(KAIR)--Following what's being called a fiery press conference held by President Donald Trump Tuesday, Kansas leaders double down on statements blaming racism and bigotry as the cause of a deadly weekend riot in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Kansas Senator Jerry Moran Tuesday issued a statement saying, “"White supremacy, bigotry and racism have absolutely no place in our society, and no one - especially the President of the United States - should ever tolerate it.”

His fellow Republican, Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins, also commented through social media, saying, "I remain firm in believing white supremacy as being a blight on our nation. There is no place for bigotry and racism in America. Period."

The statements were released hours after President Trump, in a heated exchange with media, continued his earlier push to blame what he calls “both sides” involved in what was billed as a “Unite the Right” rally. "You had a group on one side that was bad, and you had a group on the other side that was also very violent, and nobody wants to say that."

The other side, which Trump calls “the alt-left,” attended to counter-protest the rally, which was spearheaded by known white nationalists and white supremacists, including former KKK leader David Duke.

Regardless, the President, during the press conference, said many good people were in attendance. "Those people were also there because they wanted to protest the taking down of a statue, Robert E. Lee. You take a look the night before."

The night before Saturday's deadly clash, members of the alt-right, comprised of a cross-section of white nationalists and white supremacists, marched to the statue carrying Tiki torches, while chanting phrases including, “Jews will not replace us.”

On Saturday, a 23-year-old woman was killed when a car was allegedly intentionally driven into a crowd of counter protesters, which the President called “a horrible, horrible inexcusable thing,” adding, “the driver of the car is a disgrace to himself, his family, and this country."

The Kansas Delegation wasn't alone in countering the President's comments.

On Tuesday night, former Massachusetts governor, and past Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney took to Twitter to denounce Trump placing blame on both sides.

In his Tweet, Romney said, “No, not the same. One side is racist, bigoted, Nazi. The other opposes racism and bigotry. Morally different universes.”

The President's press conference comments received praise from two who were involved in Saturday's rally. 
David Duke tweeted, "Thank you President Trump for your honesty & courage to tell the truth about Charlottesville & condemn the leftist terrorists in BLM/Antifa."
Duke's fellow white nationalist, Richard Spencer, who is credited for coining the term "Alt Right," also tweeted, saying, "Trump's statement was fair and down to earth. Charlottesville could have been peaceful, if police did its job."

On Wednesday, Jenkins again took to social media, where she released a second statement which she addressed to the President. "White supremacy, Nazis, and the KKK are a blight on our nation. Equal blame is not correct and racism should not be ignored. When you use words that excuse their views it only fuels their hatred, further divides our nation, and tarnishes the sacred office you hold. For generations, Americans have fought and gone to war to stomp out ideologies like this. We must not turn our back on their sacrifice. Now is the time for all us to come together as Americans and help put an end to this bigotry." 

Her latest comment followed a report in The Atlantic Wednesday that said the White House communications office Tuesday evening sent a set of talking points encouraging Republican members of Congress to echo the president’s line, contending that “both sides … acted inappropriately, and bear some responsibility.”

Despite an inquiry emailed to Jenkins' office by MSC News, the Congresswoman has not confirmed that her latest statement was in direct response to The Atlantic report, but a spokesman did say it was in response to Charlottesville. 

Late Wednesday afternoon, Kansas' Republican Lieutenant Governor Jeff Colyer weighed in on the controversry, issuing a statement pertaining to the white supremacist element of the Charlottesville rally. In his statement, Colyer said, "“I have seen the evil extremes of racial and ethnic cleansing first hand in Rwanda and other places around the globe. We must stamp out these harmful ideologies and evil doers before they can take root here at home. Kansas has been and will continue to be a beacon of light and hope for those who fight for equality and justice for all.”