For More from Rep. John Lewis, Tune in to MSNBC’s “MTP Daily” Today at 5 p.m. ET and “Meet the Press with Chuck Todd” This Sunday
JAN. 13, 2016 – “I don’t see this president-elect as a legitimate president,” Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) told “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd today in an exclusive interview, airing this Sunday on the network broadcast. “I think the Russians participated in helping this man get elected. And they helped destroy the candidacy of Hillary Clinton,” he said.
Rep. Lewis added: “I don’t plan to attend the inauguration. It will be the first one that I miss since I’ve been in Congress. You cannot be at home with something that you feel that is wrong, is not right.” Watch: http://nbcnews.to/2jNabul.
The transcript of this interview excerpt is below; if using the attached photos, please include credit to “NBC News/Bill Plowman.”
Tune in this Sunday for more from Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) as well as an exclusive interview with Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), ranking Democrat on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Reince Priebus, chief of staff to President-elect Donald Trump, will also join Sunday’s show.
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CHUCK TODD:
You have forged relationships with many presidents. Do you plan on trying to forge a relationship with Donald Trump?
REP. 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.
CHUCK TODD:
You do not consider him a legitimate president?
REP. JOHN LEWIS:
No —
CHUCK TODD:
Why is that?
REP. JOHN 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 will be the first one that I miss since I’ve been in the Congress. You cannot be at home with something that you feel that is wrong, is not right.
CHUCK TODD:
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.
REP. JOHN LEWIS:
I think there was a conspiracy on the part of the Russians and others to help him get elected. That’s not right. That’s not fair. That’s not the open, Democratic process.
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