A powerful House Democrat on Sunday accused President Trump of lending validity to hate groups and bigots in exchange for their political support.

"The fundamental problem here is that the president of the United States can't bring himself to repudiate a part of his support, and that is that small group of bigots that are supporters of his," Rep. Adam Schiff Adam Bennett SchiffTop Democrats call for DOJ watchdog to probe Barr over possible 2020 election influence Overnight Defense: Top admiral says 'no condition' where US should conduct nuclear test 'at this time' | Intelligence chief says Congress will get some in-person election security briefings Overnight Defense: House to vote on military justice bill spurred by Vanessa Guillén death | Biden courts veterans after Trump's military controversies MORE (D-Calif.) said on CNN's "State of the Union."

"He's taken a position that is essentially, 'If you're with me you can do no wrong,'" Schiff charged.

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Trump has faced intense backlash in recent days after he appeared to defend white nationalist and neo-Nazi groups who stirred violence in Charlottesville, Va., last week.

The president argued in a defiant news conference Tuesday that "both sides" were responsible for the mayhem that erupted in the Virginia college town and equated white nationalists with counterprotesters opposing them, one of whom died during the protests.

Democrats and Republicans alike have criticized Trump for his remarks, calling on him to provide "moral clarity" and take a harder stance against racist groups.

Trump also came under fire on the campaign trail after he appeared hesitant to disavow former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke, who had voiced support for his presidential bid. He eventually repudiated the former hate group leader.