Trump reacts to Lewis' comment he's not a 'legitimate president'

ATLANTA — President-elect Donald Trump's response to criticism from Georgia Congressman John Lewis is getting plenty of reaction in Atlanta.

While Lewis aired his grievances with the newly elected president, Trump took to Twitter to call Lewis “all talk and no action,” and called Atlanta “crime-infested.”

Lewis, a Democrat who has been in Congress since 1987, said he's doesn't consider Trump a "legitimate president," blaming the Russians for helping the Republican win the White House.

"You know, I believe in forgiveness. I believe in trying to work with people. It will be hard. It's going to be very difficult. I don't see this president-elect as a legitimate president," Lewis said in an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" that will air on Sunday.

"I think the Russians participated in helping this man get elected. And they helped destroy the candidacy of Hillary Clinton," Lewis said.

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In a city where Lewis' work as a civil rights activist is cemented in history books and is seen on street corners, and in a place considered an economic arm of the Southeast, the president elect's comments did not go without notice.

“As far as I'm concerned, there's less crime in our neighborhoods than there is in politics,” one resident told Channel 2’s Nicole Carr.

Carr went to Piedmont Park Saturday where droves of people from all over Atlanta spent the afternoon.

Residents she spoke with had very strong reaction to the morning's Twitter comments from Trump.

“I don't think he has a right to call anyone all talk," parkgoer Shynieka Taylor told Carr.

Trump, following Lewis' criticism of his preparedness to take office, shot back in a series of tweets calling Lewis' district, which primarily comprised of Atlanta, crime invested and falling apart.

“I don't feel unsafe,” resident Lamont Smith said.

“This is the only city where I feel comfortable raising a family in midtown, which is just down the street from downtown and any crime that happens here is no worse than any crime that would happen in a suburb,” resident Holly Salimi told Carr.

In a 2015, an FBI report said Atlanta ranked 14 out of the 20 cities with the worst violent crime rate. Natives say their safety is tied to context.

“Cities always have crime. That's something that you're not going to get rid of entirely,” resident Ron Bowers said.

The idea that Lewis is all talk didn't set well with anyone Carr found in the park.

“He's dedicated his entire life to community service and that's a lot more than Mister Trump has to offer,” Bowers said.

"He has put his life on the line for all of us,” Fulton County Chairman John Eaves said.

Trump’s comments have led to an invitation from Eaves.

"I think he needs to come here, and see what’s here, the good, and what opportunities there are,” Eaves said.

Cox Media Group