Tim Scott emphasizes that there are no positive aspects to slavery, especially in light of the tensions with DeSantis.

Sen. ⁤Tim Scott: No “Benefits” to Slavery

ANKENY,⁢ Iowa — ⁤In a powerful statement, Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) ‌emphasized that there⁣ were no “benefits” ⁢to slavery, following a heated exchange between Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) regarding⁤ Florida’s ‍new black history teaching standards.

“As​ a‍ country founded upon freedom, the greatest deprivation of freedom was slavery,” Scott told reporters on Thursday after ⁢a ⁢town⁢ hall in Ankeny. “There’s ​no silver lining in slavery. … Any benefits that ⁢people​ suggest⁢ you ‌had from slavery, you would ‍have‍ had as a free person.”

Denouncing Slavery as “Devastating”

Scott passionately denounced slavery as “devastating,” highlighting its impact on families, the physical and ⁣emotional mutilation of⁤ enslaved individuals, and even the rape of their wives. This came in response ‌to‍ DeSantis defending the Florida ​Board of Education’s approval of new ⁤black history teaching standards, arguing ‍that they focus on the skills ​enslaved people developed “in spite of slavery, not because of slavery.” Donalds ⁢had expressed criticism towards certain provisions of these standards.

“I would hope that every person in our country and certainly running for president would appreciate that,” Scott said, drawing inspiration from Genesis 1:26. “People have bad days. Sometimes they regret what they say. And we should⁤ ask them again to clarify their positions.”

Concerns Over the Weaponization of the⁤ Department of Justice

Scott was also questioned about‌ the additional charges brought⁢ against former President Donald Trump in the federal classified ⁢documents case by special⁢ counsel Jack Smith.

“At the end, what we all⁣ should be very concerned about is ⁣the weaponization of the Department of Justice,” the senator expressed. “We should be very careful about how ⁤we use immense power⁢ against political opponents. That is not good for the soul of our country.”

“We need‌ Lady Justice to ‌wear a blindfold,⁤ and what we’ve seen today, not just with the indictments against the former ⁢president but also‌ the current president’s son, ​with two very different tracks,”‍ he added. “I’ve said consistently that the Department of ‍Justice too often seems to be weaponized against political opponents,​ but⁣ it protects …​ Democrats at large.”

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