House leaders trade fiery insults as Trump builds his team

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) became the latest Democrat to denounce Donald Trump's appointment of Breitbart News' Steve Bannon as chief strategist Monday, issuing a statement calling the president-elect's selection an "alarming signal" that he "remains committed to the hateful and divisive vision that defined his campaign."

"There must be no sugarcoating the reality that a white nationalist has been named chief strategist for the Trump administration," Pelosi wrote about Trump's appointment of Bannon:

Pelosi's statement came shortly after House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) decided not to sugarcoat his thoughts about his Democratic counterpart while talking to reporters Monday. "I kind of like Pelosi staying around. As long as she's there I think we stay in the majority," McCarthy said. "If I'm being selfish, I truly believe as long as she's [minority] leader we keep the majority."

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The Los Angeles Times reported Pelosi has "held a House Democrat leadership position for 16 years." Both Pelosi and McCarthy are up for reelection for their respective positions this week. McCarthy has declined to comment on Bannon's new role, saying he does not know him and does not "like to prejudge people."