President Donald Trump’s nominee for ambassador to South Africa, Brent Bozell, this week refused to state whether he would support or oppose repealing laws that allow Black Americans to vote.
During a Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) questioned Bozell—a right-wing media critic and founder of the conservative Media Research Center—about his stance on Trump administration plans that aim to limit refugee admissions primarily to white Afrikaners.
“Senator, I don’t make that policy,” Bozell responded when asked about the administration’s refugee strategy.
However, Murphy pressed further. “If I were to ask this question of virtually any nominee to be an ambassador, prior to this panel, that would be an easy layup answer: ‘No, no, of course we don’t support having a refugee policy where we only admit white people,’” Murphy remarked. “So why can’t you give me your personal view on that?”
Bozell replied, “Because, senator, I am here to serve America and to do what the president is asking me to do.”
Murphy then asked if Bozell would support reinstating laws in the United States that only allow white people to vote. Bozell again refused to answer directly, saying, “Senator, I’m going to serve as ambassador to South Africa, and I’m going to focus on that.”
When Murphy pressed, “You will not share your personal views on whether it is right or wrong to reinstitute discriminatory policies in this country to prevent Black people from voting?” Bozell insisted, “Senator, my personal views are irrelevant. I am serving here to do what the president is asking me to do in South Africa.”
Murphy rejected this notion, explaining that the Senate confirmation process exists precisely to evaluate a nominee’s personal views so senators can make informed decisions regarding their qualifications.
“We wouldn’t have this process if your personal views were not relevant,” Murphy said. “That is pretty stunning that you will not share your views, not only on whether we should have a refugee admissions process that is race-based, but you won’t share your personal views on whether we should reimpose discriminatory treatment against Black Americans. That is absolutely relevant to your qualifications to serve. And your refusal to answer it, I hope, is something that every member of this committee will think about.”
Following the hearing, Murphy took to Bluesky to comment on the exchange, stating that Bozell’s answers provide “a window into the truly radical nature of the people Trump is nominating.”
It is worth noting that Trump has falsely accused the South African government of committing “genocide” against white citizens, and his administration has prioritized white South Africans for resettlement in the United States.
South Africa carries a long history of racial injustice. The apartheid system, in place for over four decades, brutally oppressed the country’s majority Black population to maintain white minority rule.
https://www.rawstory.com/south-africa-2674232473/