Mike Rounds denounces 'alt-right,' no comment on Steve Bannon's role

Sen. Mike Rounds denounced the white nationalist "alt-right" movement Tuesday but would not say whether alt-right leader Steve Bannon belongs in the White House.

The South Dakota Republican in an interview with Argus Leader Media blasted groups involved in violent rallies over the weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia.

“These particular hate groups, the KKK, the Aryan right, the alt-right, these folks they spew hate and there’s no place in America for them," Rounds said. "Any chance we get to disavow them, any chance we get to recognize them for the type of hate that they bring, the better off the country is if their leadership points them out whenever possible."

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The senator said it wasn't his place, though, to second guess President Donald Trump on Bannon, the president's chief strategist, who has extensive ties to the "alt-right" as former chairman of Breitbart News.

“I don’t make those decisions, that’s not my job. The president has to make those decisions on who he uses for advisers, and I don’t second guess him on that,” Rounds said. "Who the president decides to hire and fire, that’s the president’s decision."

More:9 things you need to know about the alt-right movement

While Rounds didn't offer specific comments about whether Trump should maintain Bannon as a chief strategist, he noted that the president should dismiss anyone who doesn't advance the country's best interests.

“I would hope that he would continue with that approach that if he has someone with him that has a different approach than what is good for America, that he will make the appropriate right decision and change some of his personnel,” Rounds said.

Rounds' refusal to weigh in on Bannon's White House role came as four minority House caucus groups called on Trump to fire Bannon and two other aides associated with the alt-right movement.

Trump in a press conference Tuesday defended Bannon and said he didn't plan to fire him.

"I like him, he's a good man. He's not a racist, I can tell you that. He's a good person," Trump said.

Follow Dana Ferguson on Twitter @bydanaferguson, call 605-370-2493 or email dferguson@argusleader.com