President Trump Addresses Florida Shooting

President Donald Trump joins Judge Neil Gorsuch, Marie Louise Gorsuch and others in prayer in the Green Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., following the President’s announcement of Judge Gorsuch as his nominee to the Supreme Court, Tuesday January 31, 2017. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)

My fellow Americans, today I speak to a nation in grief. Yesterday, a school filled with innocent children and caring teachers became the scene of terrible violence, hatred, and evil.

Around 2:30 yesterday afternoon, police responded to reports of gunfire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida — a great and safe community. There, a shooter, who is now in custody, opened fire on defenseless students and teachers. He murdered 17 people and badly wounded at least 14 others.

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Our entire nation, with one heavy heart, is praying for the victims and their families. To every parent, teacher, and child who is hurting so badly, we are here for you — whatever you need, whatever we can do, to ease your pain. We are all joined together as one American family, and your suffering is our burden also.

No child, no teacher, should ever be in danger in an American school. No parent should ever have to fear for their sons and daughters when they kiss them goodbye in the morning.

Each person who was stolen from us yesterday had a full life ahead of them — a life filled with wondrous beauty and unlimited potential and promise. Each one had dreams to pursue, love to give, and talents to share with the world. And each one had a family to whom they meant everything in the world.

Today, we mourn for all of those who lost their lives. We comfort the grieving and the wounded. And we hurt for the entire community of Parkland, Florida that is now in shock, in pain, and searching for answers.

To law enforcement, first responders, and teachers who responded so bravely in the face of danger: We thank you for your courage. Soon after the shooting, I spoke with Governor Scott to convey our deepest sympathies to the people of Florida and our determination to assist in any way that we can. I also spoke with Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel.

I’m making plans to visit Parkland to meet with families and local officials, and to continue coordinating the federal response.

In these moments of heartache and darkness, we hold on to God’s word in scripture: “I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you.”

We trust in that promise, and we hold fast to our fellow Americans in their time of sorrow.

I want to speak now directly to America’s children, especially those who feel lost, alone, confused or even scared: I want you to know that you are never alone and you never will be. You have people who care about you, who love you, and who will do anything at all to protect you. If you need help, turn to a teacher, a family member, a local police officer, or a faith leader. Answer hate with love; answer cruelty with kindness.

We must also work together to create a culture in our country that embraces the dignity of life, that creates deep and meaningful human connections, and that turns classmates and colleagues into friends and neighbors.

Our administration is working closely with local authorities to investigate the shooting and learn everything we can. We are committed to working with state and local leaders to help secure our schools, and tackle the difficult issue of mental health.

Later this month, I will be meeting with the nation’s governors and attorney generals, where making our schools and our children safer will be our top priority. It is not enough to simply take actions that make us feel like we are making a difference. We must actually make that difference.

In times of tragedy, the bonds that sustain us are those of family, faith, community, and country. These bonds are stronger than the forces of hatred and evil, and these bonds grow even stronger in the hours of our greatest need.

And so always, but especially today, let us hold our loved ones close, let us pray for healing and for peace, and let us come together as one nation to wipe away the tears and strive for a much better tomorrow.

Thank you. And God Bless you all. Thank you very much.

 

Shared from Whitehouse.gov

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Dick Grigg
Dick Grigg
6 years ago

These shooting events will not stop until we place armed guards at each school and bus and every gathering event

Aaron Anderson
Aaron Anderson
6 years ago

Prayers and healing for all involved, especially family members, teachers, first responders…domestic terrorists must be dealt with swiftly and brought to justice….Our nation should support and comfort all families and those lost. Many showed true bravery in the incident and should be viewed as heroes! Well said, Mr. President. Gangs and terrorists have no place to hide.

Robert Torres
Robert Torres
6 years ago

Excellent. Found just one mistake: Attorney Generals should be Attorneys General. Anybody that doesn’t praise this speech is crazy.

Janine Krogh
Janine Krogh
6 years ago

This sounded very scripted and insincere. It’s lip service and sounds then same as every time before. We need strong gun laws NOW!

Janet T. Neiss
Janet T. Neiss
6 years ago

As a proud American citizen, I support the President’s efforts to comfort the families of the victims and Americans in general. These horrible shootings create grief and fear. Let us be supportive to help people to rise above fear and grief to take a proactive approach to prevention of this kind of random violence. Knowing the government is there for all of us, is a strong support for the future.

Shirley Hegyes
Shirley Hegyes
6 years ago

PRESIDENT TRUMP you are the greatest keep up your great work. I would like to bring up a subject about TERM LIMITS and maybe drain the swamp . PRESIDENT TRUMP and family have a Blessed DAY and GOD BLESS YOU AND FAMILY.

B Holder
B Holder
6 years ago

Interestingly, Trump failed to mention the need for a gun control law to prevent another tragedy like this occurring in the country’s schools. Similar events such as this will continue if a gun control law is not passed.

Bob L.
Bob L.
6 years ago

Bump stocks could be classified as a class 3 item rather than an outright ban which would require a class 3 license ($200 fee) and a more thorough background check.

Raising the age for owning a firearm is BS, this is just another attempt to “chip” away at the entire 2nd Amendment. I owned my first gun when I was about 8 years old, a (“you’ll shoot your eye out”) Daisy BB gun, at the age of 13, I got a single shot 12 gauge and my first .22 rifle sometime shortly after. Not one of my guns has ever harmed anyone. Responsible gun ownership is the norm and should not be “infringed” (See Amendment II of the Bill of Rights). The problem today is with the decay of moral guidance and the sewer environment of modern “entertainment”, from rap music, extremely violent movies, videos, video games, and even TV programs like “The Walking Dead”. We didn’t have the problems we see today back in the days of “Leave It To Beaver” on TV, real music on the radio by actually talented musicians, and decent movies to watch that didn’t go overboard in violent and gory content. Isn’t it strange that today’s movie stars are mostly anti 2nd Amendment and yet are the ones on screen engaged in more violence than the Marines faced landing on Iwo Jima?

EVERY mass shooting, other than Muslim terrorist ones (San Bernadino and Ft. Hood are examples) were committed by people who were out on the streets on medications for serious mental issues who should have been in an institution instead. Instead of punishing law abiding citizens for acts committed by people who should be institutionalized or acts committed by criminals, those who allow troubled or violent criminals to roam free should also face charges if those people commit violent acts.

Common sense should be applied to the problems, not knee jerk, feel good stupidity that plays into the hands of the radical left.

cheryl
cheryl
5 years ago

I love President Trump but UNTIL he mandates that EVERY school has medal detectors NO CHILD WILL BE SAFE! Any school that a shooter can take a gun through the door is a place for children waiting to die! Wake up! STOP allowing a way for weapons to enter into any school in this country!! We do NOT have this in court houses, and govt agencies because they HAVE metal detectors. STOP talking, stop praying and DO SOMETHING!

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