Former President Trump on Friday expressed his condolences to the victims and their families of the recent school shooting in Iowa while on the campaign trail in the Hawkeye State, but then called on his supporters to “move on.” Ta.
“I would like to express my support and deepest condolences to the victims and their families of yesterday's horrific school shooting in Perry, Iowa,” President Trump said at a campaign rally in Sioux City.
“It's really bad and it's really amazing to see it here,” he added. “But we have to get through it, we have to move forward.”
His rather harsh remarks came after a gunman entered Perry High School with a pump-action shotgun and a handgun on Thursday morning, the first day back from winter break. Authorities confirmed he shot and killed one student and injured several others, including the principal.
According to police, the suspect, Dylan Butler, 17, shot himself and killed himself while law enforcement responded. He did not comment on whether a potential motive was found.
The shooting occurred just a few miles from where Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswami, seen as Trump's closest ally on the campaign trail, was scheduled to hold an event that day. The entrepreneur's camp canceled the event and held a private prayer instead.
Ramaswamy predicted that politicians would respond to the incident with calls for gun control, accusing them of an “opportunistic policy response.” Instead, the Republican candidate said the bill's focus should be on mental health.
“There's a temptation to pass laws and documents and say we did something about this,” he said. “Heed my words, if not later today, then tomorrow, we will continue to mask this real disease in the heart and soul of our country and our culture. You're going to hear the call, 'No guns, that's the problem.''' It spread throughout the next generation and into the family unit. Loss of purpose. ”
Her rival, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, who is gaining ground in opinion polls, made similar claims.
“We have to fight the cancer that is mental health. “This means that 80% of perpetrators of mass shootings are in some sort of crisis at the time they commit a mass shooting.”
“We have to do better. The problem is there is a shortage of mental health therapists,” she said.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has focused on his presidential campaign in Iowa, expressed support for Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (Republican), who supported him in 2024, and local police in the wake of the shooting incident. expressed. He said he should also focus on mental health.
Their comments come as the Iowa caucuses, which will begin primary voting season for the 2024 Republican primary, are scheduled to be held in about a week. Candidates have been canvassing the state this week seeking support ahead of the Jan. 15 caucuses.
Trump remains the clear front-runner in the race, leading with 51.6 percent support, according to The Hill/Decision Desk's average Iowa poll. DeSantis is second with his 18%, followed closely by Haley with his 17.1%.
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