U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-Seneca, had some strong words for President Donald Trump after his latest comments on the violence in Charlottesville.
“Your words are dividing Americans, not healing them,” Graham said in a statement on Wednesday, saying Trump should do more to bring the country together.
Graham’s comments come after Trump reiterated that he blames “both sides” for violence in Charlottesville, Va., over the weekend.
During a press conference Tuesday, Trump spread the blame for violence from neo-Nazis and members of the Ku Klux Klan who rallied against the removal of a Confederate monument, but also counter-protesters who denounced them – some of whom were injured when a car ran into a crowd on a Charlottesville street.
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“What about the alt-left that came charging at the, as you say, the alt-right?” Trump said. “Do they have any semblance of guilt?”
A memorial service was held Wednesday for Heather Heyer, a 32-year-old Charlottesville woman killed in the car attack. Trump even tweeted his condolences to Heyer on Wednesday.
Memorial service today for beautiful and incredible Heather Heyer, a truly special young woman. She will be long remembered by all!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 16, 2017
“President Trump took a step backward by again suggesting there is moral equivalency between the white supremacist neo-Nazis and KKK members who attended the Charlottesville rally and people like Ms. Heyer,” Graham said. “I, along with many others, do not endorse this moral equivalency.”
Graham was not the only one to challenge Trump’s latest remarks. South Carolina’s other senator, Tim Scott, also seemed to challenge the president in a series of tweets Tuesday.
“Many Republicans do not agree with and will fight back against the idea that the Party of Lincoln has a welcome mat out for the David Dukes of the world,” Graham said.
Bristow Marchant: 803-771-8405, @BristowatHome, @BuzzAtTheState
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