Press Releases

Today, the Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressman Cedric L. Richmond (D-LA-02), released the following statement in response to the news that the Trump administration is rescinding guidance meant to promote racial diversity in higher education that was originally issued by the Obama administration.

“Yet again Donald Trump is showing his insecurity by targeting benign actions taken by the Obama administration to help bring modest positive changes to this country. If Barack Obama said the sky was blue, this current President would find a way to proclaim that it was in fact green. 

"This shameful rescission of non-binding guidelines issued by the previous administration’s Justice and Education Departments is a shot across the bow. It is aimed at institutions and people in this country that want to see a more perfect and inclusive union. There is a compelling interest in having post-secondary institutions consider race when making admissions decisions. This has been affirmed and re-affirmed in court battles over the years. This administration is actively working to undo this well settled legal principle.  

"The timing of this decision is no mistake as the administration prepares to announce a nominee to fill the upcoming vacancy on the Supreme Court. The President is sending a message to his future nominee and to his base that he and his administration don’t care about diversity and will actively work to turn back the clock. 

"Yet again we see that this administration’s goal and vision for “Making America Great Again” is to reduce the role of the state in making sure our society prizes diversity and inclusion. While I am not surprised, I continue to be disappointed that the President of this great country demonstrably cares so little for its non-white residents and their interests.”