Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) drew sharp criticism this week after linking a deadly maritime accident involving a Mexican Navy tall ship to former President Donald Trump and entrepreneur Elon Musk.
The incident occurred when the Mexican Navy’s tall ship, Cuauhtémoc, collided with the Brooklyn Bridge as it was backing out of its berth on Monday.
According to officials, the vessel suffered a mechanical malfunction while maneuvering.
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The crash resulted in two fatalities and at least 22 injuries. Authorities have not suggested any connection to U.S. infrastructure or federal agencies in the incident’s cause.
Despite this, Schumer posted a message on X pointing the finger at Trump and Musk.
“With the Brooklyn Bridge strike last night: I’m fighting for answers about whether Trump and DOGE have impacted water traffic control,” Schumer wrote.
“We know they’ve been meddling with U.S. Coast Guard staffing.”
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He continued, “Trump relieved Admiral Linda Fagan as Commandant of the USCG, and that position is still vacant. And the hiring freeze has limited the ability for the USCG to staff up the Vehicle Traffic Service, that’s their traffic control operation that acts like Air Traffic Control but on water. We need action for our national security, infrastructure protection, and public safety.”
With the Brooklyn Bridge strike last night:
I’m fighting for answers about whether Trump and DOGE have impacted water traffic control.
We know they’ve been meddling with U.S. Coast Guard staffing.
Trump relieved Admiral Linda Fagan as Commandant of the USCG, and that position…
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) May 18, 2025
Schumer released an accompanying press statement reiterating the allegations, saying there are “indications that this service [Vehicle Traffic System] may not be fully or adequately functional in light of a hiring freeze.”
At this time, no evidence has been presented to support the claim that VTS staffing, Coast Guard leadership changes, or any federal agency decisions contributed to the accident.
Reports from maritime investigators indicate that the ship experienced internal mechanical issues.
Mexican Navy ship loses control and rams into a bridge.
Chuck Schumer: Trump and DOGE must be held accountable.
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) May 19, 2025
The Department of Homeland Security issued a direct response to Schumer’s claims, rejecting the accusations and stating they were not based in fact.
DHS clarified that the Coast Guard was not affected by any hiring freeze and noted that the Vehicle Traffic Service was not involved in this incident.
“Senator Schumer should get his facts straight before he misleads the American people,” Homeland Security posted on X.
Minority Leader Schumer’s accusations that a hiring freeze led to the U.S. Coast Guard’s Vessel Traffic Services not being adequately staffed are FALSE. The US Coast Guard has been fully supported and been exempt from hiring freezes. Additionally, this incident had nothing to do… https://t.co/BR4iJX2oX9
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) May 18, 2025
The U.S. Coast Guard also responded promptly to the collision, coordinating emergency efforts with local responders after the crash.
No federal delays or miscommunications have been cited in the timeline of emergency response efforts.
The Coast Guard’s Vehicle Traffic Service, often compared to air traffic control systems for maritime operations, is primarily responsible for managing congested shipping lanes and monitoring vessel movements in critical waterways.
The Brooklyn Bridge collision did not involve any such activity, as only one ship was in motion at the time.
Schumer’s remarks sparked significant backlash on social media.
Users on X heavily criticized the senator, calling the post inappropriate and accusing him of politicizing a tragedy.
The post was widely “ratioed,” with replies outnumbering likes, reflecting overwhelming disapproval.
The New York Post described Schumer’s comments as “bizarre,” noting the absence of any link between the Coast Guard, VTS systems, or federal hiring policy and the mechanical failure onboard the Cuauhtémoc.
As of Wednesday, neither Schumer’s office nor the Mexican Navy had issued follow-up statements correcting or clarifying the remarks.
The ship remains docked as investigators continue examining what caused the mechanical failure.
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