COLUMBIA, S.C. — President Donald Trump flew in to Columbia for the Bipartisan Justice Center on the Benedict College campus in Columbia Friday afternoon where he spoke to the 2019 Second Step Presidential Justice Forum hosted by Benedict College on criminal justice reform.
He was greeted at Columbia Metropolitan Airport by Gov. Henry McMaster and US Senator Tim Scott among others. He also greeted the multitudes of well wishers and supporters who had come out to greet him.
President Donald trump at Benedict College for the 2019 Second Step Presidential Justice Forum
At Benedict College the president accepted the Bipartisan Justice Award for his efforts to pass the First Step Act in 2018 and push forward criminal justice reform. One of those affected was Alice Johnson. She said as a non-violent drug user she “didn’t come home as an ex-con but as a member of the community.”
The First Step Act reduced mandatory minimum sentences. The program released thousands of people from federal prison who had been incarcerated for non-violent drug offenses.
During his speech he said that over a “half million African-American jobs were lost after passage of NAFTA and the entrance of China into American markets.” This did not include immigration policies that further hurt Americans.
Trump said his administration would “always put American communities first.” He said “the great betrayal of the American worker is over.”
“the great betrayal of the American worker is over.” — President Donald Trump
Trump got several rounds of applause during his speech with “Four more years” being chanted by the students at the traditionally black college. He also received a large round of applause when he said that “many politicians fight harder for illegal immigrants than they do for United States citizens.”
“many politicians fight harder for illegal immigrants than they do for United States citizens.” — President Donald Trump
He said to much applause that “African-Americans are voting Republican more and more.” He continued that “Benedict College began with 10 students and a preacher… and has been an incredible institution.”
Everybody was not glad President Trump was in Columbia. In a press release SC NAACP President Brenda C. Murphy said Trump’s visit was an “unexpected, unpleasant situation” for him to be in Columbia.
“All Democratic presidential candidates have been invited to present their criminal justice reform platforms” on the Eventbrite invitation. According to the invitation Democratic White House hopefuls Joe Biden, Cory Booker, Pete Buttigieg, Tulsi Gabbard, Kamala Harris, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and others are scheduled to be at the Justice Forum on Saturday and Sunday.
Overall, President Trump emphasized an America First policy for this country. The message was well received by most people who attended the speech.
During the speech Trump also sent warmest respect to the Elijah Cummings family. Cummings had been a vocal opponent of President Trump and his policies before his death. There were peaceful protests outside the auditorium at Benedict College both against as well as supporters of the president.
Michael Reed is Editor of The Standard, a pastor, businessman and conference speaker.
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