ABC News
ABC News(WASHINGTON) — Ahead of his planned remarks Monday in the wake of this past weekend’s shootings, President Donald Trump has proposed “strong background checks,” perhaps, he said, tied to immigration reform.
In tweets Monday morning, the president said, “We cannot let those killed in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, die in vain.”
….this legislation with desperately needed immigration reform. We must have something good, if not GREAT, come out of these two tragic events!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 5, 2019
At the same time, Trump also blamed the news media for “the anger and rage that has built up over many years.”
The Media has a big responsibility to life and safety in our Country. Fake News has contributed greatly to the anger and rage that has built up over many years. News coverage has got to start being fair, balanced and unbiased, or these terrible problems will only get worse!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 5, 2019
Trump has threatened to veto two background check bills passed by the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has refused to consider them.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer has demanded that McConnell call the Senate back from its August recess.
It was unclear how either of the shootings were related to immigration reform. Trump’s Acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, speaking on ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday, rejected claims from Democratic candidates and others that the president’s harsh rhetoric on immigration played any role in the shootings.
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