Esty Denounces Trump's Appointment of Racist Conspiracy Theorist to White House

Statement

Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) today issued the following statement on President-elect Donald Trump's appointment of Stephen Bannon, a white nationalist who has incited violence against marginalized communities throughout the country:

"President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly pledged to heal our divisions and bring the nation together. My hope -- and the hope of men and women across the country, regardless of party affiliation -- is that Donald Trump will stay true to that commitment and appoint advisors who are prepared to help him serve all Americans. Bannon has built his career peddling racist, sexist, and homophobic falsehoods. He is unfit to serve in any administration that values equality, diversity, peace, or even basic facts.

"The problem with this appointment isn't what it symbolizes; it is the real, dangerous consequences it will have for American families. In the last year alone in our congressional district, we've seen shots fired into a local mosque and LGBTQ pride flags torn apart and burned. Just in the past week, swastikas were carved into and painted on multiple Danbury properties. As President-elect, Trump must send a message that these hateful acts of violence have no place in our nation. The appointment of Bannon does the opposite.

"I stand ready to work with Donald Trump and his administration to find bipartisan solutions that will expand our economy, improve our infrastructure, and keep our nation safe. But I will also oppose him forcefully any time he takes steps to endanger our nation or the families I represent. With the appointment of Bannon, he has taken such a step, and I strongly urge him to reconsider."

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