As the nation reflects on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Vice President Mike Pence is receiving backlash for comparing President Donald Trump's insistence on funding a wall at the southern border to Dr. King's calls for humanity and justice for people everywhere.
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Pence said:
"One of my favorite quotes from Dr King was, 'Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy.' You think of how he changed America, he inspired us to change through the legislative process, to become a more perfect union. That's exactly what POTUS is calling on the Congress to do. Come to the table... we'll secure our border."
Now, Dr. King's son—Martin Luther King III—wasn't pleased with Pence's comparison. He said:
"The vice president attempted to compare the president to Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a bridge builder, not a wall builder. Martin Luther King Jr. would say, ‘Love, not hate, will make America great.'”
Many Americans agreed with MLK III.
The actions of the Trump administration—like the constant vilification of NFL players kneeling during the national anthem—seem to many the antithesis of the work to which Dr. King dedicated his life.
Upon a visit to the Berlin Wall, Dr. King said the wall was depressing and represented "the divisions of mankind."
The Trump administration has shut down the government over funding for a similar wall at the southern border.
People are noticing the hypocrisy.
Nice try, Pence.
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