Donald Trump criticized for lackluster reaction to Charlottesville violence | DW |
US President Donald Trump reacted to the violent clashes in Charlottesville, Virginia, which saw at least one person killed, saying he was closely monitoring the events at his golf resort in Bedminster, New Jersey, where he was on a “working” holiday.
Trump spoke to reporters saying her condemned the “egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence, on many sides. On many sides.”
“We have so many incredible things happening in our country,” he said. “So when I watch Charlottesville, to me it’s very, very sad.”Am in Bedminster for meetings & press conference on V.A. & all that we have done, and are doing, to make it better-but Charlottesville sad!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 12 augustus 2017
President Trump also said that people should unite, bearing in mind that they “are all Americans first.” However, he then ignored questions from a journalist about how he felt about his widespread support from white nationalist groups.
Reactions to Trump commentsTrump’s blaming of “many sides” drew swift rebuke from Republicans and Democrats alike.
.@POTUS needs to speak out against the poisonous resurgence of white supremacy. There are not "many sides" here, just right and wrong.
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) 12 augustus 2017
Republican member Cory Gardner meanwhile tweeted that the President Trump should “call evil by its name. These were white supremacists and this was domestic terrorism.”
Mr. President – we must call evil by its name. These were white supremacists and this was domestic terrorism. https://t.co/PaPNiPPAoW
— Cory Gardner (@SenCoryGardner) 12 augustus 2017
Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe meanwhile condemned the violence and asked protesters to go back home.
“I have a message to all the white supremacists and the Nazis who came into Charlottesville today,” he told reporters. “Please go home. And never come back. Take your hatred and take your bigotry. There is no place here for you.” McAuliffe had earlier declared a state of emergency “to aid state response to violence” at the Charlottesville rally.
“I want to urge my fellow Virginians, who may consider joining either in support or opposition to the planned rally, to make alternative plans,” he said in his statement.
A compilation of violence – here.
Flags and Other Symbols Used By Far-Right Groups in Charlottesville | SPL Center |
○ One dead, dozens injured, amid violent white nationalist rally, Ohio man charged in homocide
○ Diversity, Honor and Double Standards at UVA – an essay
○ Notable Civil War leaders from Virginia
