Lawmakers, pundits react to Bannon, Priebus White House roles

Pundits and politicians praised Priebus, while others slammed Bannon, the former head of the alt-right Brietbart News.

 

Priebus is currently the chairman of the Republican National Committee, while Bannon served as the chief executive officer for Trump’s presidential campaign.

 

Fellow Wisconsinites Paul Ryan and Scott Walker praised the choice for chief of staff, while former Ted Cruz staffer Amanda Carpenter said Priebus would “make the trains run” in the White House.

 

Reince will be an outstanding Chief of Staff! Congrats to our fellow cheesehead!

— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) November 13, 2016

Let’s be real. Reince is going to make the trains run while Trump and Bannon brainstorm new conspiracy theories

— Amanda Carpenter (@amandacarpenter) November 13, 2016

Congrats to @realDonaldTrump for outstanding choice of @Reince to be Chief of Staff. This shows me he is serious about governing. (1/2)

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) November 13, 2016

I’m very proud and excited for my friend @Reince. Congrats!

— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) November 13, 2016

Congrats to Reince Priebus for being named Chief of Staff for Pres-elect Trump! Look forward to working with you to #MakeAmericaGreat #TCOT

— Rep. Jeff Duncan (@RepJeffDuncan) November 13, 2016

Louisiana Senate candidate and ex-KKK leader David Duke seemed less enthusiastic about the pick of Priebus, who is aligned with GOP leadership. 

I thought we were draining the swamp? Here we go again……#BREAKING https://t.co/l2DLzbMxLA

— David Duke (@DrDavidDuke) November 13, 2016

The reaction to Bannon’s elevated role was critical and swift. A spokesman for retiring Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, a vocal critic of Trump, said the hire “signals that White Supremacists will be represented at the highest levels” of the new administration. 

 

Reid spox: Bannon’s new WH position “signals that White Supremacists will be represented at the highest levels in Trump’s White House.” pic.twitter.com/oIl3J5gIXY

— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) November 14, 2016

 

Intelligence committee ranking Democrat Adam Schiff called Bannon “anti-Semitic” and “misogynistic.”

Selection of Steve Bannon for senior WH role unsurprising but alarming. His alt-right, anti-Semitic & misogynistic views don’t belong in WH

— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) November 13, 2016

Oh, hell! White supremacist, anti gay, anti Semite, vindictive, scary-ass dude named Senior Strategist. After vomiting, be afraid, America. https://t.co/cZvP3vccjS

— Ana Navarro (@ananavarro) November 13, 2016

Just to be clear news media, the next president named a racist, anti-semite as the co-equal of the chief of staff. #NotNormal

— John Weaver (@JWGOP) November 13, 2016

So y’all aren’t worried about Bannon having access to State secrets? Just think of him as a racist homebrewed server, should get you angry.

— Bakari Sellers (@Bakari_Sellers) November 13, 2016

Bannon with top WH position should surprise no one.

Unrealistic to expect Pres Trump is suddenly different person from candidate Trump.

— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) November 13, 2016

Let’s hope that @Reince has influence to check bigotry of Bannon, more so than during campaign phase. Our liberty is riding on it.

— Mindy Finn (@mindyfinn) November 13, 2016

Bannon has been widely criticized by the left for articles Brietbart ran while he was in charge.

 

Democrats worked hard during the campaign to link Trump to the “alt-right” movement and associate him with racist and anti-Semitic groups.