REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
President Donald Trump at a farming convention in Austin, Texas, January 19, 2020.
- President Donald Trump pledged Monday that his administration would "pause to honor the incredible life and accomplishments" of Martin Luther King Jr.
- Less than 20 minutes later, Trump issued a politically-charged tweet supporting thousands of pro-gun activists at a rally in Richmond, Virginia.
- "The Democrat Party in the Great Commonwealth of Virginia are working hard to take away your 2nd Amendment rights. This is just the beginning. Don't let it happen, VOTE REPUBLICAN in 2020!" he said.
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Moments after pledging to "pause" to honor Martin Luther King, Jr., President Donald Trump launched back into politics with gusto, attacking Democrats and voicing support for gun activists holding a rally in Richmond, Virginia.
At 10:24 a.m. on Monday, the White House issued a tweet quoting Trump, which said: "Today, we pause to honor the incredible life and accomplishments of Dr. King, who helped shape the Civil Rights Movement, gave hope to millions experiencing discrimination, and whose enduring memory inspires us to pursue a more just and equal society."
Nineteen minutes later, at 10:43 a.m., Trump started tweeting about the "Lobby Day Rally," in which thousands of gun-rights activists, members of militia groups, and white supremacists gathered inx Richmond to voice support for the Second Amendment.
"The Democrat Party in the Great Commonwealth of Virginia are working hard to take away your 2nd Amendment rights. This is just the beginning. Don't let it happen, VOTE REPUBLICAN in 2020!" Trump said in one tweet.
He then retweeted a video shared by Turning Point USA's Benny Johnson, showing a group of people at the rally singing the "Star Spangled Banner."
Less than an hour later, he retweeted the White House's tweet honoring MLK.
MLK, who was a prominent leader in the Civil Rights Movement, was assassinated by a gunman in 1968.
The pro-gun rally in Richmond on Monday was organized by the Virginia Citizens Defense League, who say the motive behind the event was to voice support for the Second Amendment.
Many rally attendees object to new gun-control bills passed in Virginia's Senate. They include measure limiting handgun purchases to one per month, requiring background checks on gun sales, and allowing local bans on guns, according to USA Today.
Virginia is also considering proposals for further gun control, including penalties for leaving guns recklessly loaded, rules for reporting stolen firearms, and a "red flag" law allowing officials to temporarily take guns from people deemed "dangerous."
Philip Van Cleave, president of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, told CBS News: "We're against any more gun control that affects everyday law-abiding citizens. We don't need any more gun control, we're not the problem,"
Trump had previously slammed Virginia Democrats over gun laws on Friday, days before Monday's rally.
"Your 2nd Amendment is under very serious attack in the Great Commonwealth of Virginia," the president tweeted on Friday evening. "That's what happens when you vote for Democrats, they will take your guns away. Republicans will win Virginia in 2020. Thank you Dems!"
His support came after law enforcement arrested three suspected white supremacists in Maryland and Delaware who officials said threatened violence at the pro-gun rally.
- Read more:
- Virginia officials upped security for a pro-gun rally in Richmond after receiving 'credible threats of violence'
- Virginia wants to prevent another 'Unite the Right' at an MLK Day gun rally that set off a state of emergency
- Trump slams Virginia Democrats for pushing gun safety regulations as suspected white supremacists are arrested for discussing opening fire at a Richmond gun rally
- Second Amendment Gun Rights Virginia's governor declared a state of emergency and banned firearms at the Capitol ahead of a gun rally, citing a 'credible threat'
The Democrat Party in the Great Commonwealth of Virginia are working hard to take away your 2nd Amendment rights. This is just the beginning. Don't let it happen, VOTE REPUBLICAN in 2020!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 20202A Protesters in Virginia singing the Star Spangled Banner.
pic.twitter.com/1Zlr3yJf52
- Benny (@bennyjohnson) January 20, 2020"Today, we pause to honor the incredible life and accomplishments of Dr. King, who helped shape the Civil Rights Movement, gave hope to millions experiencing discrimination, and whose enduring memory inspires us to pursue a more just and equal society." - President Trump pic.twitter.com/tsjpBicT57
- The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 20, 2020