This repost from Jan. 15 is No. 4 in our Top 10 countdown of this year's most-read articles, a reverse-order series through Sunday. Links to earlier installments are at the end.
With three blunt words echoing around the country, U.S. Rep. Justin Amash of Grand Rapids stands up to his party's president-elect and gains wide respect.
The 36-year-old congressman, starting his fourth term, is among a chorus of Americans who decry criticism of civil rights icon John Lewis in three tweets by Donald Trump.
Here's how Amash reacts:
Dude, just stop. https://t.co/UCIqhqGnXu
— Justin Amash (@justinamash) January 15, 2017
Amash, an across-the-aisle colleague of Democratic Rep. Lewis of Georgia, has 91,000 followers on Twitter. His blunt appeal is shared more than 6,300 times and earns over 18,000 "like" clicks in two days. More than 1,200 comments are posted directly.
The flashpoint flared after Lewis said he doesn't see Trump as a "legitimate president" and will skip his inauguration. The president-elect reacted in two tweets before 8 a.m. Saturday:
Congressman John Lewis should spend more time on fixing and helping his district, which is in horrible shape and falling apart (not to mention crime infested) rather than falsely complaining about the election results. All talk, talk, talk - no action or results. Sad!
Those comments, posted just before Martin Luther King Jr. Day, are widely criticized -- including by Sen. Ben Sasse, R.Neb.
Trump took a fresh swipe Saturday night, tweeting: “Congressman John Lewis should finally focus on the burning and crime infested inner-cities of the U.S." That follow-up pushed Amash to rebuke the fellow Republican in what NPR calls a "curt response."
The Hill, a publication that covers Congress, posts an article about the Michigan congressman's terse outcry. It's also mentioned on "Meet the Press" and in coverage roundups by The Washington Post, NBC, CNN and others.
Another Michigan congressman, [now-former] Democratic Rep. John Conyers of Detroit, reacts to Trump's remarks in three tweets:
My good friend @repjohnlewis has dedicated his life to fighting for freedom & equality in his district & across this nation. (1/3)
— John Conyers, Jr. (@RepJohnConyers) January 14, 2017
Very concerned that Trump would spend time attacking John Lewis instead of preparing to start his Presidency. (2/3)
— John Conyers, Jr. (@RepJohnConyers) January 14, 2017
Agree with VP Biden that it's time for Trump to grow up. Being POTUS is a serious matter - not child's play. I stand w/ @repjohnlewis (3/3)
— John Conyers, Jr. (@RepJohnConyers) January 14, 2017
Top 10 countdown so far
10. Henry_the_Hatter_Now_Hangs_its_Hats_in_Eastern_Market
9. Harry’s_Bar_Owner_Calls_Little_Caesars_Arena_a_Hostile_Neighbor
8. ’Mr. Belvedere’_of_Home_Remodeling_Fame_Dies_at_95
7. Award-Winning_Ernie’s_Market_Appears_on_Travel_Channel
6. Bob_Probert’s_Family_Spread_His_Ashes_at_The_Joe
5. ICE Rounds_Up_Dozens_of_Local_Iraqi_Immigrants_with_Criminal_Records