BALTIMORE – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Special Representative on Anti-Semitism, Racism, and Intolerance for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly, issued the following statement.

“President-elect Trump’s road to the White House was a bumpy one littered with hate-filled rhetoric that stirred racist, anti-Semitic, misogynistic and xenophobic actions from the candidate and his supporters. In the week since the election, Mr. Trump has talked about healing the country and bringing people together. If he truly wants to be a president for all the people, he must start by renouncing the ugly rhetoric of the campaign and surround himself with men and women of the highest character who want to bring communities together rather than tear one another apart. The naming of Stephen Bannon to be a senior White House strategist is deeply troubling. He has been a proud poster-child for white nationalism, anti-Semitism and misogynistic views. Unless he can show a clear break from these divisive views, Stephen Bannon should not be allowed anywhere near the White House, let alone advising the President of the United States on all matters. Hate cannot be the ruling force in our nation and it certainly should not have an office in the West Wing. As he prepares to take on the highest office in the land, I call on President-elect Trump and his incoming staff to show that ‘American values’ still stands for what is good and right in the world, and firmly and clearly distance themselves from this heinous history in both words and deeds.”

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