This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/16/us/politics/trump-parkland.html

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Trump Visits Florida Hospital That Treated School Shooting Victims Trump Visits Florida Hospital That Treated School Shooting Victims
(35 minutes later)
POMPANO BEACH, Fla. — President Trump made an unannounced visit on Friday to a hospital here to console victims of a school shooting in nearby Parkland, Fla., one of the deadliest mass shootings of his presidency, before meeting with law enforcement officials.POMPANO BEACH, Fla. — President Trump made an unannounced visit on Friday to a hospital here to console victims of a school shooting in nearby Parkland, Fla., one of the deadliest mass shootings of his presidency, before meeting with law enforcement officials.
“It’s very sad something like that could happen,” a solemn Mr. Trump told reporters who had gathered at the hospital, Broward Health North. In his public remarks, the president focused on praising law enforcement officials and doctors; he hailed the speed of emergency medical workers as “record setting.”“It’s very sad something like that could happen,” a solemn Mr. Trump told reporters who had gathered at the hospital, Broward Health North. In his public remarks, the president focused on praising law enforcement officials and doctors; he hailed the speed of emergency medical workers as “record setting.”
The president’s visit came as students at schools nationwide were on edge, and as an intense debate waged among lawmakers and public officials about gun restrictions.The president’s visit came as students at schools nationwide were on edge, and as an intense debate waged among lawmakers and public officials about gun restrictions.
Criticism has also been directed at Mr. Trump, who has so far focused on the mental health of the suspected gunman, Nikolas Cruz, rather than on Mr. Cruz’s access to an AR-15-style rifle that he had legally obtained at a gun shop. Criticism has also been directed at Mr. Trump, who has so far focused on the mental health of the suspect, Nikolas Cruz, rather than on Mr. Cruz’s access to an AR-15-style rifle that he had legally obtained at a gun shop.
While at the hospital, the president did not respond to a question about whether gun laws should change.While at the hospital, the president did not respond to a question about whether gun laws should change.
Mr. Trump’s wife, Melania, accompanied him to Broward, where they paid tribute to doctors and emergency workers for quickly moving people from the site of the shooting, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, to the medical facility, which took in eight victims.Mr. Trump’s wife, Melania, accompanied him to Broward, where they paid tribute to doctors and emergency workers for quickly moving people from the site of the shooting, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, to the medical facility, which took in eight victims.
“The job they’ve done is incredible, and I want to congratulate you,” Mr. Trump said as he shook the hand of Dr. Igor Nichiporenko, a trauma surgeon at Broward.“The job they’ve done is incredible, and I want to congratulate you,” Mr. Trump said as he shook the hand of Dr. Igor Nichiporenko, a trauma surgeon at Broward.
The White House later said that Mr. and Mrs. Trump met with two of the shooting victims while they were there.The White House later said that Mr. and Mrs. Trump met with two of the shooting victims while they were there.
After the hospital visit, Mr. Trump went to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, where he was introduced to law enforcement officers.After the hospital visit, Mr. Trump went to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, where he was introduced to law enforcement officers.
When the president met Officer Michael Leonard of the Coconut Creek Police Department, who captured the suspected gunman, he said that Officer Leonard had played down his introduction. When the president met Officer Michael Leonard of the Coconut Creek Police Department, who captured the suspect, he said that Officer Leonard had played down his introduction.
“That was so modest; I would have told it much differently,” Mr. Trump joked. “I would have said, ‘Without me, they never would have found him.’”“That was so modest; I would have told it much differently,” Mr. Trump joked. “I would have said, ‘Without me, they never would have found him.’”
Arriving in Florida after a week of challenges directed at his administration, Mr. Trump appeared ready to charm a crowd and forget the troubles he left behind.Arriving in Florida after a week of challenges directed at his administration, Mr. Trump appeared ready to charm a crowd and forget the troubles he left behind.
He instructed the Broward sheriff to give his deputies “a raise,” but he did not address the chaos back in Washington, including reports that indictments had been filed against 13 Russians for meddling in the 2016 election. (He did post a message on Twitter as he left Washington: “The Trump campaign did nothing wrong - no collusion!” Mr. Trump wrote.) He instructed the Broward sheriff to give his deputies “a raise,” but he did not address the chaos back in Washington, including reports that indictments had been filed against 13 Russians for meddling in the 2016 election. (He did post a message on Twitter as he left Washington: “The Trump campaign did nothing wrong - no collusion!”)
The president also offered encouragement to a local F.B.I. agent at the sheriff’s office.The president also offered encouragement to a local F.B.I. agent at the sheriff’s office.
“We had a lot of F.B.I. guys down here quickly,” Mr. Trump said. “So great job, thank you very much.”“We had a lot of F.B.I. guys down here quickly,” Mr. Trump said. “So great job, thank you very much.”
On Friday, F.B.I. officials acknowledged that they had not acted on a previous tip about the suspected gunman. Gov. Rick Scott of Florida, who was also at the sheriff’s office, had earlier in the day called on the F.B.I. director, Christopher A. Wray, to resign over the episode. On Friday, F.B.I. officials acknowledged that they had not acted on a previous tip about the suspect. Gov. Rick Scott of Florida, who was also at the sheriff’s office, had earlier in the day called on the F.B.I. director, Christopher A. Wray, to resign over the episode.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Trump, who has in recent weeks kept out of public view, praised the group of law enforcement officers.Meanwhile, Mrs. Trump, who has in recent weeks kept out of public view, praised the group of law enforcement officers.
“Thank you all for what you do,” she told them, adding that children “are our future.”“Thank you all for what you do,” she told them, adding that children “are our future.”
“Let’s take care of them,” she said, “because they will go through a lot.”“Let’s take care of them,” she said, “because they will go through a lot.”
Senator Marco Rubio, Republican of Florida, who said this week that gun restrictions would not have prevented the shooting, also made brief remarks. Mr. Rubio, who flew to Florida from Washington on Friday with the president, has asked Congress to investigate how the F.B.I. failed to act on a tip about the suspected gunman. Senator Marco Rubio, Republican of Florida, who said this week that gun restrictions would not have prevented the shooting, also made brief remarks. Mr. Rubio, who flew to Florida from Washington on Friday with the president, has asked Congress to investigate how the F.B.I. failed to act on a tip about the suspect.
“This is a community and a state that is a deep pain, and they want action to make sure this doesn’t happen again,” Mr. Rubio said.“This is a community and a state that is a deep pain, and they want action to make sure this doesn’t happen again,” Mr. Rubio said.
“You can count on it,” the president responded.“You can count on it,” the president responded.