Roadtrip, there are several previous instances of near-catastrophe and near-carnage involving light planes which did not result in widespread new restrictions. There was a light plane that crashed into the upper stand of the Baltimore Colts football (American-style) stadium shortly after a game had ended. Thirty minutes earlier, and it is likely hundreds could have been killed. And, not all that long ago, there was the light plane that crunched into the south facade of the White House, about 25 meters from the Oval office. Fifteen meters higher, and the plane would have hit smack-dab into the Presidential living quarters.
I don't recall the 'liberal' media calling for general aviation restrictions after those events.
I do recall that the current Administration, over the editorial objections of the 'liberal' press in Washington, closed DCA for three weeks, and then only reluctantly re-opening it to commercial flights (albeit emplying security measures not used at other US airports, like pre-screening and approving all flight crew flying DCA segments, air marshals on every flight, and the rather remarkable prohibition against passengers getting up out of their seats on flights landing at or departing DCA).