President Barack Obama called the mass shooting at an Orlando gay nightclub Sunday an “act of terror” in remarks to the nation from the White House briefing room.
“We know enough to say this was an act of terror and an act of hate,” he said. “The FBI is appropriately investigating this as an act of terror. We will go wherever the facts lead us … What is clear is he was a person filled with hatred.”
At least 50 people were killed and 53 more wounded in the what is now the deadliest mass shooting in American history.
Obama said while it could have been any one of our communities, “this is an especially heartbreaking day for our friends who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.”
White House reacts
The President was briefed Sunday morning by several officials, including FBI Director James Comey and Lisa Monaco, Obama’s homeland security and counterterrorism adviser, according to the White House. He also ordered American flags to be lowered to half staff to honor the victims.
Vice President Joe Biden has also been briefed on the shooting and canceled a planned trip to Miami, Florida, to attend a fundraiser for Democratic National Committee chairwoman, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
Biden “offered his prayers for all those killed and injured in the shooting and sends his condolences to all the families and loved ones of the victims,” according to a statement from his spokesman.
The political world began to react to the shooting at the LBGT nightclub in the early Sunday morning hours.
The LGBT congressional caucus issued a statement saying they were “horrified by the tragic shooting.”
“Though details are still emerging, an attack during Pride Month against Pulse, an iconic gathering place for LGBT Floridians, has a particularly insidious impact on our entire community. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragedy,” said Roddy Flynn, executive director of the LGBT Equality Caucus.
2016ers react
By early evening Sunday the tragedy in Orlando led to a war of words between the presumptive presidential nominees, Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton. Late Sunday afternoon, Trump said Obama was far too timid in his White House appearance. Trump issued his first call in the campaign for Obama to step down from the presidency and challenged Clinton to ratchet up her language about terror threats.
“President Obama disgracefully refused to even say the words ‘Radical Islam,'” Trump said in a statement. “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’s campaign is also pivoting the focus of a scheduled speech in New Hampshire on Monday. The speech will no longer focus on what Trump has called a litany of scandals involving Bill and Hillary Clinton. Now, according to the Trump campaign statement, it will “address this terrorist attack, immigration, and national security.”
A later Trump statement announced the postponement of a Portsmouth, New Hampshire rally.
Within a couple of hours Clinton’s campaign issued a hard-hitting statement accusing Trump of politicizing the shootings.
“This act of terror is the largest mass shooting in American history and a tragedy that requires a serious response,” said campaign spokeswoman Jennifer Palmieri.
“Hillary Clinton has a comprehensive plan to combat ISIS at home and abroad and will be talking to the American people in the coming days about steps she would take to keep the country safe,” she continued. “In contrast, Donald Trump put out political attacks, weak platitudes and self-congratulations. Trump has offered no real plans to keep our nation safe and no outreach to the Americans targeted, just insults and attacks. In times of crisis more than ever, Americans are looking for leadership and deserve better.”
Clinton earlier in the day offered a tweet signed “-H” to indicate it was from her personally.
“Woke up to hear the devastating news from FL. As we wait for more information, my thoughts are with those affected by this horrific act,” Clinton wrote.
And Clinton and Obama postponed the President’s first campaign appearance with her due to the shootings, her campaign said.
Obama and Clinton were to appear together at a rally Wednesday in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Clinton echoed Obama’s language in a statement issued later on Sunday, calling the shooting an “act of terror” and an “act of hate.”
“For now, we can say for certain that we need to redouble our efforts to defend our country from threats at home and abroad,” she said. “That means defeating international terror groups, working with allies and partners to go after them wherever they are, countering their attempts to recruit people here and everywhere, and hardening our defenses at home. It also means refusing to be intimidated and staying true to our values.”
Clinton also called herself an ally of the LGBT community.
“We will keep fighting for your right to live freely, openly and without fear. Hate has absolutely no place in America,” she said.
And she issued another call for gun control laws, saying that “we need to keep guns like the ones used last night out of the hands of terrorists or other violent criminals.”
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders called it “horrific” and “unthinkable” and said it underscores the need for gun control measures.
“Oh, it’s horrific, it’s unthinkable. And just hopes go out to all those who were shot that they can recover,” the Democratic presidential contender said Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
Later, in a statement, Sanders added: “At this point we do not know whether this was an act of terrorism, a terrible hate crime against gay people or the act of a very sick person, but we extend our heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and loved ones and our thoughts are with the injured and the entire Orlando LGBTQ community.”
Trump’s first reaction to the Florida shooting included a series of tweets, beginning by referring to the rampage as “possible terrorism.”
In a tweet Sunday morning, Trump said: “Really bad shooting in Orlando. Police investigating possible terrorism. Many people dead and wounded.”
He later added: “Horrific incident in FL. Praying for all the victims & their families. When will this stop? When will we get tough, smart & vigilant?”
Trump also tweeted: “Appreciate the congrats for being right on radical Islamic terrorism, I don’t want congrats, I want toughness & vigilance. We must be smart!”
And just before the President spoke, Trump tweeted: “Is President Obama going to finally mention the words radical Islamic terrorism? If he doesn’t he should immediately resign in disgrace!”
“Reporting that Orlando killer shouted “Allah hu Akbar!” as he slaughtered clubgoers. 2nd man arrested in LA with rifles near Gay parade,” he added.
Libertarian Party nominee Gary Johnson called the shooting a “despicable attack.”
“Regardless of what the motivation is ultimately found to be, this violence against innocent people simply going about their lives is both cowardly and infuriating,” he said. “We must allow the authorities to do their jobs, understand how this attack came about, and then respond accordingly. It is not a time to either politicize or jump to conclusions.”
Floridians weigh in
Florida Gov. Rick Scott pledged to devote “every resource available” to helping after the shooting.
“My prayers are with the victims’ families & all those affected by the shooting in Orlando. We will devote every resource available to assist,” Scott tweeted.
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio tweeted: “Our prayers are with those injured and killed early this morning in horrifying act of terror in Orlando.”
Other politicians
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus tweeted: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the tragic Orlando attack and their families.”
A top Senate Democrat, Chuck Schumer of New York, wrote on Twitter: “Horrified and saddened by the appalling attack at Orlando LGBT nightclub. Praying for the victims and their families.”
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said: “Saddened to hear of the senseless mass shooting in Orlando. My thoughts are with the victims, the injured and their loved ones,” he tweeted.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a leading Trump critic, issued a series of rainbow-themed tweets. The Massachusetts Democrat didn’t directly confront Trump, but criticized his message obliquely.
“That’s the message of Pride. That’s who we are. That’s how we’ll defeat hate, & how we protect America. #loveislove”
“America is strongest when we unite & celebrate our diversity. When we promote those values abroad & live them here at home. #loveislove”
The runner-up to Trump in the Republican primary field, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, issued a lengthy statement calling for all Americans to “unite in defeating radical Islamic terrorism.”
“The next few days will be sadly predictable,” Cruz said. “Democrats will try to use this attack to change the subject. As a matter of rigid ideology, far too many Democrats — from Barack Obama to Hillary Clinton — will refuse to utter the words ‘radical Islamic terrorism.’ They will claim this attack, like they claimed every previous attack, was isolated and had nothing to do with the vicious Islamist theology that is daily waging war on us across the globe.”