In response to President-elect Donald Trump’s choice of Steve Bannon to serve as his chief political advisor, Interfaith Alliance president Rabbi Jack Moline issued the following statement:

“The choice of Steve Bannon as chief political advisor in President-elect Trump’s White House is a clear indication that the concerns about the new president’s judgment were well-founded. Mr. Bannon has built a career on divisiveness and has celebrated the worst inclinations of American society. As campaign strategist, Mr. Bannon elevated misogyny, xenophobia and racism by reintroducing intimidation and intimation into the already fractious rhetoric. These tactics were consistent with his ignoble career in the private sector.

“A president is entitled to appoint his own staff, and no one, including me, must agree with every choice. This appointment, however, is different. It exacerbates the concerns of Americans who feared the consequences of a Trump presidency and makes reconciliation and healing that much more difficult. I call on Mr. Trump to reconsider this appointment for the good of his administration and the American people he hopes to unite.”

Interfaith Alliance is a network of people of diverse faiths and beliefs from across the country working together to build a resilient democracy and fulfill America’s promise of religious freedom and civil rights not just for some, but for all. We mobilize powerful coalitions to challenge Christian nationalism and religious extremism, while fostering a better understanding of the healthy boundaries between religion and government. We advocate at all levels of government for an equitable and just America where the freedoms of belief and religious practice are protected, and where all persons are treated with dignity and have the opportunity to thrive. For more information visit interfaithalliance.org.