Twenty-nine people were killed in mass shootings over the weekend in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio. As we collect all the details and try to pin down the murderers' motives, several Democratic presidential candidates have already concluded that the culprit is President Trump.
'What the f***?' - Former Texas congressman Beto O'Rourke says President Trump's language against minorities promotes racial division and violence.
— Sky News (@SkyNews) August 5, 2019
Two mass shootings left 29 people dead this weekend in the US.
For more on the story: https://t.co/OmcmrDIRKm pic.twitter.com/ULEcYi8x1a
Before he opened fire at a Wal-Mart in El Paso, the 21-year-old suspect published a hateful 2,300-word manifesto on a public forum. In it, he accused immigrants of waging a "Hispanic invasion" of Texas. In a CNN interview on Monday, Rep. Tim Ryan (R-OH) said the shooter was clearly motivated by the words of President Trump.
"The president has to bear some responsibility for race baiting" and for "demonizing" immigrants and people of color, Ryan said.
By way of example the congressman quoted the president's infamous "s*ithole countries" remark.
Ryan then stated, without hesitation, that the manifesto, "looks like it could've been written by a Trump speechwriter."
Where have we heard that suggestion before? Oh yes, this featured story on the New York Times.
Ryan said the Republican party at large is to blame too, because despite being in control of Congress, they failed to pass any meaningful gun-related measures.
"They were in there for two years," he said. "And all we got is tax cuts for rich people? Come on!"
On Monday, Trump suggested tying background checks to immigration reform. That proposal, Ryan said, is "a joke."
Trump will address the nation about the deadly attacks Monday at 10 a.m. ET.