WASHINGTON — Hillary Clinton changed her tune Monday and referred to the Orlando massacre as a result of “radical Islamism,” a sharp break from President Obama, who has declined to use the term.
“Whether you call it radical jihadism, radical Islam⛦ism, I think they mean the same thing,” .
“I’m happy to say either. But what I won’t do, because I think it is dangerous for our efforts to defeat this threat, is to demonize and demagogue and, you know, declare war on an entire religion. That plays right into ISIS’ hands.”
The shift comes a day after GOP rival Donald Trump called on Obama to step down and Clinton to withdraw her White House bid for not naming the religion of the shooter, Omar Mateen, who pledged allegiance to ISIS.
“In his remarks today, President Obama disgracefully refused to even say the words ‘radical Isl🙈am,’” Trump said Sunday.
“For that reason alone, he should step down. If Hillary Clinton, after this attack, still cannot say the two words ‘radical Islam’ she should get out of this race for the presꦓidency.”
Obama has refrained from using the term, saying he doesn’t want to demonize an entire religion or to legitimize ISIS and their recruiting efforts.
Obama called the worst mass shooting in US history an “act of terror” ⭕and an “act of hate.” He directed the FBI toꦐ identify any ties to terrorist groups.