In a recent roundtable discussion at the predominantly Black 180 Church in Detroit, former President Donald Trump aimed to court Black voters by addressing the impact of rising crime rates on their communities. Trump criticized President Biden's authorship of the 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, which has been widely criticized for contributing to mass incarceration disproportionately affecting the Black community.

During the event, Trump reminded attendees that Biden, as a senator in 1994, authored the crime bill, referring to criminals at the time as "predators" who were "beyond the pale." However, Trump falsely claimed that Biden used the phrase "super predators," which was actually uttered by then-first lady Hillary Clinton in 1996, expressing her support for the legislation.

Trump highlighted the devastating consequences caused by the 1994 crime bill, which was signed into law by President Clinton. The legislation has been blamed for exacerbating America's incarceration rates, particularly affecting Black Americans. It came in response to the crack cocaine epidemic that ravaged Black communities in the 1980s and early 1990s.

The former president also criticized another piece of legislation, the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986, co-sponsored by Biden and signed into law by President Reagan. This bill established harsher sentencing penalties for possession of crack cocaine compared to its powder form. The disproportionate impact on Black Americans caused a backlash, as critics argued that the legislation unfairly targeted them.

Biden has distanced himself from both the 1986 and 1994 legislation, acknowledging their negative effects on the Black community. He referred to the 1994 crime bill as a "mistake" and commented on the road to hell being paved with good intentions in regards to the 1986 drug bill.

Trump's appeal to Black voters in Detroit comes as polling indicates an increase in his popularity among the voting bloc. Recent data shows that Trump's support among Black voters more than doubled to 22% compared to the 2020 elections, while Biden experienced a 12% drop. However, despite these gains, Biden still maintains a strong lead over Trump among Black voters overall.

Trump's criticism of Biden's involvement in the controversial crime bills and his promise to prioritize community protection resonated with some members of the Black community. However, the impact of these efforts on the November 2022 mid-term elections remains to be seen.

In response to Trump's remarks, the Biden-Harris campaign has emphasized Biden's commitment to criminal justice reform and addressing the systemic issues that have disproportionately affected marginalized communities. The campaign seeks to distance Biden from his past legislative actions and highlight his present stance on criminal justice reforms.

The battle for Black voter support continues, with both candidates making their case and addressing their past positions on crime legislation. As the election cycle progresses, it remains to be seen how these discussions will impact the preferences of Black voters across the nation.