Communities hit by pollution rollbacks ‘making a lot of money’ under Trump, president says

President Trump at Thursday’s presidential debate claimed low income and minority voters who have been affected by environmental rollbacks under his administration were “making a lot of money” under his leadership.

The Trump administration has rolled back a suite of environmental laws protecting air and water, as well as the process that allows communities to object to pollution projects slated for their neighborhoods. 

The issue was raised at the debate by the moderator, NBC journalist Kristen Welker.

“President Trump, people of color are much more likely to live near oil refineries and chemical plants. In Texas, there are families who worry the plants near them are making them sick. Why should these families give you another four years in office,” said Welker, the first woman of color to host a presidential debate since 1992.

“The families that we’re talking about are employed heavily, and they’re making a lot of money — more money than they’ve ever made,” Trump responded, rattling off employment statistics.

Biden responded that money shouldn’t be the focus, accusing Trump of opposing restrictions on pollutants from plants often built in low income and minority neighborhoods.

“The fact is, in those front-line communities it doesn’t matter what you’re paying them, it matters how you keep them safe,” he said.