Nancy Pelosi and other dems decry Trump's appointment of 'white nationalist' Bannon

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House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is among the assemblage of Democratic leaders ripping into President-elect Donald Trump for his selection of former Breitbart executive Steve Bannon as the White House Chief Strategist and top aide.

On Monday, Pelosi released a statement calling on Trump to "not continue to fan the flames of division and bigotry," but rather, to try and better unite the country.

"Bringing Steve Bannon into the White House is an alarming signal that President-elect Trump remains committed to the hateful and divisive vision that defined his campaign," the statement reads. "There must be no sugarcoating the reality that a white nationalist has been named chief strategist for the Trump Administration."

Other local democrats have denounced Bannon's new role as well. San Francisco supervisor and incoming California senator, Scott Wiener, called Bannon an "racist, anti-semite," and outgoing Senator Barbara Boxer said Newt Gingrich's defense of Bannon's actions while working with Breitbart was "offensive." Another San Francisco supervisor, David Campos, retweeted a statement comparing the new chief strategist to noted white supremacist David Duke.

In addition to local politicians, former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders appeared on "The View" to also express concern over the appointment, saying, "We're going to tell Mr. Bannon and any other advisers we're not going to be turning on each other." Outgoing Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid has, too, informed a POLITICO reporter that he'll be making a floor speech about Bannon's appointment on Tuesday.

Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.) also voiced his discontent. "There is no place in our society, let alone the White House, for purveyors like Steve Bannon of hate and violence against any group of Americans," a statement on his site reads. "President-elect Trump will forever poison the well with Congress and the American people by appointing a figure who has fueled the rhetoric and activities of hate groups that actively promote violence against immigrants, Muslims, women, African-Americans, the LGBTQ community, and people of Jewish faith."

On the conservative side, Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway, dismisses claims that Bannon has connection to white nationalist viewpoints, telling reporters, "I'm personally offended that you think I would manage a campaign where that would be one of the going philosophies."



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