Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

AOC says Trump is 'directly responsible' for El Paso shooting

Democrats have slammed Mr Trump for his attacks on immigrants and minorities

Clark Mindock
New York
Tuesday 06 August 2019 13:04 EDT
Comments
(Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says that Donald Trump’s divisive rhetoric on immigrants is “directly responsible” for the massacre in El Paso, Texas, over the weekend, where a gunman who posted an anti-immigrant screed online killed at least 22 people.

Ms Ocasio-Cortez blamed Mr Trump for creating the hostile environment in America during a vigil Monday in Brooklyn.

The president “is directly responsible for what happened in El Paso,” Ms Ocasio-Cortez said, according to the New York Daily news.

During her remarks, the freshman Democrat said that “white supremacy is an international terrorist problem,” in reference to the recent gun violence in New Zealand, and said that the problem is being baked into American culture.

“There are so many different issues that are weaving themselves into a braid of violence into our country. One of them is white supremacist terrorism,” Ms Ocasio-Cortez said.

Ms Ocasio-Cortez is among several prominent democrats who have spoken out forcefully against Mr Trump, and described the president as a racist, since the El Paso shooting.

In addition to her, presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke — a native of El Paso and 2020 democratic presidential candidate — has also spoken up to denounce Mr Trump for his racist rhetoric, which has included frequent attacks on Mexicans.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

“Anyone who is surprised,” Mr O’Rourke said during an interview on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe”, “Is part of the problem right now — including members of the media who ask, ‘Hey Beto, do you think the president is racist?’”

“Well, Jesus Christ, of course he’s racist,” Mr O’Rourke said.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in