President Trump has postponed a planned campaign rally near Pittsburgh after a school shooting in South Florida.
The Trump campaign said the rally planned for Feb. 21 at Ambridge Area Senior High School would be postponed to the “very near future” out of respect for the victims of Wednesday’s mass shooting.
“This decision was reached out of respect and sympathy for the victims and survivors of the high school shooting attack in Parkland, Florida, and their family members. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by this horrific tragedy,” the statement from the campaign said.
{mosads}”President Trump looks forward to visiting with patriotic Americans for a celebratory rally in Pennsylvania at a more appropriate time soon,” it continued.
The campaign told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette earlier this week that the purpose of Trump’s planned visit to Ambridge, Pa., was to “deliver the news” about the administration’s tax plan and to tout economic success.
“President Trump looks forward to an exciting visit to the Pittsburgh area to deliver the amazing news about our booming economy now that America is once again open for business,” campaign executive director Michael Glassner said Monday.
“This rally will be a great moment to celebrate the success of the president’s historic tax cuts and look ahead to more great victories for the American people under the president’s fearless leadership.”
Wednesday’s shooting in Parkland, Fla., at a high school resulted in the deaths of 17 people after a suspect identified as a former student and armed with an AR-15 entered school property.
Trump expressed his condolences for the victims in a statement on the afternoon of the shooting, saying that no child should feel unsafe in U.S. schools.
“My prayers and condolences to the families of the victims of the terrible Florida shooting. No child, teacher or anyone else should ever feel unsafe in an American school,” Trump tweeted.
The White House also canceled Trump’s planned Friday trip to Orlando, Florida for an infrastructure event.