Dec 8, 2024 Story by: Editor
As President-elect Donald Trump finalizes his Cabinet and advisers before Inauguration Day, many African American leaders are questioning why more Black individuals have not been chosen for key roles.
ABC News interviewed over half a dozen African American conservatives and Republicans involved with Trump’s circle, both in Washington and elsewhere.
In a notable appointment last month, Trump named Scott Turner, who previously served as executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term, to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
However, frustration has grown among Black Republicans over the perceived tendency to assign African Americans to HUD. “Why is every Black person given a HUD?” a Southern Black Republican told ABC News, referring to the role as “the literal Black job of the administration.”
ABC News reached out to Trump’s transition team for comments on his choices but received no response.
Historically, HUD has seen more Black secretaries than any other department, starting with Robert Weaver, the first African American appointed to a Cabinet-level position by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1966. Patricia Roberts Harris, the first African American woman in a presidential cabinet, served as Health and Human Services director and later as HUD secretary under President Jimmy Carter.
Samuel Pierce was the sole Black Cabinet official under Ronald Reagan, and Dr. Ben Carson was Trump’s only Black Cabinet member during his first term.
In mid-November, Carson expressed enthusiasm about his role, stating, “I am excited to speak with President Trump about how I will continue to advance the America First agenda.” However, he clarified, “Contrary to reports, I will not be serving as the Surgeon General.”
The Treasury and Interior departments remain the only ones never to have had a Black secretary.
Another position seen as pivotal for African American representation is the role of assistant to the president, a senior White House position. Trump previously appointed Omarosa Manigault Newman, known from The Apprentice, as the only Black assistant to the president.
“I do think if you’re really talking about Black influence inside the White House, does Trump want his only legacy of having the only AP for two terms be Omarosa?” asked a Black Republican strategist.
After Newman’s exit, Ja’Ron Smith rose to deputy assistant for domestic policy, while Ashley Bell served as a White House adviser and regional Small Business Administration administrator.
Some Trump allies are concerned about the lack of Black appointees, especially as other groups see historic firsts. If confirmed, Sen. Marco Rubio would be the first Hispanic secretary of state, Scott Bessent the first openly gay Treasury secretary, and Tulsi Gabbard the first Asian American and youngest-ever director of national intelligence.
“I can’t tweet that we need more Black conservatives because the left will attack me saying it’s a DEI hire,” the Southern Republican remarked.
Others note it’s early in the appointment process. A Black Republican operative stated, “The Republican Party has never really fallen into the category of ‘representation matters.’ Our strength comes from diversity, but that is not our bumper sticker slogan. We’re not going to nominate Black folks for the sake of nominating Black people.”
The operative highlighted growing Black Republican leadership nationwide, citing Sen. Tim Scott, Rep. Byron Donalds, and Winsome Sears as examples.
Rep. Donalds, speaking on CNN, criticized the Democrats’ focus on diversity in President Joe Biden’s administration, saying, “What Donald Trump’s election is about, is bringing competency and reality back to D.C. in the White House, regardless of their race, regardless of their religion, regardless of their creed.”
Dedrick Asante-Muhammad, president of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, observed, “Trump isn’t a traditional Republican. He doesn’t use traditional Republican institutions in the same way that past presidential candidates have, so there isn’t a kind of pipeline, long-term relations.”
A Black Republican strategist added, “Being a part of Trumpworld isn’t easy. It is almost a personal blacklist thing in the outside world.” Another operative noted, “When Black people are put underneath this microscope of being Trump-affiliated, they look past your color and you are public enemy number one.”
Despite challenges, most Black Republicans interviewed believe Trump’s policies could significantly benefit the Black community. They hope he will prioritize hiring more Black conservatives while continuing to focus on issues like the economy, border security, and judicial reform. Source: ABC News
