169 House Dems join to tell Trump: Dump Bannon

A group of 169 House Democrats is demanding President-elect Donald Trump rescind Steve Bannon’s appointment as chief strategist and senior counselor. 

{mosads}“Bigotry, anti-Semitism and xenophobia should have no place in our society, and they certainly have no place in the White House,” Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) said in a Wednesday statement.

“Whether intentional or not, the appointment of Mr. Bannon sends a disturbing message about what kind of president Donald Trump wants to be,” the House Judiciary Committee member, who spearheaded a Wednesday letter to Trump, added.

The letter does not include any signatures from GOP House representatives.

Democratic signers argued Bannon’s role in the future Trump administration undermines the Republican’s promise of national harmony.

“Unfortunately, your appointment of Stephen Bannon, whose ties to the white nationalist movement have been well-documented, directly undermines your ability to unite the country,” the letter reads.

“Millions of Americans have expressed fear and concern about how they will be treated by the Trump administration and your appointment of Mr. Bannon only exacerbates and validates their concerns. We strongly believe that Mr. Bannon’s appointment will not allow the country to heal and come together as one.”

Trump announced the appointment of Bannon, his presidential campaign’s CEO, on Sunday.

Critics pounced on the appointment, citing Bannon’s tenure with Breitbart News. Detractors say Breitbart is a platform for the “alt-right” movement

Trump’s advisers have since defended Bannon’s character, while major GOP lawmakers have largely avoided addressing the controversy.

Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), for example, on Tuesday dismissed questions about Bannon, urging Americans to “look forward” instead.

Senate Democrats, meanwhile, have largely echoed their counterparts in the lower chamber. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Tuesday called on Trump to fire Bannon.

“If Trump is serious about seeking unity, the first thing he should do is rescind his appointment of Steve Bannon,” the retiring lawmaker said from the Senate floor.