Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson represents Illinois’ First Congressional District. Born to civil rights leaders Rev. Jesse Jackson and Jacqueline Jackson, the fight for underrepresented people runs in Congressman Jackson’s blood. He has long been an advocate for marginalized communities using his platform to fight for equity and civil rights.
N’DIGO recently sat down with Jackson and discussed the current state of affairs with Donald Trump as the reckless 47th President of the United States.
N’DIGO: How do you like being a Congressman?
Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson: Representing the first congressional district is the greatest honor of a lifetime, participating in our democracy and weighing in on the most critical issues for Chicagoans, Illinoisans, and Black Americans.
What is the state of affairs today with President Trump in office?
Chaos, recklessness, and confusion. Additionally, he seeks to dismantle vital components of our government by appointing the most anti-government figures, as evidenced in the Department of Defense, which oversees a trillion-dollar budget. He has appointed Mr. Pete Hegset, an individual with limited managerial experience, to manage this budget despite his history of alcohol issues and character flaws. This positions him in charge of over 3 million people—a man who, four years ago, was unable to attend President Joe Biden’s inauguration due to his white nationalist views and affiliations, which were considered a threat to the United States. He nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be Health Secretary, a conspiracy theorist who denied the reality of COVID.
What are your thoughts on dismantling DEI?
This is horrific in our federal government. Dismantling DEI is code for indicating that there has been too much progress among Black and Brown communities. Dismantling DEI suggests we must stop racial justice progress. DEI points out that it will exploit political tactics that provoke white fear. That’s an old political tactic that we have observed in American history.
How do we respond?
I attended the inaugural, and it felt more like a hostile takeover than a peaceful transfer of power.
In a civil rights spirit, we push back. As a member of Congress, and alongside my colleague Cleo Fields from Louisiana, we have established the CEI Caucus. Once we reconvene, we will start to build a wall of resistance, and we must unite the community to oppose setbacks in government, corporate, education, and healthcare sectors. This is a full-on assault. He has rolled back President Lyndon Johnson’s legislation, signaling that discrimination is acceptable. He has dismantled the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department. This has happened across all departments. There is no systemic recourse against racism and discrimination within the government.
What about the immigrant deportations?
This poses a major challenge as he lays the groundwork for birthright citizenship, an issue many thought was settled by the 14th Amendment in 1868. He intends to reduce voter participation among Hispanics, the fastest-growing demographic of the future.
What do you think about the possible cancellation of TikTok?
I voted against this ban because you can succeed if you build a better mousetrap. They have developed a superior algorithm. We need to see it through. You cannot force the sale of private property, as that undermines capitalism and does not foster innovation. I would like to see regulations for the industry, but not limited to just one company. All social media companies require regulation.
What about media?
There is a discussion about eliminating PBS and National Public Radio while forcing the sale of MSNBC. At the inauguration, he had media titans on stage. Twitter’s owners include Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Rupert Murdoch. These forces represent the largest media owners in the world. He has sued these giant media companies, including ABC, Facebook, and CBS. He has instilled fear in the media, and they have all made significant contributions.
What is your reaction to the American Airlines crash and Trump saying that DEI, Biden, and Obama caused it?
My reaction is that his words were despicable and unpresidential. Accidents happen. Mistakes are made. Human beings are still flying planes and helicopters. The focus should have been on those who died, yet he went on a rampage making racist remarks and jabs about past administrations. It’s just wrong. After research was completed, 24 hours later, we learned the pilot was Caucasian, the helicopter officer was white, and the head of the FAA had resigned on January 20th at the request of Elon Musk while air travel patterns were disrupted.
So, what is the good news?
There are 730 days until midterms, and on a positive note, among the 435 representatives in the House, Republicans hold 219 seats while Democrats have 215, resulting in a 3-seat margin. Trump did not win by a landslide, securing 2 million votes under 1.5 percent of the popular vote. There were fewer than 800 votes in the swing vote from unregistered voters. Democrats have the opportunity to regain control of the House in the midterms.
Judges are overturning Trump’s orders to freeze grants, which are illegal. Congress controls the funding, and this extensive deportation plan requires financial backing. He must return to Congress to secure money. He cannot implement his deportation plans without seeking funding from Congress.
The positive news is that the first female bishop of the Episcopal Church, Mariann Budde, inspired me when she said, “Mr. President, millions of people have put their trust in you, and I am asking that you have mercy.” I believe there is a prophetic call to rise and speak truth to power. Trump may be President, but he is not a king, and people of goodwill, both locally and internationally, will resist.
Segregationists and his divisive tactics will be overthrown. Let us remember what Major League Baseball looked like before the implementation of DEI. DEI has transformed baseball, basketball, tennis, and golf. We have much to be proud of and should celebrate our greatness. Having to go to the back of the bus and use separate bathrooms in education was not a positive experience.
What about the challenge to the Constitution proposing a third term?
He is testing the limits of power. He is testing the boundaries of presidential power. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court granted him a significant victory by providing immunity to the President of the United States.
