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Dan Rather: Trump's statement today "had the feeling of political defensiveness not moral clarity."
Finally. Finally. President Trump has spoken out, but his silence over the past two days says more than his words today.
America was hit by a terrorist attack. We have seen Nazis marching in our streets in torchlight parades with the infamous salute and the swastika abundantly presented. We have seen the kind of hatred that has torn this country apart in the past praised and encouraged. Mr. Trump has faced withering criticism for his failure to denounce Nazis and Klansmen, even from many in his own party. Viewed in this light, his statement today had the feeling of political defensiveness not moral clarity.
Where was the passion to fight homegrown terrorism? Where was the determination to root out hatred and prejudice? Where was the heartfelt assurances that all Americans have the right to live in a peaceful and tolerant nation?
We have heard the glee with which the President has called immigrants rapists and murders. We have seen him smile broadly as he denounces the press as enemies of America. We have seen his eyes sparkle as he dismisses our inner cities as depraved wastelands. I didn't see any of that conviction in his words today.
Furthermore, I learned as a child that actions speak louder than words. It is a lesson I have seen repeated countless times as a journalist. Even if President Trump had said the right things from the beginning of this tragedy in Charlottesville, his administration is using the Justice Department, under Attorney General Jeff Sessions, to implement policies that many across the political spectrum have said are racially divisive.
Presidents are judged in times of crisis. The best ones are heralded for the boldness and integrity of their leadership - not saying the bare minimum (I repeat about Nazi terrorists) a few days after the fact.
https://www.facebook.com/theDanRather/posts/10159171895865716
America was hit by a terrorist attack. We have seen Nazis marching in our streets in torchlight parades with the infamous salute and the swastika abundantly presented. We have seen the kind of hatred that has torn this country apart in the past praised and encouraged. Mr. Trump has faced withering criticism for his failure to denounce Nazis and Klansmen, even from many in his own party. Viewed in this light, his statement today had the feeling of political defensiveness not moral clarity.
Where was the passion to fight homegrown terrorism? Where was the determination to root out hatred and prejudice? Where was the heartfelt assurances that all Americans have the right to live in a peaceful and tolerant nation?
We have heard the glee with which the President has called immigrants rapists and murders. We have seen him smile broadly as he denounces the press as enemies of America. We have seen his eyes sparkle as he dismisses our inner cities as depraved wastelands. I didn't see any of that conviction in his words today.
Furthermore, I learned as a child that actions speak louder than words. It is a lesson I have seen repeated countless times as a journalist. Even if President Trump had said the right things from the beginning of this tragedy in Charlottesville, his administration is using the Justice Department, under Attorney General Jeff Sessions, to implement policies that many across the political spectrum have said are racially divisive.
Presidents are judged in times of crisis. The best ones are heralded for the boldness and integrity of their leadership - not saying the bare minimum (I repeat about Nazi terrorists) a few days after the fact.
https://www.facebook.com/theDanRather/posts/10159171895865716
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