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Second Nexus © 2019
The Nation's Longest-Serving Congressman Just Died and Left Behind Some Scathing 'Last Words' Taking on Trump
08 February 2019
Credit: Tom Williams/Win McNamee/Getty Images
Congressman John Dingell (D-MI)—the longest serving Congressman in American History—passed away on Thursday after representing Michigan for nearly 60 years.
President Donald Trump tweeted condolences to his wife and family:
<p><iframe width="100%" height="150" scrolling="no" class="rm-shortcode twitter-embed-1093965968253087744" id="twitter-embed-1093965968253087744" type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="/res/community/twitter_embed/?iframe_id=twitter-embed-1093965968253087744&created_ts=1549656786.0&screen_name=realDonaldTrump&text=Deepest+sympathies+to+Congresswoman+Debbie+Dingell+and+the+entire+family+of+John+Dingell.+Longest+serving+Congressm%E2%80%A6+https%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2FwbvzKXJCR7&id=1093965968253087744&name=Donald+J.+Trump" frameborder="0" data-rm-shortcode-id="7WX43V1574874637"></iframe></p><p>Hardly an hour after Trump's tweet, the <em>Washington Post </em>published an op-ed of Dingell's last words to America, dictated by his wife, Congresswoman Deborah Dingell. The op-ed was written the day he died, and—while commending the progress America has made and acknowledging the work the country has left to do—included an unflinching rebuke to the President.</p><p><div id="action_button_container"></div>
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</script></p><p>Dingell wrote:</p><blockquote><p>"In our modern political age, the presidential bully pulpit seems dedicated to sowing division and denigrating, often in the most irrelevant and infantile personal terms, the political opposition. And much as I have found Twitter to be a useful means of expression, some occasions merit more than 280 characters."</p></blockquote><p>He continued to warn against political rhetoric in the era of Trump, writing that he emerged onto the political scene in a "kinder, if not necessarily gentler" era. "We observed modicums of respect even as we fought, often bitterly and savagely, over issues that were literally life and death," he continued.</p><p><div data-conversation-spotlight=""></div></p><p>Many noticed the man for whom his words were intended.</p><p><iframe width="100%" height="150" scrolling="no" class="rm-shortcode twitter-embed-1093984255867117569" id="twitter-embed-1093984255867117569" type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="/res/community/twitter_embed/?iframe_id=twitter-embed-1093984255867117569&created_ts=1549661146.0&screen_name=cumberickman&text=%40realDonaldTrump+How+frightened+for+all+of+us+he+must+have+been+to+direct+his+final+words+towards+you.%0A%0A%E2%80%9Cthe+presid%E2%80%A6+https%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2FxpDLy6tqHc&id=1093984255867117569&name=cumberickman+%2F+Impeach+Indict+Imprison" frameborder="0" data-rm-shortcode-id="9Z4OVK1574874637"></iframe></p><p><iframe width="100%" height="150" scrolling="no" class="rm-shortcode twitter-embed-1094003055870312449" id="twitter-embed-1094003055870312449" type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="/res/community/twitter_embed/?iframe_id=twitter-embed-1094003055870312449&created_ts=1549665628.0&screen_name=OldKentuckyHome&text=%40JakeSherman+%40realDonaldTrump+should+read+this+and+learn+from+it&id=1094003055870312449&name=Wayne+King" frameborder="0" data-rm-shortcode-id="1XK1MK1574874637"></iframe></p><p><iframe width="100%" height="150" scrolling="no" class="rm-shortcode twitter-embed-1093991444740747265" id="twitter-embed-1093991444740747265" type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="/res/community/twitter_embed/?iframe_id=twitter-embed-1093991444740747265&created_ts=1549662860.0&screen_name=Yousefzadeh&text=I%27d+rather+live+in+John+Dingell%27s+America+than+Donald+Trump%27s+America.+https%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2F2sbCALknzR&id=1093991444740747265&name=Pejman+Yousefzadeh+%D9%BE%DA%98%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86+%DB%8C%D9%88%D8%B3%D9%81+%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%87" frameborder="0" data-rm-shortcode-id="HUK9ZY1574874638"></iframe></p><p><iframe width="100%" height="150" scrolling="no" class="rm-shortcode twitter-embed-1093997816538718208" id="twitter-embed-1093997816538718208" type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="/res/community/twitter_embed/?iframe_id=twitter-embed-1093997816538718208&created_ts=1549664379.0&screen_name=MJGarciaKCMO&text=%40realDonaldTrump+would+be+wise+to+understand+this.+In+a+democratic+government%2C+elected+officials+do+not+have+power.%E2%80%A6+https%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2F43PlyCTKen&id=1093997816538718208&name=Manolete+John+Garcia" frameborder="0" data-rm-shortcode-id="WBXW4D1574874638"></iframe></p><p><iframe width="100%" height="150" scrolling="no" class="rm-shortcode twitter-embed-1093985957454536704" id="twitter-embed-1093985957454536704" type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="/res/community/twitter_embed/?iframe_id=twitter-embed-1093985957454536704&created_ts=1549661552.0&screen_name=tom_ramberg&text=%40realDonaldTrump+you+need+to+read+this.+https%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2FGxth8pEERy&id=1093985957454536704&name=Tom+Ramberg" frameborder="0" data-rm-shortcode-id="24O7XD1574874638"></iframe></p><p><iframe width="100%" height="150" scrolling="no" class="rm-shortcode twitter-embed-1094001654775595009" id="twitter-embed-1094001654775595009" type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="/res/community/twitter_embed/?iframe_id=twitter-embed-1094001654775595009&created_ts=1549665294.0&screen_name=MOMV719&text=%40realDonaldTrump+%40GOP+could+learn+a+thing+from+this+wise+man%21%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2FbOGpZcAcgy&id=1094001654775595009&name=Marty+Varga" frameborder="0" data-rm-shortcode-id="NWP3K01574874638"></iframe></p><p>Leaders from across America began outpouring with condolences and memories of the longtime leader.</p><p>They were from both sides of the aisle.</p><p><iframe width="100%" height="150" scrolling="no" class="rm-shortcode twitter-embed-1093722143513346048" id="twitter-embed-1093722143513346048" type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="/res/community/twitter_embed/?iframe_id=twitter-embed-1093722143513346048&created_ts=1549598654.0&screen_name=BarackObama&text=My+statement+on+the+passing+of+former+Congressman+John+Dingell%3A+https%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2FgjBYHHImzB&id=1093722143513346048&name=Barack+Obama" frameborder="0" data-rm-shortcode-id="EAPNUM1574874638"></iframe></p><p><iframe width="100%" height="150" scrolling="no" class="rm-shortcode twitter-embed-1093723544842842112" id="twitter-embed-1093723544842842112" type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="/res/community/twitter_embed/?iframe_id=twitter-embed-1093723544842842112&created_ts=1549598988.0&screen_name=MSNBC&text=Former+President+George+W.+Bush+on+passing+of+fmr.+Rep.+John+Dingell%3A+%22I+was+fortunate+to+speak+to+John+Dingell+thi%E2%80%A6+https%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2FcdGpNKn4zg&id=1093723544842842112&name=MSNBC" frameborder="0" data-rm-shortcode-id="WL2E5B1574874638"></iframe></p><p><iframe width="100%" height="150" scrolling="no" class="rm-shortcode twitter-embed-1093705730471968768" id="twitter-embed-1093705730471968768" type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="/res/community/twitter_embed/?iframe_id=twitter-embed-1093705730471968768&created_ts=1549594740.0&screen_name=SpeakerPelosi&text=America+has+lost+a+beloved+pillar+of+the+Congress+%26amp%3B+one+of+the+greatest+legislators+in+our+history.+%40JohnDingell%E2%80%99s%E2%80%A6+https%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2FWh9SEexozf&id=1093705730471968768&name=Nancy+Pelosi" frameborder="0" data-rm-shortcode-id="ZOFOQT1574874638"></iframe></p><p><iframe width="100%" height="150" scrolling="no" class="rm-shortcode twitter-embed-1093706486289715200" id="twitter-embed-1093706486289715200" type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="/res/community/twitter_embed/?iframe_id=twitter-embed-1093706486289715200&created_ts=1549594921.0&screen_name=BillClinton&text=For+nearly+60+years%2C+John+Dingell+represented+the+people+of+Michigan+with+honor%2C+integrity+%26amp%3B+great+good+humor.+Ther%E2%80%A6+https%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2FofaeEGIbEN&id=1093706486289715200&name=Bill+Clinton" frameborder="0" data-rm-shortcode-id="11NNU41574874639"></iframe></p><p><iframe width="100%" height="150" scrolling="no" class="rm-shortcode twitter-embed-1093858602627010565" id="twitter-embed-1093858602627010565" type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="/res/community/twitter_embed/?iframe_id=twitter-embed-1093858602627010565&created_ts=1549631188.0&screen_name=senatemajldr&text=My+statement+on+the+passing+of+John+Dingell+https%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2FPHQF3g0yrf&id=1093858602627010565&name=Leader+McConnell" frameborder="0" data-rm-shortcode-id="B552H41574874639"></iframe></p><p>After recounting the horrors Americans had to contend with in the 20th century—legal racial discrimination, no safety net for the elderly, no environmental safety measures—Dingell expressed hope in the nation's future, writing:</p><blockquote><p>"As I prepare to leave this all behind, I now leave you in control of the greatest nation of mankind and pray God gives you the wisdom to understand the responsibility you hold in your hands. May God bless you all, and may God bless America."</p></blockquote><p>The words inspired Americans across the country.</p><p><iframe width="100%" height="150" scrolling="no" class="rm-shortcode twitter-embed-1093981722520088576" id="twitter-embed-1093981722520088576" type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="/res/community/twitter_embed/?iframe_id=twitter-embed-1093981722520088576&created_ts=1549660542.0&screen_name=Melodie_Woerman&text=%40JakeSherman+Tears+here%2C+as+I+think+of+him+crafting+these+eloquent+words+in+his+last+moments.&id=1093981722520088576&name=Melodie+Woerman" frameborder="0" data-rm-shortcode-id="18RUU71574874639"></iframe></p><p><iframe width="100%" height="150" scrolling="no" class="rm-shortcode twitter-embed-1094001396838363136" id="twitter-embed-1094001396838363136" type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="/res/community/twitter_embed/?iframe_id=twitter-embed-1094001396838363136&created_ts=1549665233.0&screen_name=MelissaJPeltier&text=%40JakeSherman+%40Agenthades1+God+Bless+this+true+patriot.&id=1094001396838363136&name=Melissa+Jo+Peltier" frameborder="0" data-rm-shortcode-id="0ABIVO1574874639"></iframe></p><p><iframe width="100%" height="150" scrolling="no" class="rm-shortcode twitter-embed-1093999935937302529" id="twitter-embed-1093999935937302529" type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="/res/community/twitter_embed/?iframe_id=twitter-embed-1093999935937302529&created_ts=1549664884.0&screen_name=bfwork2hard&text=%40JakeSherman+%40Susan_Hennessey+Stunning+just+stunning+and+elegant.&id=1093999935937302529&name=Barb+F" frameborder="0" data-rm-shortcode-id="Y3DD2P1574874639"></iframe></p><p><iframe width="100%" height="150" scrolling="no" class="rm-shortcode twitter-embed-1093995224790171650" id="twitter-embed-1093995224790171650" type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="/res/community/twitter_embed/?iframe_id=twitter-embed-1093995224790171650&created_ts=1549663761.0&screen_name=Kingwoman&text=%40JakeSherman+Everybody+needs+to+read+this%2C+his+final+gift+to+the+country+he+loved+and+served.&id=1093995224790171650&name=My+Elf+name+is+Happy+Pointy-Ears" frameborder="0" data-rm-shortcode-id="MJNB1M1574874639"></iframe></p><p>Now, it's up to Americans to heed his warning.</p>
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