Maine Gov. Paul LePage: Removing Confederate monuments like taking down 9/11 memorial
Maine Gov. Paul LePage equated taking down Confederate monuments to removing the 9/11 memorial in New York City during a radio interview Wednesday.
The Republican governor, known for his controversial statements, made his comments while defending the argument made by President Trump that both white supremacists and counter-protesters were equally responsible for last weekend's violence in Charlottesville, Va.
LePage said the counter-protesters were "equally as bad" as the KKK and white supremacists who marched in opposition to the removal of a monument to Confederate general Robert E. Lee.
Listen: Maine Gov. Paul LePage talks with radio hosts Ken Altshuler and Matt Gagnon on WGAN
"They're trying to erase history," he said. "How can future generations learn if we're going to erase history? That's disgusting."
LePage insisted those opposed to Confederate memorials should "study their history."
"Listen, whether we like it or not, this is what our history is," he said. "And to me, it's just like going to New York City right now and taking down the monument of those who perished in 9/11. It will come to that."
One of the radio hosts pointed out that opponents of the Lee statue say it was erected long after the Civil War to "intimidate the African-Americans in the community."
"That's today," LePage responded. "Next week, George Washington's gone."
Read more:
America's 'Confederate infrastructure:' Too big to hide, move or raze
President Trump defends Confederate monuments: 'You can't change history'
New protests, debate erupt over calls to remove Confederate monuments and symbols
Nancy Pelosi calls for removal of Confederate statues from Capitol