Bernie Sanders demands Trump kick 'racist' Bannon to the curb

Sen. Bernie Sanders is furious over President-elect Donald Trump's appointment of ultra-conservative Steve Bannon and made that clear during a speech Wednesday evening at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Sanders called for the former chairman of conservative news outlet Breitbart News to be removed from his new White House post as Trump's chief strategist.

"The president of the United States should not have a racist at his side," he said before his words were drowned out by the roaring crowd.

Earlier Wednesday, Sanders had released a statement calling for Bannon's removal.

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Sanders isn't alone in his disdain for Bannon. His views align with white nationalists, and he has been called "the most dangerous political operative in America"

In other parts of the speech that started off with Sanders calling for "major reforms of the Democratic Party," the Vermont senator addressed Trump's stance on Wall Street reform, the middle class, minimum wage, maternity leave, bigotry and most critically, climate change and global warming.

"Mr. Trump, read a little bit about science," he implored the newly elected president.

The night before, Sanders had joined a rally in front of the White House opposing the Dakota Access Pipeline construction through indigenous land and waterways. In a surprise speech, he called out Trump for his stance on fossil fuels and sustainable energy.

Wednesday's prepared speech and a seated question-and-answer session that followed was part of Sanders' tour promoting his new book, Our Revolution: A Future to Believe In. His new political organization, Our Revolution, streamed the roughly 15-minute address through Facebook Live. Tens of thousands of online viewers tuned in Wednesday night.

Another livestreamed speech is planned for Thursday afternoon in front of the Capitol.