There's at least one lawmaker publicly sticking up for incoming White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky said Tuesday on CNN that people should give Bannon a chance to do his job without being haggled.
Bannon, the former Breitbart News executive, was tabbed for a senior role in the White House by President-elect Donald Trump over the weekend.
Trump's appointment has been heavily criticized, mainly because of Bannon's connection with the alt-right website Breitbart News. Bannon was the executive chairman at Breitbart before taking over as CEO of Trump's campaign.
Breitbart, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, pushed stories against immigrants, Muslims, and nonwhites.
But Paul said he thinks Bannon isn't a racist.
"I think there's a lot of sour grapes out there. After people lose the election, they're pointing fingers. They're wanting to make him into a caricature," he said.
"I've met him. I don't think he's a caricature or any other of these horrible things the left is bringing out about him. I don't believe him to be a racist. I don't believe him to be anyone who categorizes anybody based on their race or otherwise, or their religion. Let's give the guy a chance. Let's see how he performs. It's the results we should look at."