Donald Trump:
My fellow Americans, this has been a weekend of violence
that has cost many fellow citizens their lives and even more their peace of
mind and security. We mourn with the families of those who have been killed and
mourn for our country in which such killings are entirely too frequent.
It has been said that my words have played a role in
empowering those who are inclined through mental illness, violent addictions,
or any other impetus to act on their violent tendencies. I can no longer deny
that there is truth in these accusations. As the leader of our country, I now
realize that I have an obligation to moderate my own speaking so that it can no
longer be said to enable violent action. It is of small comfort, but I do
apologize for any role I have played in bringing our country to this point.
I also challenge others who contribute through their
rhetoric to the divide that is causing an emotional, political, and spiritual
civil war within our beloved nation. I challenge all Americans to focus now on
solutions rather than on blame. Our
nation is in need of healing which can only occur if we work on it together.
I ask the nation to join me with their thoughts and prayers
for the victims: those who have died and all who are grieved by their losses. I
ask the nation to join me in thoughts and prayers for the families of the
perpetrators who must feel tremendous pain and even shame. But I also accept
the criticism that thoughts and prayers are not enough.
Therefore, within the coming week, I will have established a
group of bipartisan citizens–not just politicians –to begin to look at ways we might put
an end to the spiral of violence and
divisiveness that has become how our country is being seen by the rest of the
world. I will ask this group to look at policies and procedures that contribute
to violence and to propose, by year's end, policies and procedures that will stop it from
being the norm. I will direct them to look at legal, educational, social,
political, and other solutions that will make America great again. The group
will consist of survivors of mass violence, families of victims as well as
national and spiritual leaders. No
proposed solution will be rejected out of hand. No voice will be discounted
prior to consideration.
The history of our country is that when we come together as
one we achieve great things. When we are divided we cause only ruin, hardship,
and great pain. This weekend has brought me to realize that my job is to unite and
that I have not done that job at all well. In whatever time I have remaining to
serve as our president, by the grace of God I will atone for my failures
in word and deed through healing words and loving deeds. Out of the blood of
those martyred by violence may new life, new ways of thinking, and a new
America emerge.
Thank you, and God bless America.
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