Congressman John Lewis’s infamous interview with NBC’s Chuck Todd, smearing the president-elect as illegitimate, was the first segment that aired on Meet the Press on Sunday. What’s apparent from the video is that not only did Lewis stick to his accusation, but Todd failed to push back at all. At one point he asked the congressman, “You're a man of action. You have been your whole life. You believe this president is not legitimate. What would you tell young folks, young activists to do?”
The interview seemed to start off normal enough with Todd inquiring, “Do you plan on trying to forge a relationship with Donald Trump?” The elder statesman didn’t think it would be easy and stated that it would be “very difficult,” because “I don't see this president-elect as a legitimate president.” Todd seemed a bit taken aback by his candor, only asking “Why is that?”
Lewis ranted about left-wing conspiracies, “I think the Russians participated in helping this man get elected and they helped destroy the candidacy of Hillary Clinton.” He explained that he would not be attending the inauguration of Donald Trump, because “You cannot be at home with something that you feel that it's wrong.”
“That’s going to send a big message to a lot of people in this country that you don't believe he's a legitimate president,” Todd seemed to force out in surprise. “I think there was a conspiracy on the part of the Russians and others that helped him get elected,” Lewis continued. And despite all of Lewis’ wild accusations, there was not an ounce of push back from Todd.
“When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have a moral obligation to do something. You cannot afford to be quiet or to be silent,” the congressman said in response to Todd’s question about what should “young activists” do. It’s noteworthy that Todd used the term “young activists” and not Americans, people, or voters.
The NBC moderator continued to provide no push back against the accusations while pressing Lewis on what the response should be from elected officials. “So what should be done? What should Nancy Pelosi do? What should Chuck Schumer do? What should Barack Obama do … Do you think the president has been too silent,” he wondered.
“If he’s not legitimate, though, how do you accept working with him under any circumstance,” Todd eventually asked. To which Lewis responded, “It will be very hard and difficult, almost impossible for me to work with him.”
Even though Todd admitted that the comments would “send a big message to a lot of people,” there was no scolding of the congressman for sowing the seeds hatred and division. Such commentary was common when Trump was playing coy about accepting a Clinton victory before the election. The liberal media do that now with his tweets about Hollywood and them.
There was also no mention that there appears to be evidence that the Clinton campaign was receiving aid from operatives in Ukraine, as discovered by Politico. Would Todd still allow such a baseless smear if the roles were reversed? Likely not, since he picked her side during the campaign.
Transcript below:
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NBC
Meet the Press
January 15, 2017
10:32:54 AM EasternCHUCK TODD: You have forged relationships with many presidents. Do you plan on trying to forge a relationship with Donald Trump?
JOHN LEWIS: You know, I believe in forgiveness. I believe in trying to work with people. It will be hard. It's going to be very difficult. I don't see this president-elect as a legitimate president.
TODD: You do not consider him a legitimate president? Why is that?
LEWIS: I think the Russians participated in helping this man get elected and they helped destroy the candidacy of Hillary Clinton. I don't plan to attend the inauguration. It is the first one I'll miss since I've been in the Congress. You cannot be at home with something that you feel that it's wrong.
TODD: That’ll send— That’s going to send a big message to a lot of people in this country that you don't believe he's a legitimate president.
LEWIS: I think there was a conspiracy on the part of the Russians, and others, that helped him get elected. That's not right. That's not fair. That's not the open, democratic process.
TODD: You're a man of action. You have been your whole life. You believe this president is not legitimate. What would you tell young folks, young activists to do?
LEWIS: I would say to young people, and I continue to say it today, and I'm going to say it during the next few days as we celebrate and commemorate the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., that when you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have a moral obligation to do something. You cannot afford to be quiet or to be silent.
TODD: So what should done? What should Nancy Pelosi do? What should Chuck Schumer do? What should Barack Obama do?
LEWIS: We should not be silent. We all must act.
TODD: Do you think the president has been too silent?
LEWIS: No, I’m not going to suggest the president has been too silent. He's the outgoing president. But those of us in position and those of us not in position, we've got to go out there and make some noise. We've got to organize.
TODD: That is a powerful thing to say coming from you that you do not believe he's a legitimately elected president. What should be done?
LEWIS: We must continue to work, continue to speak up speak out.
TODD: If he’s not legitimate though, how do you accept working with him under any circumstance?
LEWIS: It will be very hard and difficult, almost impossible for me to work with him.
