MSNBC's Joe Scarborough said President Donald Trump was clearly encouraging white nationalist terrorism because he perceived a political benefit from their violence.
The “Morning Joe” host said the president must forcefully speak out against the wave of racially motivated violence, following a mass shooting at a synagogue in Poway, California.
"I know you're trying to stir up hate and maybe even violence because your words, they certainly go on the border an awful lot," Scarborough said. "But (talking about) a coup, that's just a lie, you know it's a lie, you know it irresponsible, you know it's just as irresponsible when you say 'enemy of the people.'"
"It's kind of like when you talked about a Second Amendment solution to stopping Hillary Clinton from appointing federal judges people didn't like -- Second Amendment solution, the killing of Hillary Clinton," he added. "We are so far beyond dog whistles."
Scarborough, who has been targeted by threats from a white nationalist Coast Guard officer, blamed the president for any violence and threats against the enemies he singles out in public speeches.
"The blood that is spilled is on your hands," he said, "from white nationalists, from people that listen to that sort of rhetoric, any violence to journalists, 'enemy of people,' the kill list -- yes, let's go back to the kill list. Your Justice Department let somebody with a manifesto inspired by white nationalist killers, including a guy that slaughtered over 68 children, your attorney general and you let that person walk."
"We are so past dog whistles now, Donald -- you are just inciting violence, it's just obvious," Scarborough added. "That speech (at the NRA) was every bit as obvious as those, quote, Second Amendment solutions that you talked about, and the killing of Hillary Clinton to stop her from ever being able to appoint federal judges. I called it out then, we're calling it out now. You are unfit to be president of the United States."
