Reps. John Lewis John LewisDemocrats urge Biden to resist filibuster, court-packing calls Rep. Bill Pascrell named chair of House oversight panel The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden goes on offense MORE (D-Ga.) announced Thursday he won’t attend the opening of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum on Saturday because President 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 will be there.

“President Trump’s attendance and his hurtful policies are an insult to the people portrayed in this civil rights museum," Lewis said in a joint statement with Rep. Bennie Thompson Bennie Gordon ThompsonHouse panel pans ICE detention medical care, oversight Senate to hold nomination hearing for Wolf next week Hillicon Valley: FBI chief says Russia is trying to interfere in election to undermine Biden | Treasury Dept. sanctions Iranian government-backed hackers MORE (D-Miss.).

Lewis and Thompson cited Trump’s past comments about women, immigrants and NFL players who have protested during the national anthem before games, saying his remarks "disrespect the efforts" of civil rights leaders.

Lewis had previously said he was reconsidering whether to attend after the White House announced Tuesday that Trump would be at the event in Jackson, Miss.

“We think it’s unfortunate that these members of Congress wouldn’t join the President in honoring the incredible sacrifice civil rights leaders made to right the injustices in our history," White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement.

"The President hopes others will join him in recognizing that the movement was about removing barriers and unifying Americans of all backgrounds.”

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Lewis has been a frequent critic of Trump and drew the president’s ire in January, before Trump officially took office, after saying he didn't consider him to be a “legitimate president."

Trump said on Twitter the congressman should “spend more time on fixing and helping his district, which is in horrible shape and falling apart (not to mention crime infested).”

Lewis, on Wednesday, was one of 58 House Democrats who voted in favor of beginning impeachment proceedings against Trump. The measure overwhelmingly failed in the GOP-lead House.

Lewis was a key civil rights leader in the 1960s as chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.

The NAACP, on Tuesday, announced opposition to Trump attending the museum opening, saying he has created a “racially hostile climate.”

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Tuesday it was "very sad" that anyone might object to Trump's presence.

- This story was updated at 4:23 P.M. EST