IRISH-AMERICAN POLITICIAN Beto O’Rourke has launched a stinging attack on Donald Trump and the role he believes the President played in incidents like the mass shooting that saw 20 people killed and dozens injured in El Paso.
O’Rourke, who previously served as congressman in El Paso, accused President Trump of using racist language that fuelled bigotry and hate of minorities.
The Democrat Presidential nominee hopeful attended a string of vigils across El Paso on Sunday, August 4, speaking passionately on the topic.
During an address outside the Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Centre, O’Rourke suggested some of the language used by Mr Trump was more appropriate for a member of the Third Reich, than the US president.
“This community has had to blear the brunt of it,” he said. “Those of you from here know exactly what I mean. The rest of this country projecting their fears on us – on immigrants, on Mexicans, on people who don’t look like the majority of Americans.”
We know what Trump is doing. He stokes racism. He incites violence. We shouldn’t be asking if there’s anything he can do or if he’s responsible for this when we know the answer. I stand by what I said. https://t.co/zykowSpS6s
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) August 5, 2019
The Irish-American Democrat’s strongest rebuke came later when speaking to CNN reporter Eric Bradner.
Asked if there was anything he could do to help improve the situation involving President Trump, O’Rourke did not mince his words.
“What do you think,” he said.. “You know the s*** he has been saying.”
He added: “He’s been calling Mexican immigrants rapists and criminals. I mean members of the press – what the f***.
“It’s these questions that you know the answers to. Connect the dots. He’s not tolerating racism, he’s inciting it. He’s not tolerating violence, he’s inciting racism and violence in this country.”
WOW. Audio of Beto slamming the media for its white gloved handling of Trump amid the El Paso shooting.
h/t @ericbradner pic.twitter.com/j9pXwwr2wu— Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) August 5, 2019
Beto O'Rourke later reiterated to CNN: "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."
O’Rourke was speaking as details began to emerge regarding another shooting at a Walmart in Texas where 20 people – including a young mother and her two-month-old son – lost their lives.
Speaking in the wake of the mass shootings, Trump said: “We have to get it stopped, this has been going on for years and we have to get it stopped.”
“This is also a mental illness problem,” he added “These are people that are very, very seriously mentally ill.”
