Trump declares 'hate has no place in our country,' as Dems demand recall of Congress

President Trump on Sunday forcefully denounced two mass shootings in Ohio and Texas, saying "hate has no place in our country."
As the president spoke, top Democratic presidential candidates -- including Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Cory Booker -- demanded Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell recall Congress from its recess, currently slated to last until the second week of September, to vote on initiatives to curb gun violence.
Addressing reporters in Morristown, New Jersey, Trump promised "we're going to take care" of the problem. He said he's been speaking to the attorney general, FBI director and members of Congress and will be making an additional statement Monday morning.
Trump pointed to a mental illness problem in the U.S., calling the shooters "really very seriously mentally ill."

People attend a vigil for victims of the shooting Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019, in El Paso, Texas. A young gunman opened fire in an El Paso, Texas, shopping area during the busy back-to-school season, leaving multiple people dead and more than two dozen injured. (AP Photo/John Locher)

He said the problem of shootings has been going on "for years and years" and "we have to get it stopped."
The shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, over the weekend left at least 29 people dead.

President Donald Trump, with first lady Melania Trump, walks back to Airs Force One after speaking to the media before boarding Air Force One in Morristown, N.J., Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

The gunman in Ohio rampage, 24-year-old Connor Betts, opened fire outside a bar around 1 a.m. Sunday, killing his adult sister and eight others. Police say he was fatally shot by officers within 30 seconds, and was wearing a mask, bulletproof vest, earplugs and had at least 100 rounds. He injured more than two dozen people, with one in critical condition, police said Sunday. Police had not determined a motive for the attack as of Sunday evening.
Meanwhile, authorities in Texas said the mass shooting is being investigated as a domestic terrorism case. Officials are also looking into whether hate crime charges against gunman Patrick Crusius, who has also been charged with capital murder, are appropriate after an alleged manifesto believed to be written by the 21-year-old could indicate “a nexus to a hate crime.”
The document posted online expressed concern that an influx of Hispanics into the United States will replace aging white voters, potentially turning Texas blue in elections and swinging the White House to the Democrats.
However, some observers cautioned that mass shooters are increasingly using disingenuous manifestos primarily as a means to cause division and sow political discord, rather than to advance a particular agenda. Crusius became the third mass shooter this year believed to have posted to the website 8Chan, which is a haven for both ironic trolls and racists, prior to going on a shooting rampage.
"The first mistake people are making is to assume the creep meant anything he said in his manifesto," wrote columnist Brian Cates. "Something new has been added into the mix in the last year and we have to recognize it: Mass shootings done for **fun** as the ultimate troll where these [shooters] write confusing manifestos and then sit back & watch the fun as both sides claim he belongs to the other."
Cates pointed out that the Christchurch, New Zealand mass shooter's manifesto contained a mixture of left-wing and right-wing rhetoric, and by its own explicit terms, was intended to cause international political division.
Politically, Democrats appeared split as to how much blame to assign to Trump. Booker, D-N.J., declared that Trump is "responsible" for the El Paso shooting, while another Democratic presidential contender, Julian Castro said "there's one person that's responsible directly" for the massacre -- "and that's the shooter."
At the same time, Castro told ABC News' "This Week," Trump has embraced "division and bigotry and fanning the flames of hate" as a form of "political strategy."
"It's no accident that, just a few weeks after he announced his 2020 reelection bid, there he was indulging and entertaining this 'Send her back' chant," Castro said. "And he's spoken about immigrants as being invaders. "He's given license for this toxic brew of white supremacy to fester more and more in this country. And we're seeing the results of that."

Mourners gather at a vigil following a nearby mass shooting, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019, in Dayton, Ohio. Multiple people in Ohio have been killed in the second mass shooting in the U.S. in less than 24 hours, and the suspected shooter is also deceased, police said. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

And Castro, who previously served as San Antonio mayor and U.S. housing secretary, said Trump needs to do more to "unite Americans instead of fanning the flames of bigotry."
California Sen. Kamala Harris also found blame in Trump’s use of language, which she said has “incredible consequence.”
“We have a president of the United States who has chosen to use his words in a way that have been about selling hate and division among us,” she told reporters.
Beto O'Rourke, a former congressman from Texas, accused Trump of being a white nationalist and says he is encouraging "open racism."
But Castro, speaking to anchor Jonathan Karl, reiterated that only the shooter bears "direct" responsibility. In a statement released later Sunday, Castro echoed that comment, saying, “These shooters are ultimately to blame for their actions. They are attempting to terrorize us but I believe that the vast majority of Americans reject this hatred."
In North Las Vegas, Bernie Sanders became one of several prominent Democrats to demand Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell call senators back to Washington from their summer recess.
He said the Senate should "have a special session to address gun violence in America and let us finally have the courage to take on the NRA."

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks during an American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Public Service Forum in Las Vegas Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)

He also called out the president, saying "I say to President Trump, please stop the racist anti-immigrant rhetoric. Stop the hatred in this country which is creating the kind of violence that we see."
Sanders then joined several of his fellow Democratic presidential contenders in calling for universal background checks for firearm purchases and more restrictions on assault weapons.
"Assault weapons are designed for one reason," Sanders claimed. "They are military weapons. And I don't have to explain that to the people in Las Vegas who experienced the worst gun tragedy in the history of this country."

Eleven-year-old Leilani Hebben puts her head on her mother Anabel Hebben's shoulder as they visit the scene of a mass shooting at a shopping complex Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019, in El Paso, Texas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Booker backed up Sanders' call in a tweet: "This is a national crisis. Mitch McConnell needs to bring the Senate back from recess right now and hold votes on legislation to protect Americans from gun violence. Enough. We need to end this carnage now."
And Elizabeth Warren said the "public health crisis" of gun violence mandated a special session of Congress.
“We should vote within 48 hours on the two background check bills that have already passed the House,” Warren said. “It’s not everything we need to do on gun safety, but we could take important steps, and we could demonstrate to the American people that the gun manufacturers are not the ones who are calling the shots in Washington.”
As the political debate raged, FBI agents on Sunday executed search warrants at three homes in the Dallas-Fort Worth area where Crusius had stayed.
An agency spokeswoman, Melinda Urbina, declined to give more details on the locations.
One of them was the home of his grandparents in Allen, Texas, where authorities shut down streets following the shooting.
Also on Sunday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, responding to online speculation, said the federal agency does not conduct immigration enforcement operations "during tragedies."
ICE spokeswoman Leticia Zamarripa said the statement was issued Sunday afternoon in an effort to dispel "false rumors."
Zamarripa says ICE agents immediately responded to aid local and state law enforcement officers as the shooting unfolded.
Fox News' Andrew O'Reilly, Travis Fedschun, and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Democrat Blame Game Cartoons

Esper encourages placing missiles in Asia

Defense Secretary Mark Esper says he is in favor of deploying intermediate-range missiles in Asia, just a day after the U.S. pulled out of the arms control treaty with Russia.
During a visit to Australia Saturday, Esper said he would like to see missiles in place within months, but noted such a process would take more time.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper arrives in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019, for annual bilateral talks. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

He also assured that the recent withdrawal does not mean the beginning of a new arms race.
“Right now, we don’t have plans to build nuclear-tipped INF range weapons. It’s the Russians who have developed non-compliant likely, possibly, nuclear tipped weapons, so I don’t see an arms race happening.”
On Friday the U.S. officially withdrew from the intermediate nuclear forces treaty with Russia, claiming that the Kremlin failed to comply with the agreement.
Russia reportedly denied the accusations.

Report: Pres. Trump wants all troops out of Afghanistan

New reports claim President Trump is looking to remove all U.S. troops from Afghanistan, by the 2020 election. Current and former defense officials confirmed the report this week.

U.S. soldiers attend a training session for the Afghan army in Herat, Afghanistan, on Feb. 2. (Jalil Rezayee/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

Defense Hawks have pushed back against a full withdrawal in the next 15 months, saying they want some troops to remain to continue the fight against ISIS and Al-Qaeda.
Reports earlier this week said the Trump administration is planning on reducing the number of troops in country by up to 9,000, down from the 14,000 currently stationed there.
The Pentagon said there has been no official withdraw order yet.

Trump, 2020 Dems condemn El Paso mass shooting: 'Act of cowardice'

President Trump and his potential White House rivals led the political reaction to Saturday's mass shooting at an El Paso, Texas Walmart store, condemning what the president described as "a hateful act."
"Today’s shooting in El Paso, Texas was not only tragic, it was an act of cowardice," Trump wrote on Twitter. "I know that I stand with everyone in this Country to condemn today’s hateful act. There are no reasons or excuses that will ever justify killing innocent people. Melania and I send our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the great people of Texas."
Vice President Mike Pence said he was "[s]addened by the loss of so many innocent lives in El Paso, TX. Our prayers are with the victims, their families, and the entire community. Grateful for the courageous efforts and swift action by federal law enforcement and local first responders."
The Walmart corporate account tweeted "We're in shock over the tragic events at Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, where store 2201 & club 6502 are located. We’re praying for the victims, the community & our associates, as well as the first responders. We’re working closely with law enforcement & will update as appropriate."
Attorney General William Barr released a statement saying, “The Justice Department joins in mourning with the people of El Paso, Texas. Those who commit such atrocities should be held accountable swiftly and to the fullest extent the law allows.”
El Paso Mayor Dee Margo also tweeted his sympathies for his city on behalf of himself and his wife, Adair.

'Senseless act of violence'

"Adair and I are devastated by the tragic events unfolding in our City. Our hearts go out to the victims and gratitude to our first responders. We will continue to keep you updated," he said on Twitter, attaching a more lengthy statement with details about the unfolding situation referring to the shooting as a "senseless act of violence" and saying "My condolences and prayers go out to all of El Paso as we mourn those impacted by this tragedy."
Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, who represents El Paso, released a statement saying, "Today, El Paso is facing indescribable pain and horror that too many other American communities have had to endure. Our hearts are completely broken by this needless loss of life, especially here in our beautiful home. We mourn for the victims and everyone involved."
Escobar also thanked first responders and law enforcement adding "I am imploring that we come together, and once and for all address the gun violence epidemic that plagues our nation."
"Heidi & I are praying for everyone in El Paso," Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, tweeted. "As events continue to unfold, please heed any warnings from local authorities and law enforcement and stay safe." Cruz added the hashtagged statement "Pray4ElPaso."

'Ready to help'

"Our hearts go out to the families of those killed and injured in El Paso today," tweeted Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. "We stand with all El Pasoans in the face of this senseless violence and thank the brave @eppolice officers & first responders. I stand ready to help @ElPasoTXGov and @Mayor_Margo any way I can."
Former El Paso-area U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, called the shooting "Truly heartbreaking."
"Stay safe, El Paso," his message continued. "Please follow all directions of emergency personnel as we continue to get more updates."
Similarly, 2020 candidate Pete Buttigieg, mayor of South Bend, Ind., wrote, "My grandmother used to take me to Cielo Vista Mall. Now it's one more mass shooting scene. How many more must grieve before we act? #ElPaso."
Democratic candidates including Vice President Joe Biden, Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Kamla Harris, D-Calif., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and former Secretary of Housing & Urban Development Julian Castro sent messages of support and condolences to the victims of the shooting, many of them demanding politicians act on gun reform.

'Enough is enough'

“Too many families in too many communities have been forced to endure the daily horror of gun violence," Pelosi went on.  Enough is enough.  The Republican Senate’s continued inaction dishonors our solemn duty to protect innocent men, women and children and end this epidemic once and for all."
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said "How many more tragedies, how many more families will be destroyed, how many more children will grow up without their parents before Washington acts? NY's heart breaks for the victims of the horrific shooting in El Paso. But our thoughts and prayers will not stop this madness."
The New York Police Department's Counterterrorism unit said that they "deployed additional Counterterrorism Units to shopping areas out of an abundance of caution," adding that there is no immediate threat to New Yorkers.
Police responded to reports of an active shooting at the Cielo Vista Mall area shortly before 11 a.m. and asked people to stay clear of the active scene. An El Paso police spokesman told reporters shortly before 1 p.m. that there was no longer an "imminent threat" to the area.
The Texas mass shooting was the second in less than one week, following the Gilroy food festival in Northern California where a gunman opened fire, killing three people.
Additional reporting by Fox News' Lucia I. Suarez Sang.

Amy Klobuchar slams Trump in wake of El Paso massacre, faces backlash for politicizing tragedy

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., speaks during the first of two Democratic presidential primary debates hosted by CNN Tuesday, July 30, 2019, at the Fox Theatre in Detroit. (Associated Press)

A Democrat seeking the party's 2020 presidential nomination faced sharp criticism on social media Saturday after linking that day's massacre in El Paso, Texas, to President Trump's rhetoric.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., one of nearly two-dozen Democrats hoping to block Trump's bid for a second term in the White House, made her remarks at a labor forum event in Las Vegas.
“The individuals who do the shootings are responsible," Klobuchar said, referring to mass shootings such as the one in El Paso that left 20 dead and 26 injured, "but I do think Trump's rhetoric has fueled more hate in this country.”
Klobuchar also pushed for gun reform legislation on Twitter.
"Today innocent people—families—went to that mall in El Paso," she wrote. "Some of them never came home. The U.S. House has passed common sense gun safety legislation. It is long past time to pass it in the Senate. The question to ask: Whose side are you on? The NRA’s or the people’s."
The shooting in El Paso occurred at a Walmart store on Saturday afternoon. A suspect was later taken into custody, police said.

While some on social media praised Klobuchar’s comments, others criticized her for politicizing the shooting.
“Amy! Thank you for all that you do and we need more! This president needs to be held accountable for these deaths and this carnage. He is complicit, he is an accessory to this crime as he instigates hate amongst his followers,” one supporter wrote.
Another user wrote that it’s Democrats and Congress who are to blame for not acting on gun control.
“I see you blamed President Trump as usual for supposed hate crime in shootings in El Paso GMAFB you Democrats always trying to get a Political over this BS. You have had years to fix the gun violence but you and all of congress can’t work,” they wrote.
One user said that Klobuchar is the one spouting hateful rhetoric.
“Ms klobuchar enough, don’t blame President Trump your hateful rhetoric fuels hate so just because your running for President,” the Twitter user wrote.
During last week's Democratic presidential debate in Detroit, Klobuchar said she supports an assault weapons ban as well as universal background checks for gun buyers. She also criticized the president, saying he hadn't done enough in response to a shooting in Parkland, Fla., that left 17 people dead in 2018.
Several of the other Democratic presidential candidates posted similar messages Saturday pushing for gun safety legislation in Congress.
The president reacted to the shooting on Twitter, writing, “Today’s shooting in El Paso, Texas, was not only tragic, it was an act of cowardice. I know that I stand with everyone in this Country to condemn today’s hateful act. There are no reasons or excuses that will ever justify killing innocent people....”

Saikat Chakrabarti Cartoons

NH governor rips Mass., says DMV 'deficiencies' led to horrific crash that killed 7

New Hampshire Republican Gov. Chris Sununu slammed Massachusetts officials Friday, accusing them of being responsible for the shocking crash in his state that killed seven bikers.
The attack follows revelations that Volodymyr Zhukovskyy, 23, the Massachusetts truck driver who has been charged with negligent homicide in the June crash, should have had his driving license suspended for previous infractions, but the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles took no action.
“Make no mistake: The deficiencies within the Massachusetts RMV under the leadership of Ms. Deveney resulted in the horrific crash in Randolph,” Sununu spokesman Benjamin Vihstadt told the Boston Globe.

“Make no mistake: The deficiencies within the Massachusetts RMV under the leadership of Ms. Deveney resulted in the horrific crash in Randolph.”
— Sununu spokesman Benjamin Vihstadt

The governor’s office comments also follow remarks by Erin Deveney, the RMV’s former registrar, who blamed both New Hampshire and Massachusetts for failing to transmit notifications about out-of-state drivers whose licenses should be suspended. She later resigned amid the uproar over the failure to suspend the man’s license.

Erin Deveney, shown in 2014, resigned as head of the motor vehicle division in Massachusetts after it was determined that Volodymyr Zhukovskyy's commercial driving license should have been suspended prior to a horrific deadly crash in June. (Associated Press)

But Sununu’s spokesman blasted the suggestion of equal blame, saying, “For Ms. Deveney to try and conflate the severity of their problem with New Hampshire is shameful and reaffirms why she no longer has a job.”

Volodymyr Zhukovskyy, 23, of West Springfield, the driver of a pickup truck in a fiery collision on a highway in rural Randolph, N.H., that killed seven motorcyclists, stands with his attorney Donald Frank during a hearing in Springfield District Court in Springfield, Mass., June 24, 2019. (Associated Press)

Since the crash, it has emerged that Zhukovskyy had multiple run-ins with the law.
In May, Connecticut prosecutors said Zhukovskyy was arrested in a Walmart parking lot after failing a sobriety test. Zhukovskyy's lawyer in that case, John O'Brien, said his client denies being intoxicated and will fight the charge.

This photo provided by Miranda Thompson shows the scene where several motorcycles and a pickup truck collided on a rural, two-lane highway Friday, June 21, 2019 in Randolph, N.H. (Associated Press)

Zhukovskyy's refusal to take a chemical sobriety test should have resulted in an immediate suspension of his commercial drivers license, but no such action was taken by Massachusetts authorities.
Connecticut officials twice alerted Massachusetts about an earlier drunken driving arrest. Massachusetts investigators later determined the Registry of Motor Vehicles hadn't been acting on thousands of out-of-state notifications about serious driving violations.
Westfield Transport, the company for which Zhukovskyy had been driving on the day of the June 21 crash, also has a troubled history.
According to an Associated Press analysis of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration data, Westfield Transport Inc. faced more than 60 violations over the last 24 months.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.