It seems that some constituents were not very happy when a Wyoming mayor replaced portraits of President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence with a painting of a Native American chief.

Huffington Post reports that Jackson Mayor Pete Muldoon stood by decision, claiming “We aren’t required to display signs of respect — our respect is earned, not demanded.”

Muldoon released a statement in which he describes Trump as “divisive” and claims that honoring the current president is like “taking sides” against certain residents.

“When the Town Of Jackson decides to honor such a divisive person, it is taking sides against some of its residents,” Muldoon said. “The Town Council has made no such decision, and until and unless it does, that kind of honor will not be bestowed.”

The mayor said that nobody at city hall approved the portraits and insisting that they be displayed is no different than Stalinism.

“We aren’t required to display signs of respect ― our respect is earned, not demanded,” Muldoon explained. “Dictators like Joseph Stalin required their portraits to be displayed everywhere. Luckily, we do not live in a dictatorship.”

Teton County Commissioner Paul Vogelheim, chair of the county’s Republican Party, is upset with Muldoon’s actions calling it “totally disrespectful.”

Vogelheim said, “It has fanned this fire divisiveness among friends and neighbors. It’s unfortunate.”