Just minutes ago Trump appeared on national television and ‘upgraded’ his statement about the tragic events in Charlottesville, Virginia. For two days, I and many others have criticized Trump for not denouncing white supremacists, who are in fact domestic terrorists. I have no doubt that his prepared comments were the result of efforts by his chief of staff, John Kelly. He was put in his position to ‘steady the ship’ and keep Trump from speaking extemporaneously and reduce his tweets. From his original statement blaming all sides who participated in the violence, this is what he read today.

“Racism is evil,” Trump said. “And those who cause violence in its name are criminals and thugs — including the KKK, neo-Nazis and other hate groups.”

This was the first time in six months and 29 day I have heard Trump sound like anything close to ‘presidential.’ Many of his supporters won’t like the fact that he spoke the truth, whether he meant it or not. The criticism was never ending, and he was forced to stand before the cameras and admit that racism remains rampant in America.

This was his original statement:

“We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides, on many sides,” Trump told press at his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey, on Saturday. “This hate and division must stop, and it must stop now.”

The two are very different.

White supremacists have been a fringe element in our nation since the mid 1800’s. It is growing today as these men and women display their hatred of my America. Since Donald
Trump declared his presidency in June of 2015, hate crimes have risen by 800 percent; these are truly acts of domestic terrorism. Trump’s words were correct; this cannot be tolerated.

Although I believe Trump’s statement was a part of the ‘Kelly effect,’ I hope, for the sake of our nation’s people, that we will hear more intelligent rhetoric from your illegitimate president.

Please re-post; thank you.

Op-ed by James Turnage

SOURCE

Photo courtesy of Michael Belanger

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