Republican senator says Trump’s Charlottesville response compromises Trump’s ability to lead – AOL
Republican Sen. Tim Scottcontinued to condemn President Donald Trump's defense of some protesters at a neo-Nazi rally in Charlottesville, Virginia last week.
In an interview on CBS' "Face The Nation" on Sunday, Scott explained his argument that Trump's response to Charlottesville "complicates his moral authority" to lead the nation by equating neo-Nazis with counter-protesters.
"It's going to be very difficult for this president to lead if, in fact, that moral authority remains compromised," Scott said.
RELATED:Tim Scott
5 PHOTOS
Tim Scott
See Gallery
TAYLOR, SC - APRIL 16: Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) visits Hidden Treasure Christian School in Taylors, South Carolina on Wednesday April 16, 2014. Here he watches teacher Stan Ellis, center, show Ryan Porter, 18, how to tamp down a seedling in the Vocational class. (Photo by Nanine Hartzenbusch for The Washington Post via Getty Images)
UNITED STATES - APRIL 1: Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., speaks to a group of students from Greenville (SC) Tech Charter High School on the Senate steps outside of the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, April 1, 2014. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Barry Black (from left), Carol Mosely Braun, Roland Burris, Tim Scott, Mo Cowan and Cory Booker participate at an event discussing their personal journeys and the nation's progress with America's black senators at the Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014. (Pete Marovich/MCT via Getty Images)
UNITED STATES - FEBRUARY 25: Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., left, speaks during the 'Honoring our Past and Celebrating our Future: Discussing Personal Journeys and a Nation's Progress with America's Black Senators' event, hosted by Sen. Scott on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014. Also pictured are U.S. Senate Chaplain Barry Black, former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun, D-Ill., and former Sen. Roland Burris, D-Ill. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
HIDE CAPTION
SHOW CAPTION
He added: "His comments on Tuesday that erased his positive comments on Monday started to compromise that moral authority that we need the president to have for this nation to be the beacon of light to all mankind."
Scott urged Trump to try and forge deeper connections with black communities, saying the president needs to "have a personal connection to the painful history of racism and bigotry of this country."
"It would be fantastic if he sat down with a group of folks who have endured the pain of the '60s, the humiliation of the '50s and the '60s," Scott said.
"This would be an opportunity for him to become better educated and acquainted with the living history of so many folks from John Lewis to my mother and so many others who have gone through a very painful part of the history of this country so that when he acts, when he responds, and when he speaks, he's not reading the words that are so positive that he's breathing the very air that brings him to a different conclusion."
The South Carolina senator has repeatedly criticized Trump's Charlottesville response.
Scott said earlier this week that Trump's bungled Charlottesville response could also weaken the GOP legislative drive in congress as Republicans hope to pass major tax reform and infrastructure bills and raise the debt ceiling.
"When there is confusion where there should be clarity, it emboldens those folks on the other side," Scott told Vice News on Thursday. "It does not encourage the team to work as hard as we should on those priorities because there is so much headwind that you can't see straight."
NOW WATCH: Chris Christie ruined his relationship with Trump because the president is a germaphobe
See Also:
SEE ALSO:A top Democratic group is running a chilling ad linking Trump to white supremacists
DON'T MISS:Trump's approval rating drops below 40% in key states that helped him win the election
Read more:
Republican senator says Trump's Charlottesville response compromises Trump's ability to lead - AOL
- A Republican-backed bill would upend voter registration. Here are 8 things to know - NPR - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- With Anderson likely heading to D.C., Republican Party of Virginia could pick a new chair next month - Virginia Mercury - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Sins of the past do not budge Republican Senate from voting to end DEI in higher ed - Kentucky Lantern - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Republican Full-Year Continuing Resolution - House Committee on Appropriations | - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Republican Continuing Resolution Raises Housing Costs for Hardworking Americans - House Committee on Appropriations | - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Tariffs Offer Latest Example of Trump Remaking the Republican Party | Opinion - Newsweek - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- How the White House hired Republican political firms to launch an anti-migrant ad campaign - The Associated Press - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Contentious Republican town halls are going viral - The Verge - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- They live in Californias Republican districts. They feel betrayed by looming health care cuts - CalMatters - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Republican threats push DC to begin removing "Black Lives Matter" plaza from street near White House - Milwaukee Independent - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Vindman pushes for no pay during shutdown, criticizes Republican bill and executive orders - CBS19 News - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Some Republican lawmakers have concerns about Elon Musk and DOGE. Here's what they've said - The Associated Press - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Republican leadership tells party to stop holding public events what impact will that have? - The Guardian US - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- DeLauro Releases Fact Sheet on Republican Funding Bill that Accelerates the Stealing of Taxpayer Funds from American Families and Businesses - House... - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Berkeley Talks: Heather Cox Richardson on the evolution of the Republican Party and what gives her hope for America - UC Berkeley - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Trump administration briefing: US backs Russia ahead of G7, Republican spending bill boosts defense - The Guardian US - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Sen. Dan Thatcher is leaving Utahs Republican Party to break the deadlock in politics - Salt Lake Tribune - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Republican-led bill would limit investors to 2,000 homes in Georgia - WABE 90.1 FM - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Analysis | The Republican governor leading states response to Trump - The Washington Post - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Opinion | The Houses Republican edge is gone. But the gerrymander lives. - The Washington Post - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- DOGE firings provoke heated confrontations, shouts of Nazi, at Republican town halls - Los Angeles Times - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Record Surge in Republican Satisfaction With State of Nation - Gallup.com - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Senator Murray Raises Alarm Over Looming Republican Cuts to Medicaid, with Health Care Workers in Central and Eastern WA - Senator Patty Murray - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- LEADER JEFFRIES: THE REPUBLICAN BUDGET REPRESENTS THE LARGEST MEDICAID CUT IN AMERICAN HISTORY Congressman Hakeem Jeffries - Congressman Hakeem... - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Police forces lean Republican, but partisan politics dont greatly influence officer actions - PsyPost - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Republican senators threaten not to boost Texas public universities funding over DEI ban - The Texas Tribune - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- There appears to be one Republican serious about fixing government spending | Opinion - USA TODAY - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Is it true Republican tax cuts are the biggest federal debt driver since 2001? - Austin American-Statesman - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Opinion | Republican Men and Women Are Changing Their Minds About How Women Should Behave - The New York Times - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Trump And Republican Budget May Drain Medicaid To Pay For Huge Tax Cut - Forbes - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Congresswoman Betty McCollum: I Will Vote No on the Republican Budget Scheme - Betty McCollum - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Republican Rep. Joe Wilson announces plan to propose $250 bill featuring Trump - Fox News - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- The Republican House Budget Resolution's Potential $880 Billion in Medicaid Cuts by Congressional District - Center For American Progress - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- LEADER JEFFRIES: THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN BUDGET RESOLUTION WILL SET IN MOTION THE LARGEST MEDICAID CUT IN AMERICAN HISTORY Congressman Hakeem Jeffries -... - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- What's in the House Republican budget bill? | The Excerpt - USA TODAY - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- Heres Whats in the House Republican Budget and What Comes Next - The New York Times - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- Rep. Carbajal on the House Passing the Republican Budget That Slashes Funding for Medicaid and SNAP - Salud Carbajal - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- Republican Heather Hill, Appalachian entrepreneur, is inspired by tragedies to run for Ohio governor - Washington Times - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- Warren Davidson is the latest Republican to oppose the House budget - POLITICO - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- What is in the just-passed House Republican budget bill? What to know - USA TODAY - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- Evers takes his budget on the road. Will Republican lawmakers hear from voters? - Wisconsin Examiner - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- A Georgia Republican known for her `Jesus, Guns and Babies' slogan is running for Congress - The Associated Press - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- The end of USAID? For this Republican aid expert, it's too early to tell - Devex - February 12th, 2025 [February 12th, 2025]
- AARP Makes the Republican Case for Adding a Caregiver Tax Credit - ThinkAdvisor - February 12th, 2025 [February 12th, 2025]
- Republican lawmaker is fundraising off petition to 'arrest and deport' Rep. Ilhan Omar to Somalia - New York Post - February 12th, 2025 [February 12th, 2025]
- The Republican war on science takes a drastic turn for the worse - MSNBC - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Another Republican senator goes against Trump's 'poorly conceived' NIH funding cuts - ABC News - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- As an Elected Republican Who Believes in the Rapture, This Is My Chance to Shine - McSweeney's Internet Tendency - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Hochul Halts Bill Aimed at Weakening Republican Control of House - The New York Times - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- We are witnessing the rise of a new Republican Southern Strategy - The Guardian US - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- State Democratic and Republican party chairs look forward to governors race - GBH News - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- John Jagler Talks Republican Bill Aiming To Reverse DPI Standards - Daily Dodge - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- House Republican schemes to deprive millions of women of voting rights - People's World - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Republican Senator launches investigation into Jason Krasley, who landed a job at a top sex-abuse watchdog but was recently charged with sex abuse -... - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Jeff Kaufmann reelected to lead Republican Party of Iowa - Iowa Public Radio - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Republican AGs back Trump federal employee buyout as judge decides 'Fork in the Road' directive's fate - Fox Business - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Republican Club of Longboat Key ready to kick off 2025 year with first event - Your Observer - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Republican Veterans in Congress Are Privately Lobbying Trump on Resettling Afghan Allies - NOTUS - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Meet 'Republican hair': It's blonde, bouncy, and really doesn't have a political party - Business Insider - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Republican state AGs back Trump birthright citizenship order in court filing: 'Taxpayers are on the hook' - Fox News - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Opinion: Trump didnt break the Republican Party. He harnessed it. - Salt Lake Tribune - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- NEW: Republican Reconciliation Bill Could Slash Medicaid Benefits for 22 Million Americans to Extend Tax Cuts for Billionaires - Democrats.org - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- DEI not to blame in crash, says top Republican overseeing FAA - POLITICO - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Two reasons why a Republican could win this years race for governor | Moran - NJ.com - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Exclusive | Ted Cruz Leads Republican Charge to Defund Consumer-Protection Agency - The Wall Street Journal - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- The Trump Economy Begins: How a Republican Congress Could Impact Those Relying on Social Security - Yahoo Finance - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Selena Gomez laughs off Republican calling to deport her over Ice raid video - The Guardian US - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- This Republican Senator Says Trump Needs to Hear Dissent. Will He Speak Up? - The New York Times - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- A Republican court candidate in North Carolina wants to toss out thousands of votes - NPR - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Republican Senators Call on Trump to Rethink Revoked Security Details - The New York Times - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Republican attorneys general urge Costco to jump off the DEI bandwagon - Washington Times - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- John Fetterman Addresses Speculation That He's Becoming a Republican - Newsweek - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Opinion | Trump Didnt Break the Republican Party. He Harnessed It. - The New York Times - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Who Are the Three Republican Senators Who Voted Against Pete Hegseth? - The New York Times - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- A Republican-led group is running ads in NC opposing the GOP attempt to throw out ballots - NC Newsline - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Republican county committees to hold event spotlighting Mainer pardoned for January 6th riot - Maine Public - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Tennessee Republican womens group cites Hitler in promoting its reading list - Chattanooga Times Free Press - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- North Carolinas Republican justices signal support for overturning Democratic judges election - Mother Jones - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- House Republican introduces long-shot measure to let Trump seek a third term - Axios - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Can Trump handle the new Republican factions? - Financial Times - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]