How Trump and U.S. Lawmakers Are Responding to the New Zealand Shooting
A terrorist attack left 49 people dead on Friday at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. The attack, which took place around the time of congregational prayer, was streamed live on Facebook and then posted to YouTube. A 74-page manifesto released by a man claiming responsibility makes clear that the attack was motivated by white supremacist ideology. Three armed suspects were being held in custody, although the extent of their involvement is unclear. One male in his late 20s has been charged with murder. The story is still developing.
President Trump responded on Twitter early Friday morning. “My warmest sympathy and best wishes goes out to the people of New Zealand after the horrible massacre in the Mosques,” he wrote. “49 innocent people have so senselessly died, with so many more seriously injured. The U.S. stands by New Zealand for anything we can do. God bless all!”
Link to tweet
Trump awkwardly wishing the people of New Zealand “best wishes” in the wake of a terrorist attack isn’t out of character. As Crooked Media’s Brian Beutler points out on Twitter, the president wished “best regards” to those injured following the 2017 neo-Nazi protest in Charlottesville, Virginia. In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, he told victims to “have a good time.”
Twenty-two minutes after sending his “best wishes” to the people of New Zealand, Trump tweeted about what he claims is a “Jexodus” of Jewish people leaving the Democratic party before moving on to complaining about Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation.
“THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN TO A PRESIDENT AGAIN!” Trump wrote of how he has been treated by the Department of Justice.
Link to tweet
The White House released a response making clear that it does not endorse the slaughter of 49 innocent people. “The United States strongly condemns the attack in Christchurch,” Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders wrote in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with the people of New Zealand and their government against this vicious act of hate.” National Security Adviser John Bolton is so far the only member of the administration to suggest the coordinated attack that left 49 dead was a terrorist attack. “We’re obviously greatly disturbed by what seems to be a terror attack, this hate crime, in New Zealand,” he said while speaking to reporters in front of the White House.
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-new-zealand-shooting-808587/
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