The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) hit back at the White House for criticizing Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) for deciding to skip the opening of a Mississippi civil rights museum.
The civil rights icon and Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) said Thursday he would also skip the opening of the museum over Trump’s planned attendance, calling it an “insult” to the civil rights movement for the president to attend.
The White House responded later in the day, saying it is an “unfortunate” decision. {mosads}
“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.
On Thursday, CBC chairman Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.) responded to the White House statement.
“It’s laughable that the White House is criticizing Rep. John Lewis and Rep. Bennie Thompson for not attending the opening of a civil rights museum that honors the sacrifice of …wait… John Lewis, Bennie Thompson & many others.”
Lewis was a prominent leader during the civil rights movement of the 1960s and was badly beaten by police along with other activists during a famous march in Selma, Ala.
He 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.”