Speaking from the White House Monday morning with Vice President Mike Pence by his side, President Donald Trump addressed the nation and responded to two mass shootings that took place over the weekend. Dozens of people were killed and severely wounded in Dayton, Ohio and El Paso, Texas.
"These barbaric slaughters are an assault upon our communities, an attack on our nation and a crime against all humanity. We are outraged by this monstrous evil, the cruelty, the malice, bloodshed and the terror. Our hearts are shattered for every family whose parents, children, husbands and wives were ripped from their arms and their lives. America weeps for the fallen. We are a loving nation and our children are entitled to grow up in a just, peaceful and loving society," Trump said, calling law enforcement who responded to the shootings American heroes. "Together we lock arms to shoulder the grief. We ask God in heaven to ease the anguish of those who suffer and we vow to act with urgent resolve."
"In one voice our nation must condemn racism, bigotry and white supremacy," he continued. "These sinister ideologies must be defeated. Hate has no place in America."
President Trump called for action to solve mass shootings and urged Congress to put partisanship aside to come up with solutions.
"Now is the time to set destructive partisanship aside," Trump said. "Our future is in our control. America will always rise to the challenge....it is not up to mentally ill monsters, it is up to us."
"Mental illness and hatred pulls the trigger, not the gun...I am open and ready to listen and discuss all ideas that will actually work and make a very big difference," he continued.
President Trump gave a detailed outline of what the White House is doing in the meantime to solve this problem.
"The internet has provided a dangerous avenue to radicalize disturbed minds and perform demented acts. We must shine light on the dark recesses of the internet and stop mass murders before they start," he said, directing Attorney General Bill Barr and FBI Director Christopher Wray to fully investigate.
President Trump also urged social media companies to develop tools to detect mass shooters and advocated for a death penalty against mass shooters that is delivered "quickly and decisively."
President Trump also sent his condolences to the Mexican government after a number of citizens were killed in El Paso.
The flags at the White House have been lowered to half-staff and will remain there until Thursday in honor of the victims.
You can watch the President's full remarks below.
President Trump Delivers Remarks https://t.co/sSVPZM8ypj
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 5, 2019