Other Democratic lawmakers are being gracious in defeat, but retiring Sen. Harry Reid unleashed fury on Donald Trump and the country Friday, saying his election confirms the ascendance of “hate and bigotry in America.”
“Watching white nationalists celebrate while innocent Americans cry tears of fear does not feel like America,” Mr. Reid said in a statement.
The Nevada Democrat, who had been among the most virulent critics of Mr. Trump throughout the campaign, said it’s up to the president-elect to change, who he called “a sexual predator who lost the popular vote and fueled his campaign with bigotry and hate.”
He said racial, ethnic, religious and sexual minorities and children of illegal immigrants all have reason to be afraid.
“Winning the electoral college does not absolve Trump of the grave sins he committed against millions of Americans. Donald Trump may not possess the capacity to assuage those fears, but he owes it to this nation to try,” Mr. Reid said.
His withering take on the election stands in stark contrast to that of other Democrats, who have said they need to learn lessons from the voters and the anger Mr. Trump tapped into.