Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has accused the Department of Homeland Security’s DOGE hiring freeze of contributing to the deadly crash of a Mexican navy tall ship into the Brooklyn Bridge, but the Coast Guard has denied these claims. The incident, which resulted in two fatalities and over a dozen injuries, has sparked a political debate over the effectiveness of federal staffing policies.
Schumer’s claim suggests that a hiring freeze implemented by the DOGE could have impaired the Coast Guard’s Vehicle Traffic System (VTS), which he likened to an air traffic control system for maritime operations. He argued that the VTS might not have been fully operational due to the freeze, raising questions about its ability to manage commercial traffic in high-traffic areas like New York Harbor. However, the Coast Guard refuted these allegations, stating that the system was fully functional during the incident and operating in accordance with established procedures.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a separate investigation into the cause of the crash, with a ‘go-team’ dispatched to the scene. New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed that the Mexican navy tall ship Cuauhtémoc ‘lost power’ before the collision, which led to the accident. Meanwhile, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed solidarity with the families of the deceased, stating that her administration is supporting the affected individuals and providing assistance to the injured.
The incident has drawn significant political attention, with Schumer using it to criticize the Trump administration’s management of federal operations. However, the Coast Guard emphasized that the VTS was functioning as intended, and that the hiring freeze did not affect its operations. As the investigation continues, officials are expected to provide further details on the cause of the crash and the role, if any, of the hiring freeze in the event.
Meanwhile, the families of the victims and the Mexican navy are focusing on the aftermath of the collision, with authorities working to ensure that all injured individuals receive proper medical attention. The incident has also underscored the need for improved maritime safety protocols, particularly in busy port areas like New York.