Former Massachusetts governor and 2012 Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney released a lengthy statement on Friday imploring President Donald Trump to apologize over his controversial Charlottesville statements. Romney also warned of “an unraveling of our national fabric” if Trump doesn’t step up to the plate.
“Whether he intended to or not, what he communicated caused racists to rejoice, minorities to weep, and the vast heart of America to mourn,” Romney wrote. “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.”
Romney said that Trump’s remarks have had a dire impact around the world, leaving allies stunned and enemies celebrating. And he added that he believes there are real ramifications when it comes to America’s ability to secure peace around the globe.
He also said that, domestically, people of all races, creeds and religions are left wondering what will come from the chaos and uncertainty.
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“The potential consequences are severe in the extreme. Accordingly, the president must take remedial action in the extreme,” Romney wrote. “He should address the American people, acknowledge that he was wrong, apologize. State forcefully and unequivocally that racists are 100 percent to blame for the murder and violence in Charlottesville.”
And he wasn’t done there, adding that Trump must also make it clear that there is no comparison between Nazis and the counter-protestors who went to Charlottesville to protest against hate.
“And 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 continued. “This is a defining moment for President 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.”
He concluded, “Mr. President, act now for the good of the country.”