Civil rights lion Rep. John Lewis, who marched with Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma while Donald Trump was seeking deferments from Vietnam, told NBC News he will not be attending the inauguration of Donald Trump:
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. I don't plan to attend the inauguration. It will be the first one I've missed since I've been in Congress. You cannot be at home with something that you feel is wrong, is not right.
Of course, Donald Trump took to Twitter to slap back at the civil rights icon, saying Lewis "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 mention crime infested) rather than falsely complaining about the election results. All talk, talk, talk - no action or results. Sad!" Trump wrote.
More from Politico:
Trump’s attack follows the formula of his previous response to slights on the campaign trail, including questioning Sen. John McCain’s war record. His choice of a target this time – the man who marched and was beaten in the “Bloody Sunday” march in Selma while protesting for civil rights – provoked a sharp response among lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
Lewis’ Democratic allies leapt quickly to his defense. “@repjohnlewis is a hero and I’m lucky to call him a colleague. You sir are not half the man he is. @realDonaldTrump,” tweeted Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Penn.). Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) tweeted: “John Lewis is an icon of the Civil Rights Movement who is fearless in the pursuit of justice and equality. He deserves better than this.”
More from Lewis' colleagues and supporters:
John Lewis and his "talk" have changed the world.https://t.co/qeUloAkeTx https://t.co/aH2vDLjKk9— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) January 14, 2017
Ahead of #MLKday2017, let us remember that many have tried to silence @repjohnlewis over the years. All have failed.— Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) January 14, 2017
.@realDonaldTrump stands with V. Putin. I stand with @repjohnlewis.— (((Rep. Nadler))) (@RepJerryNadler) January 14, 2017
@RubenKihuen don't answer a dumb tweet with the same. I know the antics seemed to work, but it's below the people in your constituency— Laura (@eneeveeeighty8) January 14, 2017
John Lewis was nearly beaten to death because when he fought for civil rights. "All talk" is not the right attack here. https://t.co/nZ9NeRZLuS— Emily C. Singer (@CahnEmily) January 14, 2017
While you avoided the draft, John Lewis risked his life for equality in America. You'll never even dream of such selfless patriotism, Donald https://t.co/gTWwfzkwkH— Evan McMullin (@Evan_McMullin) January 14, 2017
Trump's John Lewis comments are even more egregious when you realize he probably has no idea who Lewis is.— Bradford Pearson (@BradfordPearson) January 14, 2017
Attacking a man who risked his life for civil rights over MLK weekend is not a good way to counter perception that racism propelled campaign— Patrick Thornton (@pwthornton) January 14, 2017
Donald Trump just started trash talking John Lewis on MLK weekend. Here's why we celebrate MLK weekend and oh look there's Lewis pic.twitter.com/j20KBk6snQ— Jack Miller (@politicalmiller) January 14, 2017
.@realDonaldTrump begins MLK weekend by attacking @repjohnlewis, a legend of the Civil Rights Movement and an American hero. Truly shameful. pic.twitter.com/q2Kg3ECd21— Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin) January 14, 2017
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