Marc Morial Says Trump Policies Are Driving Black Economic Pain

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ATLANTA (ABNN) - National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial says Black Americans are facing economic pressure that is being driven, in part, by political decisions in Washington.

In an interview with The American Black News Network, Morial said rising Black unemployment, federal workforce cuts, the rollback of diversity and equal-opportunity initiatives and higher consumer costs are all connected to public policy.

"So much of the economic pain we are facing is a result of political decisions made by the Trump administration," Morial said.

Morial pointed to federal job cuts, attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion programs and rising prices as factors affecting Black workers and families.

He said DOGE-related federal workforce reductions contributed to "two to three hundred thousand Black people" losing federal jobs. He also said executive orders targeting DEI efforts "chilled the hiring of African Americans in the private sector."

Black unemployment has also increased, Morial said, rising from about 4.2% or 4.3% to 6.6%.

For Morial, the issue is not just economic. It is political.

"Political decisions affect economic policy. This is one of the things we've got to understand," Morial said. "When we vote, we're voting to impact economic policy."

Morial said Black Americans must respond by using political power to protect jobs, opportunity and access to the economy.

He called for restoring "diversity, equity, inclusion, equal opportunity" and said Black America must "leverage our political power."

Morial also criticized tariffs, saying they are raising costs for consumers.

"The tariffs, the insanity of these thoughtless tariffs, which have basically increased the cost of almost everything we buy," Morial said.

He said the impact is showing up in the everyday cost of living, including food, gas and other basic expenses.

Morial warned that the current economic and political climate is a reminder that gains made by Black Americans can be reversed.

"Nothing is guaranteed, nothing is permanent," Morial said.

He said repairing the damage from current policies could take years.

For Black workers, families and business owners, Morial's message was direct: economic opportunity is tied to political power, and Black America cannot afford to sit on the sidelines.