The #FireBannon movement has been around from the beginning of President Trump’s tenure, but it has been amping up in a clearly-coordinated effort since 20-year-old James Alex Fields Jr., an admirer of Hitler who had a history of violence and was diagnosed with schizophrenia, plowed into radical left wing activists in Charlottesville over the weekend, killing one and injuring many others.
Just one illustration of this coordination comes from the guiding force of the Black Lives Matter Movement – the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, who wrote on August 14 as one of their “tasks as revolutionaries” in the wake of Charlottesville:
“People should try and organize systematic calling of politicians from both parties at the national and at the state level and get them to speak out publically against white supremacists in the White House, especially Steve Bannon, Stephen Miller and Sebastian Gorka. Maybe Sessions, too.”
Today, it has been reported that they got what they wanted.
This popped up today at the Daily Kos:
Notice the language. Referring to Steve Bannon as a “white supremacist” is reminiscent of referring to critics of President Obama as racist. The irony is that the false narratives employed to smear Steve Bannon has evidently resonated with some, sadly.
This is a screenshot of literally the first tweets this author saw after putting in the #FireBannon hashtag. Clearly, there is a trend.
Journalist Sara Carter tweeted that Bannon resigned two weeks ago, but either way, Bannon is out and McMaster is still in.
Steve Bannon just told me he resigned from the White House two weeks ago @POTUS #Bannon
— Sara A. Carter (@SaraCarterDC) August 18, 2017
And this from CNN:
A source tells CNN that Steve Bannon was given the option to resign but was forced out https://t.co/W72I0hjJsU
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) August 18, 2017
As mentioned previously, the #FireBannon movement started before President Trump stepped foot in the White House.
Way back in November, Sen. Bernie Sanders released a statement on Steve Bannon:
“This country, since its inception, has struggled to overcome discrimination of all forms: racism, sexism, xenophobia and homophobia. Over the years we have made progress in becoming a less discriminatory and more tolerant society – and we are not going backward. 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. The appointment of Mr. Bannon by Mr. Trump must be rescinded.”
Notice in Bernie’s letter that there is not one specific criticism.
Also in November, Politico reported that “the overwhelming majority of House Democrats have signed a letter urging Donald Trump to rescind his appointment of Stephen Bannon to a senior White House post, calling the Breitbart boss a purveyor of anti-Semitism, misogyny and racism.”
Here is a link to the letter.
Here are some of the more prominent voices who have been calling for Steve Bannon to be fired from the Trump White House:
Mullen makes strong case for CJCS and DNI #NSC. I Was on the National Security Council. Bannon Doesn’t Belong There. https://t.co/3k2JlKHA7m
— Susan Rice (@AmbassadorRice) February 6, 2017
Trump has made it clear – w/ Bannon & Gorka in the WH, & the Klan in the streets, it is now the White Supremacists’ House. #Charlottesviille
— Maxine Waters (@RepMaxineWaters) August 13, 2017
We call on the President to take the steps to remove Steve Bannon – well-known white supremacist leader – from his team of advisers. .@CNN
— NAACP (@NAACP) August 12, 2017
Firing Bannon won’t end entrenched racism, but it will send clear message that neo-Nazis don’t deserve our tax dollars. #FireBannon https://t.co/pxfWaJUoJ8
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) August 13, 2017
Tell @realDonaldTrump to #FireBannon NOW. https://t.co/vcnkBOwO2H
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) August 13, 2017
There must be consequences paid for #Charlottesville. Call:
The White House: 202-456-1414
Congress: 202-224-3121Tell them to #FireBannon pic.twitter.com/WhTIt3CpVA
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) August 13, 2017
If @RealDonaldTrump really believes that white supremacy and racism are evil, then he should #FireBannon NOW!
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) August 14, 2017
Empty words, Donald. You want to help rid America of white supremacists? Start with your chief strategist in the White House. #FireBannon
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) August 14, 2017
Fire Bannon to send the message you don’t want nazis in the White House. (Even tho you’re a nazi)
Scotty D#FireBannon
— Scott Dworkin (@funder) August 18, 2017
#History Memo to President Bannon and his neo-#Nazi, Confederate flag carrying pals👉🏼 YOU LOST BOTH WARS, YOU LOSERS‼️#FireBannon https://t.co/cZlbdiVAWV
— Dr. Dena Grayson (@DrDenaGrayson) August 18, 2017
Gorka & Miller should go, as well. We have to remove racists & racism from our gov’t—from the White House to our statehouses and our courts. https://t.co/bNFDeySy4N
— Our Revolution (@OurRevolution) August 18, 2017
…so #FireKushner AND #FireBannon are now trending on many parts of Twitter; can we get #FireTrump going as well?
— Thank You Soros! (@williamlegate) April 7, 2017
Oh, and why is the white nationalist, anti-Semite Steve Bannon still advising you in the White House? He’s the most hated of them all… pic.twitter.com/NMfDbBdk4B
— Thank You Soros! (@williamlegate) April 25, 2017
Your calls to #FireBannon have worked! Bannon is on his way out of the White House. https://t.co/idDyPgP9MT
— Justice Democrats (@justicedems) August 18, 2017
NO White Nationalists in the White House. ZERO.#FireBannon #FireGorka #FireMiller #ImpeachTrump
— Democracy Spring (@DemSpring) August 18, 2017
#ICYMI: #MoveOn‘s @K_JeanPierre said this in NOV 2016. Add your name & #DenounceHate: https://t.co/5sCDBSNXLQ & #FireBannon pic.twitter.com/qLnba7XLUe
— MoveOn.org (@MoveOn) August 18, 2017
Steve Bannon knew what he was doing. This is a total test for the Trump administration. #FireBannon or show your support for the alt-right
— ♻️ Christopher Zullo (@ChrisJZullo) August 17, 2017
Keep RETWEETING and Don’t Stop Until It Happens..
1. #FireBannon
2. #FireMiller
3. #FireGorka
4. #IMPEACHTRUMP— Impeach Donald Trump (@Impeach_D_Trump) August 16, 2017
Hashtags #TheResistance is RTing & tweeting today:#QuitTheCouncil#FireBannon#ImpeachTrump
If u have hashtags u want pushed message me!
— Scott Dworkin (@funder) August 15, 2017
My sign tonight. #NYPL #FireBannon pic.twitter.com/OiYE1F7O00
— Justin Hendrix (@justinhendrix) August 14, 2017
Until you remove white supremicists from the White House, your words are empty @realDonaldTrump.
Actions speak louder.#FireBannon now.— Beau Willimon (@BeauWillimon) August 14, 2017
If you believe racism is evil then should be a no-brainer to #firebannon.
— Krystal Ball (@krystalball) August 14, 2017
Americans are not going to “come together” with neo-Nazis. You need to #FireBannon. https://t.co/Naj4jK4Ne7
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) August 13, 2017
This is an argument being mimicked by the White House and the @NRA. It’s past time to #FireBannon. https://t.co/ckknDpQGwz
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) August 13, 2017
When white supremacists are in the White House, there’s increased violence in our streets. Tax dollars shouldn’t fund racism. #FireBannon https://t.co/egQTssjOh9
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) August 13, 2017
What do you think about Steve Bannon being out of the White House?