A.J. Weddington

United States

Contributor at Ebony

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Articles

Kamala Harris Returns and Black Culture Faces Political Crossroads

1 week ago | ebony.com | A.J. Weddington

In an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on May 4, President Donald Trump questioned whether individuals in the United States, including noncitizens, are entitled to due process rights under the Constitution. When asked if he believed all people are entitled to due process, Trump responded, “I don’t know. I’m not a lawyer.” He further stated that he relies on legal counsel to follow Supreme Court rulings, suggesting uncertainty about his constitutional obligations.
Trump Executive Order Highlights Support for HBCUs

2 weeks ago | ebony.com | A.J. Weddington

On April 25, President Trump signed an executive order launching the White House initiative to promote excellence and innovation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
CEO Meets Al Sharpton Amid Backlash

3 weeks ago | ebony.com | A.J. Weddington

Rev. Al Sharpton met with Target CEO Brian Cornell at the National Action Network headquarters in New York to discuss the retailer's rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Target's decision to scale back its DEI programs, including ending its Racial Equity Action and Change (REACH) initiative and renaming its Supplier Diversity team, has drawn criticism from civil rights groups and activists.
Judge Denies Trump's Dismissal in Exonerated Five Lawsuit

4 weeks ago | ebony.com | A.J. Weddington

Last week, a federal judge ruled that Donald Trump must face a defamation lawsuit filed by the Exonerated Five—the five men wrongfully convicted in the 1989 Central Park jogger case. U.S. District Judge Wendy Beetlestone denied Trump's motion to dismiss the case, stating that the plaintiffs' allegations could be objectively proven false. However, she dismissed the claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Tariffs Rise, Stock Markets Fall and More

1 month ago | ebony.com | A.J. Weddington

Last week, President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs aimed at reshaping U.S. trade relationships. These included a 10% baseline tariff on all imports, with higher rates for specific countries, notably 34% on Chinese goods and 20% on European Union products. Experts say tariffs on imported cars and parts could raise vehicle prices by up to $3,000. Grocery costs may climb due to tariffs on Mexican produce, while levies on Canadian oil could increase gas prices by up to 50 cents per gallon.
A Record-Breaking Event

1 month ago | ebony.com | A.J. Weddington

U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) made history with a 25-hour speech on the Senate floor, breaking the record for the longest continuous address. Starting at 7 p.m. on March 31, 2025, and ending just after 8 p.m. the next day, Booker surpassed the previous record set by Senator Strom Thurmond, who filibustered against the Civil Rights Act in 1957.
Trump's Order to Strip 'Race-Centered Ideology' from U.S. Institutions

1 month ago | ebony.com | A.J. Weddington

The Trump administration continues its mission to eradicate what it calls “woke” ideologies, this time targeting pillars of American art, history and culture. In a recent executive order, President Trump directed the Smithsonian Institution to remove "divisive narratives" from exhibits, specifically targeting the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the forthcoming American Women's History Museum.
Support for HBCUs and Black Love Amid Education Shake-Up

1 month ago | ebony.com | A.J. Weddington

President Donald Trump signed an executive order to begin dismantling the Department of Education, a move aligned with long-standing conservative goals to transfer educational authority from the federal government to states and local communities. While the president cannot completely shut down the agency without approval from Congress, the Department of Education announced earlier this month that nearly half of its staff would be cut through layoffs and voluntary buyouts.
Impact on Black Voices in Media

2 months ago | ebony.com | A.J. Weddington

Joy Reid hosted her final show on MSNBC days after the network announced a purge of talent—including other non-white hosts Ayman Mohyeldin, Katie Phang and Jonathan Capehart—to restructure its programming to sustain a recent viewership surge, consolidate production, and bring in high-profile names to attract audiences. The move has drawn sharp criticism from within and outside of the network.
Trump Blames DEI and Biden for Deadly Mid-air Crash During Moment of National Mourning

Jan 30, 2025 | ebony.com | A.J. Weddington

Less than two weeks into his presidency, Donald Trump addressed the nation after a passenger jet carrying 64 people collided midair with an Army helicopter near Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night, resulting in the death of 70 people. Rather than use this moment to focus on the victims and national mourning, Trump continued to push his agenda against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts.