Democrats urge Trump to condemn Charlottesville violence

Democratic lawmakers urged President Trump to condemn a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Saturday that prompted clashes between various groups of demonstrators and police. The president did not immediately respond to the violence following the state’s governor declaring it an emergency. 

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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) tweeted on Saturday that Trump needs to break his silence on Saturday’s rally.

Schumer urged Trump to “immediately” speak out.

March & rally in Charlottesville against everything the flag stands for. President Trump must condemn in strongest terms immediately.

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) August 12, 2017

Cohen compared the protest, which was originally prompted by opposition to the removal of a Confederate statue in the town, to “1930s Germany.” Some protesters wore Nazi symbols to the event.

Charlottesville alt.right gathering is reminiscent of 1930’s Germany and the President needs to condemn it.Make America great; Speak out !

— Steve Cohen (@RepCohen) August 12, 2017

First lady Melania Trump responded Saturday, urging Americans to communicate “w/o hate in our hearts.” The White House did not immediately release a statement.

Our country encourages freedom of speech, but let’s communicate w/o hate in our hearts. No good comes from violence. #Charlottesville

— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) August 12, 2017

Trump’s Twitter account, typically active on Saturday mornings, remained quiet until about an hour after the state of emergency was declared.

We ALL must be united & condemn all that hate stands for. There is no place for this kind of violence in America. Lets come together as one!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 12, 2017

 -This post was updated at 1:23 p.m.