Bush presidents issue joint statement calling on America to ‘reject racial bigotry’

Former presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush have issued a statement in the wake of the weekend’s events in Charlottesville, Va.

The joint message, released a day after U.S. President Donald Trump insisted there were two sides to the conflict, urged America to reject “racial bigotry, antisemitism and hatred in all its forms.”

READ MORE: Donald Trump asks should ‘alt-left’ have any guilt in wake of Charlottesville

“As we pray for Charlottesville, we are reminded of the fundamental truths recorded by that city’s most prominent citizen in the Declaration of Independence: we are all created equal and endowed by our Creator with unalienable rights,” the statement read.

“We know these truths to be everlasting because we have seen the decency and greatness of our country.”

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The former presidents aren’t the only Republicans speaking out against the president amid brewing anger over Trump’s Tuesday press conference.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Ohio Governor John Kasich and Sen. Lindsey Graham have all distanced themselves from his remarks.

WATCH: Donald Trump’s controversial press conference

1:01 Republicans, Democrats condemn President Trump’s latest flip-flop on Charlottesville

• Republicans, Democrats condemn President Trump’s latest flip-flop on Charlottesville
• Trump likens counter-protesters to white nationalists
• Trump expected to reach out to mother of Charlottesville victim
• Trump claims media portraying alt-right ‘absolutely unfairly’
• Trump says race relations in U.S. ‘frayed,’ but getting better
• Trump blames ‘charging alt-left’ for Charlottesville violence

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McConnell, who has recently been criticized by the president over the Senate’s failure to pass a health-care bill, issued his own statement denouncing the white supremacist rally that occurred over the weekend.

“We can have no tolerance for an ideology of racial hatred. There are no good neo-Nazis, and those who espouse their views are not supporters of American ideals and freedoms,” he said. “We all have a responsibility to stand against hate and violence, wherever it raises its evil head.”

WATCH: John Kasich slams Trump’s ‘pathetic’ comments on Charlottesville protests

3:06 John Kasich slams Trump’s ‘pathetic’ comments on Charlottesville protests

Kaisch reacted to the president’s words by saying there is no comparison between the Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazis and anybody else.

“The president of the United States needs to condemn these kind of hate groups,” Kasich said on NBC’s Today show. “Failure to do so gave such organizations a sense of victory and license to hold more events elsewhere.”

— With files from Reuters