Watson Coleman Statement On Trump Naming Stephen Bannon as Chief White House Strategist
For Immediate Release:
Washington, D.C. (November 15, 2016) – Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released the following statement after President-elect Trump announced the appointment of Breitbart News executive chairman Steve Bannon as his chief strategist:
“The appointment of self-described leader of the “alt-right” Stephen K. Bannon as President Elect Donald Trump’s new strategist cancels out the President Elect’s suggestion that he wants to be a President for all of America.
“As Chairman of Breitbart Media, Mr. Bannon created a platform for such intense racist, anti-immigrant, anti-Semitic, anti-Muslim rhetoric that has been rejected by even most conservative news outlets. Mr. Trump’s disgraceful appointment of Stephen Bannon as senior strategist suggests that we will continue to see the same racist and divisive rhetoric that ripped this country apart during one of America’s ugliest political contests in history.
“Governing is not bullying others to get what you want. Governing is not continually dividing our nation with hateful rhetoric and actions. Governing requires the pursuit of unity and consensus—goals that are antithetical to Mr. Bannon’s record. The appointment of this provocateur of hate as a leader in your White House is an immediate direct affront to religious and racial minorities, women, and generally Americans of good will at a time when consensus is desperately needed.
“Mr. Bannon’s record is disqualifying for serving in a White House that seeks to serve all Americans. That is why I strongly encourage President-elect Trump to rescind Mr. Bannon’s appointment from this position.”