Donald Trump’s presidential addresses always ignite outrage from the left, and last night was no exception. After nearly a decade of debate, I decided to watch the address for myself, despite receiving numerous texts urging me not to. I wanted to hear his words firsthand and form my own opinion rather than rely solely on analysts like Roland Martin.
The political landscape is clear: Democrats expect every Black person, woman, and non-Republican to despise Trump. He is repeatedly labeled a racist and a bigot, burdened with 34 indictments, and anyone who supports him is vilified. If you’re Black and back him, you’re branded an “Uncle Tom.”
Having spent 33 years in law enforcement advocating for accountability and fighting misconduct, I was deeply moved by the story of DJ Daniel, a 13-year-old cancer survivor who dreams of becoming a police officer. Dressed in a Houston police uniform, he sat in the gallery of the House of Representatives with his father as President Trump recognized him.
“In 2018, DJ was diagnosed with brain cancer. The doctors gave him five months at most to live. That was more than six years ago,” Trump said, prompting loud applause from the room.
Trump then announced that DJ would be made an honorary Secret Service officer, a moment that should have transcended politics. Each year, approximately 15,000 children and adolescents under 19 are diagnosed with cancer in the U.S., and it remains the leading cause of death by disease among children. For DJ to beat the odds and continue pursuing his dream should have been a moment of inspiration for everyone, regardless of political affiliation.
Yet, MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow and Nicole Wallace dismissed it as a hoax, stripping the child of his joy. Their remarks weren’t just political; they were a disservice to every child battling cancer. As seasoned news anchors, Maddow, Wallace, and MSNBC as a whole should know by now that children should be off-limits to political inflammatory rhetoric. No child, especially one fighting for their life, should ever be used as collateral in political warfare.
This is about more than politics—it’s about basic human decency. That Democrats were so consumed by animosity that they couldn’t even stand or applaud for a 13-year-old cancer survivor speaks volumes. The party is in disarray.
As a national organization of Black Law Enforcement Professionals, we are deeply disappointed by the lack of humanity displayed by the Democrats present for DJ. We demand an official apology from Rachel Maddow, Nicole Wallace, and MSNBC for dismissing this young man’s moment on a national platform. Their actions were not only disgraceful but also disrespectful to every child fighting for their life.
