SARA MURRAY: Donald Trump's choice of Reince Priebus as his chief of staff has left some establishment Republicans feeling pretty pleased, there's plenty of concern about the fact that Reince Priebus and Stephen Bannon were billed as equal partners in their high-profile roles in the upcoming Trump White House, and has some worried that some of the dog-whistles we've seen from the Trump campaign could turn into the kind of policy that negatively impact minorities in a White House.
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The Bannon hire instantly drew criticism from hate watch groups who noted Bannon's embrace of the alt-right movement made up of conservatives, populists, white supremacists, and anti-Semites -- the Southern Poverty Law Center saying, “Trump should rescind this hire.” The Anti-Defamation League voicing its opposition to Bannon because “he and his alt-right are so hostile to core American values.” And House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi saying, “there must be no sugarcoating the reality that a white nationalist has been named chief strategist for the Trump administration.”
In a move that could further fuel concern, Alex Jones, operator of the InfoWars website, says Trump called to offer his gratitude.
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Jones' site is known for pushing many conspiracy theories, including the notion that Sandy Hook, the shooting that left 20 children dead, was a hoax and that 9/11 was an inside job. The moves could further embolden people who have been harassing Jews, Latinos, and Muslims in Trump's name.
