President Donald Trump is frequently quick to respond to foreign acts of terrorism, especially when the victims are white Christians. His response to a terror attack in London was so quick and brutal it prompted a rebuke from Prime Minister Theresa May.
But Trump’s response to Thursday night’s horrific well-planned terror attack on not one but two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, killing at least 49 people is leaving many confused, empty, and angered.
The President waited about nine hours before issuing a statement, via Twitter.
The President did not condemn the attack.
He did not even call it terrorism or an act of terror.
Instead, Trump sent his “warmest sympathy and best wishes,” and said, “God bless all!”
He said the victims, horrifically gunned down, massacred in their houses of worship, “senselessly died.”
The White House issued a statement before the President tweeted:
“The United States strongly condemns the attack in Christchurch. 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.”
While stronger than Trump’s remarks, it too did not call the attack on the mosques terrorism.
New Zealand, including its Prime Minister, has labeled the attacks terrorism.
Trump’s response to this horrific event is critical because one of the alleged terrorists left a supposed manifesto and posted video. He reportedly has named President Trump as a “as a symbol of white identity and common purpose.”
(NCRM will not propagate the terrorists’ messages or names unless there is a legitimate need, as in this case.)
It was important for Trump to call this terrorism, as New Zealand authorities have, and to denounce it in the strongest possible terms.
He did neither.
Here’s how some are responding: