New Jersey Governor Chris Christie says President Trump's comments that both sides were equally responsible for the violence in Charlottes, Virginia, were a mistake.
“The people who wanted to cause violence in Charlottesville were the neo-Nazis and the white supremacists who came there to cause violence. And the very underpinnings of their philosophy, if you can call it that, is the use of violence based upon bias and prejudice. And that’s unacceptable in our country.”
Christie is a close political ally of Trump, but he says there's no moral equivalency between those who oppose neo-Nazism and white supremacy and those who support it.
"I don't think that equates, in fact I know it doesn't equate, to the president being a racist. That is not true. And I know that personally and I would continue to stand behind that, but it does not excuse the statement."
Christie says the conduct in Charlottesville was reprehensible and believes all leaders should speak out against white nationalists and neo-Nazis.
He says he hasn't talked to Trump about it and will keep any advice he gives him private.