Shealah Craighead/White House
Donald Trump Calls For 'Strong Background Checks' After El Paso Shooting. He Then Blamed The Media.
In a pair of Monday morning tweets, the president suggested "marrying" immigration reform to background check legislation.
"Donald Trump calls for "strong background checks" after El Paso shooting. He then blamed the media." was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
President Donald Trump called for "strong background checks" in an early morning tweet Monday, after a shooting in El Paso that left 20 dead and 26 injured.
The mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso on Saturday was shortly followed by another shooting in Dayton, Ohio that left 9 dead. The deaths have led some to call for gun control reforms in the country. Trump suggested "marrying" immigration reform to background check legislation.
Soon after, the president tweeted that "Fake News has contributed greatly to the anger and rage that has built up over many years."
"The Media has a big responsibility to life and safety in our Country," the president tweeted.
Trump has faced criticism and blame from some in Texas over the shooting. Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke, a former El Paso congressman, said over the weekend that the president was inciting violence. Police say the shooter may have written a manifesto revealing that the crime was racially motivated.
"He stokes racism. He incites violence. We shouldn’t be asking if there’s anything he can do or if he’s responsible for this when we know the answer," O'Rourke said in a tweet late Sunday evening.
The president is expected to address the nation later this morning.
"We cannot let those killed in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, die in vain. Likewise for those so seriously wounded," Trump wrote.
The shooter in El Paso reportedly legally purchased the firearm he used to carry out Saturday's shooting.
....this legislation with desperately needed immigration reform. We must have something good, if not GREAT, come out of these two tragic events!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 5, 2019
The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
"Donald Trump calls for "strong background checks" after El Paso shooting. He then blamed the media." was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
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