SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – Former President Donald Trump’s remarks following a tragic school shooting in Iowa have sparked controversy, as he told residents at a campaign event that they “have to get over it” just a day after a sixth grade student was killed and five others were wounded at Perry High School.
During his speech in Sioux Center, Iowa, Trump offered his thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families, emphasizing that “we’re really with you as much as anybody can be.” He then insisted, “We have to get over it. We have to move forward.”
The ex-president quickly moved on to discuss state senators endorsing him, with his visit to Iowa coming just 10 days before the state’s caucuses.
In past incidents of school shootings, Trump has previously called them a “spiritual problem” and not a “gun problem.” His comments have drawn criticism and controversy, with President Joe Biden delivering his first major election year campaign speech near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Biden criticized Trump’s refusal to accept the peaceful transfer of power in 2020, calling it a continued threat to American democracy.
Biden reiterated the importance of preserving democracy in the 2024 election, stating that “Donald Trump’s campaign is about him. Not America. Not you. Donald Trump’s campaign is obsessed with the past, not the future. He’s willing to sacrifice our democracy to put himself in power.”
As the nation continues to grapple with the devastating impact of school shootings, the discussion around gun control and the broader issue of preserving democracy is expected to remain at the forefront of political debates in the coming years.