John James claps back at Al Sharpton over Michigan claim: ‘Are you that blind?’

Rep John James slammed Rev Al Sharpton for falsely saying Michigan lacks black congressmen, defending his Republican values and public service record
UPDATED OCT 3, 2025
Rep John James slammed Rev Al Sharpton for false remarks about Michigan representation (@JohnJamesMI/X, AI Sharpton/Getty Images)
Rep John James slammed Rev Al Sharpton for false remarks about Michigan representation (@JohnJamesMI/X, AI Sharpton/Getty Images)


 

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

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 04: Founder and president of the National Action Network (NAN) Rev. Al Sharpton gives remarks to members of the media as members of NAN hold a protest outside the office of hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman on January 04, 2024 in New York City. Rev. Sharpton held a protest outside the office Ackman, who is a Harvard alum, after the resignation of Claudine Gay as president of the school. Sharpton states that Ackman led campaign against former President Gay
Rev Al Sharpton spoke to media outside National Action Network offices in New York (Michael M Santiago/Getty Images)

“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

(@JohnJamesMI/X)
John James highlighted his loyalty to God, country, and family in his video (@JohnJamesMI/X)

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

ISKANDARIYA, IRAQ - JULY 19: U.S. soldiers with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment patrol a new ditch
John James led two Apache platoons as a Ranger-qualified aviation officer in Iraq (Iskandariya, Iraq, July 19/Getty Images)

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).

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