The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was operating without a confirmed leader as emergency services scoured the Potomac River following the most tragic airline disaster the country has seen in the past 25 years. On Thursday, President Trump appointed Christopher Rocheleau as the acting administrator of the FAA. Rocheleau, a respected veteran of the FAA with 22 years of service, was commended as a highly competent individual by the President.

Christopher Rocheleau has had three different terms of service at the FAA and recently held the position of deputy administrator, an appointment made by President Trump. His new role as acting administrator was assumed shortly after a tragic incident involving an American Airlines flight and an Army helicopter. Prior to this, Rocheleau served as the chief operating officer of the National Business Aviation Association and held a position in aviation safety within the FAA. He has also served in the U.S. Air Force and worked for the Transportation Security Administration.

The previous administrator of the FAA, Michael Whitaker, resigned after President Trump assumed office. Whitaker, who was in the role for 15 months, faced criticism from Elon Musk, a notable Trump supporter and current White House official. Musk had expressed his disapproval of the FAA’s oversight of his company, SpaceX. Despite the criticism, Whitaker did not publicly attribute his resignation to the incoming administration or to Musk.

Elon Musk had expressed his dissatisfaction with Whitaker and the FAA openly, following a fine of $600,000 imposed on SpaceX for launching missions with unapproved amendments. Musk accused the FAA of unnecessary interference with SpaceX activities and openly called for Whitaker’s resignation via social media.

Christopher Rocheleau now steps into the role as the fourth acting administrator of the FAA since 2018, without Senate approval. This comes amid turbulent times for the FAA, having faced criticism over its management following two Boeing crashes in 2018 and 2019. The agency has also had to deal with unruly passenger behaviour related to COVID-19 mask regulations, staffing shortages in airlines, and technical issues.

The newly appointed Secretary of Transportation, former Representative Sean Duffy, assured the public, particularly the families of the victims, that he will not rest until the truth of the recent airline incident is revealed. He has ordered immediate investigations into the incident and pledged to address any negligence, incompetence, or system failure discovered in the process.

The FAA falls under the Department of Transportation. Duffy was confirmed as Secretary of Transportation by the Senate with a vote of 77-22. He was sworn into office on Tuesday.