White House economic adviser Gary Cohn is also reportedly interested in being appointed chairman of the Federal Reserve. | Andrew Harrer/Getty Images Gary Cohn says Trump’s White House ‘must do better’ on confronting hate groups

White House economic adviser Gary Cohn took the rare step of publicly condemning President Donald Trump's response to the recent white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, saying the administration "must do better" when it comes to addressing hate groups and bigotry.

Cohn, who is Jewish, told the Financial Times on Thursday that “this administration can and must do better in consistently and unequivocally condemning these groups and do everything we can to heal the deep divisions that exist in our communities.”


He added later: “Citizens standing up for equality and freedom can never be equated with white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and the KKK.”

Trump’s remarks after the gathering of white supremacists and neo-Nazis in Virginia earlier this month were widely panned as inadequate. He blamed extremists on “both sides” for the violence that broke out, seeming to equate the white supremacists and the counter-protesters there demonstrating against racism. Trump also suggested there were some “very fine people” marching with the neo-Nazis.

A 32-year-old woman was killed when a car, driven by a man alleged to have sympathies with Nazis, plowed into a crowd of counter-protesters.

Trump’s comments about the incident reportedly distressed Cohn and some other advisers in the White House.

Confirming his unease with Trump’s response to the FT, Cohn said he has “come under enormous pressure both to resign and to remain in my current position.”

“As a patriotic American, I am reluctant to leave my post ... because I feel a duty to fulfill my commitment to work on behalf of the American people,” he told the newspaper. “But I also feel compelled to voice my distress over the events of the last two weeks.”

He added: “As a Jewish-American, I will not allow neo-Nazis ranting, ‘Jews will not replace us’ to cause this Jew to leave his job. I feel deep empathy for all who have been targeted by these hate groups. We must all unite together against them.”

Cohn, a former Goldman Sachs president, reportedly is interested in being appointed chairman of the Federal Reserve.

His comments acknowledging his unhappiness with Trump’s remarks contrast with how Steven Mnuchin, the treasury secretary who also is Jewish, has responded to the controversy. Mnuchin released a lengthy statement defending Trump.

“While I find it hard to believe I should have to defend myself on this, or the president, I feel compelled to let you know that the president in no way, shape or form believes that neo-Nazi and other hate groups who endorse violence are equivalent to groups that demonstrate in peaceful and lawful ways,” Mnuchin said.