Administration

Trump: Support for historically black colleges ‘unwavering’

by Rebecca Savransky 05/08/17 08:20 AM ET

President Trump is reiterating his “unwavering” support for historically black colleges and universities.

The comments in a statement late Sunday come after the president on Friday called out a program that helps finance construction for historically black colleges, emphasizing the future of the program is subject to his constitutional authority.

But on Sunday, the president said the earlier statement “sets forth my intention to spend the funds it appropriates, including the funds for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), consistently with my responsibilities under the Constitution.”

“It does not affect my unwavering support for HBCUs and their critical educational missions,” he added.

He pointed to an executive order he signed earlier this year.

{mosads}He said the order will “strengthen the capacity of HBCUs to provide the highest-quality education; to ensure equitable opportunities for HBCUs to participate in Federal programs; and to increase the number of college-educated Americans who feel empowered and able to advance the common good at home and abroad.”

“My commitment to the above-stated goals remains unchanged,” the president added.

In the Friday statement, issued when he signed the spending bill, Trump said he would treat the Historically Black College and University Financing Program Account “in a manner consistent with the requirement to afford equal protection of the laws under the Due Process Clause of the Constitution’s Fifth Amendment.”