Donald Trump reiterated on Friday his insistence that defeating Islamist terror groups should be a major priority for the government, tweeting that they ‘must be stopped by whatever means necessary.’
The president began his morning Twitter binge by reassuring Americans that the country is safe following deadly terror attacks in Spain.
But then he warned that jihadis are still a major threat, and castigated ‘Obstructionist Democrats’ for standing in the way of his border security goals by tying up his travel ban in federal court.
Donald Trump, pictured during a press conference three days ago, tweeted on Friday about his goals in the aftermath of Thursday’s terror attacks in Spain
The president wrote at first that Americans are safe, and then suggested that Islamic terrorists were a serious threat and that Democrats are responsible for slowing down his response
‘Homeland Security and law enforcement are on alert & closely watching for any sign of trouble. Our borders are far tougher than ever before!’ he wrote at first on Twitter.
Then, shifting gears, he added: ‘The Obstructionist Democrats make Security for our country very difficult. They use the courts and associated delay at all times. Must stop!’
The fire and brimstone came minutes later.
‘Radical Islamic Terrorism must be stopped by whatever means necessary! The courts must give us back our protective rights. Have to be tough!’ Trump tweeted.
On Thursday as news reports filtered in and the Barcelona death toll grew, Trump issued a standard message of support on Twitter.
‘The United States condemns the terror attack in Barcelona, Spain, and will do whatever is necessary to help. Be tough & strong, we love you!’ the president said.
But in a similar shift toward underscoring the role of radical Islam in the deadly events, he urged Americans to ‘[s]tudy what General Pershing of the United States did to terrorists when caught. There was no more Radical Islamic Terror for 35 years!’
That was a reference to a discredited anecdote that described Pershing executing 49 of 50 Muslim prisoners in the Philippines – with bullets dipped in pig’s blood – before telling the lone survivor to spread the tale as a terrorism deterrent.
Thursday’s attack claimed at least 14 lives and left more than 100 injured. ISIS, the dreaded Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, claimed responsibility.
Trump has never shied away from using ‘radical Islamic terrorism’ as a rationale for pushing his stern border control prescriptions.
Shortly after proposing in late January that people from seven Muslim-majority countries should be barred entry to the United States, he tweeted: ‘The threat from radical Islamic terrorism is very real, just look at what is happening in Europe and the Middle-East. Courts must act fast!’