In response to the mass shooting in Orlando that killed 50 people inside an LGBTQ nightclub on Saturday, Donald Trump called on Barack Obama to step down from the presidency.
In a statement about the shooting sent to press Sunday afternoon, Trump said the attack was the work of a "radical Islamic terrorist" — and attacked both Obama and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton for refusing to say the words "radical Islam" in their responses:
In his remarks today, President Obama disgracefully refused to even say the words 'Radical Islam'. For that reason alone, he should step down. If Hillary Clinton, after this attack, still cannot say the two words 'Radical Islam' she should get out of this race for the Presidency.
Trump took a moment to pat himself on the back for predicting the attack — "I said this was going to happen" — but for the most part, his statement focuses on bashing Muslims: identifying the suspect in the Orlando shooting, Omar Mateen, as the "son of an immigrant from Afghanistan"; characterizing Mateen’s father, Seddique Mateen, as a serious political figure (which seems to be something of a stretch); and gratuitously citing a survey about Afghan support for Sharia law.
Despite all this, Trump’s statement conspicuously omits any reference to his proposed Muslim ban — which he first announced in the wake of the San Bernardino, California, shooting in 2015. Trump has made noise about softening his position on the ban, saying in May it was just a "suggestion" and that "nobody’s calling for it" (though he had of course done just that).
Right after the statement came out, however, Trump tweeted a reference to the ban:
What has happened in Orlando is just the beginning. Our leadership is weak and ineffective. I called it and asked for the ban. Must be tough
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 12, 2016
Here’s the full Trump campaign statement:
Last night, our nation was attacked by a radical Islamic terrorist. It was the worst terrorist attack on our soil since 9/11, and the second of its kind in 6 months. My deepest sympathy and support goes out to the victims, the wounded, and their families.
In his remarks today, President Obama disgracefully refused to even say the words 'Radical Islam'. For that reason alone, he should step down. If Hillary Clinton, after this attack, still cannot say the two words 'Radical Islam' she should get out of this race for the Presidency.
If we do not get tough and smart real fast, we are not going to have a country anymore. Because our leaders are weak, I said this was going to happen – and it is only going to get worse. I am trying to save lives and prevent the next terrorist attack. We can't afford to be politically correct anymore.
The terrorist, Omar Mir Saddique Mateen, is the son of an immigrant from Afghanistan who openly published his support for the Afghanistani Taliban and even tried to run for President of Afghanistan. According to Pew, 99% of people in Afghanistan support oppressive Sharia Law.
We admit more than 100,000 lifetime migrants from the Middle East each year. Since 9/11, hundreds of migrants and their children have been implicated in terrorism in the United States.
Hillary Clinton wants to dramatically increase admissions from the Middle East, bringing in many hundreds of thousands during a first term – and we will have no way to screen them, pay for them, or prevent the second generation from radicalizing.
We need to protect all Americans, of all backgrounds and all beliefs, from Radical Islamic Terrorism - which has no place in an open and tolerant society. Radical Islam advocates hate for women, gays, Jews, Christians and all Americans. I am going to be a President for all Americans, and I am going to protect and defend all Americans. We are going to make America safe again and great again for everyone.
- Donald J. Trump
UPDATE: This article has been updated to include Donald Trump’s tweet referencing his proposed "Muslim ban," sent out shortly after his campaign statement — which didn’t mention the ban — was published.
