Republican National Committee Chair Joe Gruters and President Donald Trump have issued sharp responses following what authorities are describing as an assassination attempt during the White House Correspondents’ dinner on Saturday night.
In a statement released shortly after the incident, Gruters pinned the blame on a “radicalized left,” arguing that the event was an “inevitable result” of a political environment that has normalized violence. He further criticized Democratic leadership for their legislative record on security spending.
“Democrats can make all the hollow calls for ‘unity’ they want, but their actions tell the truth,” Gruters said, pointing to blocked funding for the Department of Homeland Security and other law enforcement agencies. “Until Democrats fully fund our security, their words are worthless.”
President Trump addressed the situation Sunday morning during an interview on Fox News’ “Sunday Briefing.” During the segment, the President characterized the suspect as a “sick guy” driven by deep-seated animosity.
READ: “A Sick Guy”: Trump Slams “Anti-Christian” Suspect; Demands Quick Rescheduling Of WHCA Gala
Trump noted that the individual reportedly left a manifesto in a hotel room that expressed specific anti-Christian sentiments. “When you read his manifesto, he hates Christians, that’s one thing for sure,” Trump told the network. “He hates Christians, a hatred.”
While Trump referred to the document throughout the interview, NBC News has stated it has not yet independently verified the existence or the contents of such a manifesto.
Trump also revealed that the suspect’s family had previously reached out to law enforcement because they were concerned about his behavior. Reflecting on that missed opportunity for intervention, Trump remarked, “I wish they would have told us about it a little bit, but it is what it is.”
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox
