Military chiefs condemn racism in disavowal of Trump
By JACQUELINE KLIMAS
08/16/2017 04:37 PM EDT
The chiefs of the military branches are unequivocally condemning racism, in stark contrast to President Donald Trump’s remarks that both white supremacists and counterprotesters were to blame for the protests that left three dead in Charlottesville, Virginia, over the weekend.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein was the latest to issue a statement on Twitter on Wednesday morning, saying, “I stand with my fellow service chiefs in saying that we’re always stronger together.”
Army Chief Gen. Mark Milley tweeted early Wednesday that the Army “doesn’t tolerate racism, extremism, or hatred in our ranks.” Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller also issued a strongly worded statement Tuesday night, insisting there is “no place for racial hatred or extremism” in the Marines. Adm. John Richardson, chief of naval operations, echoed these sentiments, saying that this type of violence should be directed only against America’s enemies.
Trump is facing withering criticism for a news conference Tuesday in which he blamed both alt-right protesters and “alt-left” counterprotesters for the violence.
http://www.politico.com/story/2017/08/16/military-chiefs-comments-trump-charlottesville-racism-241714?lo=ap_a1
