Greene County Democrat

Category: Community

  • Newswire : Rep. Jolanda Jones: ‘We’re not going anywhere’ as Texas Democrats fight racial gerrymandering

    Texas Rep. Jolanda Jones

    By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

     

    Texas State Rep. Jolanda Jones said she isn’t budging—not until Republican lawmakers end what she calls a blatant effort to strip voting power from Black and Brown communities.
    “We’re all safe and we ain’t going nowhere,” Jones declared during an interview on the Let It Be Known news show, just hours after a bomb threat forced an evacuation of her hotel. “This is about racism. This is about taking Black folks back to before we had voting rights and before we had the Civil Rights Act.”

    Jones, a Democrat elected to the Texas House in 2022, blasted the GOP-led redistricting push as a targeted attack on communities of color. “Let me be clear,” she said. “The only way they get the five seats that Trump wants is if they go find Black people and Brown people where they are concentrated in Houston and Dallas and crack our communities and put us in districts with a whole bunch of white folks. It’s that simple.”

    She called the effort “racism 101” and rejected criticism that she’s playing the race card. “I grew up playing Spades. I’m from Texas. And guess what? I’m going to pull that card from the bottom of the deck, the top of the deck, the middle of the deck,” she said. “If I have to pull it from those French cut sections, I’m gonna pull a race card every single solitary time—as long as you’re a racist. If you don’t want me to pull a race card, then stop being racist.”
    Jones is part of a group of Texas Democrats who have once again broken quorum, denying the Republican majority the minimum number of lawmakers required to conduct legislative business. She said the GOP may have the votes, but without a quorum, they have no power. “There are 150 of us in the state House. It takes 76 votes to pass anything. There are 88 Republicans and 62 Democrats. The key is they have to get 100 people there to conduct business, and they only have 88,” she explained. “So, they need 12 of us to show up. That’s not going to happen.”
    In response to Governor Greg Abbott’s threat to arrest the Democratic holdouts, Jones, a lawyer for more than 30 years, dismissed the possibility. “There is no warrant that goes outside of Texas. Most warrants in Texas only go 150 to 200 miles. Let somebody arrest me. I’m suing them,” she said. “Trump ain’t the only person who can sue people.” She said quorum-breaking isn’t a crime, but a tool the minority party has when it’s otherwise powerless. “They’re mad and they’re whining because they have the numbers to pass it if we get back—but we’re not coming back,” she said. “Y’all might have the numbers, but we got the power.”
    Jones spoke of the long history of resistance that informs her actions—from the Montgomery Bus Boycott to the civil rights marches across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. “I’ve been Black all my life. It’s been a struggle all my life. But I can’t let this struggle stop me,” she said. “I Facetimed with my granddaughter last night. I miss her, but I’m doing this for her.” She called out the national consequences of unchecked gerrymandering, pointing to North Carolina, where GOP redistricting flipped three seats, giving Republicans a narrow House majority.
    “Congress is the only place that can stop the president. We can investigate him. We can impeach him,” she said. “And every day he’s alive, he’s doing something illegal.” Jones didn’t hold back on Trump, calling him “racist” and warning voters to believe what he says. “He told y’all what he was gonna do. When somebody tells you who they are, believe them,” she said. “Who thought he’d be deporting U.S. citizens? Who thought a backpack that used to be $15 now costs $50?”
    While focused on the quorum break, Jones confirmed she is running for Congress in Texas’s 18th District, a seat long held by Democrats. Her run was planned before the current standoff, she noted, and she’s continuing to serve her constituents remotely while fighting on the front lines of the redistricting battle. “They’re saying we abandoned our duties. Boy, bye,” she said. “My district office is working. I’m in constant communication with my staff. We didn’t abandon anything.” Jones credited her public education, legal background, and life experiences, including witnessing her father’s suicide and losing multiple family members to violence, as shaping her resilience and commitment to public service.
    “Any day above ground is a good day. God helped me see through the tragedy of my life. And I think God made my life really hard for this moment in time where I would not be sad,” Jones exclaimed. “If I can survive that, these people threatening to arrest me or calling me names—sticks and stones.”
    She urged the public to support the fight by donating to www.riggedredistricting.com and her campaign at www.jolandajones.com. “I’ll take anything—a dollar, five dollars. I’m the same wherever I go. I ain’t scared,” she said. Jones, the first openly LGBTQ Black member of the Texas Legislature, said she represents more than just a political district.

    “If I go to Congress, when Medicaid or Medicare ain’t working, or your private insurance isn’t working, it’s a problem,” she said. “We paid into it. How dare you, Donald Trump, take what we’ve paid into. You are literally stealing from our savings. This is no different than Enron.” As the fight drags on, Jones said she and her colleagues are prepared to stay away for as long as it takes. “We’ll take it day by day. It’s not the best situation, but we’ve overcome more as Black people,” she said. “And I’ve been Black all my life.”

     

  • Newswire : What Trump’s control of D.C. Police means for the City, Its Mayor, and Black Residents

    National Guard arrive in Washington, D. C.

    By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

    Donald Trump today seized direct control of Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department, removing authority from Mayor Muriel Bowser and placing the force under the command of Attorney General Tom Cotton. The move comes under a “crime emergency” declaration that allows the president to invoke Section 740 of the D.C. Home Rule Act — a rarely used law that exists only because the District lacks full statehood.
    For Mayor Bowser, this means she no longer has operational control of her own police department. All decisions on how and where officers are deployed now run through the Justice Department. That includes the ability to redirect D.C. police from neighborhood patrols to guard federal buildings, secure national monuments, and police protests — even if it leaves fewer officers in local communities. For African Americans in the District — who make up nearly half the city’s population — the change places local policing under the direct control of a president who has repeatedly called for racial profiling, attacked other predominately Black-led cities such as Baltimore and Chicago, and used “law and order” policies that disproportionately target Black communities.
    Residents could see federal priorities override local crime prevention strategies, with increased policing around demonstrations and broader latitude for aggressive enforcement tactics. Trump justified the takeover by citing D.C.’s 2024 homicide and vehicle theft rates, even though other cities he has singled out — all with large Black populations and Black leadership — have seen major crime reductions this year. The order has no end date, meaning the District’s police could remain under federal command indefinitely. This is only possible because D.C. is not a state — a political reality that leaves its leadership vulnerable to federal override and its residents without full control over their own local government.

  • Newswire : Statue of Confederate general, Albert Pike, toppled in 2020 to be reinstalled in D.C.

    Demonstrators tore down and burned statue in 2020

    By NBC Washington

    WASHINGTON — A statue of a Confederate general that demonstrators toppled and burned in D.C. in 2020 will be reinstalled, the National Park Service announced Monday.
    The bronze statue depicting Confederate Gen. Albert Pike is being restored, the Park Service said in a statement Monday. Officials shared a photo of a worker removing corrosion and paint.
    “The restoration aligns with federal responsibilities under historic preservation law as well as recent executive orders to beautify the nation’s capital and re-instate pre-existing statues,” the agency said in a statement.
    In June 2020, demonstrators used ropes to tear down the statue outside Metropolitan Police Department headquarters. On live TV, they doused the statue in lighter fluid and set it ablaze.
    Mayor Muriel Bowser at the time decried property destruction and defended city police. Donald Trump, in his first term, called for the statue to go back up less then a week later.
    Now crews are aiming to have the statue up in October, the Park Service said.
    “Site preparation to repair the statue’s damaged masonry plinth will begin shortly, with crews repairing broken stone, mortar joints, and mounting elements,” the statement said.
    The Pike statue, dedicated in 1901, has been a source of controversy for years. The Confederate general also was a longtime leader of the Freemasons, who revere Pike. It was built at the request of Masons, who successfully lobbied Congress to grant them land for the statue as long as Pike would be depicted in civilian, not military, clothing.
    D.C. officials tried to remove the statue for years. The D.C. Council said it first called for its removal in 1992. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton introduced multiple bills in Congress to get it removed.
    One proposed resolution calling for the removal of the statue referred to Pike as a “chief founder of the post-Civil War Ku Klux Klan.” The Klan connection is a frequent accusation from Pike’s critics and one which the Masons dispute.

  • Newswire : Trump memo asks recipients of federal funds to ban DEI programs

    By Reuters

    WASHINGTON — The U.S. Justice Department issued a memo on Wednesday that asked recipients of federal funds to ban diversity, equity and inclusion programs, which President Donald Trump has aimed to dismantle since taking office in January.
    Trump has already issued executive orders aimed at restricting DEI but Wednesday’s memo laid out specific examples of actions that it said federal fund recipients should restrict — such as some training sessions and policies aimed at protected groups. It also said federal funds should not be used to support third parties that engage in DEI.
    Recipients of federal funds range from schools, colleges and universities to nonprofit organizations and private firms that are government contractors. The memo was released publicly by the Justice Department.
    In an example to support one of its recommendations, the memo said that “a scholarship program must not target ‘underserved geographic areas’ or ‘first-generation students’ if the criteria are chosen to increase participation by specific racial or sex-based groups.”
    It added: “Instead, use universally applicable criteria, such as academic merit or financial hardship, applied without regard to protected characteristics or demographic goals.”
    In another recommendation, it said a program targeting low-income students “must be applied uniformly without targeting areas or populations to achieve racial or sex-based outcomes.”
    Federal law already bars discrimination on grounds of race, gender and ethnicity. The Trump administration has eliminated DEI-related programs in the government and fired many people who worked in those initiatives. It has faced some legal pushback. Several private firms have rolled back such initiatives in recent months.
    DEI programs have been part of workplace diversity efforts to ensure fairer representation for groups seen as historically marginalized, such as African Americans and other ethnic minorities in the United States, LGBTQ+ community members, women, and people with disabilities.
    Civil rights advocates say DEI helps address the continued effects of historical and generational inequity and aims to remove systemic barriers for groups affected by a legacy of racism, sexism and xenophobia.
    Trump and his allies say DEI unfairly discriminates against other Americans, including white people and men, and weakens the importance of merit in job hiring or promotion. DEI practices include training on how to combat discrimination, addressing pay inequity along gender or racial lines and broadening recruitment and access for underrepresented ethnic groups.
    The Trump administration has threatened to cut federal funds given to institutions over a range of issues like pro-Palestinian protestsagainst U.S. ally Israel’s war in Gaza, climate initiatives, transgender policies and DEI programs.

  • Charlie McAlpine: Forkland-born leader seeking third term on a foundation of delivering results

     

    FORKLAND, Ala. —I, Charlie McAlpine, a native son and dedicated public servant,announced my run for a third term as Mayor of Forkland. Raised in this community by parents who believed in service and hard work, I embody the hometown values of integrity and commitment.
    Since winning my first term in a runoff election in December 2016, my administration has led Forkland into a new era of development and civic pride—focused squarely on tangible improvements for residents. Rooted in Forkland Heritage: Graduating from Paramount High School and an alumnus of Alabama A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness, furthering my education with a Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in Non-Profit Management. I hold numerous certifications in Training, Leadership and Management. I retired after working 37 years with USDA, serving as a Soil Conservationist, District Conservationist, Non-Profit Coordinator, and as the Coordinator of Resource Conservation & Development Programs (RC&D). For 20 years, my responsibilities included writing, implementing, and executing all Federal and State Grant Programs for Rural Community Development. Upon completing my training at the Foreign Service Institute in Washington, D.C.—the U.S. State Department’s in house academy for language, area, and professional tradecraft instruction — I spent three years in Afghanistan under the Obama administration, headed by Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, appointed as an Agriculture Advisor / Expert. In that role, I led agriculture reconstruction programs, coordinating with the NATO led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)—a multinational deployment involving contributions from some forty to fifty countries to revitalize rural livelihoods, irrigation systems, and agri value chains. I bring unmatched expertise to municipal leadership. After retiring, I returned home to manage my family’s Beef Farm Operation.
    I am seeking a third term to continue the mission of turning promises into progress. With experience, integrity, and a deep bond with Forkland’s residents, I offer both a proven record, a renewed momentum and well-educated administration.
    For voters who value results, accountability, and steady leadership grounded in hometown values, I, Charlie McAlpine, stand ready to serve again.

    A Vision for the Future

  • Eutaw Chamber of Commerce holds Political Forum for Municipal Candidates

    Special to the Democrat by John Zippert, Co-Publisher

    The Eutaw Area Chamber of Commerce held a Political Forum on Saturday, August 2nd, on the lawn of the old Greene County Courthouse in Eutaw. The forum was for candidates running in the August 26, 2026’s Eutaw Municipal elections. Over a hundred people turned out to hear the candidate’s views and answers to questions posed by the voters.
    All three candidates for Mayor of Eutaw, incumbent Latasha Johnson, Corey Cockrell and Tyrone Atkins were present. Most of the candidates for Eutaw City Council in Districts 1 to 5 were also in attendance to give their platform and views.
    Mayor Latasha Johnson, in her opening comments said, “ I love the City of Eutaw, and I have lived here all of my life. I have worked as Mayor for unity and progress. When I came into office in November 2022, the city’s finances were in bad shape. With help from a financial advisor, we developed a budget and began regular annual audits. We borrowed $500,000 for needed vehicles and equipment. That loan will be paid in full in September and we can borrow funds again for equipment and road maintenance which are needed.”
    Johnson, continued, “ We have received $9 million in state and Federal grants, with no matching requirements, based on our audits and financial system, to upgrade our water and sewer system, along with Boligee. We also received grant funding from the state to re-pave Highway 14 coming into the city and for the TAP- Streetscape project for sidewalks around the old Courthouse Square.”
    Corey Cockrell, who is currently a County Commissioner for District 3, said “I am the best candidate for Mayor based on my work on the County Commission and in community.” Cockrell, who is also a full time teacher and head football coach at Eutaw High School, passed out a sheet showing $19 million in road work projects the Commission got funded during his tenure on the County Commission.
    Cockrell said he was hardworking holding community events and cock-outs in the community to listen to the voters. He said, ‘I will promote jobs and housing for people in the city; and I will correct the financial problems of the city by getting more grants and revenues.”
    Tyrone Atkins, the third candidate for Mayor said, “ Not much has changed in Eutaw since 1995. Too many empty storefronts downtown. The city officials are not dealing with the everyday problems of people in finding jobs, shopping at one grocery store with high prices and lacking recreation for the children and young people. That is why young people are leaving Eutaw, as soon as they graduate high school and not coming back.”
    There was also a spirited debate among the candidates for Eutaw City Council positions. Tracey Hunter, incumbent candidate in District 3, is unopposed. She spoke briefly about her intentions to continue serving and developing more programs for youth in the community.
    Two candidates for District 1, Ke’Undra Cox and incumbent Valarie Watkins, both spoke and answered questions. Watkins said, “I am not going to make a lot of promises. I am running on my platform of honesty, integrity and transparency. I have helped to deal with an abandoned house on Roebuck and other places around the city. I have pushed for speed bumps for the safety of children in the neighborhoods. I want to cure some of the financial problems of the city. We have too many people paying their water bills late. We have too many city workers for our budget.”
    Cox said, “ I have returned to Eutaw after six years in the Air Force learning leadership skills. I am one of the youngest people running and I want to bring the perspective of young people to the Council. We have the potential to do better, and I want to help the city to serve young people so they will not move away but stay here to live and work.”
    In District 2, incumbent Jonathan Woodruff Jr. and Maurice Walton were present, Charles Naylor, Jr. was in the hospital and could not attend. Woodruff said, “ I will continue to work to improve infrastructure. I will work with a servant spirit and represent my district as well as the entire city. I will work to keep us within our financial commitments in the budget. Walton said, “I will work as a team member with the other council members and the mayor to make Eutaw a better city for all of its citizens. I will work to expand recreational opportunities for youth, beatification and improvement of our city, and recruiting new businesses and jobs.”
    In District 4, incumbent Larrie Coleman was not present because of a previous commitment. Sarah D. Brewer stated, “ I want to improve the infrastructure – too many potholes and exposed culverts; we need to fix the water system – water pressure is low, and the quality of water is often undrinkable. We need to be transparent with the finances, have regular audits and cooperation among the mayor and the council members.” In answer to questions on her vision for the city, she said, “ Build it and they will come, referring to infrastructure development.”
    Lorenzo French, another candidate for District 4, said” I will work to restore trust and accountability in the city council. I will work for more civic engagement by all people. Having worked at the Robert H. Young Community Center, I know the needs for more activities for our youth. You must love the place you live in – and I love Eutaw.”
    In District 5, the incumbent Suzette Powell, was absent due to a prior family commitment with her grandchildren. Carrie Logan, the only White candidate for City Council, and other candidate for District 5, said, “I have lived in Eutaw for the past thirty years and have volunteered with the Chamber of Commerce, my church, the Garden Club and others to improve the image of the city. We must improve our infrastructure and work with other governmental agencies, such as the County Commission and Industrial Development Authority to make things better for all.”
    The election is less than three weeks away, on Tuesday, August 26,2025. If a runoff is needed, in races where one candidate does not get a majority (50% or more) of the vote, it will be held on Tuesday, September 23rd. The last day to register to vote for the August 26th election is August 19, 2025. Absentee voting is going on now until August 19, 2025, to get a mail ballot or walk-in to vote. For more information, contact the city election managers, at City Hall, phone 205-372-4212.

  • Jonathan Woodruff , Jr., announces candidacy for City Council District 2

    Dear Neighbors,
    My name is Jonathan Woodruff Jr., and I am honored to announce my candidacy for Councilman of District 2 in the City of Eutaw. I am running because I believe our city deserves a dedicated leader who prioritizes public safety, economic growth, and a healthy, sustainable environment.
    As a proud native of Eutaw, I understand the challenges we face and the opportunities ahead. I am committed to working collaboratively with the mayor and fellow council members to drive meaningful progress in our community. I hold both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Mathematics, along with a minor in Business Administration, which I will use to support sound financial planning and responsible resource management that fosters long-term stability and growth for our city.
    My goal is to continue building on the positive momentum in Eutaw, ensuring that every resident feels heard, supported, and proud to call this city home. I respectfully ask for your support as we work together to move Eutaw forward.

    Sincerely,
    Jonathan Woodruff Jr.
    Candidate for Councilman, District 2 – City of Eutaw

  • Newswire : Trump fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics based on weak July job report

     Erika McEntarfer

    By Blackmansstreet Today

    President Donald Trump on Friday fired Erika L. McEntarfer, the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, based on a weak July jobs report, after alleging that she manipulated the numbers to make him look bad.
    A stunning government report showed that hiring had slowed down significantly over the past three months.
    Taking to Truth Social, Trump took the report personally and attacked McEntarfer.
    Trump claimed that the country’s jobs reports “are being produced by a Biden appointee” and ordered his administration to terminate her.
    “We need accurate Jobs Numbers,” Trump wrote. “She will be replaced with someone much more competent and qualified. Important numbers like this must be fair and accurate; they can’t be manipulated for political purposes.”
    He intensified his attack in a later post, writing: “In my opinion, today’s Jobs Numbers were RIGGED to make the Republicans, and ME, look bad.”
    An administration official told NBC News shortly after the post that McEntarfer had indeed been fired.
    The deputy director of BLS, Bill Wiatrowski, who took up the role during the Obama administration, will become the acting director “during the search for a replacement,” Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer said.
    McEntarfer, whose research focuses on job loss, retirement, worker mobility, and wage rigidity, had previously worked at the Census Bureau’s Center for Economic Studies, the Treasury Department’s Office of Tax Policy, and the White House Council of Economic Advisers in a nonpolitical role.
    She has a bachelor’s degree in Social Science from Bard College and a doctoral degree in economics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.





  • Newswire : The Washington Post sees major exodus of Black Journalists

    By Lauren Burke, NNPA Congressional Correspondent

    The Washington Post, which has long defined itself as the “paper of record” alongside its competitive rivals, The New York Times, is now witnessing a major exodus of Black journalists. Though the U.S. is becoming more diverse, the Post isn’t.
    The Post’s headquarters sits in the middle of the District of Columbia, which has a 43 percent Black population and a historic Black university less than two miles away. Yet The Post has never had a history of staff diversity. The recent departure of Black journalists is seemingly related to an anti-diversity backlash led by President Trump after the 2020 George Floyd “racial reckoning”. Trump’s executive order, signed less than 48 hours into his second term on January 21, declared policy war on the diversity and inclusivity of historically marginalized groups.
    Trump’s George Floyd backlash, alongside separate claims of defamation by the president, has led to his targeting of law firms, media organizations, and academic institutions. Several media companies, such as ABC and CBS, have capitulated to Trump. The Washington Post appears to be doing so in advance, as Post owner Jeff Bezos has business before the federal government related to his ownership of Blue Origin and Amazon.
    The current moment now witnesses an exodus of Black journalists not seen in the paper’s history. In recent years, journalists Vanessa Williams, Wesley Lowery, and Kevin Merida have departed The Washington Post. But the current departures include journalists with decades of experience and several Pulitzer Prizes. The current exodus is noteworthy even by the Post’s low standards for diversity. The Post went for close to a year without a single Black member of the Editorial Board. Currently, the only Black member, the obscure Keith Richburg, is in Hong Kong. The National Association of Black Journalists noted the issue in a July 26 press release.
    NABJ stated that they are “closely monitoring the recent wave of departures and voluntary exits from several legacy media institutions, including The Washington Post. This ongoing disruption has far-reaching implications for newsroom diversity, representation, and the future of Black journalists.” The list of departures includes two Pulitzer Prize winners: Jonathan Capehart, an opinion columnist who has been with the Post since 2007 and is taking a buyout offer. Capehart also recounted a racial episode in 2024 in his book related to his former colleague Karen Tumulty, who was deputy opinions editor at the time. Tumulty has now been promoted to lead the Post’s politics coverage.
    Post editorial board member Karen Attiah announced on social media on July 22 that she was “the last Black staff columnist left in the Washington Post’s opinion section.” On July 21, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Toluse Olorunnipa, who was the White House Bureau Chief for The Washington Post, announced he was now a writer at The Atlantic. Olorunnipa won the Pulitzer for the book “His Name is George Floyd” in 2023 for General Nonfiction. Several Post journalists have fled to The Atlantic. Other departures include Eugene Robinson and Krissah Thompson, who was the only Black managing editor on the masthead.
    “After 24 years at The Washington Post, I’m turning the page on this chapter of my career. I’m grateful for the wonderful experience that I’ve had and the contributions that I’ve made over 24 years as a reporter, editor, and news leader,” Thompson wrote on her Instagram page on July 23. Trump’s executive order, which called for the termination of all federal government programs relating to “diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility,” appears to have been obeyed even by private sector actors under no obligation to comply.
    Post CEO Will Lewis has remained in charge despite a 2024 controversy surrounding his connections to a scandal related to the illegal phone-hacking of members of the British royal family. Many recent hires at the Post have been in some way connected to the more conservative The Wall Street Journal. The latest round of buyouts ends on July 31, so many more departure announcements are expected this week.

  • Newswire : Jobless rates for Black men and women jump under Trump’s cuts and tariffs

    By Blackmansstreet Today

    Payroll employment rose a disappointing 73,000 in July, and the unemployment rate changed little at 4.2, but the Black jobless rate for both men and women jumped as the Federal government continued to cut jobs, like at the Department of Education.

    The U.S. job market slowed sharply in July and was substantially weaker than first estimated for prior months, suggesting President Donald Trump’s trade policy may be stifling hiring.

    The U.S. economy added just 73,000 jobs last month, and the monthly totals for May and June were revised downward by a combined 258,000 jobs.

    The prior two months’ revisions were “stunning,” said Diane Swonk, chief economist at KPMG, in an interview with CNN. May’s estimated 144,000 net gain was revised down by 125,000 to 19,000; and June’s preliminary tally of 147,000 was slashed by 133,000 to 14,000, according to data released Friday from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

    The jobless rate for Black men was 7.0 percent in July 2025 compared with 6.7 percent in July 2024. The employment rate of Black women was 6.3 percent in 2025 compared to 6.2 percent in 2024.

    Black workers continued to face a disproportionately high unemployment rate at 7.2 percent—nearly double the rate for White workers, which remained at 3.7 percent. Hispanic workers saw a jobless rate of 5.0 percent, while Asian workers had a jobless rate of 3.9 percent.

    Historically, Black women have been overrepresented in the federal workforce, in positions that have offered stability, security, and more pay equity. Black women constitute about 12 percent of federal workers, compared with 7 percent of civilian workers.

    They are also more likely to be in the departments that have been most targeted for cuts by DOGE (The Department of Government Efficiency), including the Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, and Housing and Urban Development.

    For example, take a look at the Department of Education, which Trump wants to destroy. U.S. Department of Education has 4,133 employees, according to the administration’s numbers.

    Nearly 600 workers have since chosen to leave, by resigning or retiring. And this week, more than 1,300 workers were told they’re losing their jobs in a Tuesday purge.

    That leaves 2,183 remaining department staff, according to the administration. Which means the Education Department will soon be roughly half the size it was just a few weeks ago.

    Black women made up 28 percent of the education department. They also made up many of the diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI, positions that Trump set out to eliminate during his first day in office.