Pence: Lewis' Comments Questioning Trump's Legitimacy 'Deeply Disappointing'
- 7 years ago
On Sunday, Mike Pence responded to comments by Rep. John Lewis questioning President-elect's legitimacy.
Donald Trump’s team is speaking out in defense of his controversial comments about civil rights leader, Representative John Lewis of Georgia.
The controversy began when Lewis, a Democrat, said in a recent NBC News interview, “I don't see this president-elect as a legitimate president...I think the Russians participated in helping this man get elected. And they helped destroy the candidacy of Hillary Clinton.”
On Fox News Sunday, Vice President-elect Mike Pence said to host Chris Wallace, “Donald Trump won this election fair and square. The American people know that and while I have great respect for John Lewis and his contributions, particularly with the civil rights movement, I was deeply disappointed to see someone of his stature question the legitimacy of Donald Trump’s election as president and say he’s not attending the inauguration.”
The same day, incoming White House chief of staff Reince Priebus told George Stephanopoulos on ABC's 'This Week' that “...we look up to John Lewis and his historic contribution to civil rights and voting rights…”
Priebus then went on to add, in part, “But here is the problem. We need folks like John Lewis, and others, who I think have been champions of voter rights actually recognize the fact that Donald Trump was duly elected....And I think it's incredibly disappointing and I think it's irresponsible for people like himself to question the legitimacy of the next United States president.”
Trump had responded on Saturday by tweeting, “Congressman John Lewis should spend more time on fixing and helping his district, which is in horrible shape and falling apart (not to mention crime infested) rather than falsely complaining about the election results. All talk, talk, talk - no action or results. Sad!”
The president-elect later followed up with another post, writing, “Congressman John Lewis should finally focus on the burning and crime infested inner-cities of the U.S. I can use all the help I can get!”
Donald Trump’s team is speaking out in defense of his controversial comments about civil rights leader, Representative John Lewis of Georgia.
The controversy began when Lewis, a Democrat, said in a recent NBC News interview, “I don't see this president-elect as a legitimate president...I think the Russians participated in helping this man get elected. And they helped destroy the candidacy of Hillary Clinton.”
On Fox News Sunday, Vice President-elect Mike Pence said to host Chris Wallace, “Donald Trump won this election fair and square. The American people know that and while I have great respect for John Lewis and his contributions, particularly with the civil rights movement, I was deeply disappointed to see someone of his stature question the legitimacy of Donald Trump’s election as president and say he’s not attending the inauguration.”
The same day, incoming White House chief of staff Reince Priebus told George Stephanopoulos on ABC's 'This Week' that “...we look up to John Lewis and his historic contribution to civil rights and voting rights…”
Priebus then went on to add, in part, “But here is the problem. We need folks like John Lewis, and others, who I think have been champions of voter rights actually recognize the fact that Donald Trump was duly elected....And I think it's incredibly disappointing and I think it's irresponsible for people like himself to question the legitimacy of the next United States president.”
Trump had responded on Saturday by tweeting, “Congressman John Lewis should spend more time on fixing and helping his district, which is in horrible shape and falling apart (not to mention crime infested) rather than falsely complaining about the election results. All talk, talk, talk - no action or results. Sad!”
The president-elect later followed up with another post, writing, “Congressman John Lewis should finally focus on the burning and crime infested inner-cities of the U.S. I can use all the help I can get!”