Prez denounces bigotry, but approval continues to slide
President Trump, under a barrage of criticism from Republicans and Democrats alike, finally condemned “repugnant” hate groups two days after the deadly violence in Virginia, as his approval ratings hit an all-time low.
“Racism is evil and those who cause violence in its name are criminals and thugs, including the KKK, neo-Nazis, white supremacists and other hate groups that are repugnant to everything that we hold dear as Americans,” Trump said. “We are a nation founded on the truth that all of us are created equal.”
Trump had been under fire for failing to denounce white supremacist groups shortly after a woman was killed and 19 others were injured when an Ohio man allegedly plowed a car into a crowd of counterprotesters at a Charlottesville, Va., hate rally on Saturday.
Trump had at first criticized violence “on many sides,” which prompted outrage from both sides of the aisle.
But yesterday he was harsher and vowed accountability.
“To anyone who acted criminally in this weekend’s racist violence, you will be held fully accountable,” the president said. “Justice will be delivered.”
He also called on the country to “unite together in condemnation of hatred, bigotry and violence.”
But the tougher language may have come too late to reassure some that Trump is serious about condemning hate.
“Today, the president’s remarks were clear and specific,” said Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, the only black Republican in the U.S. Senate.
“However, they would have been more impactful on Saturday. I hope this serves as a lesson for all of us that when a community grieves, when Americans look for guidance after a crushing and devastating attack like the one that unraveled this weekend in Charlottesville, we must take a firm stance against hate and violence,” Scott said.
Massachusetts U.S. Sen. Ed Markey said words alone don’t go far enough.
“The president took too long. The response should have been immediate, “Markey said. “The words today that he’s using must now be also supplemented with actions at his Justice Department to protect the civil rights of all Americans . ... Without actions that accompany it, then the message will continue to be sent to those with racist intentions that they are free to engage in that manner.”
Trump took a different tone last night, apparently fed up with media coverage of his remarks.
“Made additional remarks on Charlottesville and realize once again that the #Fake News Media will never be satisfied... truly bad people!” he tweeted.
Trump’s approval rating, meanwhile, continue to take a beating. A Gallup Daily tracking poll showed it at 34 percent — the lowest of his administration — during the three-day period from Friday through Sunday, encompassing the Charlottesville attack.
Also yesterday, Arizona U.S. Sen. John McCain called on Trump to condemn a recent string of attacks on National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, which McCain claimed originated “from the same purveyors of hatred and ignorance who precipitated the recent violence in Charlottesville.”
“The recent attacks upon him from the so-called ‘alt-right’ are disgraceful,” said McCain.
“Such smear tactics should not be tolerated and deserve an emphatic response. I hope the president will once again stand up for his national security adviser and denounce these repugnant attacks.”
The website Axios reported “outside forces opposed to McMaster” were planning to ramp up a campaign to boot him from the White House, including alleging he has an alcohol problem.