Florida Man Tells Facebook He Gets His AR-15 Back Soon, "Don't Go To Walmart Next Week"

Richard Clayton (mug shot)

On August 6, three days after a white supremacist shot and killed 22 people at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, another white supremacist in Florida wrote on his Facebook account, "3 more days of probation left then I get my AR-15 back. Don’t go to Walmart next week."

From ABC News:

Richard Clayton, 26, was arrested by Florida Department of Law Enforcement authorities on Friday in Winter Park after making an online threat last week, according to police.

On Aug. 6, Clayton allegedly posted on Facebook, "3 more days of probation left then I get my AR-15 back. Don’t go to Walmart next week."

"Clayton appears to believe in the white supremacist ideology and has a history of posting threats on Facebook using fictitious accounts," Florida Department of Law Enforcement officials said.

He was not on probation, despite his threat, Florida officials told The Associated Press.

Clayton was charged with intimidation through a written threat and is being held at Orange County Jail on $15,000 bond.

Clayton reportedly threatened one of the police officers that arrested him asking if he was Hispanic. He also pulled out his genitals and threatened to pee in the officers' patrol car.

More from WKMG News6:

Clayton was arrested at his parents' Winter Park home Friday evening. Winter Park police detailed how Clayton was uncooperative and belligerent during the arrest, at one point telling an officer: "Officer, I hope that the next call you go to, you get blown away and killed. God, I pray that happens."

Court paperwork details how Clayton repeatedly asked an officer if he was Hispanic and that "they are what is wrong with this country. They come in and are ruining everything."

At one point, Clayton repeatedly asked an officer if he was a Nazi, then proceeded to expose himself and threatened to urinate in the police car. After an officer told Clayton he was not Hispanic, Clayton replied, "OK, well then, I guess I won't pee in your car, then."

Mass Shootings: Trump Condemns "Racism, Bigotry And White Supremacy"

Donald Trump (screen capture)

Donald Trump denounced white supremacy, racism and bigotry on Monday as he addressed the two mass shootings that occurred over the weekend.

From the New York Times:

“In one voice our nation must condemn racism, bigotry and white supremacy,” Mr. Trump said.

But Mr. Trump stopped well short of endorsing the kind of broad gun control measures that activists and Democrats have sought for years, instead falling back on time-honored Republican remedies, calling for stronger action to address mental illness, violence in the media and in video games.

He warned of “the perils of the internet and social media” with no acknowledgment of his use of those platforms to promote his brand of divisive politics.

It remained unclear whether Mr. Trump’s 10-minute remarks after one of the most violent weekends in recent American history could place him in a position to unify the nation when many Americans believe he is personally responsible for inflaming racial division. He took no responsibility for the atmosphere of division, nor did he recognize his own reluctance to warn of the rise of white nationalism until now.

The First Lady and I join all Americans in praying and grieving for the victims, their families, and the survivors. We will stand by their side FOREVER! pic.twitter.com/zOQLvAuXoh

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 5, 2019

TRUMP: "In one voice, our nation must condemn racism, bigotry, and white supremacy." pic.twitter.com/BaJp6bhWjG

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 5, 2019

Today, I am also directing the Department of Justice to propose legislation ensuring that those who commit hate crimes and mass murders face the DEATH PENALTY - and that this capital punishment be delivered quickly, decisively, and without years of needless delay. pic.twitter.com/BDXdpelK7F

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 5, 2019

Trump, struggling with a bad case of what appears to be dry mouth, falsely claimed the Ohio mass shooting took place in Toledo. (It happened in Dayton.) pic.twitter.com/dzOcsIV5ox

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 5, 2019

Trump said, "may God bless the memory of those who perished in Toledo," but the shooting happened in Dayton, Ohio.

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) August 5, 2019

Most Domestic Terrorism Threats Are Tied To White Supremacists

FBI Director Christopher Wray

During testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee today, FBI Director Christopher Wray said the majority of domestic terrorism arrests have been tied to white supremacy.

From The Hill:

”I will say that a majority of the domestic terrorism cases that we’ve investigated are motivated by some version of what you might call white supremacist violence, but it does include other things as well,” Wray said at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, referring to cases in fiscal 2019, which began Oct. 1.

The FBI is “aggressively” investigating domestic terrorism and hate crimes, Wray said, noting that the bureau is focused on investigating the violence, not the ideology motivating the attacks.

Wray distinguished between what he termed homegrown violent extremism, wording he said the FBI uses to refer to people in United States who are inspired by global jihadists, and domestic extremism, which Wray described as broader to include racially motivated extremists, anarchists and others.

The number of domestic terrorism arrests are on par with the amount international terrorism cases, according to Wray.

“In terms of number of arrests, we have through the third quarter of this fiscal year had about give or take 100 arrests on the international terrorism side, which includes the homegrown violent extremism,” Wray told Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) at the hearing. “We’ve also had just about the same number — again, don’t quote me to the exact digit — on the domestic terrorism side.”

Wray also testified that Russian operatives are still trying to interfere with our elections.

Graham: "Are the Russians still trying to interfere in our election systems?"

FBI Director Wray: "The Russians are absolutely intent on trying to interfere with our elections through foreign influence."
Via CBS pic.twitter.com/favHfNtfAS

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) July 23, 2019

White Supremacist Gets Life In Prison For Driving Car Into Crowd At Charlottesville Hate Rally

Alex Fields Jr. (mug shot)

NBC News reports that James Alex Fields Jr., who drove his car into a crowd protesting white supremacists at a rally in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2017, has been sentence to life in prison.

James Alex Fields Jr. pleaded guilty to 29 of 30 hate crime charges in March in a plea deal to avoid the death penalty for murdering civil rights activist Heather Heyer and injuring more than 30 others when he intentionally mowed them down on a side street with his car on Aug. 12, 2017.

The 30th charge, which included a possible death sentence, was dropped. U.S. Attorney General William Barr directed and permitted prosecutors not to seek the death penalty.

Prosecutors have said that Fields has shown no remorse for the violence and had a history of racist and anti-Semitic behavior.

James Alex Fields, driver in deadly car attack at Charlottesville rally, sentenced to life in prison
Fields pleaded guilty to 29 of 30 federal hate crime charges in March.
Image: James Alex Fields Jr.
James Alex Fields Jr. at the Unite the Right rally pic.twitter.com/gPadLikCeU

— Lynnette (@Lynnett72514891) June 28, 2019

According to reports, Fields admired Adolf Hitler keeping a photo of the German dictator next to his bed.

A former classmate of Fields testified during his trial that on a high school trip to a German concentration camp, Fields said aloud, "This is where the magic happened."

This isn't the end of legal troubles for Fields, though.

He has also been convicted on state charges, including first-degree murder, five counts of aggravated malicious wounding, three counts of malicious wounding and one hit and run count for injuring dozens of others with his vehicle.

He has a sentencing hearing set on July 15 regarding those charges.

The jury in that case has reportedly recommended life in prison plus 419 years.

White Supremacist Pleads Guilty To 29 Federal Hate Crimes

James A. Fields Jr. (mugshot)

James A. Fields Jr., who drove his car into a crowd of people killing Heather Heyer during a rally for white nationalists in Charlottesville, Virginia, has pleaded guilty to 29 federal hate crime charges.

Fields originally pleaded not guilty, but changed his plea Wednesday. Those crimes carried the possibility of the death penalty.

From CBS19News:

James Fields, Jr. has pleaded guilty to 29 federal hate crime charges for his car attack on a crowd of people on Aug. 12, 2017 in Charlottesville.

The attack killed Heather Heyer and injured many other people. As a result of the plea, the death penalty was taken off the table.

The courtroom was filled with several people who had been injured in the car attack and Susan Bro, the mother of Heather Heyer. Fields had to answer questions about his competence, and he said he was making the decision of his own free will. He did not express any remorse.

The plea deal had to be approved by U.S. Attorney General William Barr, and prosecutors obtained that approval.

Fields was convicted of first-degree murder and several counts of malicious wounding during his state trial in December. He already faces a life sentence plus 419 years for that conviction.

Rep. Steve King Loses House Committee Assignments Over 'White Supremacy' Comments

Rep. Steve King of Iowa

Rep. Steve King of Iowa (R) has lost his House committee assignments as a result of his recent comments about

From The New York Times:

House Republican leaders removed Representative Steve King of Iowa from the Judiciary and Agriculture Committees on Monday night as party officials scrambled to appear tough on racism and contain damage from comments Mr. King made to The New York Times questioning why white supremacy is considered offensive.

The punishment came on a day when Mr. King was denounced by an array of Republican leaders, though not President Trump. The Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, suggested Mr. King find “another line of work” and Senator Mitt Romney said he should quit. And the House Republicans, in an attempt to be proactive, stripped him of the committee seats in the face of multiple Democratic resolutions to censure Mr. King that are being introduced this week.

Those measures would force Republicans to take a stand on the House Democratic majority’s attempt to publicly reprimand one of their own.

Mr. King, who has been an ally of President Trump on the border wall and other issues, has a long history of making racist remarks and insults about immigrants, but has not drawn rebukes from Republican leaders until recently.

Tonight, Rep. Steve King was stripped of all his committee assignments for his embrace of white supremacy.

He will not serve on a single committee for the next 2 years of the 116th Congress.

Committee assignments are powerful. Members spend years working for their desired spot. https://t.co/WLkH2os8Pw

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 15, 2019

This AM, Kevin McCarthy stopped short of calling on Steve King to resign, as did Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley. "That's up to Steve King," McCarthy said.

Liz Cheney, however, said she agrees with McConnell: "I think he should find another line of work."

— Manu Raju (@mkraju) January 15, 2019

Steve King's larger argument is basically I've said similar things before and nobody did anything....which....isn't...totally....wrong https://t.co/qigCaks8ky

— Steadman™ (@AsteadWesley) January 15, 2019

White Supremacist Sentenced To Life In Prison For Driving Car Through Charlottesville Crowd

James A Fields Jr.

The Washington Post reports that neo-nazi James A. Fields Jr., convicted of first-degree murder (among other charges) has been sentenced to life in prison and more for his actions.

James A. Fields Jr., an avowed neo-Nazi who rammed his car into a group of counterprotesters at a white-supremacist rally, was sentenced to life in prison by a jury Tuesday after a trial that offered an unsparing view of the physical and emotional ruin he caused in this city with a burst of vehicular rage 16 month ago.

As he had throughout his two-week trial, Fields, 21, sat impassively at the defendant’s table, clad in a powder blue sweater, as the jury delivered its verdict at 12:20 p.m. after about four hours of deliberations that began Monday: life for first-degree murder; 70 years for each of five counts of aggravated malicious wounding; 20 years for each of three counts of malicious wounding; and nine years for leaving the scene of a fatal crash.

His overall sentence: life plus 419 years and $480,000 in fines.

Heather Heyer, 32, was killed in the attack as well as 35 others who were seriously injured.

In Virginia, a trial jury hands out sentences within certain guidelines.

The judge will officially sentence Fields on March 29.  At that time, the judge may reduce, but not increase, the prison time.

Charlottesville Neo-Nazi Found Guilty Of Murder

James Alex Fields (mug shot via the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail.)

The Neo-nazi who drove his car into a crowd of people a the Charlottesville rally in 2017 has been found guilty of first-degree murder.

From ABC News:

Suspect James Alex Fields was on trial for the death and injuries he is accused of causing when he drove his car into a crowd of counter-protesters, killing Heather Heyer.

He was found guilty on all of the charges he was facing, ABC affiliate WSET reports, which included first-degree murder as well as eight other charges relating to injuries and one relating to fleeing the scene of an accident.

Fields' sentencing will come at a later date, and he faces life in prison.

BREAKING: James Alex Fields Jr., man who drove car into counter-protesters during Charlottesville rally in 2017, convicted of first-degree murder. https://t.co/HQNEBrxMMQ pic.twitter.com/KYNPYUPEYL

— ABC News (@ABC) December 7, 2018

Fields' defense lawyers tried to claim 'self-defense' saying he became afraid after the rally, led by white nationalists and neo-nazis turned violent.

Entered into evidence during the trial were text messages Fields sent to his mother leading up to and during the rally. "We're not the one [sic] who need to be careful," he texted his mother the day before the event, along with a picture of Adolf Hitler.

The jury also heard a jailhouse conversation between Fields and his mom. When his mother mentioned that Heyer's mother had lost a daughter due to his actions, he responded, "It doesn't f*cking matter."

The 21-year-old still faces 30 federal charges, separate from this trial, relating to hate crimes.

Congress Condemns White Supremacists - Will Trump Sign It?

(image via Flickr - Robert Thivierge)

From NBC News:

Congress has approved a resolution condemning white supremacists, neo-Nazis and other hate groups following a white-nationalist rally in Virginia that descended into deadly violence.

The resolution recognizes Heather Heyer, who was killed Aug. 12, and 19 other people who were injured after a car allegedly driven by a neo-Nazi slammed into a crowd of demonstrators protesting the rally in Charlottesville. It describes Heyer's death as a "domestic terrorist attack" and acknowledges two Virginia state troopers who died in a helicopter crash while monitoring the protests.

Six senators from both parties, led by both of Virginia's Democratic senators, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, introduced the measure, which the Senate approved unanimously Monday night. The House approved the joint resolution Tuesday by unanimous consent.

The measure, which now goes to President Donald Trump for his signature, urges the Trump administration to speak out against hate groups that espouse racism, extremism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and white supremacy. It also calls on the Justice Department and other federal agencies to "use all resources available" to improve data collection on hate crimes and "address the growing prevalence of those hate groups in the United States."

I'll be fascinated to see how Trump, who had dodged many opportunities to denounce these hate groups in the past, will handle this.

Donald Trump Covers Der Spiegel

Der Spiegel ("The Mirror"), Germany's weekly newsmagazine, and one of Europe's most widely read, puts their version of Donald Trump on the cover with the caption, "The true face of Donald Trump."

Boston Hate Rally Met With Tens Of Thousands Of Counter-Protesters

From CNN:

Thousands of counterdemonstrators marched Saturday in downtown Boston in response to a self-described free speech rally that had sparked concerns of possible violence.

The largely peaceful march and rally came one week after racially motivated protests in Charlottesville, Virginia, turned deadly.

Amid a heavy police presence, men, women and children from diverse backgrounds showed up Saturday morning to march from the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center in Roxbury to Boston Common, the nation's oldest park.

Some carried signs with messages such as "No Trump. No KKK. No racist USA" and "Americans against hate." At times, they chanted "Hey hey, ho ho, white supremacy has got to go" and "Black lives matter."

Police maintained a buffer zone between marchers and rally participants -- averting major incidents except for occasional clashes and shouting matches between the counterprotesters and supporters of President Donald Trump.

Photos from the Boston rally and counter-protest.

Follow live updates: https://t.co/hfV98QvP3T

Watch on CNN: https://t.co/MRRPSEhvTf pic.twitter.com/xtP1vTOA0m

— CNN (@CNN) August 19, 2017

Controversial rally in Boston has ended, police say. At least 8 arrested on what was a mostly peaceful day. https://t.co/iPNIPSrrQz pic.twitter.com/fqPbKnMUQa

— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) August 19, 2017

Aerial video shows thousands of people flooding the streets of Boston for dueling rallies.

Follow live updates: https://t.co/SindDYycVL pic.twitter.com/hIYSdoImjr

— CNN (@CNN) August 19, 2017

Organizer Of Charlottesville Hate Rally: Heather Heyer's Death Was "Payback"

The organizer of the Charlottesville neo-nazi rally, Jason Kessler, tweeted last night that the counter-protester killed during the ensuing violence was a "fat, disgusting Communist."

Kessler also seemed to indicate that the woman, Heather Heyer, somehow deserved to die saying her death "looks like payback time."

This morning, Kessler claimed he was hacked:

And sometime later, Kessler changed his story blaming his hateful words on "stress" and a result of taking sleeping medications along with alcohol and anti-anxiety drugs.

Shortly after that, Kessler deleted his entire Twitter account.

Even his fellow white supremacists disavowed his hateful rhetoric:

I will no longer associate w/ Jason Kessler; no one should. Heyer's death was deeply saddening. "Payback" is a morally reprehensible idea. pic.twitter.com/MTVDL9Av3s

— Richard ☝🏻Spencer (@RichardBSpencer) August 19, 2017

Assuming this is a real tweet and his account was not hacked, I will no longer attend or cover events put on by Jason Kessler. Very gross. pic.twitter.com/IyK4dyyTIn

— James☝️Allsup (@realJamesAllsup) August 19, 2017

Some far-right loons have begun claiming Kessler is actually a left-leaning "plant" trying to discredit the alt-right:

More indications that the white supremacist organizer of #Charlottesville is a leftist playing his part in a script https://t.co/xiipEZYYRt

— Dinesh D'Souza (@DineshDSouza) August 18, 2017

Jason Kessler wasn't "hacked". He's an activist and infiltrator.

It wouldn't surprise me if a book is in the works. "Among the Nazis!"

— Supreme Dark Lord (@voxday) August 19, 2017

KKK Leader To Univision: "We Killed 6 Million Jews, 11 Million Immigrants Is Nothing"

Christopher Barker, KKK leader

"We killed 6 million Jews, 11 million (undocumented immigrants) is nothing."

Those were the words of Christopher Barker, a leader of the Ku Klux Klan's 'Loyal White Knights' during an interview with Univision's late night news anchor, Ilia Calderon, for the show Aquí y Ahora.

"We're going to burn you," said Barker. "To me, you're a ni**er," he added.

No doubt Mr. Barker is one of those "very fine people" Donald Trump has been defending for several days.

Watch below.

(h/t JoeMyGod)

Poll: Majority Disapprove Of Trump's Response To Charlottesville Violence

According to a new CBS News poll, a majority of Americans - 55% - disapprove of Donald Trump's handling of the white supremacists' violent rally in Charlottesville last weekend.

But, among Republicans,  67% approve of the Trumpster's comments on the issue.

The poll began Monday night, before Trump's contentious press conference Tuesday, and continued through Wednesday. The disapproval numbers ticked up after his comments to reporters asserting there were "fine people" on both sides of the clash between neo-nazis and counter-protesters.

Additionally, only 12% of those polled feel Trump's policies promote racial unity, while 44% say his comments stoke further racial division.

Trump Laments The Loss Of Beautiful & Cultural Racist Monuments

Donald Trump's latest Twitter rant bemoans the loss of "history, "culture," and "beauty" when Confederate monuments are removed from public parks.

Here's an idea: take all the statues dedicated to Confederate racism and put them in the lobby of Trump Hotels. How's that?

Sad to see the history and culture of our great country being ripped apart with the removal of our beautiful statues and monuments. You.....

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 17, 2017

...can't change history, but you can learn from it. Robert E Lee, Stonewall Jackson - who's next, Washington, Jefferson? So foolish! Also...

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 17, 2017

...the beauty that is being taken out of our cities, towns and parks will be greatly missed and never able to be comparably replaced!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 17, 2017

As one Twitterer notes, Germany certainly didn't leave monuments to Hitler standing.

Why has Germany Removed all Hitler Statues then?

— Impeach Donald Trump (@Impeach_D_Trump) August 17, 2017

And, just to remind: If this is all about "beauty" and "history," what was this chanting of "Fuck you, faggots" during the Charlottesville debacle?

While the news cycle has moved on to Trump's next minefield, I still can't get these chants out of my head. pic.twitter.com/JhreiTgeDC /3

— @kim (@kim) August 17, 2017

Charlottesville Nazi Strips His "White Power" Costume To Escape Protesters

Documentary-maker C.J. Hunt was in Charlottesville this past weekend to finish a doc on Confederate monuments.

Caught up in the violent turmoil of Saturday's neo-nazi events, he came across a young white supremacist who came running by him, clearly separated from his pack and afraid.

Via GQ Magazine:

It was Saturday, and the police had finally called for everyone to clear the park. As I filmed officers opening up a blocked street, a young man ran into view, screaming for help. He wore the khaki-and-white uniform of the white nationalist group Vanguard America. He had been separated from them and was being chased by at least one protester. He ripped off his shirt and begged the crowd for mercy. He wasn’t actually into white power, you see.

"Barely,” he clarified to me. As he shoved his polo shirt into a plastic bag, the fear on his face settled into a smirk. “It’s kind of a fun idea,” he explained. “Just being able to say ‘white power,’ you know?”

I didn’t know. But by the look of things, the fun of shouting “white power” stopped as soon as he was threatened with the same violence his group brought to bear on others. Cut off from the pack, forced to face the consequences of his inflammatory behavior, he found escape in a costume change.

Hunt goes on to note that the simple ability to shed his white supremacist skin demonstrates, in part, the white privilege the alt-right denies exists. People of color have no access to such immediate camouflage. The privilege to disappear by removing a shirt.

Watch below as the young neo-nazi explains before he walks off with a smirk.

Trump Defends White Supremacists: "Two Sides To A Story"

I'm. Just. Stunned.

From The New York Times:

President Trump on Tuesday insisted that he did nothing wrong on Saturday when he declined to specifically condemn Nazi and white supremacist groups, asserting that “before I make a statement, I like to know the facts.”

In a long, combative exchange with reporters at Trump Tower, the president repeatedly rejected a torrent of bipartisan criticism for waiting several days before naming the right-wing groups and placing blame on “many sides” for the violence that ended with the deaths of a young woman after a car crashed into a crowd.

Mr. Trump repeated that assertion on Tuesday, criticizing “alt-left” groups that he claimed were “very, very violent” when they sought to confront the nationalist and Nazi groups that had gathered in Charlottesville, Virginia to protest the removal of a statue of Robert E. Lee from a park. He said there is “blame on both sides.”

Trump says not everyone at Charlottesville was a neo-Nazi or white supremacist https://t.co/LE4bzWCOWj pic.twitter.com/iJPg3ssR8C

— Bloomberg (@business) August 15, 2017

President Trump on Charlottesville: “There are two sides to a story” https://t.co/UYpqI3w42L https://t.co/OQnTTHerZs

— CNN (@CNN) August 15, 2017

Donald Trump: "There were some very good people on both sides! Very good!" pic.twitter.com/ZhjzQiMNZB

— Riley Kilburg (@RileyKilburg) August 15, 2017

There are no "very good people" marching with Nazis. Trump is pivoting to something else. If you march with Nazis you're okay with Naziism.

— Nazis are Nazis (@therealezway) August 15, 2017

Trump Covers NY Daily News

Because, of course...

From the New York Daily News:

After relentless pressure spanning the political spectrum, President Trump grudgingly condemned white supremacists, the KKK and neo-Nazis for Saturday’s violence in Charlottesville, Va.

“Racism is evil,” Trump said during a brief address at the White House on Monday. “And those that 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.”

Hours later, he took to Twitter to complain that his belated repudiation of hate groups wasn’t met with more acclaim.

“Made additional remarks on Charlottesville and realize once again that the #Fake News Media will never be satisfied...truly bad people!” he wrote.

Made additional remarks on Charlottesville and realize once again that the #Fake News Media will never be satisfied...truly bad people!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 14, 2017

Under Pressure, Donald Trump Finally Denounces KKK/White Supremacists

Donald Trump took finally issued a statement today denouncing the violence and bigotry of white supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia, this past weekend.

From the New York Times:

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

Several of the president’s top advisers, including his new Chief of Staff John F. Kelly, pressed Mr. Trump to issue a more forceful rebuke after his comment on Saturday that the violence in Charlottesville was initiated by “many sides,” prompting nearly universal criticism.

It's notable that Trump framed his condemnation with "as I said on Saturday," which he did not. But we all know that this is a man who never admits he is wrong.

Clearly loathe to issue any statement against white nationalists and bigots, Trump began his remarks with a lengthy self-congratulation on the economy.

That would be the economy he inherited from President Obama.

Trump: "Racism is evil and those who cause violence in its name are criminals and thugs, including the KKK, Neo-Nazis, & White Supremacists" pic.twitter.com/pYnjQXDvyU

— Axios (@axios) August 14, 2017

Donald Trump's full statement today via NBC News:

I’m in Washington today to meet with my economic team about trade policy and major tax cuts and reform. We are renegotiating trade deals and making them good for the American worker. And it's about time.

Our economy is now strong. The stock market continues to hit record highs, unemployment is at a 16-year low, and businesses are more optimistic than ever before. Companies are moving back to the United States and bringing many thousands of jobs with them. We have already created over one million jobs since I took office.

We will be discussing economic issues in greater detail later this afternoon, but, 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.

I just met with FBI Director Christopher Wray and Attorney General Jeff Sessions. 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 the 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.

Two days ago, a young American woman, Heather Heyer, was tragically killed. Her death fills us with grief, and we send her family our thoughts, our prayers, and our love.

We also mourn the two Virginia state troopers who died in service to their community, their commonwealth, and their country. Troopers Jay Cullen and Burke Bates exemplify the very best of America, and our hearts go out to their families, their friends, and every member of American law enforcement.

These three fallen Americans embody the goodness and decency of our nation. In times such as these, America has always shown its true character: responding to hate with love, division with unity, and violence with an unwavering resolve for justice.

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. Thank you very much.

No Bail For Nazi Suspect James Fields

James Alex Fields Jr.

James Alex Fields, the young man who allegedly drove his car through a crowd of counter-protesters during the hate rally on Saturday in Charlottesville, Virginia, has been arraigned without bail.

Via USA Today:

James Alex Fields Jr., 20, appeared in Charlottesville General District Court by video conference, where a judge read out the charges that include one count of second-degree murder, several counts of malicious wounding and one count of hit and run.

Clad in a striped gray and white shirt, Fields was subdued while answering questions from Judge Robert Downer. Fields said he could not afford a lawyer, and Downer assigned private attorney Charles Weber to the case.

Downer said he could not appoint a public defender due to a conflict of interest —someone linked to the public defender's office was injured in the crash Saturday. Fields’ next court date will be August 25.

Heather Heyer, 32, was killed and 19 people were injured Saturday when a Dodge Challenger rear-ended a sedan, which then hit a minivan that had slowed to allow the counter-protesters to cross at an intersection, Charlottesville police said. The impact pushed the vehicles into the crowd, police said in a statement. The Challenger fled the scene, but officers stopped it a short time later and arrested Fields, police said.

The article goes on to note that Fields apparently has a fascination with Nazism, idolized Adolf Hitler and radical convictions regarding race.

According to CBS News, Fields' mother knew he was going to an "alt-right" event but didn't understand it would be a white supremacist rally.