Las Vegas shooting prompts a graceful response from Trump
President Donald Trump makes a statement on the Las Vegas mass shooting, in the White House in Washington, on Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Credit: Getty Images / Alex Wong
President Donald Trump delivered a palpably graceful televised address in the immediate wake of the worst U.S. shooting massacre to date.
He stuck to the words written on the screen before him. He did not turn the topic to himself or his antagonists. He kept it short and stayed somber.
“My fellow Americans, we are joined together today in sadness, shock, and grief,” Trump opened.
“Last night a gunman opened fire on a large crowd at a country music concert in Las Vegas, Nevada. He brutally murdered more than 50 people and wounded hundreds more.
“It was an act of pure evil.
“The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security are working closely with local authorities to assist with the investigation and they will provide updates as to the investigation and how it develops.”
What followed — under these particular circumstances — sounded about as far from a Trump statement as we’ve become accustomed to hearing.
“Scripture teaches us the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. We seek comfort in those words, for we know that God lives in the hearts of those who grieve.”
With striking appropriateness, he thanked first responders and recited a message to comfort the stricken. There was no targeting, no blame, no peevishness.
The politics of it will follow close behind. In fact, it began before Trump’s midmorning speech as gun-control advocates ramped up their own messages.
And Trump critics already are noting how it would all sound different if Islamic terrorism or an anti-police attack had been evident.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said Monday: “It is positively infuriating that my colleagues in Congress are so afraid of the gun industry that they pretend there aren’t public policy responses to this epidemic.”
Former Vice President Joe Biden tweeted: “How long do we let gun violence tear families apart? Enough. Congress & the WH should act now to save lives. There’s no excuse for inaction.”
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton attacked the National Rifle Association — which, following the kneeling protests in the NFL, released an ad featuring a former Navy SEAL, who is a current NRA spokesman, defending the national anthem.
There will be more on this front, of course, especially once the general sense of shock out of Las Vegas wears off.
Trump ignored a reporter’s question about gun control after a ceremony. As for “politicizing” the moment with debate on the subject, Mark Kelly and his wife, former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot and severely wounded in Tuscon in 2011, appeared for a statement.
“Don’t let anyone tell you not to talk about politics when we talk about guns,” Kelly said. “Americans need more than our president’s prayers. We need his plans.”
At a White House press briefing, spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said, “There is a time and a place for political debate, but now is time to unite as a country.”
Dan Janison is a member of the Newsday editorial board.
