Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., on Wednesday said he would advise President Trump not to blame Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., after an Islamic State-inspired attack in New York killed eight people and injured 12 more.
“There’s definitely a role for the president to play as far as leadership,” King told CNN. “And the president says that we should have more vetting going forward, I can understand that, but I would not be blaming anyone.”
“I know he mentioned Sen. Schumer,” King continued. “Listen, I have had certain disagreements with Sen. Schumer, but on the issue of terrorism, he’s been a strong ally.”
King added he would model his behavior on that of President George W. Bush in the aftermath of 9/11 by focusing on the victims and supporting law enforcement officers. He also stood by the diversity visa lottery system, which the attacker, Sayfullo Saipov, reportedly used to enter the country in 2010.
“If he comes from a country such as Uzbekistan, there should be more vetting than if he comes from a country which does not have a strong Islamist presence or terrorist presence, but the lottery system itself, to me, it’s worked,” King said. “It’s gotten good people into this country. In my experience in New York, is they’ve gone on to become very productive people.”
