US: Trump ties shootings to lack of immigration reform

By Vakkas Dogantekin

ANKARA (AA) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday urged Democrats and Republicans in the Congress to unite for an immigration reform in the wake of two massacres in Texas and Ohio.

The shootings in El Paso and Dayton that killed 30 and wounded dozens over the weekend were carried out by two white U.S. citizens identified as Patrick Crusius and Connor Betts respectively, and not by immigrants in the U.S.

''We cannot let those killed in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, die in vain. Likewise for those so seriously wounded. We can never forget them, and those many who came before them,'' Trump tweeted.

''Republicans and Democrats must come together and get strong background checks, perhaps marrying this legislation with desperately needed immigration reform,'' he added.

''We must have something good, if not GREAT, come out of these two tragic events!'' Trump continued, drawing condemnations and criticisms from social media users who accused Trump of ''legitimizing'' the motive of the suspects.

Trump went on to say that the ''Fake News'' media in the U.S. ''has contributed greatly to the anger and rage that has built up over many years''.

''News coverage has got to start being fair, balanced and unbiased, or these terrible problems will only get worse!'' Trump concluded.