Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton is now emphasizing domestic terrorism over gun violence when discussing the attacks in San Bernardino, Calif.
“We are learning more by the hour. We are learning more about the view that this was a terrorist attack,” Clinton said at an event in Sioux Falls, Iowa, on Friday, shortly before the authorities announced they believed the attacks were an act of terror. “I’m convinced that they will do everything they can to run down every lead. No matter where that may take them, even all over the world.”
The former secretary of state stressed the importance of keeping Americans secure and hunting down domestic terrorists. Although Clinton spoke about combatting terrorism, she reiterated her position that she still does not want to put American boots on the ground in Iraq or Syria.
“We can enable [other countries in the Middle East] and we can empower them, but we’re not sending our troops there,” Clinton said. “So we’ve got to have a strategy to defeat these terror networks. Part of that strategy is trying to prevent terrorists from getting guns in our country.” She also emphasized the importance of keeping people on the “no fly list” from purchasing guns.
In her initial remarks following the attacks, Clinton focused on the importance of passing gun control legislation and the increased amount of mass shootings in the Untied States, but did not focus on the possibility of domestic terrorism.
Clinton said, “We need to keep moving forward in concert with our values. It’s important to do what works instead of arguing about what won’t. There’s too much arguing, I want to roll up our sleeves and do something.”
