DNC Chair Tom Perez released the following statement after the Trump administration announced plans to encourage the nation’s school superintendents and college presidents to cease considering race as a factor in their admissions decisions:

“The Trump administration isn’t just willfully blind to the reality of systemic racism — it's coldly indifferent to its destructive consequences, and it's absolutely committed to dismantling any efforts to address our nation's original sin.

“Democrats believe that diversity and inclusion are profoundly American values. We believe that a quality education opens the doors of opportunity, and that everyone deserves a meaningful seat at the table.

“The issue of affirmative action has come before the U.S. Supreme Court before, and it will again. If you believe that everyone should have a fair shot at a good education, organize for Democrats, vote for Democrats, and elect Democrats up and down the ballot in November.”