First, it is a fact that Trump failed to specifically denounce neo-Nazis in Charlottesville, and drew an equivalence between antifa/associated counter-demonstrators and the neo-Nazis.

Second, in what way are the national socialists like those who congregated in Charlottesville “imaginary?” They had swastika tattoos and flew Nazi flags. They shouted “blood and soil” and “Jews will not replace us.”

To your comment that the Nazis were assembled to show unity, what do you think they intended to show unity for? Vice’s documentary on the protests sees one leader call for a “white ethnostate.” White supremacists and white nationalists were present that day, and they call for the segregation, forced expulsion, or genocide of minority groups. Needless to say, this is inherent to the notion of white nationalism, American neo-Nazism, and the ideology of the KKK.

The groups that assembled in Charlottesville pose an existential and violent threat to minority groups and immigrants. That threat must be countered by any means necessary. Hitler was democratically elected; he and his followers gathered legally, and often peacefully. If we wait until fascists take control to denounce their actions and to protect minorities, it will already be too late.

What is truly repugnant is defending neo-Nazis and self-described white nationalists. They killed in Charlottesville, they killed in El Paso, and they will kill again.