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Bernie Sanders calls on Donald Trump to fire Stephen Bannon

"We are not going backward"

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The Independent US
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Jonathan Alcorn/Getty

On Wednesday, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders called on President-elect Donald Trump to remove Stephen Bannon’s appointment to the White House.

The self-proclaimed Democratic socialist called the promotion unacceptable and said that hatred and bigotry cannot be tolerated by anyone in office.

“Over the years, we have made progress in becoming a less discriminatory and more tolerant society – and we are not going backward,” Mr Sanders said in his statement.

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“The appointment by President-elect Trump of a racist individual like Mr. Bannon to a position of authority is totally unacceptable.

"In a democratic society, we can disagree all we want over issues, but racism and bigotry cannot be part of any public policy.”

Mr Sanders is just one of many Democrats condemning the president-elect for appointing Mr Bannon as his chief strategist.

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    Patrons hold a sign as people march by while protesting the election of Republican Donald Trump as the president of the United States in downtown Los Angeles, California

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    Demonstrators rally following the election of Republican Donald Trump as President of the United States, in Oakland, California

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    Demonstrators march following the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States

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    Thousands of protesters rallied across the United States expressing shock and anger over Donald Trump's election, vowing to oppose divisive views they say helped the Republican billionaire win the presidency

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    Demonstrators protest outside the Chicago Theatre in Chicago, Illinois

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    A police officer aims a launcher after demonstrators threw projectiles toward a line of officers during a demonstration in Oakland, California

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    An officer examines a vandalized police vehicle as demonstrators riot in Oakland, California

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    Demonstrators take over the Hollywood 101 Freeway just north of Los Angeles City Hall in protest against the election of Republican Donald Trump as President of the United States

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    A woman holds up a sign reading 'Trump you are an Idiot' as demonstrators gather during a protest against President-elect Donald Trump outside the City Hall building in Los Angeles, California

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    A masked demonstrator gestures toward a police line during a demonstration in Oakland, California

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    Demonstrators protest against the election of Republican Donald Trump as President of the United States, near the Trump International Hotel & Tower in Las Vegas, Nevada

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    Musician Lagy Gaga stages a protest against Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on a sanitation truck outside Trump Tower in New York City

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    A woman yells as she takes part in a protest against President-elect Donald Trump in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood

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    A man dressed in red-white-and-blue sits on the curb during a protest against President-elect Donald Trump in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood

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    A protester sets off fireworks during a protest against President-elect Donald Trumpin Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood

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    University of California, Davis students protest on campus in Davis, California, U.S. following the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States

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    An Oakland police officer checks out damage after a window was broken by protesters at a car dealership in downtown Oakland, Calif

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    A protester faces a police line in downtown Oakland, Calif

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    President-elect Donald Trumpís victory set off multiple protests

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    A fire burns during protests in Oakland, Calif

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He also doubled-down on his comments during a speech at George Washington University on Wednesday night.

“The president of the United States should not have a racist at his side,” he told the audience.

“I call up on Mr Trump to rescind the appointment of Mr Bannon.”