By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
November 16, 2016, Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D-Selma) joined 169 of her Congressional Colleagues in signing a letter addressed to President-elect Donald J. Trump (R) announcing their opposition to the appointment of former Breitbart News Executive Stephen K. Bannon as White House Chief Strategist.
US Representative Sewell said in a statement, “The appointment of Steve Bannon, who has promoted views of bigotry, divisiveness, and fear throughout his career, is both disturbing and dangerous. Donald Trump built his campaign on misinformation and bigotry. Unfortunately, his appointment of Steve Bannon is a clear indication that he will govern as he campaigned. As a daughter of Selma and the Representative of the 7th Congressional District of Alabama, I am painfully aware of the damage that hateful rhetoric and prejudice has on the American people. We simply cannot go back to times that divided and weakened our country and our progress.”
Congresswoman Sewell said, “President-Elect Trump should reconsider his appointment of Steve Bannon and move forward to staff his administration with people who seek to uplift all Americans with truth and respect. After one of the most hateful and polarizing election cycles in history, now is the time to show true leadership by working to unite this country and diminish the flames of dissension and fear.”
Stephen Kevin “Steve” Bannon served seven years as an officer in the US Navy. After the Navy he worked at investment bank Goldman Sachs. He left to form his own company: Bannon & Co. which he sold in 1999. Bannon then became a movie producer. A documentary about Ronald Reagan introduced him to Peter Schjweizer and Andrew Breitbart. He was the CEO of Affinity Media for four years. When Breitbart News was founded, Bannon was a member of the founding board. He took over Breitbart News after Andrew Breitbart’s untimely death. Bannon and Breitbart news was a strongly supporter of Donald Trump’s Presidential campaign.
When Donald Trump’s national campaign chairman Paul Manafort stepped down, on August 17, 2016, Bannon was appointed Chief Executive of Donald Trump’s campaign.
Following Trump’s 306 to 229 electoral college win over former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. President-Elect Trump has announced that Bannon will be his Senior political strategists and senior counselor.
Democrats are highly critical of Bannon’s works at Breitbart News, which is openly partisan and staunchly conservative as well as reactionary.
Congresswoman Sewell represents Alabama’s Seventh Congressional District and is the only Democrat in the Alabama Congressional Delegation.
