Charlottesville violence: Trump 'speaks for himself' on racial violence, says Tillerson

Tillerson said the nation's commitment to fighting racial injustice is unquestioned, and that he doesn't "believe anyone doubts the American people's values" or the government's commitment

Washington, August 28: In the wake of white supremacist march in Charlottesville, President Donald Trump's values should be considered separate from America's values, suggested Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

Speaking on "Fox News Sunday," Tillerson was asked to comment on Trump's seesawing response to violence at a white supremacist march in Charlottesville, Virginia, this month and the criticism that he had morally equated neo-Nazis with the individuals protesting against them.

Tillerson replied that "we express America's values from the State Department" and that when it comes to Trump's values, "the president speaks for himself."

Tillerson said the nation's commitment to fighting racial injustice is unquestioned, and that he doesn't "believe anyone doubts the American people's values" or the government's commitment to that goal.

Last week, Indian-Americans had condemned US President Donald Trump's remarks blaming "both sides" for the Charlottesville violence and termed his defence of neo- Nazi groups and white supremacists as a "disgrace".

Trump had come under fire from both Republicans and Democrats for his muted response to the violence unleashed by white supremacists during a rally in Charlottesville in Virginia in which a woman was killed and 19 others were injured when a car ploughed into a crowd of counter- protesters.

PTI