Trump likens himself to Martin Luther King Jr while boasting about low black unemployment

Donald Trump appeared to compare the anniversary of his swearing-in ceremony with Martin Luther King Jr's birthday as the president boasted claims of low unemployment among black Americans.

On Twitter, the president wrote: "It was exactly three years ago today, January 20, 2017, that I was sworn into office. So appropriate that today is also MLK jr DAY. African-American Unemployment is the LOWEST in the history of our Country, by far. Also, best Poverty, Youth, and Employment numbers, ever. Great!"

Asked how Mr Trump is celebrating this year's nationwide memorial recognising murdered civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr, White House advisor Kellyanne Conway said the president "agrees with many of the things" Dr King stood for, including "unity and equality". Then she pivoted to the president's upcoming impeachment trial in the Senate, saying, "He's not the one trying to tear the country apart."

Ms Conway said Dr King's "vision" did not include "Americans dragged through the process where the president is not going to be removed from office".

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