Rep. Bennie Thompson won't attend Trump's inauguration

WASHINGTON – Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson will join at least two dozen members of Congress who said they won’t attend the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump.

“Mr. Trump’s recent insensitive and foolish remarks about civil rights hero John Lewis were far beneath the dignity of the Office of the President," said Cory Horton, legislative director for Thompson. “Additionally, Congressman Thompson continues to have concerns about the role that Russia had in our country's democratic process."

Thompson and other lawmakers, mostly Democrats, but also some Republicans, have taken issue with Trump’s response to comments by civil rights legend Lewis, D-Georgia. On "Meet the Press" Saturday, Lewis called Trump’s presidency illegitimate because of Russia's alleged role in trying to help him win. Lewis also said he won’t attend Trump’s swearing-in.

Trump slammed Lewis on Twitter.

Trump slammed for attacking civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis

“Congressman John Lewis should spend more time on fixing and helping his district, which is in horrible shape and falling apart (not to mention crime infested) rather than falsely complaining about the election results,” Trump tweeted Saturday. “All talk, talk, talk — no action or results. Sad!”

Thompson, the top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, has also raised concerns about reports of Russia's alleged role in the election. “The Russian hack was, at its core, an attempt to delegitimize our democracy," Thompson said in a statement earlier this month.

Thompson is the lone Democrat in Mississippi’s congressional delegation. He supported Democrat Hillary Clinton’s bid for president. Trump handily won Mississippi.

These Democrats aren't attending Trump's inauguration after he blasts Rep. John Lewis

Other lawmakers who said they won’t attend Friday’s inauguration include Democratic Reps. Marcia Fudge of Ohio, former chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Maxine Waters of California and Judy Chu of California.

Thompson and Lewis are both members of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-Louisiana, the new chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, said late Monday on MSNBC’s "Rachel Maddow Show" he wasn’t sure whether he would attend Trump's inauguration.

Richmond, who criticized Trump’s attack on Lewis, called the congressman one of the most honorable people he has ever met. He credits Lewis and other civil rights veterans for helping open doors for him and other African Americans.

“In a tweet the president-elect of the United States chose to ignore all of that for petty silliness," Richmond said. “I think that’s unfortunate. I think the reaction throughout the country — Democrat and Republican, black and white — is very fitting where people are taking up for John Lewis’ past."

Richmond, the lone Democrat in the Louisiana delegation, said if he wasn't chairman of the 49-member caucus he would not attend the inauguration.

Louisiana Rep. Richmond picked to head Congressional Black Caucus

“If I were not the chairman, there’s no way I would be there," he said. “But being in a different role I think that sometimes you have to make sacrifices. So if I’m there sitting through that inauguration you will know that I’m absolutely making a sacrifice to be there."

Richmond and Lewis testified last week at the nomination hearing of Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, Trump’s pick for attorney general. They both urged the Senate not to confirm Sessions.

Follow  Deborah Barfield Berry on Twitter at @dberrygannett