Romney Implores Trump To Admit He Was Wrong And Apologize
Romney blasts Donald Trump over Charlottesville response.
In a Facebook post onFriday, former presidential candidate Mitt Romney urged Donald Trump to take “remedial action in the extreme” and “state forcefully and unequivocally that racists are 100% to blame for the murder and violence in Charlottesville.”
Romney said that Trump’s words blaming “many sides” for the violence “caused racists to rejoice” and “minorities to weep.”
“His apologists strain to explain that he didn’t mean what we heard. But what we heard is now the reality, and unless it is addressed by the president as such, with unprecedented candor and strength, there may commence an unraveling of our national fabric.”
“The potential consequences are severe in the extreme. Accordingly, the president must take remedial action in the extreme. He should address the American people, acknowledge that he was wrong, apologize,” Romney said.
Romney noted how white supremacist groups, including former KKK leader David Duke, applauded Trump’s statement during a Tuesday press conference. Romney said Trump needs to go further in disavowing their support.
“Once and for all, he must definitively repudiate the support of David Duke and his ilk and call for every American to banish racists and haters from any and every association,” Romney wrote.
“In homes across the nation, children are asking their parents what this means. Jews, blacks, Hispanics, Muslims are as much a part of America as whites and Protestants. But today they wonder. Where might this lead? To bitterness and tears, or perhaps to anger and violence?”
The former Massachusetts governor also noted that Donald Trump’s statements about Charlottesville have damaged America’s standing in the world.
“Our allies around the world are stunned and our enemies celebrate; America’s ability to help secure a peaceful and prosperous world is diminished,” he added. “And who would want to come to the aid of a country they perceive as racist if ever the need were to arise, as it did after 9/11?”
Romney said that Charlottesville is a “defining moment” for Donald Trump.
“But much more than that, it is a moment that will define America in the hearts of our children. They are watching, our soldiers are watching, the world is watching. Mr. President, act now for the good of the country.”
Here is Romney’s full statement:
