Sen. Schumer links Mexican Navy ship crash to Trump policies; DHS and conservatives fire back, calling claim baseless.

Schumer’s Comments Ignite Backlash

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer faced strong backlash after suggesting President Donald Trump and Department of Homeland Security policies were partly responsible for the deadly crash involving a Mexican Navy ship that struck the Brooklyn Bridge Saturday night. Two cadets aboard the training ship Cuauhtémoc died in the incident.

In a statement, Schumer cited concerns over the structural safety of critical infrastructure and pointed to a Trump-era hiring freeze at the Coast Guard, which he claimed may have affected vessel traffic monitoring capabilities. He emphasized that bridges are vital for national security and economic stability and alleged that the Trump administration's decisions “potentially jeopardized” public safety.

Schumer’s remarks were swiftly condemned by the DHS. “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 agency wrote on X. “The US Coast Guard has been fully supported and exempt from hiring freezes.”

DHS further clarified that the Vessel Traffic Services had no involvement in the incident, and attributed the crash to a mechanical failure onboard the ship. “When a ship loses propulsion in a high current area, the vessel must engage all capabilities to stop, and ideally tugs are nearby to support.”

Several conservative commentators echoed the pushback. Guy Benson mocked Schumer’s statement as deflection, while Mark Levin and Leo Terrell labeled the senator’s remarks “stupid” and “misleading.” The DHS urged Schumer to “get his facts straight” before issuing public claims.

NTSB: Bridge Intact, Probe Ongoing

Meanwhile, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launched an official investigation into the crash. Officials confirmed Monday that the Brooklyn Bridge did not sustain any structural damage, though minor harm occurred to maintenance equipment attached to the bridge.

NTSB investigator Brian Young said the Cuauhtémoc arrived in New York on May 13 and departed on May 17. The vessel struck the bridge shortly after 8:24 p.m. as it attempted to head south down the East River. Radio transmissions requesting tug assistance were sent moments before impact.

The NTSB team arrived Sunday and began gathering evidence Monday. Board member Michael Graham emphasized the process could take 12 to 24 months, with a preliminary report expected within 30 days. The investigation will explore weather conditions, vessel condition, crew operation, and any mechanical failures.

Investigators are reviewing possible power outages and searching for surveillance footage and onboard recording devices. “We don’t know if there was a recorder onboard,” Young said, adding that a specialized team will assess that once access is granted to the ship’s interior.

Graham also pushed back on early claims of a power loss, noting the team had not yet examined the ship’s engine or recovered any data. “We don’t know where [those reports] came from,” he said. “That will be part of the investigation.”

Officials encouraged the public to send videos or witness information to the NTSB as they continue to reconstruct the sequence of events. Despite political fallout, investigators cautioned against speculation while the inquiry is underway.