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Read the press release below…
Today,
as Americans, we grieve the brutal murder – a horrific massacre – of
dozens of innocent people. We pray for their families, who are grasping
for answers with broken hearts. We stand with the people of Orlando, who
have endured a terrible attack on their city. Although it’s still early
in the investigation, we know enough to say that this was an act of
terror and an act of hate. And as Americans, we are united in grief, in
outrage, and in resolve to defend our people.
as Americans, we grieve the brutal murder – a horrific massacre – of
dozens of innocent people. We pray for their families, who are grasping
for answers with broken hearts. We stand with the people of Orlando, who
have endured a terrible attack on their city. Although it’s still early
in the investigation, we know enough to say that this was an act of
terror and an act of hate. And as Americans, we are united in grief, in
outrage, and in resolve to defend our people.
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I
just finished a meeting with FBI Director Comey and my homeland
security and national security advisers. The FBI is on the scene and
leading the investigation, in partnership with local law enforcement.
I’ve directed that the full resources of the federal government be made
available for this investigation.
just finished a meeting with FBI Director Comey and my homeland
security and national security advisers. The FBI is on the scene and
leading the investigation, in partnership with local law enforcement.
I’ve directed that the full resources of the federal government be made
available for this investigation.
We
are still learning all the facts. This is an open investigation. We’ve
reached no definitive judgment on the precise motivations of the killer.
The FBI is appropriately investigating this as an act of terrorism. And
I’ve directed that we must spare no effort to determine what – if any –
inspiration or association this killer may have had with terrorist
groups. What is clear is that he was a person filled with hatred. Over
the coming days, we’ll uncover why and how this happened, and we will go
wherever the facts lead us.
are still learning all the facts. This is an open investigation. We’ve
reached no definitive judgment on the precise motivations of the killer.
The FBI is appropriately investigating this as an act of terrorism. And
I’ve directed that we must spare no effort to determine what – if any –
inspiration or association this killer may have had with terrorist
groups. What is clear is that he was a person filled with hatred. Over
the coming days, we’ll uncover why and how this happened, and we will go
wherever the facts lead us.
This
morning I spoke with my good friend, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, and I
conveyed the condolences of the entire American people. This could have
been any one of our communities. So I told Mayor Dyer that whatever help
he and the people of Orlando need – they are going to get it. As a
country, we will be there for the people of Orlando today, tomorrow and
for all the days to come.
morning I spoke with my good friend, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, and I
conveyed the condolences of the entire American people. This could have
been any one of our communities. So I told Mayor Dyer that whatever help
he and the people of Orlando need – they are going to get it. As a
country, we will be there for the people of Orlando today, tomorrow and
for all the days to come.
We
also express our profound gratitude to all the police and first
responders who rushed into harm’s way. Their courage and professionalism
saved lives, and kept the carnage from being even worse. It’s the kind
of sacrifice that our law enforcement professionals make every single
day for all of us, and we can never thank them enough.
also express our profound gratitude to all the police and first
responders who rushed into harm’s way. Their courage and professionalism
saved lives, and kept the carnage from being even worse. It’s the kind
of sacrifice that our law enforcement professionals make every single
day for all of us, and we can never thank them enough.
This is an especially heartbreaking day for all our friends – our fellow Americans – who are lesbian,
gay, bisexual or transgender. The shooter targeted a nightclub where
people came together to be with friends, to dance and to sing, and to
live. The place where they were attacked is more than a nightclub – it
is a place of solidarity and empowerment where people have come together
to raise awareness, to speak their minds, and to advocate for their
civil rights.
gay, bisexual or transgender. The shooter targeted a nightclub where
people came together to be with friends, to dance and to sing, and to
live. The place where they were attacked is more than a nightclub – it
is a place of solidarity and empowerment where people have come together
to raise awareness, to speak their minds, and to advocate for their
civil rights.
So
this is a sobering reminder that attacks on any American – regardless
of race, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation – is an attack on all
of us and on the fundamental values of equality and dignity that define
us as a country. And no act of hate or terror will ever change who we
are or the values that make us Americans.
this is a sobering reminder that attacks on any American – regardless
of race, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation – is an attack on all
of us and on the fundamental values of equality and dignity that define
us as a country. And no act of hate or terror will ever change who we
are or the values that make us Americans.
Today
marks the most deadly shooting in American history. The shooter was
apparently armed with a handgun and a powerful assault rifle. This
massacre is therefore a further reminder of how easy it is for someone
to get their hands on a weapon that lets them shoot people in a school,
or in a house of worship, or a movie theater, or in a nightclub. And we
have to decide if that’s the kind of country we want to be. And to
actively do nothing is a decision as well.
marks the most deadly shooting in American history. The shooter was
apparently armed with a handgun and a powerful assault rifle. This
massacre is therefore a further reminder of how easy it is for someone
to get their hands on a weapon that lets them shoot people in a school,
or in a house of worship, or a movie theater, or in a nightclub. And we
have to decide if that’s the kind of country we want to be. And to
actively do nothing is a decision as well.
In
the coming hours and days, we’ll learn about the victims of this
tragedy. Their names. Their faces. Who they were. The joy that they
brought to families and to friends, and the difference that they made in
this world. Say a prayer for them and say a prayer for their families –
that God give them the strength to bear the unbearable. And that He
give us all the strength to be there for them, and the strength and
courage to change. We need to demonstrate that we are defined more – as a
country – by the way they lived their lives than by the hate of the man
who took them from us.
the coming hours and days, we’ll learn about the victims of this
tragedy. Their names. Their faces. Who they were. The joy that they
brought to families and to friends, and the difference that they made in
this world. Say a prayer for them and say a prayer for their families –
that God give them the strength to bear the unbearable. And that He
give us all the strength to be there for them, and the strength and
courage to change. We need to demonstrate that we are defined more – as a
country – by the way they lived their lives than by the hate of the man
who took them from us.
As
we go together, we will draw inspiration from heroic and selfless acts –
friends who helped friends, took care of each other and saved lives. In
the face of hate and violence, we will love one another. We will not
give in to fear or turn against each other. Instead, we will stand
united, as Americans, to protect our people, and defend our nation, and
to take action against those who threaten us.
we go together, we will draw inspiration from heroic and selfless acts –
friends who helped friends, took care of each other and saved lives. In
the face of hate and violence, we will love one another. We will not
give in to fear or turn against each other. Instead, we will stand
united, as Americans, to protect our people, and defend our nation, and
to take action against those who threaten us.
May
God bless the Americans we lost this morning. May He comfort their
families. May God continue to watch over this country that we love.
Thank you.
God bless the Americans we lost this morning. May He comfort their
families. May God continue to watch over this country that we love.
Thank you.
