Trump denounces hate, bigotry in prime-time address

President Trump on Monday called for unity and denounced hatred and bigotry in a prime-time speech on Afghanistan that came several days after his controversial remarks about violence earlier this month at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va. 

“When we open our hearts to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice, no place for bigotry and no tolerance for hate,” Trump said at the beginning of a speech aimed at detailing the administration’s strategy in Afghanistan.

“The young men and women we send to fight our wars abroad deserve to return to a country that is not at war with itself at home. We cannot remain a force for peace in the war if we are not at peace with each other.” 

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The comments come after the president took sharp criticism last week for saying there is “blame on both sides” for the violence at a “Unite the Right” rally where one counterprotester was killed and multiple others injured after a car mowed down a group of protesters. The remarks, which followed a condemnation of neo-Nazis and the Ku Klux Klan earlier in the week, drew bipartisan criticism from lawmakers, members of the media and celebrities alike. 

“When one part of America hurts, we all hurt. And when one citizen suffers an injustice, we all suffer together,” Trump said during the Monday night speech.

“Loyalty to our nation demands loyalty to one another. Love for America requires love for all of its people.”