Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, under fire from Yale classmates and Jewish critics of President Trump, strongly defended the president’s equivocating response to the racially charged violence in Charlottesville, Va., in a written statement this weekend.

“I strongly condemn the actions of those filled with hate and with the intent to harm others,” Mr. Mnuchin said in a statement on Saturday. “They have no defense from me, nor do they have any defense from the president or this administration.”

He continued, “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.”

His words marked perhaps the most vociferous defense of the president from anyone in the administration.