Critics have been vocal about President Trump‘s alleged racial bias, pointing to his Cabinet picks and treatment of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook as evidence.
The controversy surrounding Trump’s appointments, including Matt Gaetz and Pete Hegseth, has sparked intense debate about diversity and representation in his administration.
With concerns about the lack of racial diversity, critics argue that Trump’s choices do not reflect the demographics of the US population.
The president’s decision to fire Lisa Cook, the first Black woman to serve on the board of governors of the Federal Reserve, has drawn criticism from Democrats and civil rights groups.
Trump’s cabinet, comprising 24 officials, includes only one Black member, raising questions about diversity and representation.
Critics argue that Trump’s actions fit a pattern of purging diverse voices from government positions. LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter, stated, “he chose to fire her out of all the governors because she’s a Black woman… His goal is to get control of the Federal Reserve and for that to no longer be an autonomous, independent body.”
Brown also noted that Trump’s actions are rooted in the history of racism in the US, saying, “He knows that racism and sexism is a very effective tool to cast doubt and that’s the pathway.”
Trump’s history of racial controversy includes suing his father for housing discrimination in 1973, taking out full-page ads calling for the death penalty for the Central Park Five in 1989, and promoting the “birther” conspiracy theory about Barack Obama’s citizenship.
More recently, he has described Haiti and African nations as “shithole countries” and blamed diversity initiatives for societal problems.
The president’s defenders point to modest gains in support from African American voters in the last election. However, critics argue that this doesn’t translate to meaningful representation or policies addressing racial injustice.
Trump’s cabinet appointments, such as Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at the health department, have raised concerns about qualifications and ideological agendas.
Derrick Johnson, president of the NAACP, said, “Dr. Cook’s credentials outshine Trump’s entire cabinet. This president simply cannot stomach Black excellence when it reveals his failures, particularly those in positions of power.” Rashad Robinson, a civil rights leader, added, “we live in a very diverse country… and the president exhibits his values by who he puts in office.”
Trump’s actions have been praised by white nationalist groups, which has further fueled criticism about his stance on racial issues.
Antjuan Seawright, a Democratic strategist, observed, “when you have white supremacists who are holding key roles in government and you have leaders in this country who come and play footsie to their drumbeat, they don’t have to resist because what they want is laid out for them in the form of a buffet.”
In contrast to Trump’s cabinet, Joe Biden’s administration appointed the most diverse cabinet in history, with more women and people of color than any previous administration.
Seawright noted, “We went from generational progress to generational rollback, and what this president and this administration has done in seven months could take 70 years at least to replenish.”
The debate surrounding Trump’s actions and cabinet appointments highlights the complexities of racial politics in the US.
The assertion that Trump’s Cabinet lacks diversity, particularly in terms of racial representation, is a concern that has been highlighted by various sources.
According to Kathryn Dunn Tenpas, director of the Katzmann Initiative on Improving Interbranch Relations and Government, Trump’s Cabinet appointments in his second term are predominantly white (91%) and male (88%).
This lack of diversity is concerning, given that over 40% of Americans identify as people of colour, while only 17% of Trump’s Cabinet nominees are non-White.
A closer look at Trump’s Cabinet reveals a limited number of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
For instance, his Cabinet includes four people of color, namely Marco Rubio, a Hispanic nominee for Secretary of State; Lori Chavez-DeRemer, a Hispanic nominee for Secretary of Labor; Scott Turner, a nominee for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; and Tulsi Gabbard, a nominee for Director of National Intelligence, who would be the first Samoan American to hold the position.
Other notable appointments include Susie Wiles, who would become the first woman to serve as White House Chief of Staff, and Elise Stefanik, who would become the youngest UN Ambassador.
While these appointments represent milestones in US political history, they do not necessarily address the broader issue of diversity within the Cabinet.
Inclusive America, a nonprofit organization committed to promoting diversity in government, emphasizes the importance of a Cabinet that reflects the demographic makeup of the country.
According to the organization, ensuring that the Cabinet reflects the diversity of the country is essential for inclusive governance. Their work focuses on encouraging more inclusive appointments that reflect the broader American public.