John Leguizamo accused President Donald Trump of turning the government into a “White only club” with his war on DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs.
Leguizamo joined The View on Friday, and before discussing the film he was there to promote — Bob Trevino Likes It — Joy Behar jumped into politics and asked the actor and activist his thoughts on Trump dismantling all DEI programs in the federal government as one of his first moves in office.
“I mean, what kind of action is that? It’s like a White-only club. DEI was supposed to give equity to Black and Latinos because we’ve been here 500 years,” Leguizamo said, arguing DEI programs were a proper remedy to decades of racism.
Leguizamo noted the DEI purge has led to certain history being scrubbed, including the controversial but temporary removal of a site honoring Jackie Robinson.
The Executive Decision star also blasted Trump over his mass deportation plan and use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport alleged gang member migrants. Trump’s plan has been temporarily halted by a federal judge. Leguizamo argued those being detained and deported are not being “given due process,” and that many likely will not end up being gang members.
Sunny Hostin added that people who have never felt “oppression” were feeling oppressed under DEI.
“Equity feels like oppression to people who have not experienced oppression,” she said.
Leguizamo argued
Check out the exchange below:
JOY BEHAR: According to you, DEI, which is what you say you are, stands for diligence, excellence, and imagination.JOHN LEGUIZAMO: That’s right.BEHAR: Tell me what your reaction is to Trump’s executive order terminate all the DEI mandates, policies, and programs in the federal government.LEGUIZAMO: It’s terrible. I mean, they’re removing plaques of Black and Latino and women heroes, just, I mean, what kind of action is that? It’s like a white only club. DI was supposed to be to help give us equity for Black and Latinos because we’ve been here for 500 years, 400 years, and, you know, there was segregation, lynching, redlining, that we were experimented on. You know, we were kept from jobs, from, you know, going to the best places, churches, parks. This was to undo 500 years of being oppressed, to give us equity, give us a chance to get to the same level as everybody else. Yes, I think Americans do want inclusion. I think Americans do want diversity. They grew up with Latino, Black people, Asian, and they know that we have value. They’re neighbors, they’re in love with us, you know? We’
re lovely people, we’re very sexy.BEHAR: White people have been in control, they don’t like it now that other people are doing it.SUNNY HOSTIN: It sounds like oppression to people who have not experienced it.LEGUIZAMO: Right. Some White people. I don’t think it’s all White people.BEHAR: Of course not.LEGUIZAMO: Yeah, but some White people don’t want that diversity and that’s why [Trump] has to demonize DEI. They have to make us feel like we’re getting a leg up and we don’t deserve it but all the Black and Latin people that I know who are in positions of power have to be five times better than their White brothers and sisters.
Watch above via ABC.