Last updated on July 17th, 2023 at 09:45 pm
Black Congressional Leaders have been making plans and preparing to combat any moves by the Trump administration that would disenfranchise African-Americans.
Politico reported, “Members of the Congressional Black Caucus say they’re bracing for the worst in Donald Trump, fearing a presidency that could set minorities back decades. Leaders of the group told POLITICO they have already begun discussing strategies to deal with Trump and any policies they believe would disenfranchise African-Americans — from public school funding to low-income housing to voting restrictions. Though the president-elect’s supporters call the alarm unwarranted, black lawmakers say Trump’s campaign and his Cabinet picks more than justify their concern.”
Judging from Trump’s nominations of Jeff Sessions to be attorney general and Ben Carson to be secretary of Housing and Urban Development are giant red flags. The nomination of public education enemy Betsy DeVos to be secretary of education suggests that the incoming administration is planning a full-on assault on decades of progress for non-white members of American society.
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Some members of the Congressional Black Caucus are taking a wait and see attitude with Trump, but in my view, this is a major tactical error. Trump has made it clear for nearly two years exactly what he intends to do in the White House. The president-elect is not going to change course and move to the middle. Members of Congress, grassroots activists, and citizens who are concerned about the incoming administration’s direction must organize now.
As the Congressional Black Caucus is demonstrating, Americans who are concerned about these issues must be proactive, not reactive. Reacting will give Trump and the Republicans the upper hand. Those who value civil rights and the decades of hard-earned progress must set the parameters before Republicans act.
The time to act is now. If people wait, it will be too late.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
