Top aide chides Trump on racists
WASHINGTON — A prominent Jewish member of the Trump administration said the White House “can and must do better” in consistently condemning hate groups.
The sharp critique from President Trump’s top economic adviser, Gary Cohn, came nearly two weeks after deadly violence in Charlottesville, Va., in response to a rally led by white nationalist groups. Cohn considered resigning and even drafted a letter of resignation, according to two people familiar with the draft.
In his first public remarks on the national dialogue about the violence, Cohn said in an interview with the Financial Times published Friday that as a “patriotic American” he did not want to leave his job as the director of the national economic council.
“But I also feel compelled to voice my distress over the events of the last two weeks,” Cohn said.
In the days after the Charlottesville rally, when Trump defended white nationalist protesters, Jewish members of the administration were mostly silent. Cohn is one of the few in the administration to publicly condemn the president’s remarks. Military leaders posted messages on social media denouncing neo-Nazis and racism but did not specifically mention the commander in chief. Public deviation from the president by the military is unusual.
Trump said there were “very fine people on both sides,” as Cohn stood nearby in the lobby of Trump Tower where the president made his remarks to reporters. After Trump left, Cohn stood uncomfortably fielding questions about the president’s statements, and he repeatedly declined to comment. At the time, people close to Cohn said he was disgusted and deeply upset by Trump’s comments.
“Citizens standing up for equality and freedom can never be equated with white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and the KKK,” Cohn told the Financial Times. “I believe this administration can and must do better in consistently and unequivocally condemning these groups and do everything we can to heal the deep divisions that exist in our communities.”
Cohn added, “As a Jewish American, I will not allow neo-Nazis ranting ‘Jews will not replace us’ to cause this Jew to leave his job.”
Cohn also said he spoke privately with Trump about these issues. “I have not been bashful saying what I think,” Cohn said.
Cohn’s decision to publicly distance himself from the president comes at an awkward time, as Trump prepares next week to start a major national effort to sell a tax-cut plan, which Cohn has been toiling for months behind the scenes to craft.