AP16:157
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 2016
CONTACT:
Jesse Melgar or Sam Mahood
(916) 653-6575
Secretary of State Alex Padilla Condemns Trump Appointment of Extremist Steve Bannon
SACRAMENTO – Responding to Mr. Trump's appointment of anti-immigrant extremist Steve Bannon, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla released the following statement:
“Less than a week after his election, Mr. Trump's early decisions demonstrate a lack of commitment to the values that make America truly great – tolerance, compassion and respect.
With the appointment of Steve Bannon as “chief strategist” Mr. Trump is effectively giving white supremacists and anti-Semites a seat at the table. While the Trump campaign ran on a platform that emphasized immigrant bashing and an open flirtation with the Alt-right, Bannon will likely seek to make these policies a reality. The appointments of Bannon and Kris Kobach are direct threats to American liberty, multiculturalism and equal opportunity, as well as in direct conflict with Mr. Trump’s assertions that he wants to bring Americans together.
Mr. Trump’s directive to his supporters to stop harassing minorities rings hollow when in the next breath he welcomes extremists into his administration. I am reassured that a majority of Americans voted to reject these xenophobic, anti-immigrant and discriminatory policies at the polls. Calling for the mass deportation of millions of immigrants and the separation of families will further divide a country Mr. Trump says he wants to unite. I am committed to working with my colleagues in California to ensure that disadvantaged communities are protected from policies that devalue and demonize our neighbors, families and friends. These policies will not go unchallenged.”
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