Florida Rep. Byron Donalds defended former President Donald Trump after he suggested black Americans relate to him because of his series of legal battles.
“I got indicted a second time, and a third time, and a fourth time. And a lot of people said that that’s why the black people like me, because they have been hurt so badly and discriminated against. And they actually viewed me as I’m being discriminated against,” Trump said during Friday's Black Conservative Federation gala in South Carolina.
Donalds defended Trump during a Sunday appearance on NBC's Meet the Press with host Kristen Welker.
"The president was really just enjoying himself," Donalds said. "It was a great celebration for black conservatives across our country."
The Florida representative went on to discuss the economy and southern border crisis.
"These things are causes of major concerns for black voters like it is for every voter in our country,” Donalds said. “But then when you layer on the fact that, yes, this is political persecution from the Department of Justice and from radical DAs throughout our country, this is something similar that black people had to deal with the justice system themselves. And so, their look of it is real simple: ‘Well, dang, if the government’s going after him with foolishness, he can’t be that bad.’ Especially considering the fact that Joe Biden is terrible at his job.”
Welker countered Donalds and insisted there was "no evidence" that Trump's indictments were politically driven. The NBC host then referenced Biden campaign co-chairman Cedric Richmond's comment referring to Trump as "just plain racist."
"Cedric is trying to play politics and use racial politics even now as we get into the general election," Donalds responded. "That’s one. Number two, like I said at the top, the number one reason why minority voters in our country want to support Donald Trump is because he did the job of president."
Donalds touted Trump's record on the economy and border security.
“These are all things that Donald Trump talked about Friday night," he continued. "He also did talk about the indictments."
The Florida representative said Americans — "especially black Americans" — did not want a politicized Justice Department.
"They don’t want to see a two-tier system of justice," Donalds said. "They want justice to be followed. They want Lady Justice to be blind. That’s what the American people want. That’s what black voters want. That’s what everybody wants.”
Welker asked Donalds if he was offended by Trump's remark, to which the Florida representative said he wasn't.
"Because I understood what the president was talking about. And like I said now for the third time, he talked about all the reasons why minority voters want to support him," Donalds added.
