17 for ’17: How Ga. Politicians And Trump Got Along
In an interview with CNN in January, Lewis said Trump is not a “legitimate president” and he would not attend the inauguration.
Susan Walsh / Associated Press
WABE News is looking back at the top 17 news stories in 2017.
President Trump polarized Georgia politicians long before his inauguration this January, but it was comments by civil rights leader, and Democratic Congressman John Lewis, that began a feud which illustrates, at least in part, divisions between the people who represent the state in Washington.
In an interview with CNN in January, Lewis said Trump is not a “legitimate president” and he would not attend the inauguration.
Soon after, Trump went on Twitter, attacking Lewis, and Georgia’s 5th Congressional District.
Related: Politicians, Atlanta Residents Slam Trump’s John Lewis Comments
“Congressman John Lewis should spend more time on fixing and helping his district, which is in horrible shape and falling apart (not to mention crime infested),” Trump said. “Rather than falsely complaining about the election results. All talk, talk, talk – no action or results. Sad!”
Congressman John Lewis should spend more time on fixing and helping his district, which is in horrible shape and falling apart (not to……
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2017
Lewis was the only member of Congress in Georgia who voted in support of Trump’s impeachment in early December.
Georgia’s Republican members of Congress have voted in-line with Trump’s agenda between 92 and 98 percent of the time, according to a tracker from the political news website, FiveThirtyEight.
Sen. David Perdue has been one of the most outspoken backers of Trump. The president held a press conference with Perdue and Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton to show his support for a proposal that would curb legal immigration.
Trump is likely to loom over congressional contests and a race for governor in 2018.
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