Top Minnesota Democrats Speak Out Against Steve Bannon, Donald Trump's Chief Strategist

President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Steve Bannon, his combative campaign chief, former head of Breitbart News, and a supporter of the alt-right as his chief strategist. The move has many people worried, including several top Minnesota Democrats.

"Once the news of Bannon’s appointment hit white supremacist websites last night, forums like Stormfront erupted in celebration," Southern Poverty Law Center President Richard Cohen said Monday. "The alt-right, as we know, is simply a rebranding of white nationalism and is the energy behind the avalanche of racist and anti-Semitic harassment that plagued social media platforms for the entire presidential campaign."

Bannon was a controversial figure well before he began working for Trump. In a 2015 article about him, Bloomberg News called Bannon "the Most Dangerous Political Operative in America."

On Monday, Keith Ellison, who represents parts of Minneapolis in Congress and is currently being considered for the top job at the DNC, released a statement condemning Bannon:

“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."

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"Bannon built his media career catering to white supremacists and anti-Semites," Ellison added.

"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."

On Tuesday, Sen. Al Franken said on Facebook that "Steve Bannon is a disgrace and should never have a place in the White House."

Betty McCollum, whose district includes Saint Paul, has also condemned Bannon.

"This un-American ideology must be confronted both here in Congress and in our communities," McCollum said in a statement.

"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."

Image via Michael Vadon, Flickr, used under Creative Commons