Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D)called out President Trump on the floor of the House Tuesday over the partial government shutdown. The freshman congresswoman accused the president of bringing "dishonor" to the Oval Office. Watch that video below:
Former first lady Michelle Obama reportedly rips President Trump's spreading of the "birther" conspiracy theory against her husband in her upcoming book.
In excerpts from her memoir “Becoming" obtained by The Washington Post, Obama says she will "never forgive" Trump for the "xenophobic" claims that her husband, former President Obama, was not actually born in America.
"The whole thing was crazy and mean-spirited, of course, its underlying bigotry and xenophobia hardly concealed," the former first lady writes. "But it was also dangerous, deliberately meant to stir up the wingnuts and kooks."
“What if someone with an unstable mind loaded a gun and drove to Washington? What if that person went looking for our girls? Donald Trump, with his loud and reckless innuendos, was putting my family’s safety at risk. And for this I’d never forgive him," she continues.
The book is set to be released Tuesday.
Democratic candidate for Florida Governor Andrew Gillum took to Twitter to respond to Trump's ignorant remarks in which Trump referred to Gillum as a thief during a Fox News interview.
I heard @realDonaldTrump ran home to @FoxNews to lie about me. But as my grandmother told me — never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty, but the pig likes it. So ignore him and vote, Florida!
— Andrew Gillum (@AndrewGillum) October 30, 2018
During his election campaign Trump asked African Americans What do they have to lose. Weeks before the November midterm elections, the Congressional Black Caucus has released a video that answers that question. The nearly four-minute documentary is titled “We Have Lost a Lot.” and sharply criticizes the policies of Donald Trump’s Administration,discusses how his policies have hurt African Americans, and urges African Americans to vote in response.
The video features African American lawmakers and CBC members Reps. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), Karen Bass (D-Calif.) and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ).
In a series of tweets and in a very NJ way, New Jersey's Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (Dem, New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District) questioned the manhood of the men in Congress when it comes to the willingness of doing their job and checking President Trump on things like Russia and following the law.
For a Congress so full of men, it's incredible that we don't have the balls to check a president that: asks aides to violate protocol and law; praises dictators from Russia to the Philippines; and torpedos relationships with our allies.
— Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (@RepBonnie) August 23, 2018
This is a reckoning, and any member of Congress unwilling to do his or her job should step aside.
— Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (@RepBonnie) August 23, 2018
If making a mockery of the emoluments clause wasn't enough; if comforting confederates and nazis wasn't enough; if rampant racism, collaborating with Russians, and being implicated in federal elections crimes wasn't enough, then WHAT IS ENOUGH for Congress to act?
— Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (@RepBonnie) August 23, 2018
Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and the city council took to Twitter to mock Donald trump after he blamed "local politicians" for the cancellation of his overpriced "mine is bigger than yours" military parade. Read their tweets below:
Yup, I’m Muriel Bowser, mayor of Washington DC, the local politician who finally got thru to the reality star in the White House with the realities ($21.6M) of parades/events/demonstrations in Trump America (sad). https://t.co/vqC3d8FLqx
— MurielBowser (@MurielBowser) August 17, 2018
Town Council
Better late. Then: never.
— Council of DC (@councilofdc) August 17, 2018
Tanks but no tanks. pic.twitter.com/57WR28RMyU
NBA legend and civil rights activist, Bill Russell took to twitter to praise LeBron James, CNN host Don Lemon, Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), John Lewis (D-Ga.), and NFL players. Russell stated that they “must be doing something right.” if Trump is attacking them.
At this time & place for any African American, @KingJames @donlemon @RepMaxineWaters @repjohnlewis & #NFL plyrs to be criticised by @realdonaldtrump means you must be doing something right! As I have said before- Its the biggest compliment you can get. @TwitterSports @MSNBC @CNN
— TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) August 5, 2018
By George L. Cook III African American Reports
It was a foregone conclusion that ousted Assistant to the President, Omarosa Manigault would write a book about her brief time in the Trump White House. Well, that book, 'Unhinged: An Insider's Account of the Trump White House' is set to be released August 14, 2018.
Here's the book's blurb from Amazon:
The former Assistant to the President and Director of Communications for the Office of Public Liaison in the Trump White House provides a jaw-dropping look into the corruption and controversy of the current administration.
Few have been a member of Donald Trump’s inner orbit longer than Omarosa Manigault Newman. Their relationship has spanned fifteen years—through four television shows, a presidential campaign, and a year by his side in the most chaotic, outrageous White House in history. But that relationship has come to a decisive and definitive end, and Omarosa is finally ready to share her side of the story in this explosive, jaw-dropping account.
A stunning tell-all and takedown from a strong, intelligent woman who took every name and number, Unhinged is a must-read for any concerned citizen.
Now, the book will probably sell very well, but I won't be one of those buying it. I can't in any way support this woman who would sell out the entire African American community and was only in the whole thing for a title, and the money that would come after she served in Trump's administration. I want to read the book, but I won't be paying for it and enriching Omarosa, maybe I'll get it at the local library, borrow someone else's copy, or wait for the Lifetime movie.
Will you buy the book?
By George L. Cook III African American Reports EMAIL: George Cook
With the backdrop of the positive response to his pardon of Alice Johnson and the National Anthem controversy in which National Football League players are protesting police brutality and racism, President Trump in his tone-deaf way has made an offer to black athletes in the NFL to submit cases of possible injustice so he can evaluate them for potential pardons.
"I’m going to ask all of those people to recommend to me -- because that’s what they’re protesting -- people that they think were unfairly treated by the justice system,” Trump told reporters Friday before departing the for the G-7 summit in Canada, adding that they shouldn’t remain in the locker room while the national anthem is played before games.
"If I find, and my committee finds, that they’re unfairly treated, then we will pardon them, or at least let them out," the president said.
While Trump's offer to pardon those in federal prison may help dozens it does nothing to help thousands who suffer at the hands of the justice system and abusive policing. Trump is hoping that African Americans somehow fall for this PR stunt and see this as a move that benefits them a whole when it doesn't.
Here are four things his offer to pardon people won't address:
Police committing acts of brutality and shooting unarmed black men. Until there are tougher consequences at the Federal level for bad police officers who violate the HUMAN rights of American citizens these abuses will continue.
Criminal justice reform addressing disparate sentences for African Americans as compared to white Americans for committing the same crimes.
Bail reform, thousands sit in jail not because they have been found guilty of a crime but because they can't make bail.
Environmental issues that affect black communities that lead to learning and behavioral problems that can make a child more likely to end up in the criminal justice system.
This is by no means an exhaustive list, these are things that immediately sprung to mind upon hearing of Trump's offer to NFL players.
This is just another example of Trump pointing to the bright shiny object hoping that we all ignore the grim reality that needs to be addressed. Pay attention people and don't let this con-man get with pulling yet another PR stunt that doesn't benefit African Americans as a whole.
So, in light of Trump's misguided offer to pardon boxing legend Muhammad Ali whose conviction was overturned by the Supreme Court in 1971 I would like to close by warning us all not to fall for the okey-doke.
George L. Cook III African American Reports
Social Activist and Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins released a statement on Tuesday after President Donald Trump threw a tantrum and made the childish decision to cancel the Eagles’ White House invitation after finding out that most of the players were not coming. Read his statement below:
#TheFightContinues pic.twitter.com/QWDdvZgQNL
— Malcolm Jenkins (@MalcolmJenkins) June 5, 2018
I don't know if Bill Clinton meant any harm or not but these recent comments are reminiscent of his comments in 2008 after Barack Obama won the South Carolina Democratic Primary that rubbed many African Americans the wrong way.
During an interview on CBS This Morning about a new book (The President is Missing) that he co-authored former President Bill Clinton discussed the media's treatment of Pres. Trump as compared to that of former President Obama. Clinton said he believed that President Barack Obama received much more positive media coverage than did other presidents due to his race.
Asked about the difference in press coverage between President Obama and President Trump, Clinton agreed that there was a difference.
“They did treat him [Obama] differently than other Democrats and Republicans,” Mr. Clinton said during the interview “It was the political press.”
Why? “I don’t know. They liked him. And they liked having the first African-American president, and he was a good president I think,” Mr. Clinton said. “I don’t agree with President Trump’s assessment of his service.
In an interview with BBC’s “Newsnight,” Steve Bannon, the former White House chief strategist cited historically low unemployment rates for black and Hispanic workers and credited the president’s crackdown on illegal immigration.
“If you look at the policies of Donald Trump, OK, anybody — Martin Luther King — would be proud of him, of what he’s done for the black and Hispanic community for jobs,” Bannon said.
In a series of tweets Bernice King, the Rev. Martin Luther King’s daughter blasted Steve Bannon’s claim that her father would be proud of President Donald Trump.
#SteveBannon has dangerously and erroneously co-opted my father’s name, work and words.
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) May 24, 2018
Bannon’s assertion that my father, #MLK, would be proud of Donald Trump wholly ignores Daddy’s commitment to people of all races, nationalities, etc. being treated with dignity and respect.
My father’s concerns were not sectional, but global. He was an activist for the civil rights of Black people in America, but he was also an activist for human rights. #MLK
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) May 24, 2018
In addition, he would never pit one group against another in the struggle for justice, as Bannon attempts to use him to do in discussing those he termed as “illegal aliens” and Black people. #MLK
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) May 24, 2018
Bannon’s comments are like feeding someone empty calories, in that they don’t convey a comprehensive view of #MLK as a global humanitarian who cared about the well-being of all people.
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) May 24, 2018
My father would be extremely disturbed by the climate created by leaders, who have emboldened people to easily express and demonstrate cruelty, predominantly toward people of color and immigrants. #MLK
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) May 24, 2018
Finally, #MLK would be proud of a livable wage for all and not merely a low unemployment rate. #PoorPeoplesCampaign
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) May 24, 2018
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), who has been a leading opponent of President Trump on Capitol Hill, told thousands of Democratic activists and officials to "get ready for impeachment.”
Speaking at the California Democratic Party’s annual convention in San Diego, Waters said that she believes special counsel Robert Mueller, who’s been at the helm of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, is “getter closer” to figuring out who colluded with Russia.
"I say it is time to get ready for impeachment," Waters said to roaring applause. “I cannot wait and I’m counting on special counsel Mueller to connect the dots.”
“I believe he’s getting closer to discovering what Americans were and are involved in collusion with the Russians.”
Mueller’s probe has had several recent developments that rocked the political world. He brought charges against 13 Russian nationals and three Russian groups for U.S. election interference. And former Trump campaign adviser Richard Gates pleaded guilty on Friday as part of a deal with the special counsel.
“It’s absolutely appalling to learn ... your many allies are all connected to the oligarchs of Russia, the Kremlin and [Russian President Vladimir] Putin,” Waters said.
Waters ended her nearly 20-minute speech to several standing ovations, loud cheers and an “Impeach 45” chant.
During an appearance on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360 show, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) said that he is concerned by President Donald Trump's behavior and troubled by the reports that he attempted to fire special counsel Robert Mueller.
Here's more confirmation of President Trump's delusional views about the relationship between himself and the African American community.
President Donald Trump bragged on Twitter that his approval rating with black Americans has doubled. It hasn't.
Only 15% of black Americans said they approved of Trump's job performance in the days following his inauguration last January — and it's only gone downhill from there. In the most recent Gallup weekly numbers, only 6% of black Americans said they approved of the President's job performance.
The most recent CNN polling, from December, shows that only 3% of black Americans said they approved of how Trump is handling his job nearly a year into his White House tenure.
A whopping 91% said they disapproved.
But that didn't stop Trump from tweeting on Tuesday morning that his approval among black Americans had doubled. "Unemployment for Black Americans is the lowest ever recorded. Trump approval ratings with Black Americans has doubled. Thank you, and it will get even (much) better!" he wrote.
It is true that black unemployment has fallen to 6.8% in the most recent data — the lowest since the Bureau of Labor Statistics began tracking the number in 1972 but still higher than the 4.1% national unemployment rate among all races.
Rep. John Lewis said he will not attend President Trump's first State of the Union after he referred to poorer nations, made up of primarily black and brown people, as "shithole countries."
The congressman, a noted 1960s civil rights leader cited Trump's derogatory comments about immigration from Haiti and African counties as his reason for not attending the address later this month.
"I think he is a racist," Lewis said.
Lewis pointed to the example of Martin Luther King Jr., whose birthday is celebrated Monday.
"He would be speaking the idea that we are one people, one family … we must learn to live together as brothers and sisters, if not, we will perish as fools," Lewis said.
The African Union released the following statement after President Trump referred to African countries as shitholes:
"Given the historical reality of how many Africans arrived in the United States as slaves, this statement flies in the face of all accepted behaviour and practice," AU spokeswoman Ebba Kalondo said.
"This is particularly surprising as the United States of America remains a global example of how migration gave birth to a nation built on strong values of diversity and opportunity."
The African Union (AU) is a continental union consisting of all 54 countries on the African continent, extending slightly into Asia via the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. It was established on 26 May 2001 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and launched on 9 July 2002 in South Africa,[6] with the aim of replacing the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). The most important decisions of the AU are made by the Assembly of the African Union, a semi-annual meeting of the heads of state and government of its member states. The AU's secretariat, the African Union Commission, is based in Addis Ababa.
Read her statement below:
The President’ comments are unkind, divisive, elitist, and fly in the face of our nation’s values. This behavior is unacceptable from the leader of our nation. My parents came from one of those countries, took an oath of allegiance to it, and took on the responsibilities of everything that being a citizen comes with. They never took a thing from our federal government. They worked hard, paid taxes, and rose from nothing to take care of and provide opportunities for their children. They taught their children to do the same. That’s the American Dream. The President must apologize to both the American people and the nations he so wantonly maligned.”
Former Attorney General Eric Holder is not happy with President Trump for saying that he has the "absolute right" to do what he wants with the Department of Justice. Holder tweeted that Trump's comments were "wrong" and "dangerous." Read his full tweet below:
Wrong/dangerous. Trump doesn’t have absolute rights with DOJ. But women and men there have ABSOLUTE duty to follow Constitution and rule of law - not a man. Career DOJ people have ABSOLUTE right to defy illegal orders. And they will. I know them.
— Eric Holder (@EricHolder) December 29, 2017
New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker called on President Donald Trump to resign Saturday night over the allegations of sexual harassment that have dogged him since the presidential campaign.
Booker made the comments at a campaign appearance in Alabama for Democratic candidate Doug Jones, who is locked in a tight race against a Republican candidate facing his own allegations of sexual abuse, former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore.
Sen. Al Franken resigned this week under growing pressure from members of his own party after multiple women came forward with allegations of sexual misconduct against him. But Booker said Trump’s record was worse.
“I just watched Sen. Al Franken do the honorable thing and resign from his office. My question is, why isn’t Donald Trump doing the same thing — who has more serious allegations against him, with more women who have come forward. The fact pattern on him is far more damning than the fact pattern on Al Franken,” Booker said in an interview with VICE News.
Read more: Trump should resign over sexual harassment allegations, Booker says
