The White House told black Republican leaders this week to spread the word that President Trump is looking for job applicants, amid criticism that the president’s team lacks diversity.
The White House convened a group Monday of about 30 black GOP leaders including Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina and entrepreneur Herman Cain, a former presidential candidate.
White House chief of staff John F. Kelly said Tuesday that he asked the group for resumes, but didn’t specify anything about the race of potential applicants.
“I said talented young men and women of any age that would be willing to come and serve the country for some period of time,” Mr. Kelly told dailymail.com. “I went over and met with them, just for a few minutes, and I said we are looking for talented young men and women. I didn’t say African-Americans, I didn’t say Hispanics.”
The retired four-star Marine general said he emphasized that government service is rewarding.
The meeting came a week after the ouster of Omarosa Manigault Newman, the White House’s director of communications for the Office of Public Liaison, who was among the few black staffers working closely with the president. She said in interviews after her stormy departure that she’s concerned about a lack of diversity in the West Wing.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.