Forlesia Cook, whose grandson Marty William McMillan Jr. was gunned down in Washington, D.C., in 2017 by a man who found him in bed with his partner, stole the spotlight at the White House Black History Month reception on Wednesday while praising President Donald Trump’s anti-crime policies.
Cook thanked Trump for deploying federal troops to quell crime in the capital and urged critics to step back from the president. “When is she running for office? Forlesia, when are you running for office? You have my endorsement,” she said. “One thing I like about him: He keeps it real, just like Grandma.”
The White House audience responded with loud applause as Cook described how Trump had invited her twice to testify before Congress in support of his crime policies. “Thank God for this president! I am filled. My cup runneth over! Because he allowed his … people to come to my house … to talk about the murder of my grandson,” she added.
“Nobody heard me, Democrats … until this Republican,” Cook said, emphasizing her loyalty to Trump. She also stated, “I love him. I don’t want to hear nothing you’ve got to say about that racist stuff.” Adding, “Don’t be looking at me on the news, hating on me because I’m standing up for somebody that deserves to be stood up for. Get off the man’s back! Let him do his job! He’s doing the right thing!”
Trump joked after her speech that he would like Cook to run for office, declaring, “Wow, that’s pretty good. When is she running for office? Forlesia, when are you running for office, please? You have my endorsement.” The White House later posted video of Cook’s comments on its social media.
Trump also paid tribute to activist Jesse Jackson, calling him a “real hero” with “street smarts,” following news of Jackson’s passing.
Cook’s grandson Marty William McMillan Jr. was sentenced to 16 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence after the incident in 2017.
