President Trump said he has offered support to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio in their response to the terrorist attack Tuesday in which a truck was driven down a bike lane in Manhattan, taking the lives of eight people.
“Just spoke with @NYGovCuomo and @NYCMayor de Blasio to let them know that the federal government fully supports any and all of their efforts with respect to the West Side attack. #NYCStrong,” Trump said in a series of tweets Wednesday afternoon.
Just spoke with @NYGovCuomo and @NYCMayor de Blasio to let them know that the federal government…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 1, 2017
…fully supports any and all of their efforts with respect to the West Side attack. #NYCStrong
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 1, 2017
Trump is calling for Congress to cut the diversity visa lottery program, as it was reported the suspect in the attack, 29-year-old Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov from Tampa, Fla., rented a van and entered the country in 2010 under the program.
Police verified that a truck drove into a bike lane this afternoon and eventually hit a school bus. Saipov is now in custody.
Reports said he shouted “Allahu Akbar,” translating to “God is Great!” in Arabic, as he drove the truck and a note was recovered in the truck that claimed the attack was done in the name of Islamic State.
Trump tweeted about the incident Tuesday evening, committing to keeping ISIS out of the U.S. “We must not allow ISIS to return, or enter, our country after defeating them in the Middle East and elsewhere. Enough!” Trump tweeted.
