This week, congressman and long-time civil rights leader John Lewis spoke out in regards to Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration, claiming that his presidency is illegitimate and as a result, he would not be attending the event.
In response to this bold stance, and on the weekend of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President-elect has taken to this chosen public speaking method to condemn Lewis, saying that he is all talk, no action.
Congressman John Lewis should spend more time on fixing and helping his district, which is in horrible shape and falling apart (not to……
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2017
mention crime infested) rather than falsely complaining about the election results. All talk, talk, talk – no action or results. Sad!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2017
Lewis’ strong anti-Trump stance was hampered by his ravings about the Russian government, buying into wholeheartedly the idea that Trump won the election because of the interference of a foreign government rather than the incompetence of the Democratic party.
Lewis is one of many elected officials who have made clear their plans to skip the inauguration, and we will likely see more of the same coming forward in the final days before the event.
Trump’s response to Lewis is predictably being ill-received, with many outraged that Trump would offer so little respect to the renowned civil rights leader.
It’s telling, I’m afraid, that Donald Trump treats Vladimir Putin with more respect than he does John Lewis.
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) January 14, 2017
Some have disagreed with Lewis’ public stance, saying that if nothing more, Lewis and others should respect the Democratic tradition of a peaceful transfer of power. Of course, if the shoe were on the other foot, Republicans would care nothing for tradition.
Maybe it’s time that the Democratic party stop paying so much lip service to tradition when it comes to Donald Trump – especially when he has shown that he has no respect for ceremony or tradition himself.
