Biden says Trump boosted neo-Nazis

Washington. Aug. 28: Former US vice-president Joe Biden levelled harsh words at US President Donald Trump for placing blame on “both sides” for the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, which claimed the life of a counter-protester.

In a commentary published on Sunday in The Atlantic, Mr Biden wrote: “Today we have an American president who has publicly proclaimed a moral equivalency between neo-Nazis and Klansmen and those who would oppose their venom and hate.”

He said that Mr Trump has “emboldened white supremacists with messages of comfort and support”. Mr Biden and former President Barack Obama have kept a low profile since leaving office carefully choosing the moments to weigh in.

In his commentary, Mr Biden said, “This is a moment for this nation to declare what the president can’t with any clarity, consistency, or conviction. There is no place for these hate groups in America.”

A day (Saturday) after the violence, Mr Trump had blamed “many sides” for the conflict. Though that answer was quickly panned by Democrats and Republicans alike, Mr Trump remained silent on Sunday leaving it to his aides to try to clean up his vague answer.

After mounting pressure, he spoke the next day and condemned the white supremacists and neo-Nazis at the heart of the violence.