The California State Assembly has formally called upon Congress to censure President Donald Trump over his reaction to the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Democrats in the Assembly recently passed a resolution asking Mr Trump to “publicly apologise to all Americans for his racist and bigoted behaviour”.

In the wake of the Charlottesville rally, Mr Trump condemned white supremacist groups, but also criticised counter-protestors for their “hatred and violence”. He called some of the rally participants “very fine people,” and chastised the counter-protesters for being “very, very violent”.

Just days ago, after a meeting with the sole black Republican in the Senate, Mr Trump doubled down on these comments.

“When you look at really what’s happened since Charlottesville, a lot of people are saying and people have actually written, ‘Gee, Trump may have a point’," Mr Trump told reporters on board Air Force One. "I said there’s some very bad people on the other side also.”

Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Show all 9 1 /9 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Protesters clash and several are injured White nationalist demonstrators clash with counter demonstrators at the entrance to Lee Park in Charlottesville, Virginia. A state of emergency is declared, August 12 2017 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Trump supporters at the protest A white nationalist demonstrator walks into Lee Park in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. Hundreds of people chanted, threw punches, hurled water bottles and unleashed chemical sprays on each other Saturday after violence erupted at a white nationalist rally in Virginia. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville State police stand ready in riot gear Virginia State Police cordon off an area around the site where a car ran into a group of protesters after a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Militia armed with assault rifles White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' with body armor and combat weapons evacuate comrades who were pepper sprayed after the 'Unite the Right' rally was declared a unlawful gathering by Virginia State Police. Militia members marched through the city earlier in the day, armed with assault rifles. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Statue of Confederate General Robert E Lee The statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee stands behind a crowd of hundreds of white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' during the 'Unite the Right' rally 12 August 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. They are protesting the removal of the statue from Emancipation Park in the city. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Racial tensions sparked the violence White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' exchange insults with counter-protesters as they attempt to guard the entrance to Lee Park during the 'Unite the Right' rally Getty Violence on the streets of Charlottesville A car plows through protesters A vehicle drives into a group of protesters demonstrating against a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The incident resulted in multiple injuries, some life-threatening, and one death. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Rescue personnel help injured people after a car ran into a large group of protesters after an white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville President Donald Trump speaks about the ongoing situation in Charlottesville, Virginia from his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. He spoke about "loyalty" and "healing wounds" left by decades of racism.

The California bill’s author, Assemblyman Tony Thurmond, pushed back on these comments from the Assembly floor on Friday.

“The KKK and the neo-Nazis depict hate and terror and death,” he said. “And President Trump’s comments to legitimise these groups opens up wounds that many have experienced over many, many years. His comments legitimise these groups that promote hate.”

The California bill asks Congress to censure, or publicly reprimand, Mr Trump for his comments – something the Republican-controlled body is unlikely to do. Three Democratic representatives have already introduced a resolution to censure Mr Trump to the US House, but the bill remains in committee.

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Congress recently passed a bill condemning white supremacists and recognising Heather Heyer, the 34-year-old counter-protester who was killed by a participant in the Charlottesville rally. Mr Trump signed the resolution on Thursday.

For Mr Thurmond, the California resolution is not just about condemning white supremacy, but showing his disappointment with Mr Trump’s reaction.

“The leader of the free world can’t continue to use language that legitimises the actions of extremists groups that promote hate,” he said in the statement. “Congress must exercise its power to check the president by voting for his immediate censure.”

A single Republican spoke out against the bill, which passed 41-5.