President Trump announced Thursday that he is planning to visit Parkland, Florida, where 17 people were killed by a gunman at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Wednesday. "We are all joined together as one American family and your suffering is our burden also," Trump said, addressing the victims and their families. "No child, no teacher, should ever be in danger in an American school," he added.
Trump additionally expressed a commitment to "the difficult issue of mental health," reiterating a tweet made Thursday morning when he said "neighbors and classmates" knew about the "mentally disturbed" shooter. "Answer hate with love, answer cruelty with kindness," Trump said, speaking directly to American children.
As many observed, the president did not use the word "gun" in his address. He additionally ignored a shouted question by CNN's Jim Acosta about if he will do "something about guns." The 19-year-old suspected shooter had legally purchased the AR-15 used in the attack after passing a background check within the past year.
Watch a portion of Trump's remarks below. Jeva Lange