Lindsey Graham calls out Trump in pointed statement: 'Your words are dividing Americans'
Just two days after Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) congratulated President Trump for his statement Monday condemning white supremacists and declaring racism "evil," Graham walked it back. On Wednesday, he released a statement declaring that Trump "took a step backward" at his combative press conference Tuesday "by again suggesting there is moral equivalency between the white supremacist neo-Nazis and KKK members who attended the Charlottesville rally and people like Ms. Heyer." Heather Heyer was killed at a rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, after a man drove a car through a group of counter-protesters.
Graham made clear that he and other Republicans "do not endorse this moral equivalency." "Many Republicans do not agree with and will fight back against the idea that the Party of Lincoln has a welcome mat out for the David Dukes of the world," said Graham, referring to former KKK leader David Duke, who praised Trump's remarks Tuesday.
"Mr. President, I encourage you to try to bring us together as a nation after this horrific event in Charlottesville," Graham said in the statement. "Your words are dividing Americans, not healing them."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Prickly pear juice recipeThe Week Recommends Jewel-toned, natural juice is a thirst-quenching treat
-
The truth about vitamin supplementsThe Explainer UK industry worth £559 million but scientific evidence of health benefits is ‘complicated’
-
Is convenience culture killing community?In The Spotlight A decline in emotional intelligence could be responsible for a diminished sense of belonging
-
Bari Weiss’ ‘60 Minutes’ scandal is about more than one reportIN THE SPOTLIGHT By blocking an approved segment on a controversial prison holding US deportees in El Salvador, the editor-in-chief of CBS News has become the main story
-
CBS pulls ‘60 Minutes’ report on Trump deporteesSpeed Read An investigation into the deportations of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador’s notorious prison was scrapped
-
Trump administration posts sliver of Epstein filesSpeed Read Many of the Justice Department documents were heavily redacted, though new photos of both Donald Trump and Bill Clinton emerged
-
Trump HHS moves to end care for trans youthSpeed Read The administration is making sweeping proposals that would eliminate gender-affirming care for Americans under age 18
-
Jack Smith tells House of ‘proof’ of Trump’s crimesSpeed Read President Donald Trump ‘engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election,’ hoarded classified documents and ‘repeatedly tried to obstruct justice’
-
House GOP revolt forces vote on ACA subsidiesSpeed Read The new health care bill would lower some costs but not extend expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies
-
Hegseth rejects release of full boat strike footageSpeed Read There are calls to release video of the military killing two survivors of a Sept. 2 missile strike on an alleged drug trafficking boat
-
Trump vows naval blockade of most Venezuelan oilSpeed Read The announcement further escalates pressure on President Nicolás Maduro