Associated Press
The lone African American member of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet said Monday he would work with the president on the issue of athletes taking a knee during the national anthem, though Trump has shown no signs of softening, tweeting over the weekend that he would not watch soccer or football if players don’t stand for the national anthem.
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson said he believes that most players are kneeling to protest police brutality, not because they disrespect the flag. He added that players need to make that clear.
When asked on the Hugh Hewitt Show if he might persuade the president not to be upset with players kneeling during the anthem, Carson replied: “Well, I don’t think he has manifested as much animosity in that region lately. And I think we just continue to work with him. He’ll get there.”
HUD officials said Carson was not available to elaborate further. However, they pointed out that the show’s transcript dropped an important word in Carson’s comments — in which the secretary said he would work “with” Trump on the issue, rather than “work” the president. An Associated Press reporter who listened to the audio confirmed that Carson’s response included the “with.”
Carson’s take runs contrary to Trump’s tweeting over the weekend. He retweeted Republican Reps. Jim Jordan or Ohio and Matt Gaetz of Fort Walton Beach, taking issue with the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors voting to repeal the policy that required players to stand during the national anthem.
“It has become clear that this policy was wrong and detracted from the important message of Black Lives Matter,” the directors said.
Jordan said, “Let me get this straight, UNITED STATES Soccer won’t stand for the UNITED STATES National Anthem.” In retweeting Jordan, Trump said “And it looks like the NFL is heading in that direction also, but not with me watching!”
There has been renewed interest in the kneeling issue following the death of George Floyd while in police custody. Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick sparked the issue four years ago when he refused to stand during the national anthem because of his views on the country’s treatment of racial minorities. Kaepernick has not played since that season as no team has been willing to sign him.
Trump has returned to the topic frequently over the years as he considers it politically beneficial, saying at one point that those players who don’t stand for the national anthem should be fired.
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Republished with permission from The Associated Press.
3 comments
S. B. Anthony
June 16, 2020 at 7:30 pm
Can’t jump on the horse after it’s crossed the finish line. Too little, too late. Go back to sleep, Ben, and take your Trumpy Bear with you.
Mel Thomas
June 16, 2020 at 7:51 pm
President Trump is right. disrespecting the flag is no way to demonstrate racism. BOYCOTT THE NFL.
Democrat Platform & Goals:
(Democrat Taxpayers pay close attention, you’ll pay too)
*End all deportations of illegal aliens, if you get here, you stay. Bernie’s website calls it a “moratorium” on deportations.
Democrats Yes.
Republicans No.
*Citizenship for 20 to 50 million illegal aliens, DACA & TPS recipients with a cost of billions.
Democrats Yes.
Republicans No.
*Massive tax increases. All Democrat candidates have committed to tax increases of various amounts.
Democrats Yes tax increases.
Republicans No tax increases.
*De-fund & terminate border patrol & ICE.
Democrats Yes.
Republicans No.
*Free Health Care for Illegal aliens, DACA, TPS recipients (taxpayer funded with one estimate at 52 trillion)
Democrats Yes.
Republicans No.
*Ending of all private / employer based health care. “Medicare for all”, Feds run everything.
Democrats Yes.
Republicans No.
*Illegal Aliens eligible for welfare & food stamps. (Elizabeth Warrens plan adopted)
Democrats Yes.
Republicans No
*Reparations for race’s harmed by Caucasians. Joe Biden committed to “Reverend” Al Sharpton’s, support for Sheila Jackson Lee’s racist reparations bill in the House. Basically a tax will be levied on all Caucasians in America. (you can’t make this stuff up)
Democrats Yes.
Republicans No.
* Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Green new deal.(which would create massive unemployment, 100,000 jobs estimated in the transportation industry alone.)
Democrats Yes.
Republicans No.
*Sanctuary Cities & States. Joe Biden supports sanctuary city’s.
Democrats Yes.
Republicans No.
* Border Security. (Democrats have fought against Border Security for 3 years).
Democrats No..
Republicans Yes.
*Free college for all, including illegal aliens (taxpayer funded estimates in the billions. Bernie Sanders plan adopted.
Democrats Yes.
Republicans No.
*Decriminalization of illegal entry into our country.
Democrats Yes.
Republicans No.
*Open Borders.
Democrats Yes.
Republicans No.
*Drivers licenses for illegal aliens.(already happening in states with Democrat leadership)
Democrats Yes.
Republicans No.
* Enablers, encouraging of the destruction of our history.
* Weakness & Cowardice in the face of socialist thugs.
Democrats want to make this election all about President Trump. NOT their pathetic platform & Goals.
BlueHeron
June 16, 2020 at 11:41 pm
“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
What so many Americans fail to realize is that the flag is a piece of cloth, fashioned to represent who we are. That’s all. Our country is not the flag. Our country should be what the words are that give it life.
…one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Until these words apply equally to ALL Americans, the flag will remain a piece of cloth.
If the NFL and other sports have the testicular fortitude to put their money where their mouth is, then the “not while I’m watching” Trump, et al will just need to change the channel.
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