GOP senator rips Trump over Charlottesville statement: ‘Call evil by its name’

Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) called out President Trump on Saturday for not mentioning white supremacists by name while condemning violent clashes that erupted in Charlottesville, Va. 

“Mr. President – we must call evil by its name. These were white supremacists and this was domestic terrorism,” Gardner tweeted. 

Mr. President – we must call evil by its name. These were white supremacists and this was domestic terrorism. https://t.co/PaPNiPPAoW

— Cory Gardner (@SenCoryGardner) August 12, 2017

Gardner was joined by Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) in calling the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville an example of “hate and bigotry.”

The #WhiteSupremacy in #Charlottesville does not reflect the values of the America I know. Hate and bigotry have no place in this country.

— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) August 12, 2017

Trump had said earlier in the day that “many sides” were responsible for the violence in Charlottesville, where one counter-protester was killed and dozens of others were injured at a white supremacist rally.

{mosads}”We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides — on many sides,” Trump said at a press conference on Saturday.

Former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard David Duke was also present at the event, and he said the gathering was meant to “fulfill the promises of Donald Trump.”

Duke endorsed Trump during the 2016 presidential election, but the president disavowed the white supremacist leader after initially dodging questions on the issue.