Utah Leaders Weigh In, Trump Offers Aid Following Attack In Mexico

Politicians began weighing in Tuesday after a family from a breakaway faction of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was massacred in northern Mexico.

President Donald Trump is offered Mexico’s government unspecified help to “wage war” on drug cartels.

“This is the time for Mexico, with the help of the United States, to wage WAR on the drug cartels and wipe them off the face of the earth. We merely await a call from your great new president!” Trump said in a series of tweets addressing the tragedy.

….monsters, the United States stands ready, willing & able to get involved and do the job quickly and effectively. The great new President of Mexico has made this a big issue, but the cartels have become so large and powerful that you sometimes need an army to defeat an army!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 5, 2019

Trump added that the U.S. government stands ready to get involved. He said that Andrés Manuel López Obrador has made fighting drug cartels a top issue.

“But the cartels have become so large and powerful that you sometimes need an army to defeat an army!”

Gov. Gary Herbert tweeted that he was “devastated to hear of the cold-blooded attacks” and that he was “heartsick for the victims and their families.

“Together, we must find a way to end the callous and cruel violence cartels inflict on innocent victims,” he wrote.

Devastated to hear of the cold-blooded attacks in Mexico. I am heartsick for the victims and their families. Together, we must find a way to end the callous and cruel violence cartels inflict on innocent victims.

— Gov. Gary Herbert (@GovHerbert) November 5, 2019

Utah Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox retweeted the president, adding that he’s “grateful the president is willing to help Mexico put an end to this senseless violence.”

“The news out of Mexico last night is terrible,” Cox tweeted. “These families with ties to Utah being gunned down is awful and appalling.

The news out of Mexico last night is terrible. These families with ties to Utah being gunned down is awful and appalling. I’m grateful the president is willing to help Mexico put an end to this senseless violence. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families. https://t.co/a5R8oh8U6Y

— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) November 5, 2019

Sen. Mitt Romney also tweeted, saying he and his wife, Ann, are “heartbroken for the victims of the horrific attacks in Mexico.”

“Our prayers are with their families who have suffered such an unspeakable tragedy,” he wrote. “The U.S. must work with Mexican officials to hold accountable those responsible for this senseless violence.”

Ann and I are heartbroken for the victims of the horrific attacks in Mexico. Our prayers are with their families who have suffered such an unspeakable tragedy. The U.S. must work with Mexican officials to hold accountable those responsible for this senseless violence.

— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) November 5, 2019

Mexico President López Obrador has favored a less militaristic approach to the problem, saying a policy of frontal confrontations by his predecessors led only to more violence.

Rep. Ben McAdams released a statement lamenting that the mothers and children could not “drive in the area without being gunned down by these violent criminals.

“I learned from my recent visit with Republicans and Democrats to border facilities in McAllen, Texas that the drug cartels operate with near impunity and are a threat to the safety of U.S. and Mexican citizens, to asylum-seekers from Central America, and to our border security,” according to the statement. “My deepest sympathies go to the family members and friends of the shooting victims.”

Rep. Chris Stewart called for those responsible to be held accountable, writing that his “heart is with those affected by this tragic loss of life.”

I am heartbroken to hear of this horrendous attack. My heart is with those affected by this tragic loss of life. Those responsible must be held accountable. https://t.co/Q9CMUYwbBM

— Rep. Chris Stewart (@RepChrisStewart) November 5, 2019

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also issued a statement following reports that the family involved had ties to the state.

“We are heartbroken to hear of the tragedy that has touched these families in Mexico,” said Church spokesman Erick Hawkins. “Though it is our understanding that they are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, our love, prayers and sympathies are with them as they mourn and remember their loved ones.”

Portions of this report came from The Associated Press