Trump Says He'll Visit Florida, Emphasize Mental Health After School Shooting

On Thursday, President Donald J. Trump addressed the Nation and announced his plans to visit Florida after a gunman opened fire at a high school in Broward County, resulting in 17 deaths. President Trump’s remarks underscored his commitment to “working with state and local leaders to help secure our schools and tackle the difficult issue of mental health.” The President also ordered U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff through sunset on Monday.

Trump said he would push for steps to make “our schools and our children safer” in the wake of the latest high-profile mass shooting, which resulted in the deaths of 17 people. He made no direct mention of the contentious gun control debate, even as activists and Democrats in Congress renewed calls for tougher measures.

“It is not enough to simply take actions that make us feel like we are making a difference,” the president said in a nationally televised address from the White House Diplomatic Room. “We must actually make that difference.”

“We are committed to working with state and local leaders to help secure our schools and tackle the difficult issue of mental health,” he said.

Speaking in a somber tone, the president called the shooting a scene of “terrible violence, hatred and evil,” and said the nation was praying for victims and their families. He lamented the deaths of young people with full lives in front of them and declared that “no child, no teacher, should ever be in danger in an American school.”

“To every parent, teacher and child who is hurting so badly, we are here for you,” Trump said. “Whatever you need, whatever we can do to ease your pain. We are all joined together as one American family. Your suffering is our burden, also.”