WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama has angrily denounced Donald Trump’s anti-Muslim rhetoric as “not the America we want” following the presumptive GOP nominee’s response to the Orlando night club massacre.
Obama blasted Trump’s views as a threat to national security and an echo of some of the most shameful moments in U.S. history. Hillary Clinton also let out a full-throated response, saying that her rival’s Monday speech should disqualify him from running for president.
Trump has used the carnage in Florida to renew his call for a ban on Muslim immigration and has accused Obama of being weak in confronting extremist groups. Trump responded to the president’s comments by saying Obama puts the country’s enemies before Americans.
Speaking in Greensboro, North Carolina, on Tuesday, Trump said Obama was angrier at him than the Orlando nightclub gunman.
Republicans, for their part, are offering a mixed response to their presumptive candidate’s latest round of rhetoric. House Speaker Paul Ryan emphasized his opposition to Trump’s proposed ban on Muslims entering the U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina called Trump’s reaction to “declare war” on Islam “the worst possible solution.”
RNC chairman Reince Priebus opted to take aim at Obama and Clinton following their Tuesday lash outs at Trump. He released a statement referencing their positions on gun control, saying “the terrorists win when they convince politicians they should take away our rights.”