“I Love Him”Gun Violence Victim’s Grandmother Defends Donald Trump at White House
Forlesia Cook, a Washington, D.C., resident, lost her 22-year-old grandson, Marty William McMillan Jr., to gun violence in 2017.
Since then, she has spoken publicly about her pain and frustration with the justice system. She believes the man accused of killing her grandson received a sentence that was too light, and she has pushed for tougher laws.
During a recent Black History Month celebration at the White House, Cook strongly defended President Donald Trump. Speaking at the event after being invited by the president, she made it clear that she supports him despite criticism from others.
“I love him. I don’t want to hear nothing you got to say about that racist stuff,” Cook said, dismissing accusations that have been made against Trump in the past.
She also addressed critics directly, telling them not to attack her for her support. “Hating on me because I’m standing up for somebody that deserves to be standing for,” she said. “Let him do his job. He’s doing the right thing. Back up off him.” She ended her remarks with a line that drew laughter from the room: “And grandma said it.”
Trump appeared amused and impressed by her confidence. He responded by jokingly asking when she planned to run for office and said she would have his endorsement.
Cook has testified before Congress about her grandson’s death. At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing focused on crime in major cities, she asked lawmakers how much longer families like hers must suffer. She argued that sentencing laws need to change and that soft-on-crime policies have real consequences for victims and their families.
At the White House event, she thanked Trump for sending the National Guard to Washington, D.C., and praised his tough approach to crime. She said she appreciates that he “keeps it real,” comparing his style to her own straightforward way of speaking.
Republican lawmakers have recently held hearings highlighting crime in cities led by Democrats. They argue that lenient policies have led to more violence. Democrats, however, have pushed back, pointing out that some Republican-led states also struggle with high crime rates and saying the issue is more complex than party politics.
Cook has said that seeing her grandson’s accused killer receive a sentence she considers too light made her grief even harder to bear. She believes stronger laws and stricter sentencing could prevent other families from going through similar pain.
During the same Black History Month ceremony, Trump announced that former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He also paid tribute to civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, calling him a hero.
Still, it was Cook’s emotional and outspoken defense of the president that became the most talked-about moment of the event. Her words reflected not only her personal loss, but also the deep divisions in the country over crime, justice, and leadership.
