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Historians Slam John Kelly for Claiming “Lack of Ability to Compromise” Led to Civil War

HeadlineNov 01, 2017

White House Chief of Staff John Kelly is facing widespread criticism for his comments about the Civil War during a Fox News interview on Monday.

John Kelly: “Robert E. Lee was an honorable man. … The lack of an ability to compromise led to the Civil War, and men and women of good faith on both sides made their stand where their conscience had them make their stand.”

Historians have denounced Kelly’s comments as “dangerous.” In response, award-winning author Ta-Nehisi Coates tweeted an extended history lesson about the Civil War and criticism of John Kelly, which included Coates writing, “When the 'adult in the room' believes a war for slavery was honorable, believes that the torturer of humans, vendor of people, who led that war was honorable… You really do see the effect of white supremacy.”

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