The White House is downplaying Trump's active role in the decision to ground Boeing's 737 MAX planes

Trump in the Oval Office
(Image credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Wednesday's emergency order to ground Boeing 737 MAX aircraft is signed by acting Federal Aviation Administration head Daniel Elwell, and White House economic adviser Larry Kudrow tells The Washington Post that "brilliant" Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao had made the call, "working with the FAA." But Wednesday afternoon's announcement, after just about every other country had grounded the 737 MAX, was made by President Trump, apparently after Trump had agreed the FAA would announce the decision.

"In public and in private, Trump presented himself as a key arbiter in deciding whether the Boeing 737 MAX 8 and 9 planes would be able to keep flying," the Post reports, citing unidentified White House and administration officials. The Post continues:

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.