The interim chair of the Democratic National Committee denounced President-elect Trump’s tweets calling Rep. John Lewis all “talk — no action” after the civil rights icon questioned the legitimacy of Trump’s Nov. 8 victory after U.S. intelligence officials determined that Russian hackers meddled in the election.
Speaking to a DNC forum in Arizona on Saturday, Donna Brazile noted that Trump’s tweets came on the eve of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
“We have in President-elect Trump, an attack on a living legend and civil rights hero John Lewis,” Brazile said.
“Mr. Trump said that John Lewis is all talk and no action,” she said to a wave of boos.
She followed that up by evoking the many accomplishments Lewis made during the civil rights movement, including marching from Selma to Montgomery, Ala., in 1965.
"John Lewis is our hero and he symbolizes everything we stand for as Americans and as the Democratic Party." —@donnabrazile #DNCForum pic.twitter.com/hLGRIb6a0X— Democratic Party (@DNC) January 14, 2017
Brazile said that Lewis’ skull was fractured “because of the color of his skin, but John Lewis never stopped marching for justice and equality for all people.”
After spending his entire life as an advocate for young people and working people, Brazile said “his actions and sacrifice helped make America the great nation it is today.”
“John Lewis is our hero and he symbolizes everything we stand for as Americans and as the Democratic Party,” Brazile said.
Trump’s tweets Saturday elicited backlash from a number of politicians from both sides of the aisle, civil rights leaders and others.
The president of the NAACP, Cornell Brooks, tweeted that, “[a]s younger men, [Trump and Lewis] led very different lives.Tell President-elect @realDonaldTrump whose leadership should be honored or criticized.”
As younger men, these 2 led very different lives.Tell President-elect @realDonaldTrump whose leadership should be honored or criticized. pic.twitter.com/DAujvV6hWL
— Cornell Wm. Brooks (@CornellWBrooks) January 14, 2017
He also called on Trump to apologize.
By disrespecting @repjohnlewis, @realDonaldTrump dishonored Lewis’ sacrifice & demeaned Americans & the rights, he nearly died 4. Apologize. pic.twitter.com/kFBSfz2wyv
— Cornell Wm. Brooks (@CornellWBrooks) January 14, 2017
Rep. Kevin Yoder, R-Kan., said he disagreed with Lewis’ dismissal of the legitimacy of Trump’s election win, but that Lewis still “deserves all of our respect.”
Disagree with questioning legitimacy of Nov election, but @repjohnlewis is a hero & icon. He deserves all of our respect. He’s earned it. pic.twitter.com/OKhRmzH3gY
— Rep. Kevin Yoder (@RepKevinYoder) January 14, 2017
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi also chimed in to defend Lewis.
As we honor MLK, I’ll always stand by my friend, American hero @repjohnlewis. We’ll lock arms & resist any effort to roll back civil rights.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) January 14, 2017
Ahead of #MLKday2017, let us remember that many have tried to silence @repjohnlewis over the years. All have failed.
— Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) January 14, 2017
