Gov. LePage Makes Statement Equating Removing Confederate Memorials To Removing Monuments To 9-11 Victims

No stranger to controversy, Maine Governor Paul LePage has made a statement saying that removing memorials to Confederate figures is "just like" taking down memorials to those victimized in the 9/11 attacks.

According to a story from the Associated Press, LePage made the remarks during an interview on a Portland radio station. LePage was asked about what his reaction was to the recent deadly riots in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The AP reported that LePage said that "both sides" should be condemned for their actions during violent riots that left one woman dead when a car rammed into a crowd of protesters. The AP story said LePage commented that he found white nationalist and far-left protesters "equally as bad" and "disgusting."

Additionally, the report said that groups that want to remove Confederate statues are ignoring the country's history and are even trying to erase parts of history, a position held by President Trump. He added that he felt those looking to remove Confederate memorials were like "the Taliban in Afghanistan" in their desire to remove monuments.

According to a report in the Boston Globe, Le Page said "How can future generations learn if we’re going to erase history? That’s disgusting. They should study their history — they don’t even know the history of this country and they are trying to take monuments down. Listen, whether we like it or not, this is what our history is.’’

The Globe story said LePage added "‘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.’’

LePage said in the interview that he hasn't commented on the Charlottesville situation before this because he didn't learn about it until earlier this week, saying he no longer reads newspapers or watches television news.