![\"John](\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.towleroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/lewis.jpeg?resize=600%2C306\")
<\/a><\/p>\nDonald Trump attacked civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) on Saturday morning following an NBC News interview in which Lewis said he wouldn\u2019t be attending the inauguration because he doesn\u2019t consider Trump a legitimate president and believes his election was a \u201cconspiracy\u201d on the part of the Russians.<\/p>\n
Said Lewis:<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t see the\u00a0president-elect as a legitimate president. I think the Russians participated in helping this man<\/a> get elected. And they helped destroy the candidacy of Hillary Clinton. I don\u2019t plan to attend the inauguration. It would be the first one that I\u2019ll miss since I\u2019ve been in Congress.<\/p>\n \u201cYou cannot be at home with something that you feel is wrong. I think there was a conspiracy on the part of the Russians and others that helped him get elected. That\u2019s not right. That\u2019s not fair. That\u2019s not the open democratic process.\u201d<\/p>\n Watch:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Trump, predictably, came for Lewis on Twitter:<\/p>\n Congressman John Lewis should spend more time on fixing and helping his district, which is in horrible shape and falling apart (not to\u2026\u2026<\/p>\n \u2014 Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2017<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n mention crime infested) rather than falsely complaining about the election results. All talk, talk, talk \u2013 no action or results. Sad!<\/p>\n \u2014 Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2017<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Lawmakers quickly came to the defense of Lewis:<\/p>\n Ahead of #MLKday2017<\/a>, let us remember that many have tried to silence @repjohnlewis<\/a> over the years. All have failed.<\/p>\n \u2014 Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) January 14, 2017<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n 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. t.co\/WX1QDCKfzP<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) January 14, 2017<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n .@realDonaldTrump<\/a>: This is not talk. @repjohnlewis<\/a> is an American hero. pic.twitter.com\/UNQAWjVwhC<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) January 14, 2017<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n John Lewis and his “talk” have changed the world.t.co\/qeUloAkeTx<\/a> t.co\/aH2vDLjKk9<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) January 14, 2017<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n .@repjohnlewis<\/a> knows true sacrifice. @realDonaldTrump<\/a> has no clue. When cluelessness collides with power oppression results. Resistance! t.co\/Eu1vWbetsl<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Rep. Keith Ellison (@keithellison) January 14, 2017<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n .@repjohnlewis<\/a> is a hero and I’m lucky to call<\/a> him a colleague. You sir are not half the man<\/a> he is. @realDonaldTrump<\/a> t.co\/f7VwPYQNiz<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Brendan Boyle (@RepBrendanBoyle) January 14, 2017<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n .@repjohnlewis<\/a> is a hero who has given his life to equal rights. He’s been locked up, beaten up, spit on and still never lost his fight<\/p>\n \u2014 Gerry Connolly (@GerryConnolly) January 14, 2017<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Trump’s tweets are repulsive<\/p>\n \u2014 Gerry Connolly (@GerryConnolly) January 14, 2017<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Cowardly @realDonaldTrump<\/a> isn’t fit to polish hero @repjohnlewis<\/a>‘s boots.<\/p>\n \u2014 Yvette D. Clarke (@RepYvetteClarke) January 14, 2017<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n .@realDonaldTrump<\/a> stands with V. Putin. I stand with @repjohnlewis<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u2014 (((Rep. Nadler))) (@RepJerryNadler) January 14, 2017<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Is this really happening? The incoming President is attacking an American civil rights icon during Martin Luther King Jr. weekend?<\/p>\n \u2014 David Cicilline (@davidcicilline) January 14, 2017<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Here’s a tip: Instead of attacking civil rights icons like John Lewis, reach out to all the Americans feeling threatened by your presidency. t.co\/BjRfOAUIgX<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) January 14, 2017<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The post Donald Trump Attacks Civil Rights Icon John Lewis for Questioning His Legitimacy as President-Elect: WATCH<\/a> appeared first on Towleroad<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
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