Donald Trump has declared that racism is "evil" and that the Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazis, white supremacists and other hate groups are "repugnant".

Mr Trump's comments come after two days of criticism for his failure to personally denounce white supremacy groups in the wake of bloody protests in Charlottesville, Virginia.

"We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred bigotry and violence," Mr Trump said on Monday. "It has no place in America."

"Racism is evil. And those who cause violence in its name are criminals and thugs including the KKK, neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and other hate groups that are repugnant to everything we hold dear as Americans."

The US leader on Saturday did not directly condemn the actions of the neo-Nazis, skinheads, and members of the KKK who descended on Charlottesville to protest the removal of a Confederate statue. The rally of white nationalists, met by counter-protests, quickly became violent and prompted the governor to declare a 'state of emergency'.

While most of the brawling resulted in cuts and bruises, a car bearing Ohio license plates slammed into a crowd of counter-protesters, killing a 32-year-old woman – Heather Heyer – and injuring at least 19 others. James Fields, 20, the alleged driver, has been charged with second-degree murder.

Additionally, two Virginia state troopers en route to the scene were killed when their helicopter crashed.

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.

Mr Trump said on Monday that Ms Hayer's "death fills us with grief and we send her family our thoughts, our prayers and our love."

"We also mourn the two Virginia state troopers, who died in service to their community, their commonwealth and their country," he added. "These three fallen Americans embody the goodness and decency of our nation. In times such as these, America has always shown its true character: responding to hate with love, division with unity, and violence with an unwavering resolve for justice."

Mr Trump, who has been at his New Jersey golf club for a 17-day "working vacation", returned to Washington to sign an executive action on China’s trade practices. He met with Attorney General Jeff Sessions and new FBI Director Christopher Wray about the violence in Charlottesville before making his remarks at the White House about the incident.

Mr Trump said the Justice Department has opened a civil rights investigation into the deadly car attack.

"To anyone who acted criminally in this weekend’s racist violence, you will be held fully accountable," the President added. "Justice will be delivered."

"As I have said many times before, no matter the colour of our skin, we all live under the same laws. We all salute the same great flag. And we are all made by the same almighty God."

Following his less than six minute remarks, Mr Trump declined to answer any shouted questions, including several about whether he regretted waiting until Monday to denounce racism, according to the White House pool report.

During his first response to the protests on Saturday, Mr Trump decried "violence on all sides" rather than explicitly taking aim at far-right extremists, some of whom are his supporters.

"We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides," he said on Saturday. "On many sides."

Neo-nazis applauded Mr Trump’s first response to the violent clashes, saying that it was "really, really good" that the President did not denounce them, while Democrats and Republicans alike criticised his equivocal comments.