","title":{"rendered":"Duffy, Hochul, and Mamdani hold presser on Laguardia plane crash"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fduffy-hochul-and-mamdani-hold-presser-on-laguardia-plane-crash%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2583081&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>After a fatal LaGuardia Airport crash,Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy,New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani held a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ioc-president-will-not-add-fuel-to-summer-olympics-cancellation-rumors\/\" title=\"IOC president will \u2018not add fuel\u2019 to Summer Olympics cancellation rumors\">joint press conference<\/a> to call for increased funding for aviation safety. They discussed the Air canada CRJ-900\u2019s collision with a Port Authority fire truck, which killed both pilots and injured dozens, noting it was LaGuardia\u2019s first fatal crash in 34 years. Duffy emphasized the need for more <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >air traffic controllers<\/a>, citing current staffing levels (about 37 needed, 33 on duty, with seven in training) and praising the responders\u2019 efforts. Hochul highlighted stress among <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/american-airlines-cancels-600-flights-on-sunday\/\" title=\"American Airlines Cancels 600+ Flights on ...\">airport workers<\/a> amid TSA staffing shortages tied to a DHS funding stalemate, warning that some smaller airports may face closures if <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judge-who-previously-released-charlotte-light-rail-killer-under-fire\/\" title=\"Judge who previously released Charlotte light rail killer under fire\">funding remains stalled<\/a>. Mamdani stressed strong cooperation and said the NTSB is investigating the crash\u2019s cause, with ongoing coordination across government, while downplaying political considerations in the crisis.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Duffy, Hochul, Mamdani come together after LaGuardia plane crash: &lsquo;Politics fade away&rsquo;<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2541049\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Transportation Secretary <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/sean-duffy\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2286\">Sean Duffy<\/a>, Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kathy-hochul\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"3278\">Kathy Hochul<\/a> (D-NY), and New York City Mayor <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/zohran-mamdani\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11802\">Zohran Mamdani<\/a> appeared together for a press conference on the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4500037\/two-dead-airplane-collision-laguardia-airport\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4500037\/two-dead-airplane-collision-laguardia-airport\/\">LaGuardia airport plane crash<\/a>, all voicing support for increased funding for aviation officials.<\/p>\n<p>Duffy began the presser, presenting all the facts they had gathered about the Air Canada CRJ-900 that crashed into an emergency vehicle at LaGuardia. He praised Hochul and Mamdani, saying that &ldquo;politics fade away&rdquo; in the face of a crisis like this one. Duffy stressed that everyone involved was &ldquo;working our hearts off.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/infrastructure\/4500760\/tsa-officers-quitting-shutdown-dhs\/\">Over 400 TSA officers have quit since beginning of shutdown, DHS says<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/infrastructure\/4500518\/cyclists-protest-national-park-service-15th-street-bike-lane-closure\/\">DC cyclists protest after NPS announces 15th Street bike lane closure<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/education\/4499174\/culture-war-puts-national-women-museum-at-risk\/\">Culture war clash puts bill for women&rsquo;s history museum on National Mall at risk<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">New York Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks during a news conference with New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani, right, and Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, left, at LaGuardia Airport, Monday, March 23, 2026, after an Air Canada jet collided the night before with a Port Authority firetruck shortly after landing in New York. (AP Photo\/Seth Wenig)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Hochul also thanked Duffy and Mamdani for their cooperation and presence.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m grateful also to Secretary Duffy and Administrator Bedford for coming right here on this day,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s important to have your presence to know that this will be addressed at the highest levels, and also support from the mayor, who represents many of the people who work here, as I do.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Mamdani stressed the high level of cooperation that surrounded the investigation and recovery.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I want New Yorkers to know that the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of this accident, and that we will not rest until the conclusion of that investigation. We have been coordinating closely with our partners across government since late last night, and we will continue to do so,&rdquo; he said.<\/p>\n<p>At around 11:45 p.m. on Sunday, an Air Canada plane collided with a Port Authority fire truck with 72 passengers on board. The two pilots were killed, the only fatalities, and 40 people were hospitalized. Several of those hospitalized have since been released.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4500037\/two-dead-airplane-collision-laguardia-airport\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4500037\">TWO DEAD IN AIRPLANE COLLISION AT LAGUARDIA AIRPORT IN NEW YORK CITY<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The collision was the first fatal crash at Laguardia Airport in 34 years.<\/p>\n<p>Duffy downplayed speculation as to what was behind the crash. He said a lack of funding for air traffic controllers, which he had requested from Congress, wouldn&rsquo;t have prevented the crash, and that reports that only one ATC was in the tower at the time of the crash weren&rsquo;t accurate.<\/p>\n<p>LaGuardia is expected to be staffed by about 37 ATCs. They have 33 on staff, which Duffy framed as a good number. They are working on training seven more. <\/p>\n<p>Duffy has been a vocal proponent about increasing the number of ATCs in the U.S. in the face of various aviation incidents and airport disruptions.<\/p>\n<p>Hochul said airport workers are facing &ldquo;tremendous stress&rdquo; in recent days, alluding to the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/infrastructure\/4500760\/tsa-officers-quitting-shutdown-dhs\/\">TSA staffing shortages<\/a> caused by the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4500222\/trump-national-guard-assist-tsa-amid-shutdown\/\">DHS funding stalemate<\/a> in Congress. TSA officers have been working without pay since the partial shutdown began in February. As of Monday, over 40% of officers were calling out in some <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4500200\/atlanta-airport-travelers-arrive-four-hours-early-ice-help\/\">airports<\/a>. Last week, officials warned that some smaller airports <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/infrastructure\/4494054\/tsa-official-warns-airports-close-shutdown-continues\/\">may have to be closed<\/a> until funding is restored.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/infrastructure\/4500760\/tsa-officers-quitting-shutdown-dhs\/\">OVER 400 TSA OFFICERS HAVE QUIT SINCE BEGINNING OF SHUTDOWN, DHS SAYS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Officials did not blame the shutdown for the crash and emphasized that the NTSB would publish its initial findings about the cause shortly.<\/p>\n<p>Duffy said a United Airlines flight experienced an aborted takeoff Sunday morning, which is where the emergency vehicle that was struck on the runway was headed. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Duffy, Hochul, Mamdani unite after LaGuardia crash<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2653,"featured_media":2583082,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26082733524887.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[45442,8433,21523,56552,76413],"class_list":["post-2583081","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-duffy","tag-hochul","tag-laguardia","tag-mamdani","tag-plane-crash-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26082733524887.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2583081","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2653"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2583081"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2583081\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2583085,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2583081\/revisions\/2583085"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2583082"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2583081"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2583081"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2583081"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}