Republican leaders in Congress came out to fully condemn the KKK and its leadership just days after GOP frontrunner Donald Trump refused to do just that. USA Today reports that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said, "Senate Republicans condemn David Duke, the KKK and his racism."

Trump has been widely criticized for a Sunday appearance on CNN in which he declined several opportunities to criticize the Klan and Duke, the former grand wizard who once ran for governor of Louisiana. "I don't know anything about David Duke, OK?" Trump said on CNN's State of the Union. "I don't know anything about what you're even talking about with white supremacy or white supremacists. So, I don't know."

Trump later said a faulty earpiece made it hard for him to hear the questions.

Yet watching the interview Trump clearly answers the questions put to him while still refusing, three times, to condemn the KKK.

House Speaker Paul Ryan said Tuesday, "If a person wants to be the nominee of the Republican Party, there can be no evasion and no games. They must reject any group or cause that is built on bigotry.

"This party does not prey on people’s prejudices. We appeal to their highest ideals. This is the Party of Lincoln. We believe all people are created equal in the eyes of God and our government. This is fundamental, and if someone wants to be our nominee, they must understand this. I hope this is the last time I need to speak out on this race."  

On his radio program, Duke, a former grand wizard of the KKK said that, "voting against Donald Trump at this point, is really treason to your heritage."

Duke would later say that those words were not an endorsement but adding that he would vote for Trump and supports his candidacy.