Donald Trump promises to uphold Christian values; reiterates stance on 'radical Islamic terrorism' following Orlando shooting
Presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump said that he is with conservative Christians in their stance on core values and issues, such as religious freedom and abortion.
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"We will work together to rebuild and restore and lift up everyone, not a certain group," he said on Friday, according to Post Gazette. "Everyone in the whole country."
Trump, who was speaking in front of around 1,400 members of the Faith & Freedom Coalition, said that he would appoint judges who are opposed to abortion as well as give parents more control when it comes to schools. He also promised to defend Christian values, saying that he would "restore faith to its proper mantle in our society."
"He says he's pro-life. He's pro-marriage. He's for religious freedom. He supported the Hobby Lobby decision. He supports the Little Sisters of the Poor. He opposes the Iran nuclear deal. And he's strongly pro-Israel," Ralph Reed, founder and chairman of the Faith & Freedom Coalition, told Bloomberg Politics.
Reed believes that Trump will have massive support from evangelical Christians during elections in November.
Jill Coward, acting North Carolina state director for Concerned Women for America, said that the businessman did his homework and knew who was speaking to. While she preferred Ted Cruz over Trump, she has become more open to voting for the candidate.
"I really like to think he's not pandering, just speaking to a group and emphasizing what it stands for," Coward said. "I can't say I trust him yet because I've heard him say different things depending on the day."
In his speech, Trump also promised to tackle radical Islamic terrorism. He reportedly said that the presumptive Democratic nominee, "Crooked Hillary Clinton," is one who does not want to use the term "radical Islam" and is unfit to become president.
He further emphasized his stance following the shooting at a gay bar in Orlando, Florida at around 2 a.m. on Sunday. Considered as the worst in U.S. history, 50 people were killed and 53 were injured. The New York Times reports that the suspect is Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old man who called 9-1-1 before the shooting to declare his allegiance to the Islamic State terror group. Mateen was killed during a shoot out with the police.
"What has happened in Orlando is just the beginning," Trump tweeted. "Our leadership is weak and ineffective. I called it and asked for the ban. Must be tough."
Clinton, meanwhile, was more cautious in saying anything about the shooting until more information had been gathered. Following President Barack Obama's statement that called it an "act of terror and an act of hate," the presumptive Democratic nominee also called it such in her statement. She said that efforts must be redoubled "to defend our country from threats at home and abroad." She also called for better restrictions on gun ownership.