Biden Calls ‘Values of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’ America’s ‘Core Strength’ At Detroit NAACP Dinner

President Joe Biden said Sunday that the values of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are the “core strength” of the United States, in a speech to the Detroit NAACP.

Biden was a speaker and award recipient at Sunday’s Detroit NAACP Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner, an annual event now in it’s 69th year. His speech focused on campaign talking points and included some direct references to presumed Republican nominee Donald Trump, whom Biden described as “obsessed” and “unhinged” during his remarks.

During the speech, Biden brought up the hot-button political issue of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) guidelines, referencing the phrase as a set of values.

“Look, the values of diversity, equity and inclusion are the core strength of America,” he said. “That’s why I’m proud to have the most diverse administration in history to tap into the full talents of our country.”

Biden added, “We have more African-American, we have more women, we have more minorities in our administration than any other administration in all of history. That’s why we’re doing so damn well.”

The GOP was quick to highlight the comments on social media.

The president also repeated a claim he made earlier in the day at Morehouse College and said there is a movement to “ban books” in America.

“They’re trying to erase Black history. Literally. They’re wrong. They don’t understand. Black history is American history,” he said. He then somewhat inexplicably added, “not a joke,” cutting off the applause.

Look, the values of diversity, equity and inclusion are the core strength of America. That’s why I’m proud to have the most diverse administration in history to tap into the full talents of our country. I promised you when I was president I would have an administration that looked like America. We have more African-American, we have more women, we have more minorities in our administration than any other administration in all of history. That’s why we’re doing so damn well.

Folks, I never imagined that in 2024, there’d be folks waiting to ban books in America. What in God’s name is that about? Not only that, they’re trying to erase Black history. Literally. They’re wrong. They don’t understand. Black history is American history.

Not a joke.

Watch the clip above via WWMT Michigan.