As protesters across the nation call for change following the death of George Floyd, President Trump took aim at Joe Biden’s record.
The United States has witnessed demonstrations for more than a week as protesters march against police brutality and racial injustice. On Wednesday morning, Trump said he has done more to help black citizens during his first term in office than the presumptive Democratic nominee did over the past four decades.
“In 3 1/2 years, I’ve done much more for our Black population than Joe Biden has done in 43 years. Actually, he set them back big time with his Crime Bill, which he doesn’t even remember,” he tweeted.
“I’ve done more for Black Americans, in fact, than any President in U.S. history, with the possible exception of another Republican President, the late, great, Abraham Lincoln … and it’s not even close,” he added. “The Democrats know this, and so does the Fake News, but they refuse to write or say it because they are inherently corrupt!”
….the possible exception of another Republican President, the late, great, Abraham Lincoln…and it’s not even close. The Democrats know this, and so does the Fake News, but they refuse to write or say it because they are inherently corrupt! See “pinned” above.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2020
Trump pointed to his efforts toward opportunity zones, a policy championed by South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott that incentivizes investors to build businesses in low-income areas. He also highlighted the First Step Act, which allowed for the release of some nonviolent inmates from federal prisons.
“My Admin has done more for the Black Community than any President since Abraham Lincoln. Passed Opportunity Zones with @SenatorTimScott, guaranteed funding for HBCU’s, School Choice, passed Criminal Justice Reform, lowest Black unemployment, poverty, and crime rates in history,” Trump wrote on Tuesday, adding, “AND THE BEST IS YET TO COME!”
…AND THE BEST IS YET TO COME!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 2, 2020
Protesters have been demanding reforms to policing following the death of Floyd, a black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck while arresting him. Some of the protests have shifted to riots as police struggle to rein in looting, arson, and vandalism.
Biden has faced criticisms for his 1994 crime bill, which many believe led to the mass incarceration of black men. The former vice president has denied that his crime bill led to injustice for black citizens and defended his record.
“If you have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t black,” Biden said last month, later apologizing for the remark.
