Donald Trump called for a restoration of “law and order” in the wake of the deadly attack on law enforcement officers in Dallas.
“We must restore the confidence of our people to be safe and secure in their homes and on the street,” Trump said in a statement early Friday morning, roughly 12 hours after the attack at an otherwise peaceful protest in downtown Dallas against police brutality.
In the attack, 12 Dallas law enforcement officers were shot, five fatally.
The protest was focused on police brutality against black people, specifically Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, La., on Monday and Philando Castile in Falcon Heights, Minn., on Tuesday. Both were shot dead by police officers.
Trump referenced both incidents in his statement.
“The senseless, tragic deaths of two motorists in Louisiana and Minnesota reminds us how much more needs to be done,” Trump said. Sterling in Louisiana was not a motorist, but rather shot outside a convenience store. Castile was shot in his car during a traffic stop.
“Our nation has become too divided. Too many Americans feel like they’ve lost hope. Crime is harming too many citizens. Racial tensions have gotten worse, not better. This isn’t the American Dream we all want for our children,” Trump concluded. “This is a time, perhaps more than ever, for strong leadership, love and compassion. We will pull through these tragedies.”
Earlier Friday morning, Trump tweeted his “prayers and condolences” to anyone “devastated by the horrors we are all watching take place in our country.” He canceled a planned campaign stop in Miama for Friday.
