Trump Vows To Step Up ‘Extreme Vetting’ After New York City Terror Attack

President Donald Trump tweeted after the deadly terrorist attack in New York City on Tuesday, calling the suspect “a very sick and deranged person.” He also vowed to enforce “extreme vetting” of people wanting to come to the United States from certain countries.

On Tuesday afternoon, just after 3 p.m. Eastern time, a truck plowed into a bike path near the World Trade Center and the driver began shooting at people. Eight people were killed and a dozen others were wounded, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said. The suspect was shot by an officer with the New York City Police Department and taken into custody. Just hours after the attack, de Blasio said it was an act of terrorism and there have been reports that the suspect shouted “Allahu Akbar!” during the incident.

“This was an act of terror,” the mayor said. We know that this action was intended to break our spirit, but we also know that New Yorkers are strong,” de Blasio said during a press briefing on Tuesday.

The New York City Police Department said the wounded are believed to have “serious but not life threatening” injuries.

President Trump tweeted about the incident at 5:30 p.m. Eastern time, just over two hours after it happened.

“In NYC, looks like another attack by a very sick and deranged person. Law enforcement is following this closely. NOT IN THE U.S.A.!” Trump tweeted.

Trump tweeted again at 6:31 p.m. Eastern time that the United States “must not allow ISIS to return, or enter, our country after defeating them in the Middle East and elsewhere. Enough!”

Trump has enacted a travel ban on several countries that has been challenged in the courts. The ban include Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, Chad and North Korea.

The suspect was identified as Sayfullo Saipov, a 29-year-old man from Tampa, Florida. He came to the United States in 2010 from Uzbekistan.

At 6:57 p.m. Eastern time, Trump tweeted condolences to the victims of the attack.

On Wednesday, the morning after the attack, Trump tweeted that he ordered the Department of Homeland Security to ‘step up our already Extreme Vetting Program. Being politically correct is fine, but not for this!” He also attacked New York Senator Chuck Schumer for pushing the “Diversity Visa Lottery Program.” He’s referring to the Diversity Visa Program, set up in 1990 and is commonly known as the green-card lottery.

Mayor Bill de Blasio urged New Yorkers to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to the police. He also said that there is no longer an imminent threat in connection with the attack, which took place as people prepared to celebrate Halloween on Tuesday night.

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