Republican Sen. Ben Sasse: 'It feels like violence is coming'

Nati Harnik/AP Photo

Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., is concerned that more violence is on the way, following last weekend's deadly clash between white supremacy and neo-Nazi groups, and left-wing counter-protesters in Charlottesville, Va.

"It feels like violence is coming," Sasse wrote at the end of a long Facebook post Friday evening, titled "The next Charlottesville." "I'm not sure if this moment is like the summer of '67 or not. But it might be. Before that violence strikes again, it's up to us to reaffirm that exceptional American Creed again today, with our neighbors, and in our kids' hearts."

Earlier in the online note, Sasse listed out a number of "observations" from his family discussions this week. Within that 16-point list the lawmaker said he expects the violence will "come when white supremacists and the alt-right fight anarchist groups aligned with the extreme left."

President Trump, he said, will offer little in the way of a solution.

"What will happen next? I doubt that Donald Trump will be able to calm and comfort the nation in that moment," Sasse said. "He (and lots of others) will probably tell an awful combination of partial truths and outright falsehoods. On top of the trust deficits that are already baked so deeply in, unity will be very hard to come by."

Sasse has been a vocal critic of Trump since he took office.

Trump has faced bipartisan criticism for his remarks regarding the violence in Charlottesville, as he initially failed to rebuke white supremacist groups and neo-Nazis. On Monday he did condemn these groups by name, going further than his first statement Saturday, but on Tuesday he doubled back to say there is "blame on both sides."

Sasse expressed concern about those whom the president listens to, advising him to stoke further racial division.

"Besides ability and temperament, I also worry that national unity will be unlikely because there are some whispering in the President's ear that racial division could be good politics for them," Sasse said.

Sasse warned that the "white supremacists from Charlottesville now feel emboldened" and are moving on to their next target city "with the express purpose of spreading their hateful rhetoric and inciting violence."

He repeatedly spoke of the importance of the "American Idea" — "that all people are endowed by their Creator with inalienable rights" — and urged Americans to embrace open debate versus "identity politics," white supremacy, and violence.

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