November 18, 2016 News & Press Releases · Press Releases and Announcements

Virginia Republicans…Are you Listening?


by Democratic Party of Virginia

Donald Trump has made several appointments, at least three of whom have denigrated Muslims or African Americans. One of Trump's surrogates cited Japanese interment as rational for a Muslim registry, and more conflicts of interest are coming to the surface.

This is not normal, but it will be if Virginia Republicans continue to do nothing, say nothing, and stand on the side of blind obedience.

Here's an overview of Trump's key appointments:

Steve Bannon, Chief Strategist:

Bannon is a nationalist who oversaw Brietbart News, an "Alt-Right" website that published headlines such as “Bill Kristol: Republican Spoiler, Renegade Jew,” and "There's no Hiring Bias Against Women...They Just Suck at Interviews."
  • The Washington Post Editorial Board noted the lack of condemnation from Republicans, saying, "Greater strength than that will be needed to resist the forces of intolerance whose representatives are now moving into the White House." [Washington Post Editorial, 11/14/2016]

Attorney General, Senator Jeff Sessions:

Senator Sessions was considered so racist that a Republican Senate under Reagan refused to confirm him for a federal judgeship:
  • "In testimony before the committee, former colleagues said that Mr. Sessions had referred to the N.A.A.C.P., the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and other civil rights groups as 'un-American' and 'Communist-inspired.' An African-American federal prosecutor then, Thomas H. Figures, said Mr. Sessions had referred to him as 'boy' and testified that Mr. Sessions said the Ku Klux Klan was fine 'until I found out they smoked pot.' Mr. Sessions dismissed that remark as a joke. [New York Times, 11/18/2016]

National Security Advisory, General Michael Flynn:

General Flynn promotes Islamaphobia and once said that fear of Muslims was rational, among other things.
  • "As an adviser, General Flynn has already proved to be a powerful influence on Mr. Trump, convincing the president-elect that the United States is in a “world war” with Islamist militants and must work with any willing allies in the fight, including President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia." [New York Times, 11/17/2016]

What did Virginia Republican Gubernatorial Candidates have to say about these appointments.. who speak of assaulting civil liberties, religious freedom, and America’s standing in the world?

Ed Gillespie: "Congratulations to my friend @Reince on his selection as White House CoS. He will do a great job for the American people." [Via Twitter, 11/13/2016]

Rob Wittman: Silence on appointments.

Corey Stewart: On Sessions appointment: "I commend the pick of Jeff Sessions for Attorney General. I am confident he will be a great change from his predecessor and will help restore #LawAndOrder while supporting our crackdown on criminal illegal immigrants." [Via Facebook, 11/18/2016]

Frank Wagner: Silence on appointments.