President Trump held a Black History Month reception at the White House Thursday, in the wake of his executive order ending federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, creating confusion in federal agencies. Tiger Woods joined the event, alongside supporters like Sen. Tim Scott, Rep. John James, prison reform advocate Alice Johnson, MLK Jr.'s niece Alveda King, and Herschel Walker.
The executive order, criticized for being discriminatory, calls for laying off DEI workers and influences the private sector to emphasize merit. Sean Duffy, Transportation Secretary, announced the end of identity-based celebrations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also supported the removal of DEI policies. Despite the order, Trump also signed a proclamation urging Black History Month observance.
CJ Pearson, a national co-chair of the Republican National Committee's youth advisory council, said: "President Trump's anti-DEI policies aren't promoting racism but ... the dream of Martin Luther King, Jr.: a nation where one isn't judged by the color of their skin but instead by the content of their character." Conversely, GOP strategist Raynard Jackson criticized the lack of an alternative for disadvantaged communities: "How do you have diversity without it being a mandated bean-counting situation?" Jackson said. "They've done a masterful job at telling me what they're against. I'm waiting to hear what they're for." (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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