In a suspected terrorist attack that could shake up the presidential campaign, President Obama and Hillary Clinton reacted with caution and prayers Sunday to the mass shooting at a nightclub in Florida, while Donald Trump called the tragedy “really bad.”
Vice President Joseph R. Biden canceled a scheduled Democratic fundraiser in Florida Sunday.
The White House said Mr. Obama was briefed Sunday morning on the shooting that left 50 dead and 53 others wounded in what officials described as a terrorist attack. Lisa Monaco, the president’s adviser for homeland security and counterterrorism, gave him details of the “tragic shooting” in Orlando, his spokesman said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the victims,” the White House said.
Mrs. Clinton, the presumptive Democratic nominee, reacted initially to the shooting on Twitter: “Woke up to hear the devastating news from FL. As we wait for more information, my thoughts are with those affected by this horrific act.”
Mr. Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee who has criticized the Obama administration for not being tough enough on radical Islamist terrorists, said in his initial tweet that the shooting was “really bad” and that police were investigating it as an act of terrorism.
The worst mass shooting in U.S. history, reportedly carried out by a U.S. citizen whose parents are from Afghanistan, could have implications for the presidential campaign. In December, after the Islamic State attacks in Paris and a mass shooting in San Bernardino, California that was inspired by the terrorist group, Mr. Obama’s job-approval rating fell significantly as Americans expressed deep concern about the administration’s handling of national-security issues.
The Orlando shooting took place at a nightclub popular with gay clients, during LGBT Pride Month.
The president is scheduled to make his first campaign appearance with Mrs. Clinton on Wednesday in Green Bay, Wisconsin; there was no indication Sunday whether that schedule might change.
Hours after the shooting, Mr. Biden canceled a Democratic fundraiser with Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz that had been scheduled in Miami Sunday night.
Mr. Obama asked to receive regular updates about the investigation, and directed that the federal government provide law-enforcement officials with “any assistance necessary to pursue the investigation and support the community,” said press secretary Josh Earnest.
Mr. Biden also was briefed by his national security adviser on the “heinous attack” in Orlando, his office said.
“Vice President Biden offered his prayers for all those killed and injured in the shooting and sends his condolences to all the families and loved ones of the victims,” the statement said. “He is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to receive regular updates as we know more.”
Mitt Romney, the 2012 GOP presidential nominee, said on Twitter that he was “deeply saddened to learn of the horrific attack in Orlando. Our hearts go out to those who lost loved ones.”
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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