WASHINGTON—U.S. President Donald Trump called Thursday for “love” and “kindness” in response to the school shooting in Florida, generally saying he would “tackle the difficult issue of mental health” but proposing no specific action on mental illness, guns or anything else.“It is not enough to simply take actions that make us feel like we are making a difference. We must actually make that difference,” Trump said in a sombre speech at the White House.Trump devoted most of the speech to an attempt to console the country. The Wednesday shooting killed 17 people and wounded at least 14 in and around Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla.“Our entire nation, with one heavy heart, is praying for the victims and their families. To every parent, teacher and child who is hurting so badly, we are here for you, whatever you need, whatever we can do to ease your pain,” he said, adding: “Your suffering is our burden also.”Directly addressing “America’s children,” Trump said: “Answer hate with love. Answer cruelty with kindness.”“I want you to know that you are never alone and you never will be. You have people who care about you, who love you and who will do anything at all to protect you,” he said.Trump’s speech was another instance in which his remarks in a written address deviated from his unfiltered commentary. In his first substantive remark, on Twitter on Thursday morning, Trump suggested the local community should have done more to prevent the massacre. “So many signs that the Florida shooter was mentally disturbed, even expelled from school for bad and erratic behavior. Neighbors and classmates knew he was a big problem. Must always report such instances to authorities, again and again!” he wrote.Trump’s Democratic predecessor Barack Obama, who could not convince Republicans to pass gun control measures while ...
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