In an interview with Chuck Todd of NBC News, Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) said he believed there was a conspiracy by the “Russians and others” to elect Donald Trump and he does not consider him to be a legitimate president. This is uncharted territory, folks.
A segment of the interview with Rep. Lewis’ full, jaw-dropping remarks is below, along with a full transcript.
TODD: You’ve forged relationships with many presidents. Do you plan on trying to forge a relationship with Donald Trump?
LEWIS: You know, I believe in forgiveness. I believe in trying to work with people. It’s going to be hard. It’s going to be very difficult. I don’t see this president-elect as a legitimate president.
TODD: You do not see him as a legitimate president. Why is that?
LEWIS: I think the Russians participated in helping this man get elected. They helped destroy the candidacy of Hillary Clinton. I don’t plan to attend the inauguration. The first one that I’ll miss since I’ve been in the Congress. You cannot be at whole with something that you feel that is wrong.
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.
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.
The interview comes on the same day that House Democrats had a classified briefing with FBI Director James Comey and left the briefing absolutely outraged about what they learned:
"I was non-judgmental until the last 15 minutes. I no longer have that confidence in him," Rep. Tim Walz (D-Minn.), ranking member of the Veterans Affairs Committee, said as he left the meeting in the Capitol.
"Some of the things that were revealed in this classified briefing — my confidence has been shook."
Rep. Elijah Cummings (Md.), senior Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, delivered a similar condemnation.
"I'm extremely concerned — extremely," he said.
"I'll just — I'm very angry," echoed Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.).
Stay tuned.