Rep. James Clyburn, the Democratic representative from South Carolina, has recently reiterated his belief that the current political climate in the United States mirrors the era of segregation in the early 1900s. Clyburn, who has long been vocal about issues of race and civil rights, made these remarks during a recent appearance on CNN.
His comments are in line with his previous assertion that the Trump administration’s actions and policies reflect the establishment of what he terms "Jim Crow 2.0," a modern-day version of the racially discriminatory laws that were once prominent in the South.
Clyburn’s warning comes amidst the growing divide within the Democratic Party as it heads toward the 2024 election. In a conversation with CNN’s Brianna Keilar, Clyburn was asked to find a connection between the Democratic Party's current primary struggles and the infighting among its members.
The discussion eventually led to his reflection on the increasing divisiveness in American politics, particularly regarding racial equality.
“What does DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) have to do with Jackie Robinson and Medgar Evers? And what did it have to do with saying it is no longer persona non grata to have government-sponsored events in segregated establishments?” Clyburn said, citing the changing rhetoric around race in politics.
He continued, “This is the establishment of Jim Crow 2.0,” referring to his previous warnings made in October. Clyburn’s assertion that the country is headed toward a return of segregation in a different form—disguised under modern policy agendas—has been a controversial viewpoint, but it’s one that he has steadfastly maintained.
In his view, the conservative policy agenda known as Project 2025, which was drafted by the Heritage Foundation, aims to entrench policies that could lead to a return to discriminatory practices similar to those of the Jim Crow era.
For Clyburn, this is a deeply personal issue. He noted that he was the ninth Black lawmaker elected to Congress from South Carolina, almost a century after the previous Black lawmaker had served.
His own personal history and the legacy of racial inequality in the state provide the foundation for his concerns about the direction of U.S. politics.
Project 2025 has been a focal point in recent political debates. While former President Donald Trump has attempted to distance himself from the project’s more extreme proposals, some aspects of the policy have already been implemented during his administration.
The project, which calls for sweeping changes to various social and racial justice policies, aims to push a conservative agenda that some critics argue seeks to undermine the progress made in the civil rights movement.
The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, has been instrumental in pushing this policy agenda, which includes significant changes to the way the federal government addresses issues like affirmative action, voting rights, and racial justice. While Trump has distanced himself from certain elements of Project 2025, such as the more overt calls for segregation, the administration’s actions during his presidency have often aligned closely with the project’s core objectives.
In fact, the former leader of Project 2025 recently remarked that many of the initial actions taken by the Trump administration closely resembled the vision outlined in the document. This has led some political observers to draw parallels between the Trump administration’s policies and the Jim Crow era, particularly in terms of race relations and the treatment of minorities.
Clyburn’s comments come at a time when racial tensions in the U.S. are again rising to the surface. The Democratic Party is struggling with infighting as it prepares for the 2024 presidential election, with many members pushing for a more progressive agenda while others seek to preserve the more centrist approach.
This divide has been especially pronounced over the issue of race and how best to address systemic inequality in the country.
As the Democratic Party grapples with its internal divisions, Clyburn has offered advice to his fellow Democrats, urging them to focus on the larger issue at hand. He believes that, instead of becoming distracted by minor political skirmishes, the party needs to unite against what he sees as a regressive, racially divisive political agenda pushed by the right.
Clyburn argued that Democrats must refocus their efforts on confronting the Trump administration's policies and reminding the American people of the harm they could cause.
“I would hope that we would stop running around chasing these shiny objects and begin to focus the American people on exactly what this administration is doing,” Clyburn said, stressing the importance of unity and clear messaging as the party moves toward the 2024 election.
In addition to his concerns about the political landscape, Clyburn’s comments also highlighted the ongoing debate over the legacy of civil rights leaders like Jackie Robinson. Just recently, Robinson’s military career made headlines when the Department of Defense removed his page from its website, sparking outrage among some baseball insiders.
Critics accused the Department of Defense of politicizing Robinson’s contributions to the U.S. Army. This controversy underscores the broader issue of how historical figures are remembered and honored, especially when their legacies challenge current political narratives.
Despite the challenges facing the Democratic Party, Clyburn remains optimistic that the U.S. can overcome the growing racial divide. He continues to push for unity within his party, believing that only through cooperation and a clear focus on the issues at hand can Democrats effectively confront the threat of a "Jim Crow 2.0" under the Trump administration.
As the 2024 election approaches, it’s clear that race relations and the policies of the Trump administration will remain central issues in the political discourse. For Clyburn, the fight for racial equality is far from over, and he remains determined to continue advocating for a more just and equitable future for all Americans.
