John James claps back at Al Sharpton over Michigan claim: ‘Are you that blind?’
Hey @TheRevAl & MSDNC — THE Black Congressman from Michigan here 👋🏾. I’ve got a message and an invite: come to Detroit for a debate.
— John James (@JohnJamesMI) October 2, 2025
Let’s talk about how Democrat control has failed families in Detroit neighborhoods for the past six decades and how conservative principles can… pic.twitter.com/C7A24HePLX
MACOMB COUNTY, MICHIGAN: Republican Michigan Rep. John James slammed Rev. Al Sharpton on Thursday, October 2, for falsely claiming Michigan has no black representation for the first time in decades. Sharpton made the remarks on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” after which James hit back, calling the comment “bigoted” and challenging Sharpton to a debate on how Democratic policies affected black communities.
Rep John James slams Rev Al Sharpton over Michigan claim
“Al, are you that blind? I’m here and I exist whether you like it or not. I went to war for the right to think for myself. You are not going to erase me because I don’t fit your bigoted idea of what a black man is or has a right to be,” James said in a video uploaded to his X (formerly Twitter) handle.
“I’m a West Point graduate, Ranger-qualified Apache pilot, combat veteran, and businessman. I have one wife, two master’s degrees, three kids, and I am the black congressman from Michigan.
And yes, I am a Republican, not because the party is perfect, but because it aligns with the economic and moral values my grandmama taught me,” he added.
John James highlights loyalty to god, country, and family
He continued, “But unlike some people, politics has not become my religion. Michigan is my mission field, and service is my calling. My loyalty is to God, my country, and my family. In 2024, more young black men gave President Trump a serious look for jobs, a paycheck, safety, and respect. Your blindness, Reverend, is part of the reason we can’t have nice things, but we can change that.”
Iraq war veteran and former Apache platoon leader
James, who announced his run for governor in April, is ahead in the Republican primary with 55 percent support, according to a poll obtained by the Daily Caller. Current Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer cannot run again because of term limits.
Earlier, James lost two close Senate races to former Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow and current Democratic Senator Gary Peters.
James is an Iraq war veteran, where he served as a Ranger-qualified aviation officer and led two Apache platoons in combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom (2007-2009). He was also the former president of James Group International (JGI).
