Story highlights LePage angrily called both sides of the protestors "disgusting"

The governor has previously been a target of criticism for making racially charged comments

Washington (CNN) Republican Maine Gov. Paul LePage on Thursday condemned "both sides" of protesters in Charlottesville and equated the act of taking down Confederate statues to dismantling tributes to 9/11 victims.

Speaking to Portland-based radio station WGAN , LePage angrily called both sides of the protesters "disgusting" -- grouping white supremacists and neo-Nazis with those who were there rallying against them.

"What they are standing for is equally as bad. They are trying to erase history. How will future generations learn if they are trying to erase history? That's disgusting," said LePage when asked about the anti-protesters, some of whom are part of Antifa -- individuals who are against what they say is growing fascism.

White supremacists and neo-Nazis descended upon the Virginia city to oppose a local government decision to take down a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. Referring to efforts to remove other Confederate monuments across the country, LePage said, "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."

When asked if he thought there was a false moral equivalency between KKK groups and the left-leaning protesters, LePage, a longtime supporter of President Donald Trump, pushed back.

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