McCollum Remarks on Appointment of Stephen Bannon as White House Chief Strategist

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) delivered the following remarks on the House Floor this afternoon about President-elect Donald Trump’s appointment of Stephen Bannon, the former Executive Editor of Breitbart News and a leader of the alt-right movement, as chief strategist and senior counselor in the White House:

“Donald Trump’s hateful campaign has divided our nation. After the election, Mr. Trump promised Americans that he would ‘bind the wounds of division.’

“Yet his appointment of Stephen Bannon as chief White House strategist is proof of the ugly direction Mr. Trump intends to take our country. Bannon built his media career catering to white supremacists and anti-Semites. The fact that Republicans have been silent on Bannon’s appointment is a disturbing sign. It shows that the Republican Party has embraced Trump’s campaign agenda of blatant sexism, racial bigotry, and religious intolerance.

“This un-American ideology must be confronted both here in Congress and in our communities. For millions of people, including families in my district, Trump’s election means they are now living under a shroud of fear. Here in this House and at home in Minnesota, I pledge to keep fighting to defend our fellow Americans from Trump’s extreme agenda.

“If we want a strong America where all families have the opportunity to succeed, we must stand united and reject those who fan the flames of hate.”