Dingell: Donald Trump is 'not going to fight for an auto worker'

Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) on Wednesday blasted Donald Trump’s threats to roll back the Biden administration’s electric vehicle policies as the former president seeks the endorsement of Detroit’s powerful United Auto Workers union.

“Donald Trump is not going to fight for an auto worker,” Dingell said at POLITICO’s New Energy Economy event. “He’s not going to fight for them to get a pay raise. He doesn’t care about their benefits. He doesn’t care if they have health care. He doesn’t care if they’re working in a safe environment.”

Trump courted UAW’s endorsement in a video last week, promising to roll back President Joe Biden’s policies that are “destroying your business.”

The union has withheld its endorsement for President Joe Biden’s reelection over concerns his EV push will leave its members behind. But UAW President Shawn Fain already ruled out endorsing Trump and met privately with Biden last week as the union starts bargaining for a new contract with major automakers.

EV programs are just one of the climate policies under attack by Republicans seeking to repeal parts or all of the Inflation Reduction Act, Dingell said.

“It’s a defensive game,” Dingell said. “They are trying to repeal many provisions of it on a daily basis.”

Dingell emphasized the need for Democrats to “talk more about what we have done” on energy and climate, especially as many voters remain unaware of the landmark law.

“People need to know how we’re trying to help them, what’s available for them,” Dingell said. “We’re creating new jobs of the future.”