Rep. Dean Phillips, who is challenging President Joe Biden for the Democrat nomination, came under fire from fellow congressional Democrats after scrubbing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) language from his campaign website, Politico reported.
The Minnesota Democrat removed the language after hedge fund investor Bill Ackman — a leading DEI opponent and one of the candidate's top financial backers — publicly called him out on it.
Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., told Politico she was not aware of the move and chastised Phillips over it.
"I think that speaks volumes as to what his values are," she said.
Phillips already has provoked the ire of some House Democrats with his dark horse primary challenge to Biden.
"I'm disappointed," Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., said of Phillips' decision to strip the DEI language.
The Virginia congressman told Politico that Democrats should never be coerced by the right into "abandoning things we believe in, but he may have had a good reason."
Ackman has called Phillips' language about DEI a "mistake" and also has said previously that the Minnesota Democrat was "getting educated" on the issue.
On Tuesday, Phillips' campaign confirmed to Politico that it swapped out the DEI language for the phrase "equity and restorative justice" because DEI "now means such divergent things to different people."
Congressional Black Caucus Chair Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev., suggested in a post on X that Ackman's $1 million campaign contribution to Phillips' operation was the reason behind the campaign's decision to drop the DEI language.
Other Democrats Politico spoke with who hadn't read about Phillips' move chimed in with criticism of the moderate lawmaker.
"The Democratic coalition is overwhelmingly women, people of color, LGBT communities," said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. "I mean, if you don't believe in championing them, then good luck."
In New Hampshire, longtime Democrat operative Kathy Sullivan told Politico that Phillips' move was "grotesque."
Sullivan is reportedly organizing the write-in effort for Biden in the Granite State, where Phillips has based his longshot bid.
She said she didn't expect to see paid attack ads against Phillips over the matter "because of the timing," but stressed that "it's something I hope gets out there in a widespread manner."
Nicole Weatherholtz ✉
Nicole Weatherholtz, a Newsmax general assignment reporter covers news, politics, and culture. She is a National Newspaper Association award-winning journalist.
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