Trump Addresses The Nation

Shortly after noon today, President Trump addressed the nation from the White House. His remarks, which largely echoed his comments from this weekend, were a powerful condemnation of bigotry and racism. He notably added a condemnation of specific groups, including the KKK, neo-Nazis and white supremacists.

The president vowed to bring those responsible for the violence in Charlottesville to justice, and he again called on all Americans to unite together in "love and loyalty." Here are excerpts of the president's statement:
 

"Based on the events that took place over the weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia, I would like to provide the nation with an update on the ongoing federal response to the horrific attack and violence that was witnessed by everyone. . .

"The Department of Justice has opened a civil rights investigation into the deadly car attack that killed one innocent American and wounded 20 others. To anyone who acted criminally in this weekend's racist violence: You will be held fully accountable. Justice will be delivered.

"As I said on Saturday, we condemn in strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence. It has no place in America. And as I have said many times before, no matter the color of our skin, we all live under the same laws. We all salute the same great flag. And we are all made by the same almighty God.

"We must love each other, show affection for each other and unite together in condemnation of hatred, bigotry and violence. We must rediscover the bonds of love and loyalty that bring us together as Americans.

"Racism is evil. And those who cause violence in its name are criminals and thugs, including the KKK, neo-Nazis, white supremacists and other hate groups that are repugnant to everything we hold dear as Americans.

"We are a nation founded on the truth that all of us are created equal. We are equal in the eyes of our Creator. We are equal under the law. And we are equal under our Constitution. Those who spread violence in the name of bigotry strike at the very core of America. . .

"As a candidate, I promised to restore law and order to our country. And our federal law enforcement agencies are following through on that pledge. We will spare no resource in fighting so that every American child can grow up free from violence and fear.

"We will defend and protect the sacred rights of all Americans. And we will work together so that every citizen in this blessed land is free to follow their dreams in their hearts and to express the love and joy in their souls. Thank you. God bless you and God bless America."

Truth

The teachings of Jesus Christ are the balm that can heal the wounds and divisions that are growing in America. Broken families, broken lives, broken communities can all be made whole by the Man of Galilee.

Racism in any form by members of any race is a sin. The basis of racial reconciliation is the knowledge that all human beings are made in the image of God.

Our liberty comes from God, not government. He is our ultimate "national defense." Our Founders believed that without a reliance on Him the republic was doomed. They were right.

A Political Observation

The KKK, neo-Nazis and white supremacists have nothing to do with American conservatism. By and large, conservatives believe in limited government, lower taxes, family values, religious liberty, the sanctity of life and restoring our reliance on the God of Abraham.

Attempts to equate racists with conservatives is a disgusting smear that demonizes 63 million Americans who simply want our country to rededicate itself to faith, family and freedom.

What Now?

Sadly, many of the loudest voices this morning who are trying to exploit the horror in Charlottesville are part of the same ideology that has been waging war on Christianity in American public life.
 

• In 1962 the left cheered when school prayer was ruled unconstitutional.
   
• For three decades, radical secularists and groups like the ACLU have waged a "search and destroy" campaign against displays of the Ten Commandments on public grounds.
   
• School textbooks have been "sanitized" so that the importance of faith in the American founding has been erased.
   
• The second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence, which contains the founding idea of America -- that our liberty comes from God -- is seldom taught in public schools.
   
• Lawsuits are regularly filed to remove "In God We Trust" from our currency or "under God" from our Pledge of Allegiance.
   
• The First Amendment guarantee of freedom of religion is under heavy judicial attack. In recent years, Christians have been ordered to promote or subsidize acts and ideas contrary to their faith.
   
• Christians who make faith-based arguments on the sanctity of life, the meaning of marriage and other issues have been compared by some public officials to the Taliban and ISIS.
   
• Christians nominated to serve in appointed government positions have recently come under fire if they ever defended the central tenet of the Christian faith -- that Christ is the only way to salvation.

  I hope and pray that as part of the effort to stop the hate, the left will end its war on Christianity in the public square.