AMPLIFYINGBLACKPERSPECTIVES EXECUTIVESUMMARY
TheCenterforPolicyAnalysisandResearchattheCongressionalBlackCaucus FoundationsurveyedBlackvotersonemonthaftertheelectiontounderstandtheir perspectivesonthe2024electionresultsanddeterminehowBlackcommunitieswere preparingfortheTrumpAdministration.AmplifyingBlackPerspectives:Insightsfrom thePost-ElectionSurveyisareportthatcontextualizesBlackAmericans’voting behaviorandimpressionsofPresidentTrump’spolicyagenda.
KeyFindings
ThereportidentifieskeyissuesandsharedconcernsforBlackAmericansthatcanhelp shapelegislationonimportanttopics.WefoundthatBlackAmericanswereunifiedin theirconcernsaboutattacksontheDepartmentofEducation,DEIinitiatives,andcivil rightsduringtheTrumpAdministration.Manyrespondents’fearshavebeenrealizedwith PresidentTrump’sexecutiveorderstobanDEIinthefederalgovernmentandtheprivate sector.MembersofCongresscanspeakoutagainsttheseordersandcommunicate withconstituentsabouttheirplanstofightforBlackcommunities.
RespondentsexpressedcontinuedconcernaboutcutstoMedicaidandMedicarebefore andaftertheelection.MembersofCongressshouldopposelegislationthatreduces accesstohealthcareformarginalizedcommunitiesandencourageleadersintheir statetoadoptMedicaidexpansion.
BlackAmericanshavebecomeincreasinglyconcernedaboutimmigration.Inourpreelectionreport,respondentsdidnotindicatethatimmigrationwasakeyissuefortheir community.Inthepost-electionreporthowever,themajorityofrespondentswerevery concernedaboutthemassdeportationsofundocumentedimmigrantsduringthe TrumpAdministration.MembersofCongressshouldengagewiththeirconstituents abouttheirrightswithrespecttotheICEraidsandchampionhumanereformstothe immigrationsystem.
Respondentsinregionsthathavemoreliberalpoliciesexpressedgreaterconcernabout PresidentTrump’spolicyproposals.Theserespondentsfeartheimpactofafederal rollbackofcivilrightsmorethanrespondentsinstateswithexistingrestrictions,like statewideabortionbansandvoterIDlaws.MembersofCongressinstatesthathave progressivepoliciesshouldworktoenshrinethemonthefederallevelandfightfor policiesthatnotonlymaintainthestatusquobutincreaseequityforall.
Morethanhalfofrespondentsarefollowingthenationalnewslesscloselythantheydid beforetheelection,andmanyrespondentshavedecreasedlocalnewsconsumptionas well.However,overaquarterofrespondentswereseekingnewopportunitiestoengage insocialjusticeandcivicengagementwork.MembersofCongressshouldfindcreative waystocommunicatetoconstituentsoutsideofthetraditionalnewsmediaand connectwithorganizationsworkingonthegroundtodisseminateinformation.