DeSaulnier’s Statement on Naming Steve Bannon as White House Chief Strategist

Today, US Congressman Mark DeSaulnier issued a statement on President-elect Donald Trump naming Steve Bannon as White House Chief Strategist.

The move comes a day after members of congress issued a letter to the President-elect urging him to rescind the appointment.

Congressman DeSaulnier’s Statement on Naming Steve Bannon as White House Chief Strategist

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) issued the following statement on the naming of Executive Chairman of Breitbart News and alt-right movement leader, Stephen Bannon as Chief Strategist to President-elect Trump.

“On election night, President-elect Trump spoke of the need to unite the American people following a divisive election. Naming Steve Bannon as White House Chief Strategist directly contradicts this message. Putting someone in the White House with a clear record of divisive and hateful rhetoric speaks to concerns that millions of Americans have about the Trump Administration and what it will mean for minority groups and the diversity that is the fabric of our country. While the President-elect can name any advisors he choices, I urge him to immediately reconsider Mr. Bannon,” said Congressman DeSaulnier.

Here is a copy of a letter send by members of Congress per Congressman Eric Swalwell which was posted on his Facebook Page on Tuesday. He stated the following:

“Today, I agreed to sign a letter urging President-elect Donald Trump to rescind his appointment of Stephen Bannon as chief strategist” said Swalwell.

Here is a copy of the letter he posted:

Dear President-elect Trump

Immediately following your victory, many Americans were optimistic and hopeful that you would take the steps necessary to unify our country following the divisive and contentious election. In your election night speech you said “Now it’s time for America to bind the wounds of division. It’s time for us to come together as one united people.” Unfortunately, your appointment of Stephen Bannon, whose ties to the White Nationalist movement have been well-documented, directly undermines your ability to unite the country. As elected representatives of millions of Americans from diverse backgrounds, religions, and ethnicities, we strongly urge you to reconsider your decision to appoint Mr. Bannon to White House Chief Strategist.

Since the election there have been a number of incidents across the country which minorities, including Muslim Americans, African Americans, and Jewish Americans have been the targets of violence, harassment and intimidation. Mr. Bannon’s appointment sends the wrong message to people who have engaged in those types of activities, indicating that they will not only be tolerated, but endorsed by your Administration. Millions of Americans have expressed fear and concern about how they will be treated by the Trump Administration and your appointment of Mr. Bannon only exacerbates and validates their concerns.

As the Executive Chairman of Breitbart News, Mr. Bannon repeatedly and aggressively pushed stories that promote anti-Semitism, xenophobia, and racism. During an interview last summer, Mr. Bannon bragged that Breitbart was “the platform for the alt-right,” a movement that upholds White nationalism while strongly rejecting diversity in any form. Under Mr. Bannon’s leadership, Breitbart has referred to the leading Republican who opposed your election as a “Renegade Jew” and suggested “Young Muslims in the West are a ticking time bomb,” declared that the “Confederate flag proclaims a glorious heritage,” and praised the alt-right as a “smarter” version of “old-school racist skinheads.”

Disturbingly, leading white nationalist like former KKK Grand Dragon David Duke, American Nazi Party Chairman Rocky J. Suhadya, Richard Spencer, Peter Brimelow, and Brad Griffin have praised the news of Mr. Bannon’s appointment. We believe it should concern you that civil rights groups, including the Anti-Defamation League and Southern Poverty Law Center, are widely opposed to Mr. Bannon’s appointment.

As Members of Congress we are committed to working with your administration in good faith, but we strongly believe that Mr. Bannon’s appointment will not allow the country to heal and come together as one. As one of your top advisors, the White House chief strategist will help set the tone for your administration. The person in this role must be prepared to serve the interests of all Americans, not those of a select few.

Once again, we strongly urge you to rescind this appointment immediately and build a diverse White House staff who are committed to the core values of inclusiveness, diversity and tolerance.

Sincerely,
Members of Congress