CNN
On Sunday morning, Democratic presidential hopefuls responded to a grisly weekend of mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio. Many spoke with Jake Tapper on CNN’s “State of the Union,” saying that President Trump was responsible for fueling racist acts of violence and for not encouraging common-sense gun policy.
Minutes before the shooting in El Paso, a predominantly Latino city, suspected gunman Patrick Crusius allegedly posted an anti-immigrant manifesto online warning of a “Hispanic invasion of Texas” and detailing a plan to separate America into territories by race.
Asked by Tapper if he thinks Trump is a white nationalist, El Paso native Beto O’Rourke said, “Yes, I do.” He went on, “Let’s be very clear about what is causing this and who the president is. He is an open, avowed racist and is encouraging more racism in this country—and this is incredibly dangerous for the United States of America right now.”
Jake Tapper: Do you think President Trump is a white nationalist?
Beto O’Rourke: Yes, I do #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/6jx4bWCh7w
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) August 4, 2019
Tapper went on to speak with Democratic candidates Sen. Cory Booker, Sen. Kamala Harris, Julián Castro, Pete Buttigieg, and Sen. Bernie Sanders. Here’s what they had to say:
Cory Booker on latest mass shootings: “I think at the end of the day, especially because this was the white supremacist manifesto… that Donald Trump is responsible for this. He is responsible because he is stoking fears and hatred and bigotry.” #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/k8LBA5SJi2
— State of the Union (@CNNSotu) August 4, 2019
Kamala Harris on gun legislation following the latest mass shootings: “We are not without hope on this issue, we’re without action.” #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/v0peKOo7s9
— State of the Union (@CNNSotu) August 4, 2019
2020 presidential candidate Julián Castro on President Trump during the latest mass shootings: "There is no question that this President is setting a tone of division and fanning the flames of bigotry and hate.” #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/EPxsqj40AE
— State of the Union (@CNNSotu) August 4, 2019
2020 presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg on the latest mass shootings: “Every time this happens we say never again. We say we're going to do something. We say it's going to change and it hasn't. … I’m wondering what it will take to get the sense of urgency…” #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/u6a1QuLoCi
— State of the Union (@CNNSotu) August 4, 2019
Bernie Sanders agrees with Beto O’Rourke calling President Trump a white nationalist: “I do. It gives me no pleasure to say this” #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/6mEwDtRyRM
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) August 4, 2019
