After protests by white nationalists turned violent in Charlottesville, Virginia on Saturday, President Trump responded by saying: “We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides, on many sides.”
Trump did not mention white nationalists in his statement — and he reportedly ignored questions from the press about a car plowing into multiple counter-protesters. The car left at least three dead.
Here’s how Texas officials are responding to the news from Virginia:
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said on Facebook he was “saddened and disappointed by the hate on display this weekend in Charlottesville.”
“There is no excuse for violence in our public discourse,” Cruz said. “I join all who are taking a stand to show that these are not the values our country represents, and I believe that peace, unity, and truth will prevail. Americans must stand united in opposing those who aim to divide us through hatred and bigotry.”
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said on Twitter he was praying for Charlottesville.
“We must stand against all who try to divide us with hatred and bigotry,” Patrick said.
On Twitter, U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-El Paso, tweeted: “We are so much better than the small-minded racism, intolerance & hatred that the citizens of #Charlottesville are standing up to.”
U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Dallas, condemned the actions on Twitter: “The racist white supremacist actions in Charlottesville are completely horrendous,” he said.
Other lawmakers requested prayer.
“Please join me in sending prayers to Charlottesville,” U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe, R-Heath, said. “This hateful violence is deeply saddening and must be condemned in the strongest terms.”
U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio said the incident “should be treated for what it is, terrorism.”
U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-Helotes, held a moment of silence for Charlottesville during a town hall Saturday afternoon in Helotes. “There’s no role for racism or bigotry in the United States of America,” he said.
U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, called the violence “alarming” and “disturbing.” “Our country cannot succumb to this hatred,” Doggett said.
U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, criticized the President’s response on Twitter and then offered her sympathy to “those injured during this terrible demonstration and to the family of the deceased.”
U.S. Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Dallas, said: “I’ve never been more concerned [about] the tenor of political debate in America [and] how we treat each other.” Hensarling called for peace.
U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, condemned the violence. “It does not define us as Americans,” McCaul said.
Joining the long list of Texas lawmakers condemning the violence Saturday afternoon were U.S. Rep. John Culberson, R-Houston, U.S. Rep. Roger Williams, R-Austin and U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Lewisville.
Patrick Svitek contributed to this report.
