Trump condemns violence erupting at white nationalist protest

President Trump condemned the violence in Charlottesville, Va. Saturday after far-right groups clashed with opposing protesters on the streets of the college town.

Trump responded about an hour after the governor of Virginia declared an emergency. 

“We ALL must be united & condemn all that hate stands for. There is no place for this kind of violence in America. Lets come together as one!”

He followed it up with another tweet explaining he’s been in meetings.

“But Charlottesville sad!” he tweeted.

We ALL must be united & condemn all that hate stands for. There is no place for this kind of violence in America. Lets come together as one!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 12, 2017

Am in Bedminster for meetings & press conference on V.A. & all that we have done, and are doing, to make it better-but Charlottesville sad!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 12, 2017

{mosads}

According to a pool report, the White House has been in contact with Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s (D) office and Trump’s homeland security adviser Tom Bossert has been in touch with local authorities in Charlottesville as well.

Violence erupted in Charlottesville on Saturday morning ahead of a scheduled gathering by white nationalist and alt-right groups.

The rally was originally prompted by ongoing opposition to a city decision to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee.

That violence prompted Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe to declare a state of emergency, as police marched on the scene ordering protesters to disperse.

 – This post was updated at 2:06 p.m.