Trump vows to 'act with urgent resolve' after mass shootings but says 'mental illness and hatred pulls the trigger, not the gun'


President Trump in a statement following two mass shootings over the weekend called out violent video games and social media while not mentioning his earlier proposal to tie gun background-check legislation with immigration reform.
Trump in a speech on Monday morning referred to the shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio as "barbaric slaughters" that are an "assault upon our communities, an attack upon our nation, and a crime against all of humanity." He went on to say that the United States must "condemn racism, bigotry, and white supremacy" while vowing to "act with urgent resolve."
Among Trump's proposals was having the Department of Justice work with local state and federal agencies, as well as with social media companies, to "develop tools that can detect mass shooters before they strike." He also said that "we must stop the glorification of violence in our society," which includes "gruesome" video games.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Additionally, Trump called for reforms to mental health laws that would "better identify mentally disturbed individuals," also expressing support for red flag laws and calling for those who commit hate crimes to receive the death penalty.
But Trump, notably, did not bring up his earlier idea of trying to pass gun background-check laws tied to immigration reform. Instead, he said that "mental illness and hatred pulled the trigger, not the gun." He also did not mention the background check legislation that has already passed in the House of Representatives. Brendan Morrow
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
DOJ indicts John Bolton over classified files
Speed Read Continuing the trend of going after his political enemies, Trump prosecutes his former national security adviser
-
Trump, Putin set summit as Zelenskyy lands in DC
Speed Read Trump and Putin have agreed to meet in Budapest soon to discuss ending the war in Ukraine
-
Courts deal setbacks to Trump’s Chicago operations
Speed Read President Donald Trump cannot deploy the National Guard in Illinois
-
Pentagon reporters turn in badges after refusing rules
Speed Read They refused to sign a restrictive new press policy imposed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
-
Supreme Court points to gutting Voting Rights Act
speed read States would no longer be required to consider race when drawing congressional maps
-
Trump says he authorized covert CIA ops in Venezuela
Speed Read He is also considering military strikes inside the country
-
‘Vile, racist’ leaked chats roil Young Republicans
Speed Read Leaders of Young Republican groups made racist, antisemitic and violent comments in private chats
-
Trump ties $20B Argentina bailout to Milei votes
speed read Trump will boost Argentina’s economy — if the country’s right-wing president wins upcoming elections