Cedric Richmond To William Barr: Keep John Lewis’ Name Out Of Your Mouth

Attorney General William Barr started out his testimony to the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday by paying respects to the late Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), the civil rights icon who died this month.

“On behalf of the Department of Justice, I want to pay my respects to your colleague John Lewis, an indomitable champion of civil rights and the rule of law,” Barr said.

Barr ― who later said that “violent rioters and anarchists” had “hijacked” protests ― also emphasized Lewis’ “unwavering commitment to nonviolence.”

“When you all came here and brought your top staff, you brought no Black people. That, sir, is systematic racism,” Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.) said. “You really should keep the name of the Honorable John Lewis out of the Department of Justice’s mouth.”