Unveiling the Truth: Trump’s FAA Nominee Falsely Claimed to Hold a ‘Commercial’ Pilot License

Bryan Bedford, who is nominated by Donald Trump to head the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has come under scrutiny for misleading statements about his pilot credentials. He claimed to have a “commercial” pilot license that, in reality, he does not possess. This raised eyebrows when Politico pointed out the discrepancy.

Bedford, the CEO of Republic Airways, had previously been listed on the airline’s website as holding various pilot ratings, including “commercial.” However, after Politico questioned this claim, the website quickly updated to remove the mention of a commercial license. According to the FAA registry, Bedford lacks a commercial pilot’s credential but does hold a private pilot’s license. This allows him to fly multi-engine planes and operate in poor weather and at night.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) stated Bedford has passed necessary exams for commercial flying but clarified that he did not make any claims about being a commercial airline pilot. They described the situation as an administrative mistake that was swiftly corrected.

An April 2025 article from The Air Current also noted that while Bedford is indeed a pilot, he is not a commercial one, as he has sometimes suggested. This has prompted concerns, especially after a tragic incident in January 2025, when a U.S. Army helicopter and an American Airlines flight collided, resulting in 67 fatalities. Many are looking to the FAA to address air traffic control issues more effectively.

In recent Senate hearings, Bedford faced tough questions regarding his company’s previous attempt to certify pilots with incomplete flight hours. When Senator Tammy Duckworth pressed him about maintaining the current requirement of 1,500 flight hours, his lack of a straightforward answer raised further concerns. “It doesn’t sound like a yes,” Duckworth remarked, implying he might be open to lowering this standard.

Bedford’s comments on safety also caught attention. He stated, “I don’t believe safety is static,” indicating a willingness to reassess existing norms.

This ongoing scrutiny emphasizes the importance of transparency in leadership roles, particularly in an industry where safety is paramount. The FAA’s future direction will likely be shaped by this nomination process and the ongoing debates about aviation safety standards. As the transportation sector faces challenges, decisions made by leaders like Bedford will impact air travel for years to come.



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