President Donald Trump played down any threat posed by white nationalism after the gunman accused of the New Zealand mosque massacre called the president “a symbol of renewed white identity.”
Trump, whose own previous responses to the movement have drawn scrutiny, expressed sympathy for the victims who died at “places of worship turned into scenes of evil killing.” But he declined to join expressions of mounting concern about white nationalism. When asked whether he thought it was a rising threat around the world, he responded, “I don’t really.”
“I think it’s a small group of people that have very, very serious problems, I guess,” Trump said Friday. “If you look at what happened in New Zealand, perhaps that’s the case. I don’t know enough about it yet. But it’s certainly a terrible thing.”
Trump was asked about white nationalism and the shooting deaths of 49 people at mosques in Christchurch after he formally vetoed Congress’ resolution to block his declaration of a national emergency at the Mexico border. His veto, aimed at freeing money to build more miles of a border wall against illegal immigration, is expected to survive any congressional effort to overturn it.
Questioned about the accused gunman’s reference to him, Trump professed ignorance.
“I didn’t see it. I didn’t see it,” he said. “But I think it’s a horrible event … a horrible, disgraceful thing and a horrible act.”
The man accused of the shootings left behind a lengthy document outlining his motivations. He proudly stated that he was a 28-year-old Australian white nationalist who hates immigrants and was set off by attacks in Europe that were perpetrated by Muslims. He mentioned the U.S. president in a single reference.
“Were/are you a supporter of Donald Trump?” was one of the questions he posed to himself. His answer: “As a symbol of renewed white identity and common purpose? Sure. As a policy maker and leader? Dear god no.”
The White House immediately denounced the connection. But the mention from the suspect, who embraced Nazi imagery and voiced support for fascism, nonetheless cast an uncomfortable light on the way the president has been embraced by some on the far right.
Trump, who as a candidate proposed a ban on all Muslims entering the United States, has drawn criticism as being slow to condemn white supremacy and related violence. After a 2017 clash between white nationalists and anti-racist protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, that left one demonstrator dead, Trump said there were “very fine people on both sides” of the confrontation. He also did not immediately reject the support of David Duke, a former KKK Grand Wizard, during his presidential campaign.
Some of the Democrats who are campaigning for the right to challenge Trump in 2020 criticized his response to the New Zealand attack.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar told Iowa voters Saturday that “it’s our job to stand up against” white supremacism. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, who is also seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, accused Trump of taking “rank with those who want to spread fear and division across the world.”
Former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke, who entered the Democratic race this week, said, “We must call out this hatred, this Islamophobia, this intolerance, and the violence that predictably follows from the rhetoric that we use.”
The White House rejected any link to Trump.
“It’s outrageous to even make that connection between this deranged individual that committed this evil crime to the president who has repeatedly condemned bigotry, racism and made it very clear that this is a terrorist attack,” Mercedes Schlapp, the White House’s director of strategic communication, told reporters on Friday. “We are there to support and stand with the people of New Zealand.”
Trump telephoned New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, offering condolences, prayers and any help the U.S. might be able to provide. She told reporters she answered, “My message was: to offer sympathy and love to all Muslim communities.”
Trump’s hardline immigration rhetoric and calls to return America to its traditional past have been embraced by many on the conservative fringes, including some who troll online with racist imagery, as well as white supremacists who have looked to engage in violence.
In Florida, Cesar Sayoc, who had decorated his van with Trump propaganda, was accused of mailing explosives last fall to Democratic Party officials and media members, many of whom had been criticized by the president. The president said Sayoc had been “insane” long before he became a Trump fan.
Last month, a former Coast Guard official was accused of stockpiling weapons in a plot to kill media figures and liberal politicians as part of a plan to transform the U.S. into a white ethno-state. It took more than a week for Trump to respond to the plot, which he deemed “a shame.”
Many experts who track violent extremists have identified white nationalism as a growing threat in the U.S. and abroad. In January, for example, the New York-based Anti-Defamation League said domestic extremists killed at least 50 people in the U.S. in 2018, up from 37 in 2017, and said, “White supremacists were responsible for the great majority of the killings, which is typically the case.”
Some critics have accused U.S. authorities of not dedicating adequate resources to stem a threat of domestic terrorism. However, The Washington Post reported last week that internal FBI data showed more domestic terror suspects were arrested last year than those allegedly inspired by international terror groups.
(AP)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
16 Responses
Unlike left wing terrorism (often directed against Jews, supported by some governments and by political movements that have significant followings), the “White nationalism” (nee Aryan nationalism) has minimal support, no governments anywhere supporting them, and no political movements capable of electing even odd parliamentary representation. They should be treated as moderately insane criminals. Note that New Zealand has strict gun control laws, which were the reason the criminal was able to kill so many people without anyone stopping him.
30 more were lined up executed outside of their church which was burned to the ground in Nigeria. There are over 60,000 victims of this cleansing over the past 20 years. It’s worth pointing out, that Secretary of State John Kerry told the previous president of Nigeria not to be too hard on the terrorists when a mass killing of non-Muslims occurs.
I think it is worth pointing out, that as the lamestream media is trying to pin this on Trump (shock), that in the media’s eyes not everyone is equal. Not equal at all.
Trump is a sick man. He cannot bring himself to ever forcefully condemn white supremacy. Not in Charlottesville, not David Duke, not Steve King and now not in New Zealand. This is not random. It is abudantly clear that the man who mouthes off about everything clearly tolerates racism. Face the fact: TRUMP TOLERATES RACISM WHEN IT COMES FROM WHITE PEOPLE. He only expresses outrage when he feels he can beat up on Democrats and colored people. Trump is unfit to be president.
akuperma, better check a map. New Zealand is not the same as Australia. There’s about a thousand miles of ocean in between, and they have never been one country. New Zealand does NOT have strict gun control laws. In fact, their laws are rather loose. You are thinking of Australia, which enacted strict controls after a mass shooting a number of years ago. The head of the New Zealand government has announced that they are going to tighten laws, including banning automatic/semi-automatic rifles. Until now, New Zealand has not had a problem with gun deaths. That is one reason, according to the killer, he went to New Zealand, to show that nowhere is safe. The irony of the tragedy is that rather than inciting New Zealanders against immigrants, he has sparked an outpouring of sympathy and acceptance.
crazykanoiy, stop spreading lies you have been fed by Fake News about Charlottesville. Trump’s comments where taken out of contexts and copied and pasted by Fake News outlets. This type of CNN propaganda works only on idiot like you.
Midwest2, the NZ shooter and Democrats have the same agenda for for disarming peaceful citizens in US. In his manifesto the shooter specifically staged about using firearms instead of other means available to him (including explosive, vehicles and poison ) in order to ignite calls for civilian disbarment in US. Apparently it worked: Alexandria Alexandria Ocasio Corrrrrtez is already blaming NRA.
Midwest2, the laws in NZ for obtaining firearms are even more draconian than Australia. Having a weapon for self defense is not even a valid reason. The man was clearly a psycho. Having said that, he’s also correct about the takeover of the West by Islam. Unfortunately, the Western Leftist Loons all believe in planting and watering the tree which will ultimately be their gallows. Some aren’t going like sheep to the slaughter. The main difference between the NZ lunatic and sane people is how to deal with a government allowing a slow coup against the will of its population.
Moshe In Golus – Everytime you buy Trumps excuses for his very clear tolerance of racism you are being conned by a con man. Recognize that you are being played by Trump and falling for him just like the poor souls who fell for his Trump University Scam, his fraudelent charities and his bilking of workers at Trump Casinos. See the man for who he is an autocratic man obsessed with ego and self. He is stirring emotions for his own gain. He is coarse and corrupt and will hopefully be gone come 2020.
Compared to the USA, New Zealand has strict gun laws, with the result that there weren’t any people in the mosque able to shoot back. The most effective deterrent against terrorists, and any other sort of political violence, whether perprtrated by the state or by non-state entitities, is have the would-be victims well armed in order to defend themselves.
Trump has been the best friend Yidden have in the Oval Office since George Washington (which was before the White House was built.)
crazykanoiy, your anti-Trump Derangement Syndrome medications are wearing out. time for another doze.
Moshe in Golus – Stop for a moment and think before just spewing right wing talking points. Answer a simple question why is Trump the only leading Republican to have no comment on Steve King? Why did he “forget” who David Duke is? Why did he fail to condemn the antisemitism against Julia Iofee? The list goes on and on. Try to think for yourself and you will also reach the obvious conclusion that Trump tolerates racism and bigotry if it serves his interests. If you have a better explanation please enlighten us.
crazykanoiy, i you want better explanation from me, then here it is: Trump is a racist only in your demented mind. Just follow my free advice and take medications.
Moshe In Golus – Your inability to articulate a clear and coherent explation for Trumps comments only shows that there is no other explanation. Your continued childish comments and inability to engage on substance helps to prove the point that Trump is clearly tolerant of racism and that you have obviously have no intelligent answer for that. Thanks for help making it clear for all to see.
Though I dont hold out much hope for you to think your positions through I would strongly encourage that you stop and consider your inability to explain Trumps words on white supremacy and consider the facts before rushing to mindlessly defend the current occupant of the white house.
crazykanoiy, i am not going to engage on substance with a lunatic like you in order not to give any legitimacy to your CRAZY allegations and not to lower myself to your crazy level. your nickname speaks for yourself.
Moshe in Golus – Just as it is obvious that Trump tolerates racism it is also quite obvious that you have no way to explain Trumps actions and words. Nevertheless for some reason you still insist on defending him and villifying those that just point out the obvious. Please stop and take your head out of the sand and thank you for helping me make my point.