Rep. Capuano Is Stunned By Trump's Response To Charlottesville

Rep. Mike Capuano told Boston Public Radio Thursday that he is stunned by Trump’s comments on the white supremacist and Neo-Nazi rally held in Charlottesville, Virginia last Saturday that resulted in the death of counter-protester Heather Heyer.

“This whole thing strikes me as crazy," said Capuano. “The reaction to fascism is questionable. My father fought in World War II along with all my uncles. I think they would be rolling over in their graves for anyone to think for two seconds of standing next to or doing anything to support fascism or Nazism."

Trump received criticism for his initial comments on Saturday when he blamed “many sides,” for Saturday’s violence and did not directly disavow the white supremacists or Nazis. Trump later directly condemned these groups during a press conference on Monday where he said “racism is evil.”

In a stunning turn of events during a press conference on Tuesday, Trump spent 14 minutes reneging the statements he made on Monday and doubling down on his belief that “both sides” should be blamed for the violent outbreaks. Trump went as far to say that there were “very fine people on both sides,” and said that “the press has treated them absolutely unfairly.”

Politicians, business leaders and military generals have rebuked Trump’s comments, denouncing racism and the hate groups that rallied in Virginia.

Gen. Robert B. Neller, Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, and U.S. Army Chief of Staff Mark A. Milley condemned racism in a series of tweets Wednesday.

Neller wrote, “No place for racial hatred or extremism in @USMC. Our core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment frame the way Marines live and act."

Milley tweeted, “The Army doesn't tolerate racism, extremism, or hatred in our ranks. It's against our Values and everything we've stood for since 1775.”

“It is incredibly unfortunate that they felt required to do that, but of course they oversee a diverse military,” said Capuano about the tweets. “They can’t have dissension amongst their ranks; that’s not a military, that’s a mess. They had to speak out. I hope and presume they believe what they said.”

Capuano praised their decision to speak out against hate groups. “I congratulate them on that. They had to make sure that every soldier, every Air Force person, every Marine, every Navy person, was comfortable serving this country and comfortable with their fellow men and women in arms.”

Capuano also lamented the fact that the president could not be a symbol of morality for the county. “I can’t remember the last time we had to turn to our military leaders and the leaders of Wall Street to be the moral leaders of this country. It is just stunning to me.”