Dem rep hit for calling John Kelly an 'extremist'

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Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee is taking heat for calling incoming White House Chief of Staff John Kelly an “extremist” who supposedly is poised to help President Trump militarize the White House.

Lee, of California, made the charge late Friday in response to Trump’s decision to put the Homeland Security secretary and retired general in charge of his West Wing team.

“By putting Gen John Kelly in charge, Pres Trump is militarizing the White House & putting our executive branch in the hands of an extremist,” she said.

Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., a member of the House Appropriations Committee reads documents during a markup hearing on FY2018 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill, FY2018 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill; and Interim Suballocation of Budget Allocations for FY2018, Wednesday, July 19, 2017, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) (AP)

But Sean Spicer, Trump’s former press secretary who resigned a week before Kelly was announced as Reince Priebus’ replacement, fired back on Twitter.

“Not only is this wrong, it's offensive on multiple levels,” he wrote.

He added, “I'm waiting on Dem leaders to denounce (I won't hold my breath tho) cc @politico @nytimes @washingtonpost.”

Kelly is being sworn in Monday. His selection drew widespread praise elsewhere on Capitol Hill.

On CNN over the weekend, Lee stood by her remarks, claiming she was referring to Kelly’s role at DHS pursuing the deportation of “innocent” people, a border wall, the “Muslim ban” and other policies she called “extreme.”