Reactions to Trump’s statement on violence in Virginia.
President Donald Trump blamed “many sides” for violence in Charlottesville, Va., in the wake of a white nationalist demonstration on Saturday.
His comments drew swift reactions. Democrats and some Republicans called on him to specifically denounce white supremacy. Vice President Mike Pence supported the president’s speech. A white supremacist website praised the comments. What Trump said: “We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides, on many sides. It’s been going on for a long time in our country. Not Donald Trump. Not Barack Obama. It’s been going on for a long, long time.” What others said:
“I’m not going to make any bones about it. I place the blame for a lot of what you’re seeing in America today right at the doorstep of the White House and the people around the president.” — Charlottesville Mayor Michael Signer, a Democrat.
“Mr. President we must call evil by its name. These were white supremacists and this was domestic terrorism.” — Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) on Twitter.
“Very important for the nation to hear @potus describe events in #Charlottesville for what they are, a terror attack by #whitesupremacists” — Sen. Marco Rubio (RFla.) on Twitter.
“@POTUS needs to speak out against the poisonous resurgence of white supremacy. There are not “many sides” here, just right and wrong.” — Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) on Twitter.
“As @POTUS Trump said, “We have to come together as Americans with love for our nation … & true affection for each other.” #Charlottesville” — Vice President Mike Pence on Twitter.
“The violence, chaos, and apparent loss of life in Charlottesville is not the fault of “many sides.” It is racists and white supremacists.” — Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring, a Democrat.
“We should call evil by its name. My brother didn’t give his life fighting Hitler for Nazi ideas to go unchallenged here at home. -OGH” — Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) on Twitter.
“Trump comments were good. He didn’t attack us. He just said the nation should come together. Nothing specific against us. … No condemnation at all. When asked to condemn, he just walked out of the room. Really, really good. God bless him.” — Daily Stormer, a white supremacist website promoting the demonstration as part of its Summer of Hate edition.