Trump news: President heads to El Paso after attacking Dayton mayor and being met with protests in Ohio
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Your support makes all the difference.Donald Trump visited El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, on Wednesday to pay his respects and meet with first responders following mass shootings in both communities over the weekend that left 31 dead.
As the president served his role of consoler-in-chief, he encountered a sometimes hostile reception, and went on the offensive against his critics in spite of the solemn nature of his duties.
"We had an amazing day, as you know we left Ohio and there was a lot of love, and a lot of respect," Mr Trump said in El Paso after meeting with first responders, doctors, nurses and survivors.
"There are a lot of heroes. A lot of heroes, and a lot of people who are just incredible," Mr Trump said in Texas.
Mr Trump had attacked 2020 contender Beto O’Rourke late on Tuesday night, telling him to “be quiet” after the candidate said his racist rhetoric was responsible for the massacre at a Wal-Mart in his hometown of El Paso.
Mr O’Rourke, whose hometown is El Paso, responded: “22 people in my hometown are dead after an act of terror inspired by your racism. El Paso will not be quiet and neither will I.”
Meanwhile, in Ohio, Dayton mayor Nan Whaley also criticised Mr Trump saying “he’s made this bed and he’s gotta lie in it” while the state’s Republican governor Mike DeWine called for expanded gun laws to stop further outbreaks of violence. Protests are widely expected in both cities.
Shortly after Mr Trump's visit to Dayton, Ms Whaley signalled that Mr Trump had been respectful during his meetings with first responders and victims in her city, but called on him to pass gun control measures alongside senator Sherrod Brown.
Mr Trump later attacked Ms Whaley and Mr Brown, saying they had misrepresented their conversations.
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Here's the latest from our very own Andrew Buncombe, who is embedded with some protesters in El Paso:
At the University Medical Center of El Paso, Donald Trump is accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, as well as several officials with the hospital.
Officials in El Paso are bemoaning Mr Trump's visit to the city, which has polarized the environment, and led to to traffic jams even as police and first responders continue working.
"Once again our president disregards the requests of local officials," said Cesar Blanco, a member of the Texas state legislature, on CNN.
"We were hoping that if he came that he would provide words of unity," he continued, noting that has not happened.
Mr Trump just stopped to speak with first responders in El Paso, and said there were "many heroes" during the shooting.
Mr Trump and first lady Melania are set to head back to the airport in El Paso now, and to return this evening to Washington.
That's is for our coverage this evening. Thanks for following along.
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