Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump heaped on the criticisms of President Barack Obama, implying the president might understand the shooting "better than anybody understands,” suggesting Obama's refusal to call the massacre in an Orlando nightclub which left 50 dead and dozens wounded an act of Radical Islamic terrorism.
“He doesn’t get it or he gets it better than anybody understands—it’s one or the other and either one is unacceptable,” Trump said on Fox News Monday morning.
In a statement released Sunday, Trump slammed Obama for refusing to call the attack a result of radical Islam, calling for the president to resign.
“In his remarks today, President Obama disgracefully refused to even say the words 'Radical Islam'. For that reason alone, he should step down,” said Trump.
The call to step down didn’t just apply to Obama, either.
“If Hillary Clinton, after this attack, still cannot say the two words 'Radical Islam' she should get out of this race for the Presidency,” he added in his statement.
Trump continued to suggest Obama may not have the best intentions to combat terrorism but remained vague in his implications that the president may have a secret agenda.
“Look, we’re led by a man that either is not tough, not smart, or he’s got something else in mind,” Trump said. “And the something else in mind—you know, people can’t believe it. People cannot, they cannot believe that President Obama is acting the way he acts and can’t even mention the words ‘radical Islamic terrorism.’ There’s something going on. It’s inconceivable. There’s something going on.”
The Republican businessman said he had forewarned of such a tragedy occurring as a result of “weak leaders,” and the need to be politically correct.
“If we do not get tough and smart real fast, we are not going to have a country anymore,” Trump’s statement read. “Because our leaders are weak, I said this was going to happen – and it is only going to get worse. I am trying to save lives and prevent the next terrorist attack. We can't afford to be politically correct anymore.”
Trump once again called for a ban on allowing immigrants into the U.S. from the Middle East, attacking Democratic presumptive nominee Hillary Clinton’s stance on allowing immigrants from that area into the U.S.
“We admit more than 100,000 lifetime migrants from the Middle East each year. Since 9/11, hundreds of migrants and their children have been implicated in terrorism in the United States,” he said. “Hillary Clinton wants to dramatically increase admissions from the Middle East, bringing in many hundreds of thousands during a first term – and we will have no way to screen them, pay for them, or prevent the second generation from radicalizing.”
Clinton told news outlets this was no time to politicize the shooting.
“This is a moment for Republicans, Democrats and independents to work together as one team — the American team,” said Clinton said on MSNBC. “And it’s a time for statesmanship, not partisanship.”
Trump emphasized the need to protect Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs from Radical Islamic Terrorism, which he says “has no place in an open and tolerant society.”
“Radical Islam advocates hate for women, gays, Jews, Christians and all Americans. I am going to be a President for all Americans, and I am going to protect and defend all Americans,” he said. “We are going to make America safe again and great again for everyone.”
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
