President Donald Trump is not the only elected official being criticized for his initial response to the violence in Charlottesville, Va. over the weekend.
Today, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner eventually called the violence that claimed the life of a 32-year-old woman “an act of domestic terrorism.”
But he didn’t start today calling it that.
This morning - Rauner had a typical ceremony in which he signed a bill into law at a pre-school on Chicago’s West Side.
In typical fashion - Rauner took questions from reporters on other topics after he signed the bill.
When he was asked about Charlottesville - Rauner started his comments saying this...
RAUNER: There is no place in American society, in American political discourse, for racism or hatred or violence. Period. End of story. And all of us as Americans should speak out and stand against that kind of behavior and that kind of rhetoric.
Rauner was then asked if he’d call what happened in Charlottesville terrorism. His response:
RAUNER: It is outrageous and we gotta fight against it.
He was asked multiple times if it was terrorism. He didn’t say it.
Rauner was then asked about a resolution passed by the Illinois State Senate over the weekend. A resolution recognizing white nationalist groups and neo-Nazis as terrorists.
Rauner seemed unaware of the resolution until a reporter told him about it.
RAUNER: If they want to classify that as terrorism, I support that. That’s all a question of definition. What doesn’t matter is definitions. We know what hate is. We know what violence is. We know what racism is and we should fight against it.
Rauner also did not comment on the criticism President Donald Trump received for not immediately denouncing white supremacist groups for their role in Charlottesville.
After the press conference - Democrats running for governor had a lot to say.
JB Pritzker slammed Rauner’s cowardice. Chris Kennedy called him unworthy for office.
State Senator Daniel Biss called him incompetent.
Then - about 90 minutes later - Rauner’s office released a written statement saying the violence in Charlottesville is domestic terrorism.
He went on:
“Racism, hatred and violence have no place in our society. The individuals responsible should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
This exchange today comes after Rauner had an extended interview on Bret Baier’s FOX News show on Friday. In that interview - Rauner was asked six times about immigration and what he thinks about sanctuary cities like Chicago.
He received a fierce backlash online from conservative and right wing commentators because he wouldn’t give any direct answers.