Bernie Sanders has issued a strong warning for President-elect Donald Trump.

The politician and former presidential hopeful has been a supporter of minorities – including LGBT rights – throughout his career, and he wants to make sure Trump doesn’t turn back the progress the United States has made.

In a statement released on his website, Sanders said: “Donald Trump tapped into the anger of a declining middle class that is sick and tired of establishment economics, establishment politics and the establishment media.

“People are tired of working longer hours for lower wages, of seeing decent paying jobs go to China and other low-wage countries, of billionaires not paying any federal income taxes and of not being able to afford a college education for their kids – all while the very rich become much richer.

“To the degree that Mr. Trump is serious about pursuing policies that improve the lives of working families in this country, I and other progressives are prepared to work with him.

“To the degree that he pursues racist, sexist, xenophobic and anti-environment policies, we will vigorously oppose him.”

In a follow-up to his statement, Sanders sent a tweet warning that he and his supporters will be Trump’s “worst nightmare” if he misdirects people’s angers against minorities including Muslims and women.

If Donald Trump takes people's anger and turns it against Muslims, Hispanics, African Americans and women, we will be his worst nightmare. — Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) November 10, 2016

Speaking to CNN for his first interview since Trump was pronounced winner of the 2016 presidential election, Sanders reaffirmed his claim that he will stand against the president-elect if he uses his power to discriminate.

He said: “I will vigorously oppose him if he appeals to racism, or sexism, or some of the other discriminatory measures that he brought up during his campaign.”

.@SenSanders: I will vigorously oppose Trump if he appeals to racism, sexism, or other discriminatory measures https://t.co/kD1h5Go4Ih — CNN (@CNN) November 10, 2016

Some of those infamous discriminatory measures have included building a wall across the Mexican border, banning Muslims from entering the country, and of course, overruling same-sex marriage laws – it’s unclear whether he will follow through on any of these policies.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel issued a similar warning to Trump this week, stating that her country’s cooperation with the US is dependant on him valuing “freedom and respect” for all people, regardless of their gender or sexuality.

If you’re concerned about what a Trump presidency means for LGBT rights, we’ve answered some of your questions here.