Trump backtracks, blames "both sides" over Charlottesville violence
US President Donald Trump said both left- and right-wing extremists are to be blamed for the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, that left one person dead and others injured. Trump's statement has reignited a political firestorm, raising questions over leadership in the face of a national crisis. Earlier, Trump was criticized for not specifically condemning violence by the Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups.
1 killed after car plows through counter-protesters in Charlottesville
On August 12, white nationalists held a "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville in protest against plans to remove a statue of US Civil War-era pro-slavery Confederate army commander Robert E. Lee. They were met by counter-protesters. Both sides carried sticks, shields and wore helmets while some white supremacists possessed firearms. Both sides clashed before a car plowed through the counter-protesters, killing one.
Trump accuses "left" of violently attacking the right-wing protesters
"You had a group on one side that was bad, and you had a group on the other side that was also very violent. And nobody wants to say that, but I'll say it right now," Trump said in a press conference. He said not all right-wing protesters were "neo-Nazis" or "white supremacists." He accused the "left" of violently attacking the other group.
Trump: Does 'alt-left any semblance of guilt?'
An angry and irritated Trump said: "Okay, what about the alt-left that came charging at... the alt-right? Do they have any semblance of guilt? What about the fact that they came charging... with clubs in their hands?"
Trump says racist group included "many fine people"
On August 14, Trump had after coming under pressure called the Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazis and white supremacists "repugnant" to everything Americans held dear. A day later, Trump said these groups include "many fine people." He also questioned whether statues belonging to former slave-owning presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson would be torn down.
Trump defends late condemnation of racist groups
Trump defended the time it took for him to specifically name and condemn the Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazis and white supremacists. He said he was waiting to receive all the facts of the case.
Democrats and Republicans condemn Trump's latest statement
The Ku Klux Klan's former leader David Duke thanked Trump for his "honesty & courage" and condemning "the leftist terrorists." Democratic leader Chuck Schumer tweeted: "Great and good American presidents seek to unite not divide. Donald Trump's remarks clearly show he is not one of them." "We must be clear. White supremacy is repulsive," Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan tweeted.
