President Trump on Sunday called for a change in mindset for how countries deal with terrorism.
In a tweet, the president remarked on Saturday’s stabbing attack in Paris, where one person was killed and four others were wounded by a knife-wielding assailant.
“So sad to see the Terror Attack in Paris. At some point countries will have to open their eyes & see what is really going on. This kind of sickness & hatred is not compatible with a loving, peaceful, & successful country! Changes to our thought process on terror must be made,” Trump tweeted.
So sad to see the Terror Attack in Paris. At some point countries will have to open their eyes & see what is really going on. This kind of sickness & hatred is not compatible with a loving, peaceful, & successful country! Changes to our thought process on terror must be made.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 14, 2018
The president didn’t elaborate any further, but he previously has remarked on the threat posed by foreign-born terrorists entering the U.S. In January, responding to a brief report from the Justice and Homeland Security Departments, Trump tied the matter to the immigration debate going on at the time.
“New report from DOJ & DHS shows that nearly 3 in 4 individuals convicted of terrorism-related charges are foreign-born. We have submitted to Congress a list of resources and reforms … we need to keep America safe, including moving away from a random chain migration and lottery system, to one that is merit-based,” Trump tweeted in January.
Officials in Paris are reportedly investigating the stabbings by a 20-year-old Frenchman born in Chechnya, who was shot dead by police and so-far has no been identified, as a terror attack. Witnesses say the knife-man shouted “Allahu Akhbar” as he wielded a kitchen knife and went after pedestrians. The Islamic State also claimed responsibility for the attack.
Previously there was a terror attack in France in March, where a gunman pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.
Trump’s tweet Sunday followed a condemnation of the “terrorist attack” by the White House.
“The United States strongly condemns yesterday’s terrorist attack in Paris. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with the French people and their government against this vicious act of terrorism, and pledge any assistance needed. Acts like this only strengthen the resolve of the global coalition to defeat ISIS and drive it out of existence,” said the statement from White House press secretary Sarah Sanders.
Trump spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday. The pair discussed trade and the Iran deal, according to the White House.
The Trump administration has committed itself to destroying the Islamic State. On Thursday he celebrated the capturing of the five leaders within the Islamic State as the result of a three-month Iraqi-U.S. military operation in Syria and Turkey.
“Five Most Wanted leaders of ISIS just captured!” Trump tweeted Thursday morning.
