
When President-elect Donald Trump decided to mark the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend by leveling a racially-coded attack on civil rights hero Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), Democrats stepped up en masse to denounce Trump in the most eloquent and precise terms.

President-elect Donald Trump kicked a hornet's nest when he tweeted this attack on civil rights icon John Lewis over Lewis' assertion that Trump's presidency is not legitimate:

Congressman John Lewis should spend more time on fixing and helping his district, which is in horrible shape and falling apart (not to...... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2017

mention crime infested) rather than falsely complaining about the election results. All talk, talk, talk - no action or results. Sad! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2017


The responses of elected Democrats are powerful, and speak for themselves:

John Lewis is an icon of the Civil Rights Movement who is fearless in the pursuit of justice and equality. He deserves better than this. https://t.co/WX1QDCKfzP — Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) 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

@repjohnlewis has been on the front lines of the struggle for justice for his entire life. Proud to call him my friend and colleague. — James E. Clyburn (@Clyburn) January 14, 2017

We already know Donald Trump lashes out when his ego is bruised, but attacking @repjohnlewis during MLK memorial weekend is a new low. — Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) January 14, 2017

.@HouseGOP has a choice: stand with @repjohnlewis on the side of history, or hide behind Donald Trump's thin-skinned ignorance. — Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) January 14, 2017

.@repjohnlewis knows true sacrifice. @realDonaldTrump has no clue. When cluelessness collides with power oppression results. Resistance! https://t.co/Eu1vWbetsl — Rep. Keith Ellison (@keithellison) January 14, 2017

To my dear friend & Brother @repjohnlewis: thank you for taking action to make this country better. pic.twitter.com/oyYFZE02JR — Elijah E. Cummings (@RepCummings) January 14, 2017

My good friend @repjohnlewis has dedicated his life to fighting for freedom & equality in his district & across this nation. (1/3) — John Conyers, Jr. (@RepJohnConyers) January 14, 2017

Very concerned that Trump would spend time attacking John Lewis instead of preparing to start his Presidency. (2/3) — John Conyers, Jr. (@RepJohnConyers) January 14, 2017

Agree with VP Biden that it's time for Trump to grow up. Being POTUS is a serious matter - not child's play. I stand w/ @repjohnlewis (3/3) — John Conyers, Jr. (@RepJohnConyers) January 14, 2017

@repjohnlewis has sacrificed so much so we can all be more free. I'm proud to learn from his leadership & kindness everyday. #goodtrouble https://t.co/zfXV8d9bio — Alma S. Adams (@RepAdams) January 14, 2017

@repjohnlewis shed blood on Selma Bridge for all America. I will take a President John Lewis over @realDonaldTrump any day #russianhacking — Sheila Jackson Lee (@JacksonLeeTX18) January 14, 2017

With all due respect, you couldn't walk a mile in Rep. John Lewis's shoes. #IStandWithJohnLewis https://t.co/DSVoOD3ETQ — Robin Kelly (@RepRobinKelly) January 14, 2017

When John Lewis took a billy club to the head for our #votingrights, you were using your Dad's fortune to deny African Americans housing. https://t.co/DSVoOD3ETQ — Robin Kelly (@RepRobinKelly) January 14, 2017

Trump's attack on 🇺🇸civil rts icon @RepJohnLewis for "all talk, no action" shows what a small, graceless person he is pic.twitter.com/ZV4RuYJseQ — US Rep Kathy Castor (@USRepKCastor) January 14, 2017

On @MSNBC, I stood up for my brother @repjohnlewis and discussed the need to investigate Russian interference https://t.co/TMF0UA4lCx pic.twitter.com/y1DQQPDSyi — Gregory Meeks (@RepGregoryMeeks) January 14, 2017

Once again, @realDonaldTrump shows how profoundly unfit he is to be President with his attack on American hero @repjohnlewis On MLK weekend. — Jim Himes (@jahimes) January 14, 2017

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

Action and results are all @repjohnlewis has ever known. His unyielding courage in fighting for justice speaks for itself. — Tom Udall (@SenatorTomUdall) January 14, 2017

John Lewis has sacrificed pain & blood in the name of justice & civil rights. He is a great man of courage & distinction. He is a hero. pic.twitter.com/hG7qSAYgFs — Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) January 14, 2017

That's @repjohnlewis almost dying for freedom and voting rights. @realDonaldTrump not worthy of uttering John's name. pic.twitter.com/OaNMsuP11c — Jim Himes (@jahimes) January 14, 2017

.@repjohnlewis' "talk" has done more for our country than Trump ever has or will. #IStandWithJohnLewis — Rep. Joe Crowley (@repjoecrowley) January 14, 2017

All talk no action, @realDonaldTrump? @repjohnlewis shed blood to secure & protect basic human rights for all. Your ignorance is astounding. pic.twitter.com/hPXPYWDAIC — Rep. John Yarmuth (@RepJohnYarmuth) January 14, 2017

.@repjohnlewis is a hero and I'm lucky to call him a colleague. You sir are not half the man he is. @realDonaldTrump https://t.co/f7VwPYQNiz — US Rep Brendan Boyle (@RepBrendanBoyle) January 14, 2017

Shame on #DonaldTrump for kicking off #MLKWeekend by criticizing one of our most treasured civil rights leaders. — Mark DeSaulnier (@RepDeSaulnier) January 14, 2017

More cowardly behavior from the tweeter-in-chief https://t.co/dzt7zC3nWG — Dina Titus (@repdinatitus) January 14, 2017

All his life, @repjohnlewis has sacrificed & given so much so others may be more free. Your favorite charity is yourself #StandWithJohnLewis https://t.co/ZDHk3KtPH6 — Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) January 14, 2017

My friend @repjohnlewis is an American hero. A champion for justice and reconciliation. @realDonaldTrump could learn smth from his example — Senator Mazie Hirono (@maziehirono) January 14, 2017

My friend @repjohnlewis has sacrificed more than @realdonaldtrump ever has or will. Here he is almost dying fighting for equal rights. pic.twitter.com/yL3uQCuH8F — Rep. Dan Kildee (@RepDanKildee) January 14, 2017

@repjohnlewis is an icon who marched, bled, and worked for civil rights. This MLK Day weekend, he should be honored, not attacked — Rep. Derek Kilmer (@RepDerekKilmer) January 14, 2017

.@repjohnlewis is a hero who risked his life fighting injustice. Attacks on a Civil Rights icon - during MLK weekend - are an embarrassment. https://t.co/9TGF0Zc3zc — Rep. Don Beyer (@RepDonBeyer) January 14, 2017

Stones and batons couldn't stop @RepJohnLewis's fight for justice. Petty tweets certainly won't. — Rep. Joe Kennedy III (@RepJoeKennedy) January 14, 2017

John Lewis is an American hero. You're a fake billionaire who won't release his taxes. Put down Twitter and get serious about governing. https://t.co/LIvpXhX2wX — David Cicilline (@davidcicilline) January 14, 2017

.@repjohnlewis is a hero who has given his life to equal rights. He's been locked up, beaten up, spit on and still never lost his fight — Gerry Connolly (@GerryConnolly) January 14, 2017

Here's a tip: Instead of attacking civil rights icons like John Lewis, reach out to all the Americans feeling threatened by your presidency. https://t.co/BjRfOAUIgX — Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) January 14, 2017

Rep. John Lewis was beaten, bloodied & arrested 40+ times marching for civil rights. He is a true American hero & represents the best of us. — Senator Chris Coons (@ChrisCoons) January 14, 2017

On MLK weekend service & civility are celebrated. I stand with @repjohnlewis, an American icon & reminder of the power of #civility. — Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (@repcleaver) January 14, 2017

On the weekend before #MLKDAY, @realDonaldTrump chose to attack @RepJohnLewis, a civil rights icon. He should be ashamed. pic.twitter.com/gFiT309ilL — Congressman Tim Ryan (@RepTimRyan) January 14, 2017

John Lewis has used his voice to change a nation. @realDonaldTrump uses his to try and silence those who disagree with him. pic.twitter.com/kBWCIc1Yv3 — Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) January 14, 2017

We stand w/ @repjohnlewis, who has seen a lot worse than cheap insults from an insecure bully. #MLKDAY weekend. pic.twitter.com/JipfYcNBvd — Rep. Hank Johnson (@RepHankJohnson) January 14, 2017

.@realDonaldTrump would be better served spending this #MLKWeekend2017 reflecting on Lewis's example than tweeting. — Rep. Brad Schneider (@RepSchneider) January 14, 2017

The #fakepresident now attacks an American hero. I stand with @repjohnlewis. Join me pic.twitter.com/fEX4g5Gz4s — Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) January 14, 2017

These are not the priorities anyone wants to see in our President. We need leaders who raise people up, not ones who senselessly divide us. https://t.co/xaiJFfXNT7 — Rep. Don Beyer (@RepDonBeyer) January 14, 2017

.@repjohnlewis has inspired and changed the lives of millions through selfless action. I don't think Trump can say the same about himself. — Senator Cortez Masto (@SenCortezMasto) January 14, 2017

There is no good reason to attack civil rights icon @repjohnlewis, especially on this #MLKDAY weekend. #focusonrunningthecountry — Senator Ben Cardin (@SenatorCardin) January 14, 2017

.@repjohnlewis has made great sacrifices in the cause of civil rights. A truly honorable man. The same can't be said about @realDonaldTrump — Rep. Donald Payne Jr (@RepDonaldPayne) January 14, 2017

His "talk" almost got him killed fighting for civil rights. @repjohnlewis is a true American hero pic.twitter.com/t8N2CrdGgk — Rep. Norma Torres (@NormaJTorres) January 14, 2017

It never seems to work out well for right-wing bullies who attack @repjohnlewis. Bad mistake, Mr. Trump. https://t.co/LwbsjIheBo — Rep. Jamie Raskin (@RepRaskin) January 14, 2017

Rep. Lewis has stated that he will not be attending Trump's inauguration, and this incident may well precipitate a wider rebellion among Democrats:

I am with John Lewis.https://t.co/8WvxK9IoqT — Brian Fallon (@brianefallon) January 14, 2017

I stand with John Lewis. Do you? — Neera Tanden🖖🏼 (@neeratanden) January 14, 2017

"All talk, no action." I stand with @repjohnlewis and I will not be attending the inauguration. pic.twitter.com/z8Q0wA9OPK — Mark Takano (@RepMarkTakano) January 14, 2017

Trump may inspire the worst in some people, but he has inspired Democrats to put into words the outrage we feel toward Trump, and the love and gratitude we feel for Rep. Lewis in even greater measure. Love trumps hate.