Fresh from wriggling out of federal securities fraud charges with a mere slap on the wrist, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton seems bent on a new round of MAGA mischief. As The Daily Beast reported, Paxton is claiming that part of his investigation into manufacturing defects at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. involves a demand for documents related to the company's “diversity, equity and inclusion commitments” and “whether those commitments are unlawful or are compromising the company's manufacturing processes.”
Translation: Paxton seeks to blame affirmative action, i.e. too much catering to minorities, for safety problems. The Daily Beast noted that “Some right-wing figures have sought to link DEI efforts with various safety incidents in the U.S. aviation industry.” They've also tried to blame “DEI” for the Francis Scott Key Bridge tragedy.
In other words, “DEI” is now code for “Black” and/or "minorities" in MAGA world.
Paxton issued a statement boasting about his investigation into DEI at Spirit:
The Texas Business Organizations Code authorizes the Office of the Attorney General to investigate the company’s organization, conduct, and management by requesting to examine pertinent documents. Spirit AeroSystems is being instructed to produce a variety of documents relevant to manufacturing defects in their products. Additionally, the company must release documents related to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (“DEI”) commitments, and whether those commitments are unlawful or are compromising the company’s manufacturing processes.
“The potential risks associated with certain airplane models are deeply concerning and potentially life-threatening to Texans,” said Attorney General Paxton. “I will hold any company responsible if they fail to maintain the standards required by the law and will do everything in my power to ensure manufacturers take passenger safety seriously.”
It's too bad that Paxton's concern for threats to Texan lives doesn't extend to threats from mass shootings, Covid-19 or dangerous pregnancies.
