Trump says Congress should link new gun control legislation with immigration reform after mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton, Ohio

Associated Press

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before departing the White House in Washington, Friday, Aug. 2, 2019, for the short trip to Andrews Air Force Base and onto his Bedminster, N.J., golf club. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

• President Trump in a tweet Monday said that the mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, could be a prompt for new laws on gun control, but also immigration. 
• "Republicans and Democrats must come together and get strong background checks, perhaps marrying this legislation with desperately needed immigration reform," tweeted the president.
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President Trump in tweets early Monday said that Congress should legislate in response to the mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio - and suggested that new laws deal with gun control and immigration reform at the same time.

Trump wrote: "We cannot let those killed in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, die in vain. Likewise for those so seriously wounded. We can never forget them, and those many who came before them.

"Republicans and Democrats must come together and get strong background checks, perhaps marrying this legislation with desperately needed immigration reform," tweeted the president.

"We must have something good, if not GREAT, come out of these two tragic events!"

A mass shooting in El Paso, Texas on Saturday left 20 people dead, while a shooting in Dayton, Ohio, less than 24 hours later saw nine people killed.

In the wake of the El Paso attack, investigators said they were looking at an anti-immigrant document posted online by the suspect. 

Democrats have renewed calls for tighter controls on gun ownership following the attacks, with Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell urged to back a House bill that would see more stringent background checks for those seeking to purchase firearms.