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Updated at 3:00 pm EDT with an additional DHS declaration.
A white supremacist terrorist attack in two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, killed 49 people, mostly Muslims, and wounded nearly 40 others. An online cope that the shooter apparently left behind would have explained that he was specifically targeting the Muslims who invaded "our lands [and] live on our soil "and that it was an" act of revenge against Islam ".
The Trump administration's condolences have so far failed to use the word "Muslim" or "Islam". Under Donald Trump, the US government banned immigration from several Muslim-majority countries, sharply reduced the number of Muslim refugees admitted and division language used criticize the nearly two billion followers of Islamic religions, which contrasts sharply with previous US presidents.
secretary of state Mike Pompeo This morning (March 15), he presented his "personal condolences to the New Zealand nation following the attacks on the mosque," said "the United States condemns this heinous aggression" and promised "their unwavering solidarity with the government and the people of New Zealand, "at a press conference this morning. But he never mentioned the Muslim community.
Before joining the Trump administration, Pompeo warned a religious group of the threat that Islam was putting on America. In Cairo, he delivered a controversial speech this year in which he reiterates Barack Obama's promise of a "fresh start" with the Muslim world.
Kirstjen Nielsen, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, expressed sympathy for the "victims and their families" in the morning.
In the early afternoon, Nielsen issued a longer statement expressing his condolences "to those who were affected by the attacks", again without specifying who they were, but they also noted the concerns of the "communities". US-Muslim. "
Although we are not aware of any current, credible or active threat at the national level, nor any current information regarding obvious links between perpetrators in New Zealand and anyone in the United States, the Department is aware of the potential concerns of members of the Muslim-American communities as they gather at the prayer of the congregation of today.
Press Secretary of the White House Sarah Huckabee Sanders also mentioned "the victims and their families" but not the Muslims in a statement:
Attorney General William P. Barr refers to religion in his statement, but avoids naming the religion that was targeted:
"Violence on the basis of religion is an evil. Today's attack in New Zealand is a serious reminder that the threat of political and religious violence is real and that we must remain vigilant against it. The Department of Justice joins the New Zealand population in mourning ".
Even first lady Melania Trump-Who is not, of course, an elected – did not use the word "Muslims" or "Islam" in his tweets of condolence to "families" in mourning:
Asset are the closest to offer their condolences to the very targets of the attack, using the word "mosques" in a tweet, but do not mention either Muslims or Islam:
After a white supremacist shooter attacked a Quebec mosque in 2017, the White House did not offer condolences to Muslims either.
The messages of Trump and his cabinet contrast sharply with those of other leaders and personalities of the world, as well as other American politicians.
British royal family William and Kate, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, said in a statement:
This senseless attack is an affront to the people of Christchurch and New Zealand, as well as to the Muslim community in general. It's a horrible onslaught against a way of life that embodies decency, community, and friendship.
Former US President Obama send his condolences to the "Muslim community":
Pope Francis expressed his "sincere solidarity" with the Muslims, saying that he is:
… Deeply saddened by the senseless acts of violence perpetrated at two mosques in Christchurch and by the loss of life he has endured, and he assures all New Zealanders, and in particular the Muslim community, of his profound solidarity
German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed his "horror" at the attack on Muslim citizens:
The attack on Muslim citizens is also an attack on New Zealand's democracy and its open and tolerant society. We share these values and therefore also the horror of New Zealanders.
Several Democratic presidential candidates used the word "Muslim" in their comments on the attack; Beto O'Rourke, the Texas candidate, mentioned "Islamophobia".
The title of this article was originally "The response of the Trump administration in New Zealand in shooting did not use the word" Muslim ". It has been modified to reflect the subsequent DHS declaration.
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