Hartford, Ct. – In a stunning defense of President Donald Trump, Connecticut Republican Party Chairman J.R. Romano today adopted the language of the ‘alt-right’ as he attempted to make a false equivalency between the Black Lives Matter movement and the white supremacists and neo-Nazis who incited violence in Charlottesville and murdered a young, peaceful protester.

In an interview with WTNH’s Mark Davis, Romano said, “[Black Lives Matter was] very similar. There was a lot of people espousing some very bad and hateful things in that movement, and I would never say that that’s how Barack Obama feels.” 
 

In a similar clip, Romano refused to criticize Trump’s defense of white supremacists at yesterday’s press conference, saying only that Trump “could have been more articulate.”

“This is truly unbelievable,” said Connecticut Democratic Party Executive Director Michael Mandell. “J.R. Romano and Connecticut Republicans are using ‘alt-right’ talking points, passed down from the White House, to defend a president who has shown his true white supremacist colors in recent days. I want to be very, very clear: There is no comparison between peaceful protesters seeking racial justice and violent, murderous racists. This insinuation is the latest in a long line of unacceptable actions from Mr. Romano. Enough is enough. It’s time for him to be held accountable. Republican legislative leaders and candidates that say nothing are complicit. The time to act and speak out is now.”