Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette Clarke has accused President Donald Trump of attempting to remove non-White employees from the federal government. Clarke made these statements during a press conference in Brooklyn, New York, where she criticized Trump's response to a recent tragic midair collision in Washington, D.C.
During his press conference on the incident, Trump raised questions about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts possibly playing a role in the crash. He mentioned the importance of selecting individuals based on intelligence and psychological qualities, insinuating that DEI policies may have impacted hiring standards.
However, investigations into the collision are ongoing, and there is currently no evidence linking DEI initiatives to the tragedy. Despite Trump not explicitly mentioning race, Clarke labeled his comments as evidence of a racist agenda and accused him of furthering a discriminatory narrative against minority employees.
Clarke expressed her disappointment in Trump's response, stating that instead of showing empathy for the victims' families and unifying the nation in grief, he chose to push his divisive agenda. She criticized his alleged goal of making the federal workforce predominantly White and male through questionable practices.
Democrats have condemned Trump for connecting the collision to DEI policies from the previous administration. On the other hand, some critics on the left have attributed blame to Trump's efforts to reduce the federal workforce and other Republican policies.
As the investigation into the tragic incident continues, the focus remains on determining the actual cause of the midair collision and ensuring justice for the victims and their families.
