Rep. John Lewis told NBC he wouldn't be at Donald Trump's inauguration because he doesn't think Trump "is a legitimate president."
And Trump didn't like that. He responded on Twitter:
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
But here's the thing. Lewis is known as a civil rights leader. In the '60s he was a chairman for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and also marched with Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, Alabama.
So you can imagine the president-elect suggesting Lewis is all talk and no action didn't go over well with some people. Several politicians and lawmakers came to Lewis' defense.
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. https://t.co/WX1QDCKfzP
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) January 14, 2017
.@realDonaldTrump: This is not talk. @repjohnlewis is an American hero. pic.twitter.com/UNQAWjVwhC
— Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) January 14, 2017
As we honor MLK, I'll always stand by my friend, American hero @repjohnlewis. We'll lock arms & resist any effort to roll back civil rights.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) January 14, 2017
My friend @repjohnlewis is an American hero. A champion for justice and reconciliation. @realDonaldTrump could learn smth from his example
— Senator Mazie Hirono (@maziehirono) January 14, 2017
.@repjohnlewis is a hero and I'm lucky to call him a colleague. You sir are not half the man he is. @realDonaldTrump https://t.co/f7VwPYQNiz
— Brendan Boyle (@RepBrendanBoyle) January 14, 2017
Here's a tip: Instead of attacking civil rights icons like John Lewis, reach out to all the Americans feeling threatened by your presidency. https://t.co/BjRfOAUIgX
— Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) January 14, 2017
John Lewis is an American hero.
You're a fake billionaire who won't release his taxes.
Put down Twitter and get serious about governing. https://t.co/LIvpXhX2wX
— David Cicilline (@davidcicilline) January 14, 2017
"All talk, no action."
I stand with @repjohnlewis and I will not be attending the inauguration. pic.twitter.com/z8Q0wA9OPK
— Mark Takano (@RepMarkTakano) January 14, 2017
As of early afternoon Saturday, Trump hadn't responded.
