In the midst of World News Tonight coverage of the tragic school shooting at a Parkland, Florida high school Wednesday, ABC Senior White House Correspondent Cecilia Vega took a political swipe at President Trump over his position on gun control and his refusal to push it.
After lamenting the number of similar shootings and how many times presidents had to address the nation over them, Vega scolding President Trump. “But for President Trump, there's been a theme in many of his remarks. After that church shooting in Texas, President Trump said it would be a little too soon to talk about gun laws. After the massacre in Las Vegas, he said, quote, ‘we will talk about gun laws as time goes on,’” she chided.
And with a dour look and tone, Vega slammed the President for apparently not taking the threat seriously and pushing for gun control:
David, there has not been a very serious public policy conversation about gun control here at this administration, in this White House. The President tweeted today, “no child, teacher or anyone else should ever feel unsafe in an American school.” We will see if this is the one that forces that policy conversation.
However, anchor David Muir did note that President Trump sent out his “prayers and condolences” via Twitter as the news was unfolding.
Vega’s snide comments urging a push for gun control came after she bizarrely tried to link the shooting with White House “turmoil” over the Rob Porter domestic abuse scandal.
Transcript below:
ABC
World News Tonight
February 14, 2018
6:43:52 PM EasternDAVID MUIR: At the White House tonight, President Trump was made aware of this shooting, as the scene was unfolding late today, tweeting his prayers and condolences. ABC's Senior White House Correspondent Cecilia Vega joins us live from the White House tonight. And Cecilia, we know that since taking off, President Trump has addressed the nation three times after mass shootings, something his predecessors had to do and often as well.
CECILIA VEGA: 17 times for President Obama by our count, David. But for President Trump, there's been a theme in many of his remarks. After that church shooting in Texas, President Trump said it would be a little too soon to talk about gun laws. After the massacre in Las Vegas, he said, quote, “we will talk about gun laws as time goes on.” David, there has not been a very serious public policy conversation about gun control here at this administration, in this White House. The President tweeted today, “no child, teacher or anyone else should ever feel unsafe in an American school.” We will see if this is the one that forces that policy conversation.
MUIR: All right. Cecilia Vega, live at the White House. Cecilia, thanks as always.
