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Following a weekend of blistering criticism from the media and Democrats, and even some Republicans, President Trump today issued an important statement clarifying his response to the Charlottesville violence and his views about the white supremacy movement.

Speaking in the Diplomatic Room of the White House, Trump confirmed that the horrific incident in which a white supremacist drove his car into a car of counter-protesters would be thoroughly investigated:

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 twenty others. To anyone who acted criminally in this weekend’s racist violence, you will be held fully accountable. Justice will be delivered.

Trump then addressed the elephant in the room: why he had spoken in general terms on Saturday instead of calling out the racist hate groups at the rally by name — an omission that created an opportunity for his critics to smear him as a racist.

He said:

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.

After expressing his sorrow for Heather Heyer and state troopers Jay Cullen and Berke Bates, all of whom died because of that disgraceful clash, Trump concluded:

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.

The full video can be seen here:

No one should expect that Trump’s comments today — as eloquent as they were — will calm the roiled waters created by his previous Charlottesville comment.

Despite being proven wrong, his critics will, of course, continue to be so; they will surely dismiss these remarks as coming too late or under duress.

At the same time, Trump’s allies will be relieved that he was able to say what they believe was in his heart all along.

[Note: This post was written by dk. Find him online at the African American Conservatives (AACONS) website or AACONS on Twitter and Facebook]