Rep. John James, R-Mich., humiliated Rev. Al Sharpton on Thursday for falsely claiming Michigan has no Black representation for the first time in decades.
James, who is Black, simply pointed out that he’s currently in office.
James told the left-wing reverend he will not be erased simply because he does not fit into Sharpton’s “bigoted” narrative of what a Black man ought to believe. He challenged Sharpton to a debate on how Democratic policies have affected black families and communities.
“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 X.
“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,” James said.
“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.”
James posted on X: “Hey @TheRevAl & MSDNC — THE Black Congressman from Michigan here. I’ve got a message and an invite: come to Detroit for a debate. Let’s talk about how Democrat control has failed families in Detroit neighborhoods for the past six decades and how conservative principles can fix it.”
Hey @TheRevAl & MSDNC — THE Black Congressman from Michigan here 👋🏾. I’ve got a message and an invite: come to Detroit for a debate.
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
— John James (@JohnJamesMI) October 2, 2025
In 2024, Detroit had the second-highest violent crime rate among the 30 largest cities in the U.S., according to Security.org.
James announced his gubernatorial candidacy in April and is leading the Republican primary race with 55 percent support, according to a recent poll. The incumbent, Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, is term limited.
James previously lost two competitive races for Senate against former Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Democratic Sen. Gary Peters.
James is an Iraq War veteran and former president of James Group International. He served as a Ranger-qualified aviation officer and led two Apache platoons in combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2007 to 2009.
Guys like @TheRevAl want to tell you there’s only one way to be Black — their way.
America’s tired of the race hustling, tired of the division, and tired of the media lies.
That script is old, and nobody’s buying it anymore.
📻: @claytravis @clayandbuck pic.twitter.com/7DHOu6L7Ei
— John James (@JohnJamesMI) October 3, 2025