President Trump Decries White Supremacists For VA Violence — After Criticism For Delay

WASHINGTON, DC — President Trump denounced white supremacists, the KKK and neo-Nazis in a prepared statement Monday afternoon addressing the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, over the weekend. In his statements over the weekend, he did not single out these hate groups for specific condemnation.

"Racism is evil," he said Monday at the White House. "And those who cause violence in its name are criminals and thugs, including the KKK, neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and other hate groups that are repugnant to everything we hold dear as Americans."

The remarks came after his scheduled meeting with Attorney General Jeff Sessions and FBI Director Christopher Wray to discuss the weekend's violence. (For more information on this and other political stories, subscribe to the White House Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

"If anyone who acted criminally at this weekend's racist violence, you will be held accountable," at the White House, announcing a civil rights investigation into the events.

"No matter the color of our skin, we all live under the same laws, we all salute the same great flag, and we are all made by the same almighty God," he continued. "We must love each other, show affection for each other, and unite together in condemnation of hatred, bigotry, and violence."

Trump also named Heather Heyer, a counter-protester who was killed when a car, driven by a man reported to have Nazi sympathies, mowed down dozens of people in the street. Nineteen others were injured in that attack.

He added: "We also mourn the two Virginia state troopers who died in service to their community, their commonwealth, and their country. Troopers Jay Cullen and Burke Bates exemplify the very best of America, and our hearts go out to their families, their friends, and every member of American law enforcement."

At the beginning of his remarks, the president boasted about the strong economy and low unemployment rate.

The president was criticized for his remarks on the violence on Saturday. Trump did not then specifically denounce the white supremacists who started the rally at the center of the violence, and instead decried violence and bigotry "on all sides."

Some remained critical of the president after his remarks Monday.

"The President of the United States should not have to be publicly shamed into condemning neo-Nazis and white supremacists," said Michigan Democratic Rep. Dan Kildee.

At a signing ceremony later in the day, Trump was asked by CNN's Jim Acosta why he didn't condemn the hate groups earlier.

"I did condemn," Trump replied. "They have been condemned."

When asked why he didn't hold a press conference, he said he did, despite never holding a formal question period at his public events on Monday. Acosta asked if he would take more questions, and Trump said, "It doesn't bother me at all, but, you know, I like real news. Not fake news. You're fake news. Thank you everybody."

A few hours after these remarks, Trump tweeted:

And then late Monday night, Trump retweeted a message from Jack Posobiec, a self-described member of the "new right," who asked why the media wasn't outraged about recent fatal shootings in Chicago.

Watch the remarks below:

Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images