This archive report was first published on 19 August 2019.
On August 3, 2019, a day of unspeakable horror shook the nation, leaving in its wake a trail of death and destruction in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio.
The devastating attacks were a stark reminder of the devastating impact of hate speech and xenophobic rhetoric, which has been perpetuated by some of the most powerful voices in the country, including President Trump.
His words, which have repeatedly dehumanized migrants and immigrants, have created a toxic environment that has emboldened hate groups and fueled violence against vulnerable communities.
As the nation grappled with the aftermath of the attacks, President Trump's response was telling. While he initially spoke out against gun violence, he quickly backed down, citing existing background checks as a sufficient solution.
Meanwhile, his re-election campaign continued to peddle in hate, defending the use of the term 'invasion' to describe migrant families seeking refuge in the United States.
It's a stark reminder that, two weeks after the El Paso massacre, the nation's response has been a mix of thoughts and prayers, followed by a doubling down on the policies that fueled the tragedy.
