Earlier this month, I convened more than 600 Black men in downtown Atlanta. We came together to begin to chart an agenda for our community. We discussed economics, education, health and criminal justice reform, among other issues. We closed out the day by marching to the King Memorial to show our respect to America’s greatest son and to symbolically let him see that there are still brothers ready to hold our leaders accountable and to get into what congressman John Lewis called “good trouble.”
As the men spoke, my mind took me back to August 2016, when then-presidential candidate Donald Trump infamously made his pitch to Black voters by asking, “What the hell do you have to lose?”
Credit: Handout
Credit: Handout
Like the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Lewis, the men who came together on that day know that there is much to lose when we elect leaders who do not value us, who will not work with us and who enact policies that do not work for us.
Let’s start with the economy. King’s emphasis in his later years was to shift the energy of his movement from civil rights to silver rights, realizing that true freedom was rooted in economic power and greater opportunities to escape poverty.
Trump’s return to the White House raises critical economic questions for America’s minority communities. His first term saw the enactment of tax policies that disproportionately benefited wealthy individuals and corporations while doing little to address systemic economic inequities. Minority communities, already grappling with generational wealth gaps, could face further challenges under this second Trump presidency.
One of the most significant concerns is the rollback of policies designed to promote economic equity. During his first term, Trump weakened fair housing regulations, such as the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule, which aimed to combat racial segregation in housing. Without robust federal oversight, the widening wealth gap between white and minority households will likely persist, exacerbating barriers to homeownership and wealth accumulation.
Additionally, Trump’s emphasis on deregulation and cuts to social programs could undermine safety nets that many marginalized communities rely on. Funding for public education, health care access through Medicaid and job-training programs are likely again to face cuts, limiting pathways to upward mobility. Such austerity measures disproportionately harm Black and Latino populations, which experience higher poverty and unemployment — not because we lack motivation, ingenuity or ability but because of the persistent, intractable barriers of racism propped up by the politically powerful and their policies that give too few of us a fair chance to prosper.
Indeed, the stakes are high.
Minority communities need policies that close wealth gaps, ensure equitable access to education and housing, and invest in long-term economic development. A second Trump presidency, judging by his first, likely means a continued disregard for these urgent needs, leaving millions further behind in an economy increasingly built for the few at the expense of the many.
Emblematic of the peril minority communities face under a second Trump presidency is his plan to roll back diversity initiatives across the nation. Trump has repeatedly attacked policies promoting inclusivity in education, workplaces and government. From rescinding Obama-era guidelines on affirmative action in schools to issuing executive orders limiting diversity training in federal agencies, Trump has demonstrated an aversion to programs designed to level the playing field for marginalized groups.
In education, Trump’s administration opposed race-conscious admissions policies, jeopardizing efforts to create equitable access to elite institutions for underrepresented students. A return to such policies would stifle progress in closing educational achievement gaps and limit opportunities for minority students to thrive in competitive fields.
In the workplace, Trump has called diversity training programs “divisive” and “anti-American.” If his antidiversity policies are enacted, these measures will hinder organizations from addressing unconscious bias and fostering inclusive environments. Such a rollback would disproportionately affect marginalized employees, perpetuating inequities in hiring, promotion and pay. This shift threatens years of progress in creating equitable institutions and ensuring all voices are represented in shaping America’s future.
In his recent Senate confirmation hearing, Pete Hegseth, Trump’s nominee for secretary of Defense, expressed strong opposition to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the military. Hegseth criticized “wokeness” and DEI efforts, asserting that they undermine military cohesion and effectiveness.
Hegseth’s stance suggests that, under a second Trump administration, there could be significant rollbacks of DEI programs not only in the military but potentially across other federal agencies. This is a dangerous, regressive position to take and portends calamity for minorities who work for the federal government.
Eliminating DEI efforts would reverse progress made toward inclusivity and equal opportunity, leading to a less diverse and less fair environment in our federal workforce. Such programs are essential for addressing systemic biases and fostering environments in which individuals from all backgrounds can succeed.
Monday at high noon, Trump becomes the 47th president of the United States. Perhaps the most insidious threat of a second Trump presidency is the weaponization of division. During his first term, Trump exploited racial, ethnic and cultural differences to sow discord and inflame tensions. This divisive rhetoric not only harmed communities of color but also poisoned the broader social fabric of our nation. I join those poised and positioned to hold Trump accountable and to fight against any measure that pulls us backward to the bad ol’ days.
Some say it is irresponsible to voice concerns or criticisms of the president before he even takes office or as he does so, but I disagree. Accountability is a cornerstone of democracy, and any presidency — whether it is the first or second term — must be scrutinized to ensure it serves the best interests of all people. Leaders have a responsibility to critically engage with any administration, holding it accountable from Day 1 to uphold democratic principles, safeguard institutions and protect vulnerable populations. Waiting to see what unfolds risks normalizing harmful policies or actions, delaying necessary interventions that could prevent long-term damage. Accountability is not opposition; it is a duty to the people and the future of the country.
The Rev. Jamal-Harrison Bryant is senior pastor of New Birth Church.
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