WASHINGTON, DC – Today, after President Trump made unscripted remarks where he sought to defend his Saturday statement that there was hatred and violence “on many sides” of the violence in Charlottesville, and referred to “very fine people” in the group of white supremacists, U.S. Senator Jack Reed issued the following statement:

“The United States fought against Nazis and fascism in World War II.  Over 400,000 Americans gave their lives in that fight.  Today, President Trump failed to do the right thing and remember that sacrifice and why Nazis, bigotry, and white supremacists can have no place in our country.  The President of the United States is the leader of the free world and should serve as a symbol for what is best about America.  It is time for him to stop excusing white supremacists and start working to bring Americans together in the fight against racism and intolerance.”