Donald Trump has been ginning up his base during his 2020 presidential election rallies. Unfortunately, he has been using language that calls for action against specific groups of people and even specific individuals. By doing so, what responsibility does POTUS have for white nationalist actions?
Hours after the military weapons-grade shooting in El Paso, Texas that killed 20 people and wounded 25, another mass killer shot nine people in Dayton, Ohio and injured 26 others. The victims were standing in line waiting to enter a popular restaurant in Dayton’s historic Oregon District. Both of the shooters wore black clothing.
The first shooter was taken into custody, and the Ohio shooter was shot and killed. He has not been identified yet. The El Paso killer was an avowed white nationalist who left a message outlining those beliefs.
Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley said in a press conference that the tragedy in her city was just the latest, according to The Washington Post:
‘As a mayor, this is a day that we all dread happening. And certainly what’s very sad as I’ve gotten messages from cities across the country is that so many of us have gone through it.’
The mayor said that Dayton was resilient in spite of the shooting:
‘Dayton has been through a lot lately, but I continue to be amazed at the grit and resiliency of the community.’
Whaley continued, noting that Governor Mike DeWine sent his condolences:
‘While this is a terribly sad day for our city, I am amazed by the quick response of Dayton police that saved literally hundreds of lives.’
Whaley refused to guess what the shooter’s motive had been:
‘I can’t get inside his head.’
The shooter carried a .223-caliber high-capacity magazine. He was also wearing body armor the mayor said. He was carrying additional magazines making his intent clear. Police took him down in less than one minute. In that minute, he killed nine people and wounded 26. Imagine how terrible the results would have been had it taken the police longer to respond.
Joe Oglesby’s niece Lois Oglesby, 29, was killed. He explained that she had just had a baby last month. She also had another child. He said:
‘She was a nurse’s aide and a very devoted mother.’
Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown (D) said:
‘We are also angry — angry that shooting after shooting politicians in Washington and Columbus refuse to pass sensible gun-safety laws to protect our communities.’
Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) offered this statement:
‘Senseless acts of violence must stop.’
Ohio Representative Michael Turner (R) tweeted that his daughter and one of her friends had been standing across the street from where the shootings started. He said that they watched police run toward the gunfire:
‘Thank you to @DaytonPolice for their bravery in stopping this evil.’
The Washington Post wrote:
‘The governor ordered flags to fly at half-staff as people from around the world expressed sadness over the latest mass shooting in the United States. Pope Francis offered his condolences for the victims of U.S. shootings that hurt “defenseless people.” New British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted out his sympathy, too.’
White House Press Secretary Steven Groves spoke to the Associated Press (AP). He said that Donald Trump had been briefed on the latest Dayton shooting.
After the El Paso shooting Trump tweeted his support for the “FBI, Local, and State Law Enforcement:”
‘The FBI, local and state law enforcement are working together in El Paso and in Dayton, Ohio. Information is rapidly being accumulated in Dayton. Much has already be learned in El Paso. Law enforcement was very rapid in both instances. Updates will be given throughout the day!’
In a second tweet, Trump offered this brief prayer:
‘God bless the people of El Paso Texas. God bless the people of Dayton, Ohio.’
Featured image is a screenshot via YouTube.
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