HomeNEWSWI leader not worried about Trump cabinet's diversity issue

WI leader not worried about Trump cabinet’s diversity issue



A diverse cabinet would ensure that various societal groups are represented, their concerns addressed and that the cabinet reflects our nation.

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“I’ve said this and I say it openly and not a lot of people dispute it: I’ve done more for Black Americans than anybody with the possible exception of Abraham Lincoln. Nobody has even been close. — President Donald Trump, July 2020.

How many African Americans will President-elect Donald Trump appoint to his cabinet during his second term? Will it be six, four or three?

To date, he has appointed only one, and this limited representation has prompted some Black Republicans to question Trump’s commitment to the community, notably since he garnered more support from Black voters than any Republican presidential candidate in years.

For instance, earlier this month ABC News spoke with several African American conservatives, both longtime and recent, who expressed dissatisfaction with the diversity of his cabinet. Though preferring to remain anonymous, they conveyed a strong desire to see more African Americans in senior roles within the new administration.

One notable exception is a Milwaukee leader, Orlando Owens, who heads an organization that helped turn Black voters to Trump in November cementing his victory in Wisconsin. Owens emphasized that people should focus more on the policies that Trump champions rather than being concerned about the skin tone or wealth of his appointees.

“For me, it comes down to securing the border, stopping the flow of illegal immigration, fixing the economy, and getting people back to work again,” Owens said. “That’s what most people want and that’s why Trump won. It’s not about all this other stuff people are trying to make it out to be.”

Still, the dismay from other Black leaders is noteworthy, especially considering that they could have anticipated a continuation of the strategy observed during Trump’s previous term. While I am not surprised by the appointment of a single Black individual to his cabinet, I would be astonished if he incorporated four or five African Americans into his administration. Instead, Trump has stacked his administration with billionaires.

Groups who believe that equity is not a bad word should use this moment to come together and remind people why representation matters.

HUD secretary popular landing spot for Black cabinet appointees

During Trump’s first term, he appointed 24 cabinet members: 21 men and three women. Of the 21 men, 19 were white. Two of the three women were white, and he included one person of Black, Hispanic and Asian ancestry to the top jobs in the administration.

For his new cabinet, Trump nominated Scott Turner, a 52-year-old African American and former Texas state lawmaker, to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development. It’s worth noting that the HUD position seems to be the one job presidents like to give to African Americans.

Since President Lyndon B. Johnson created HUD in 1965, six Black secretaries have been appointed. Trump followed suit in his last term with his appointment of neurosurgeon Benjamin Carson in that role.

While I usually avoid questioning cabinet appointments, Trump stated at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July that he is “running to be president for all of America, not just half of America.” Based on this promise, one would hope for a diverse cabinet that would help ensure that different societal groups are not overlooked, their concerns are addressed, and that the cabinet accurately reflects our nation.

There is a well-known adage: “It all rolls downhill,” which suggests that the White House’s leadership profoundly impacts citizens’ thoughts and behaviors. Leadership characterized by classism and racism continues to undermine the principles that constitute America’s fabric.

Black men in Wisconsin doubled their support for Trump

For the second time in eight years, Trump’s path to the White House went directly through the swing state of Wisconsin. While his victory may be regarded as one of the most remarkable political comebacks in the nation’s history, Owens was unsurprised.

Owens, 50, founder and CEO of Project Move the Needle, an organization focused on mobilizing disenchanted African American voters, said Black men supported Trump because he was more relatable. In Wisconsin, Trump’s support from Black men under 45 more than doubled compared to 2020.

Owens said Black Republicans who were critical of Trump’s cabinet selections so far are misguided. Owens said he trusts that Trump will choose the most qualified people for his cabinet to move the country forward.

While Trump has the right to make his choices, it is evident that some of his selections are motivated by loyalty to longtime supporters or big donors.

For instance, he chose one of the wealthiest men in the world, Elon Musk, to become the co-leader of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency. The position would give Musk the authority to recommend changes to how the government spends money. Musk, one of the largest donors to Trump’s presidential run, gave over $250 million. Musk made his money in tech ventures such as PayPal, and later went on to found Tesla, SpaceX and bought the social media platform Twitter, which was later renamed X.

Linda McMahon, who previously served as the head of the U.S. Small Business Administration during his first term and was a co-chair of his transition team, is set to lead the U.S. Department of Education. McMahon has more experience working with her now-disgraced husband, Vince McMahon, in the World Wrestling Association and taking a “tombstone piledriver” from wrestlers than working with public schools, as she served only one year on the Connecticut State Board of Education from 2009 to 2010.

She resigned when she ran (unsuccessfully) for the U.S. Senate, citing a legal opinion that prevents board members from soliciting campaign contributions. Both Musk and McMahon are billionaires.

According to ABC News, Trump has tapped 13 billionaires to serve with a combined net worth of nearly $460 billion, making it the wealthiest administration in modern history.

Trump has vowed to eliminate DEI programs, Department of Education

Owens said his group has engaged in community discussions regarding Trump’s policies, particularly the proposal to eliminate the Department of Education. He explained that this move would transfer all education responsibilities and needs back to the states, providing greater local control. According to him, people generally understand this rationale.

Some experts argue that while it is unlikely the Department of Education, which has a 2024 budget of $241 billion, will be eliminated, pursuing such a measure could have negative consequences for schools that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. Additionally, some Democrats believe this could result in a rollback of civil rights protections, which would adversely affect LGBTQ students.

I am concerned about Trump’s opposition to DEI initiatives and appointing a cabinet that does not support them.

Trump has promised to go after educational institutions and businesses that adhere to DEI practices. He views DEI as reverse discrimination, as many of his supporters do. Trump has frequently downplayed the effects slavery and discriminatory policies have had on African Americans.

While Trump’s cabinet selections may lack diversity, it’s essential to acknowledge that many of his appointees are extremely wealthy. This one percent may find it challenging to relate to people like me, and the other 99 percent of us who aren’t billionaires.

Still, instead of merely complaining about Trump’s appointments, this is an opportunity for groups locally to unite like never before, and this needs to take place all over the country. This is also a time to support local NAACP, Urban League, and American Civil Liberties Union branches. Things will get worse if people of color don’t take the necessary steps to unite and work together.

Reach James E. Causey at jcausey@jrn.com; follow him on X @jecausey.



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