President Trump issued his first public statement Monday on the viral encounter between white teenagers wearing “Make America Great Again” hats and a Native American elder last week on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

After Fox News’ Tucker Carlson ran a segment on the “rush to judgment” on the short clip that started the controversy, Trump offered words of support for Nick Sandmann and his peers from Kentucky’s Covington Catholic High School.

Recommended Stories

Native American elder says Covington high school student Nick Sandmann didn't apologize, maybe should be expelled

Nick Sandmann’s family hires a libel attorney

Nicholas Sandmann reaches settlement with NBC