Posted on 08/15/2017 7:13:35 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
President Donald Trump sparked a barrage of Republican outrage on Tuesday after he blamed “both sides” for the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia — including from House Speaker Paul Ryan.
“We must be clear,” Ryan said after Trump’s remarks. “White supremacy is repulsive. This bigotry is counter to all this country stands for. There can be no moral ambiguity.”
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said on Twitter, “Mr. President, you can't allow #WhiteSupremacists to share only part of blame.” Added Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.): “This is simple: we must condemn and marginalize white supremacist groups, not encourage and embolden them.”
Many other Republicans also slammed the remarks Trump made at a news conference in New York in which he doubled down on his initial reaction to the violence that broke out over the weekend at a white supremacist rally where one woman was killed when a car rammed into counter-protesters.
“I think there’s blame on both sides,” Trump told reporters Tuesday at Trump Tower. “I have no doubt about it.”
Republicans have often been critical of Trump in the past, but the rebuke from members of his own party to his Charlottesville response was swifter and more widespread than perhaps at any point in his presidency
House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.), now in rehabilitation after being shot during a June congressional baseball practice, responded on Twitter: “I was clear about this bigotry & violence over the weekend and I'll repeat it today: We must defeat white supremacy and all forms of hatred.”
Also on Twitter, Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Pa.) said: “@POTUS must stop the moral equivalency! AGAIN, white supremacists were to blame for the violence in #Charlottesville.”
And Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) added: “We are Americans from all walks of life, working towards the American Dream. Nowhere in that dream is there room for racism.”
A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the Kentucky Republican had no new comment in response to Trump’s remarks Tuesday.
Democrats also responded with outrage.
In a statement, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said that by not taking sides, Trump had clearly shown what side he’s on.
“When David Duke and white supremacists cheer your remarks, you’re doing it very, very wrong,” Schumer said. “Great and good American presidents seek to unite, not divide. Donald Trump’s remarks clearly show he is not one of them.”
Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) said on Twitter that Trump is “not my president.”
“As a Jew, as an American, as a human,” he wrote, “words cannot express my disgust and disappointment.”
I hate the Republican Party. I do not like back-stabbing, lily-livered cowards.
They are lashing out because they thought they had Trump on the ropes.
Trump said what his voters wanted to hear.
Liars Quislings Weaklings Losers Geldings Capons Freedom - haters ...did I say LOSERS???
It really does not matter how much Trump condemns racism or bigotry — they will always call him a racist.
Rubio is taking the side of the violent communist protesters in the US while condemning the brutal communist regime in Cuba. Poor guy must be really confused.
So Rubio is ‘Foaming’ at the mouth again. Another hoof in mouth incident.
I really, really, really hope the GOP loses both houses in congress in 2018. This party is not fit to hold power. They cant keep their promises, they cant enact a conservative agenda and they do not care for America.
Before any throws “the Democrats will impeach Trump” talk, I say these Republican a**holes want to impeach Trump just as bad, if not worse, than the Democrats. They are waiting for Trumps approvals to get in the 20’s. They will feel more comfortable knowing 70% plus of the country hates Trump.
I say again God gave this nation a reprieve it did not deserve in 2016. This wicked nation deserves A President Hillary Clinton, a Speaker Pelosi, a Senate Majority Leader Schumer. The people of this country are stupid. They give 0bama a 60% approval rating for chronic unemployment and divison and give Trump a 30% rating for putting America first.
We dont deserve Trump. We deserve Hillary and 0bama.
Trump said what THEIR voters wanted to hear, USLESS BASTARDS!!! LYIN RYAN needs to go PRAYING his time is up!!!
The America I know and love fought white supremacy, Nazis, AND communists, and fascists. President Trump is right that all are wrong.
It is interesting that they are incapable of achieving anything with a legislative majority in both houses of Congress yet they always find time to run their mouths in public to criticize the president of their own party.
Gee, I wonder why Politico wrote this trash story with such palpable glee.
“I think there’s blame on both sides,” Trump told reporters Tuesday at Trump Tower”
Anyone who denies that club swinging aerosol can flame throwing antifa isn’t also to blame needs to see a therapist to help them define what violence is.
I HATE RYAN
These are the most mentally-challenged people I have ever encountered. What are they doing running a branch of the US government? Their remarks are absolutely stupid and senseless.
The play-nazis, yes, need to have their ideas refuted and defeated. But those who espouse those ideas have the right to express them. What is the Constitution for, if this isn’t the case.
And if those who are opposed attack them unlawfully, then they bear a share of the responsibility for the outcomes. And that is what Pres. Trump said. Very simply.
The only answer is to use the National Guard to keep the groups apart. This will avoid the stupid propaganda wars and will allow people to digest the ideas of the supremacists. History shows that under those conditions, their ideas do not gain wide traction.
Stupid congress creatures.
Is there ANYONE on this site that believes that BLM are NOT RACISTS??? WHY are they NOT being called out for their DEEP RACIST views!!!!
Doesn’t it trouble you that David Duke is endorsing Trump’s latest comments?
Sheesh. I understand your aggravation, but lady up, please.
OK then
We’ll stand with our President and jettison these scumbags.
Primary first, but it’s OK to vote Dem in the general.
These little jack@ss Repubs are either dense or they are willfully twisting President Trumps words to attack him. I believe the latter.
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