The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert Rep. Jim Clyburn
Nov 14, 2025
Rep. Jim Clyburn, a longtime U.S. Representative from South Carolina and author of 'The First Eight,' shares captivating stories about civil rights icons. He reflects on his friendship with Rep. John Lewis, detailing their profound moments together, including encounters with Martin Luther King Jr. Clyburn discusses the significance of documenting the first eight Black representatives from South Carolina and offers a vivid account of Robert Smalls' remarkable escape from slavery, highlighting his contributions to public education.
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Partial Policy Wins, Continued Fight
- The government shutdown deal delivered partial wins like protections for SNAP and WIC but fell short on making healthcare affordable for all.
- Jim Clyburn emphasizes continued efforts to pass comprehensive Affordable Care Act measures despite setbacks.
Robert Smalls' Daring Escape And Legacy
- Jim Clyburn recounts the biographies of South Carolina's early Black congressmen, beginning with Joseph Rainey and notably Robert Smalls.
- He tells Smalls's escape from slavery by commandeering a ship and later championing free public education in South Carolina.
Lewis Internalized Nonviolence
- Clyburn highlights John Lewis as someone who truly internalized nonviolence, not merely practiced it.
- He presents Lewis's moral conviction as a rare and defining quality among civil rights leaders.
