Top House Democrat: Black men can get killed and the president won’t say a word

Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.) suggested President Trump’s efforts to reach out to Black male voters won’t be effective amid protests over police brutality and what the congressmen said is Trump’s failed efforts to address issues facing Black Americans. 

“Donald Trump very effectively in 2016 raised the question to Black men, ‘what do you have to lose?’” Richmond, who serves as co-chair of Democrat Joe Biden’s presidential campaign, said Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press” when asked about Trump’s efforts to appeal to Black men. 

“I think now Black men see clearly what they have to lose, they can get killed and the president won’t say a word. Won’t utter Jacob Blake’s name, will not talk about police reform,” Richmond added, referring to the Black man who was shot by police in Kenosha, Wisc. on Monday. 

WATCH: @RepRichmond says “now Black men see clearly what they have to lose.” #IfItsSunday

“They can get killed and the president won’t say a word. Won’t utter Jacob Blake’s name. Won’t talk about police reform.”

“You will see [the Biden campaign] talk directly to Black men.” pic.twitter.com/SL5QOxXUQY

— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) August 30, 2020

In addition to issues of police brutality, Richmond hit Trump over an “incompetent” response to the COVID-19 pandemic which he said is hurting Black businesses. 

“You look at unemployment, Black unemployment is twice that of white unemployment. The fact that almost 40 percent of Black businesses will not survive this COVID-19 incompetent response — Black men see that,” Richmond said. 

He said Democrats, in looking to boost Biden, will talk “directly to Black men,” without making assumptions or taking them for granted. 

“So whether it’s about mass incarceration, economic opportunity, homeownership, college affordability, increasing education funding, all of those things,” the congressman said. “So we’re going to go where Black men are and we’re talk to Black men about their issues, but I think they see clearly what it is they have to lose now.”

–This report was updated at 1:25 p.m.