Wisconsin Congressional Delegation Condemns Charlottesville Violence

Members of Wisconsin’s congressional delegation have all denounced the violent clash in Charlottesville, Virginia where a vehicle drove into a crowd protesting white nationalists, killing one woman and injuring others.

But while both of Wisconsin’s U.S. Senators and all eight of the state’s U.S. Representatives spoke out against the violence, some were more pointed than others, and some were more critical of President Donald Trump’s response.

“It’s horrific, it’s a tragedy,” said Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson during an interview with WISN-AM Radio in Milwaukee. “This is evil, and I think everybody should renounce and denounce neo-Nazi groups, the white supremacists. There is no room of this kind of hate and violence in this country.”

Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin denounced the attack on Twitter.

“Racism, hatred, and violence have no place in America. Concerned and disgusted by the events in #Charlottesville,” she wrote.

For two days after the attack, both Republicans and Democrats urged President Trump to more forcefully denounce the white supremacists who were demonstrating in Charlottesville.

“The president’s comments and actions so far have allowed people who used to wear sheets over their heads to take them off and now go into the streets and start riots and problems,” said Democratic U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, of Madison.

After Trump spoke Monday morning, saying “racism is evil” and condemning “hatred, bigotry, and violence,” Pocan said more action was still needed.

“President Trump said what he needed to say in denouncing these groups, but unfortunately it came 48 hours late,” Pocan said. “Now that he’s called these groups out as ‘criminals and thugs,’ he needs to take the next step and remove (White House advisors) Seb Gorka and Steve Bannon.”

Here’s a roundup of the rest of the Wisconsin delegation’s response to the Charlottesville violence.

• U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Janesville: “The views fueling the spectacle in Charlottesville are repugnant. Let it only serve to unite Americans against this kind of vile bigotry. Our hearts are with today’s victims. White supremacy is a scourge. This hate and its terrorism must be confronted and defeated.” — via Twitter.
• U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse: “My prayers are with the families of Heather Heyer, Lieutenant Cullen, and Trooper-Pilot Bates who lost tragically lost their lives in Charlottesville. Hate, racism and bigotry should be strongly condemned, not covered up, and I call on President Trump to join me in condemning the racism and hatred on display by the white supremacists in charlottesville.” — via written statement.
• U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Milwaukee: “We will not be intimidated by the #AltRight. We won’t back down from standing up against hate & defending our #CivilRights. #Charlottesville.” — via Twitter.
• U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Brookfield: “What happened in Charlottesville goes against the principles of this nation and everything I’ve worked for during my time in Congress. The freedoms given in this country should never be abused to incite violence or spread hate and prejudice. It’s my hope that as Americans, we can all come together to denounce bigotry in all its forms.” — via written statement.
• U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-Glenbeulah – “What’s happening in #Charlottesville is unacceptable and un-American. My prayers are with the victims.” – via Twitter.
• U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wausau: “The hate and violence in Charlottesville today is despicable. We are better than this.” – via Twitter.
• U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Green Bay: “The abhorrent acts of hate and bigotry witnessed today in Charlottesville go against our American values.” – via Twitter.