Tries to reset racial politics

PRESIDENT Trump used his Afghanistan speech Monday to take another shot at setting the right tone on hate in America, citing the military as an example of racial unity.

“When we open our hearts to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice, no place for bigotry and no tolerance for hate. The young men and women we send to fight our wars abroad deserve to return to a country that is not at war with itself at home,” he said. “We cannot remain a force for peace in the world if we are not at peace with each other.”

Trump did not mention Charlottesville, Va., by name, or the bloodshed that accompanied last week’s white supremacist rally in that city, where a Nazi supporter killed a counterprotester.

Trump was excoriated for blaming “both sides” for the violence and for defending the “very fine people” marching with the hate groups. His prime-time address was a chance for a do-over.

“The soldier understands what we as a nation too often forget, that a wound inflicted upon a single member of our community is a wound inflicted upon us all,” Trump said.