Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersButtigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice Bernie Sanders warns of 'nightmare scenario' if Trump refuses election results Harris joins women's voter mobilization event also featuring Pelosi, Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda MORE (I-Vt.) on Wednesday tore into President-elect Donald Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE's decision to appoint Stephen Bannon as chief strategist, calling the former Breitbart News exec "racist."

Sanders called Trump's selection "totally unacceptable," saying it "must be rescinded."

ADVERTISEMENT “This country, since its inception, has struggled to overcome discrimination of all forms: racism, sexism, xenophobia and homophobia," Sanders said in a statement. "Over the years we have made progress in becoming a less discriminatory and more tolerant society — and we are not going backward. The appointment by President-elect Trump of a racist individual like Mr. Bannon to a position of authority is totally unacceptable," he added. "In a democratic society we can disagree all we want over issues, but racism and bigotry cannot be part of any public policy. The appointment of Mr. Bannon by Mr. Trump must be rescinded."

On Monday, Sanders criticized Bannon's new role, saying the appointment should "get us very nervous."

"We are bringing our people together. We are not going back. We're going to tell Mr. Bannon and any other advisers we aren't going to be turning on each other, we are going to be standing together in the wealthiest country in the history of the world to fight for a society and a government that works for all of us," Sanders said.

Trump's decision to bring in Bannon as his top adviser created widespread backlash from top Democratic officials.