SE Kansas City News

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, who represents Missouri’s 5th district in the U.S. Congress, used his social media platform on August 29, 2025, to criticize actions by the Trump administration and Republican lawmakers on issues ranging from budget negotiations to economic policy and redistricting.

In a post published at 18:21 UTC, Cleaver wrote, "As the Trump administration continues to openly defy the congressionally mandated budget approved by Congress, it is becoming clear it is attempting to force a government shutdown. How can Democrats make a deal that the president will not honor?"

Later that day at 19:20 UTC, he addressed economic concerns related to tariffs and tax policy: "As the president’s tariff taxes continue to drive up prices, limit the creation of good-paying jobs, and slow economic growth, more Americans are losing confidence. Rather than cutting taxes for the wealthy, Republicans should work with Democrats to cut costs for families!"

Cleaver also commented on proposed changes to Missouri's legislative maps at 21:31 UTC: "The unprecedented step to redraw Missouri maps in the middle of the decade and without an updated census is not an act of democracy – it is an unconstitutional attack against it. My full statement on the effort to gerrymander Missouri here:"

Emanuel Cleaver has represented Missouri’s 5th District since 2005 after succeeding Karen McCarthy in Congress. He was born in Waxahachie, Texas in 1944 and currently resides in Kansas City. Cleaver earned his bachelor’s degree from Prairie View A&M University in 1972.