President Barack Obama condemned Thursday’s attack in Nice, France, offering “solidarity and partnership” to the country and vowing to “bring those responsible to justice.”
“We stand in solidarity and partnership with France, our oldest ally, as they respond to and recover from this attack,” he said in a statement. “We know that the character of the French Republic will endure long after this devastating and tragic loss of life.”
At least 84 people were killed and dozens more injured in the Southern France city when a large truck crashed into a crowd celebrating Bastille Day. The driver was reportedly shot dead by police. Local officials characterized the crash as a deliberate attack.
Read Obama’s full statement:
On behalf of the American people, I condemn in the strongest terms what appears to be a horrific terrorist attack in Nice, France, which killed and wounded dozens of innocent civilians. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and other loved ones of those killed, and we wish a full recovery for the many wounded. I have directed my team to be in touch with French officials, and we have offered any assistance that they may need to investigate this attack and bring those responsible to justice. We stand in solidarity and partnership with France, our oldest ally, as they respond to and recover from this attack.
On this Bastille Day, we are reminded of the extraordinary resilience and democratic values that have made France an inspiration to the entire world, and we know that the character of the French Republic will endure long after this devastating and tragic loss of life.
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton said Thursday’s attack reinforces that “we have to stand with our allies and not abandon them.”
“I am sick at heart about what’s happened to the French people. This was a horrific attack, while as you know so well, friends and family were celebrating French history and culture,” she said in an interview with CNN. “It reminds us very vividly and tragically that we have to stand with our allies and not abandon them and we need to strengthen our alliances, including with NATO, not undermine them.”
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) also urged solidarity with France:
Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, said he would postpone a planned announcement about his vice presidential running mate given the news. He also criticized Obama’s rhetoric on terrorism, and suggested banning immigrants “from terrorist nations.”
“I would not allow people to come in from terrorist nations,” he told Fox News. “I would do extreme vetting. I would call it extreme vetting, too. And, you know, our country has tremendous problems. We don’t need any more of the problems.”
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R), who is reportedly Trump’s pick for vice president, also condemned the attack:
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