Trump lashes out at US civil rights icon

President-elect Donald Trump lashed out Saturday at a prominent civil rights icon and lawmaker who said he is skipping next week's inauguration ceremony because he sees the New York businessman's election as illegitimate.

Trump aimed his latest Twitter blast at longtime congressman John Lewis and the majority-black district in Georgia he represents, drawing widespread criticism just days before the holiday honoring the slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

"I don't see this president-elect as a legitimate president," he told NBC's "Meet the Press" talk show in an interview on Friday.

Trump fired back at him early on Saturday.

"Congressman John Lewis should spend more time on fixing and helping his district" Trump said on Twitter. "All talk, talk, talk -- no action or results. Sad!"

Known for his decades of work in the civil rights movement, Lewis, 76, marched with King at the August 1963 rally in Washington at which King gave his "I Have a Dream" speech. On March 7, 1965, he led a march in Selma, Alabama that ended in an attack by state troopers on the protesters that later became known as "Bloody Sunday."

At least 16 House Democrats have publicly stated they will not be attending Trump's swearing-in at the US Capitol next Friday, with several indicating their absence will be an act of political protest -- but Lewis is the most prominent.

Lewis earned a flood of support from Democratic colleagues -- and a few Republicans -- on Twitter.

"Ahead of #MLKDay2017, let us remember that many have tried to silence @repjohnlewis over the years. All have failed," House Democratic minority leader Nancy Pelosi said.