Schumer blames DOGE for Mexican Navy ship crash at Brooklyn Bridge that killed two
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer suggested that the Department of Government Efficiency may be partially responsible for the tragic crash of a Mexican navy tall ship into the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday night. Schumer’s claims were made in a press release on Sunday, following a briefing on the details of the incident which resulted in two fatalities and numerous injuries.
Schumer highlighted his concerns about a potential U.S. Coast Guard system malfunction, which he believes may be linked to a hiring freeze at the Department of Homeland Security imposed by the Department of Government Efficiency. He expressed his suspicions that the Coast Guard’s Vehicle Traffic System (VTS) could have been affected by the staffing shortages caused by the hiring freeze, impacting its ability to operate effectively.
According to Schumer, the VTS functions similarly to an air traffic control system but for maritime traffic, particularly in busy and restricted areas like New York Harbor. He emphasized the importance of investigating whether the hiring freeze hindered the Coast Guard’s ability to fully staff and operate the VTS, potentially contributing to the Brooklyn Bridge accident.
However, the Coast Guard swiftly refuted Schumer’s claims, stating that the VTS was fully operational during the incident and adhered to established safety protocols for managing commercial traffic and ensuring navigation safety. The Coast Guard also clarified that no other vessels were involved in the crash that would have necessitated VTS coordination.
In response to the incident, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) dispatched a team to investigate the Brooklyn Bridge collision. New York City Mayor Eric Adams attributed the crash to the Mexican navy tall ship Cuauhtémoc losing power and colliding with the bridge. Of the 277 individuals on board, 19 sustained injuries, with two fatalities and critical injuries reported.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences for the lives lost in the accident and assured that the Mexican Navy and local authorities were providing assistance to the injured individuals. The Secretary of the Navy, along with the Mexican Ambassador to the United States and Consulate General in New York, were actively involved in the response efforts.
As the investigation into the Brooklyn Bridge crash continues, Schumer’s concerns regarding the potential impact of the hiring freeze on the Coast Guard’s operations remain a point of contention. The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical role played by maritime safety systems in preventing such accidents and underscores the importance of ensuring sufficient resources and staffing for these essential services.
