Randy Bryce, a Democrat who's challenging House Speaker Paul Ryan Paul Davis RyanKenosha will be a good bellwether in 2020 At indoor rally, Pence says election runs through Wisconsin Juan Williams: Breaking down the debates MORE (R) for his Wisconsin House Seat, savaged President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Trump dismisses climate change role in fires, says Newsom needs to manage forest better Jimmy Kimmel hits Trump for rallies while hosting Emmy Awards MORE on Saturday for more harshly criticizing athletes who protest the national anthem than the racist groups who incited deadly violence in Charlottesville, Va., last month.

"Donald Trump condemns a Black man for non-violence more harshly than White supremacists for violence," Bryce wrote on Twitter.

.@realDonaldTrump condemns a Black man for non-violence more harshly than White supremacists for violence.@SpeakerRyan, #CensureTrumpNow. — Randy Bryce (@IronStache) September 23, 2017

Bryce followed up that tweet by showering praise on those who "stand up for their beliefs" — an apparent reference to athletes, such as NFL free agent Colin Kaepernick, who gained notoriety last year for kneeling during the national anthem before football games.

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"I am SO proud to see Americans stand up for their beliefs. That is literally why our country exists. Next step is to elect more of US," he tweeted.

I am SO proud to see Americans stand up for their beliefs.

That is literally why our country exists.

Next step is to elect more of US.

#2018 — Randy Bryce (@IronStache) September 23, 2017

Trump sharply criticized the anthem protests during a rally in Huntsville, Ala., on Friday, saying that NFL coaches should fire players who do so.

He doubled down on that argument Saturday, writing on Twitter that players who "disrespect" the U.S. should be fired and "find something else to do."

The president came under fire last month for his muted and equivocal statements in the wake of violent white nationalist protests in Charlottesville. Following the demonstrations, Trump blamed violence on "both sides" and appeared to equate white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups with the counterprotesters who had turned out to oppose them.

In the days that followed, both Republicans and Democrats called on Trump to more forcefully condemn hate groups.