Report: FAA Nominee Bedford Does Not Have Commercial Pilot License He Once Claimed

CEO’s official biography altered after POLITICO inquiry.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at 03:21 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Republic Airways CEO Bryan Bedford. [Courtesy: Republic Airways]

Key Takeaways:

President Trump's nominee for FAA chief, Bryan Bedford, falsely claimed to possess a commercial pilot license in his official biography, which was later altered to remove the claim after media inquiries.
Bedford is a licensed private pilot with instrument and multi-engine ratings, and the Department of Transportation stated the commercial license claim was an "administrative error," asserting he never personally misrepresented his credentials.
Beyond the credential discrepancy, Bedford faces scrutiny from Democrats and pilots' unions regarding his potential stance on weakening the 1,500-hour experience standard for airline pilots.

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President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the FAA does not have the commercial pilot license he long claimed in his official biography, according to a report from POLITICO.

Bryan Bedford’s bio page on the website of Republic Airways, which he has led as CEO since 1999, once said he “holds commercial, multi-engine, and instrument ratings.” But the FAA database that contains information about pilot credentials does not list a commercial license for Bedford, POLITICO found.