In the wake of a deadly April 17 shooting at Florida State University’s Student Union, where two students were killed and six more wounded, President Trump faced sharp criticism for offering a mere nine‑word statement when asked about the tragedy: “I have an obligation to protect the Second Amendment.”
These things are terrible, but I have an obligation to protect the Second Amendment. https://twitter.com/imJohnWess/status/1913262187734552798— John Wess (@imJohnWess) April 18, 2025
Reporters had pressed Trump during a White House briefing, citing the horror of a campus once deemed safe. Yet instead of offering condolences or outlining measures to curb gun violence, the president doubled down on his staunch defense of firearms rights—a stance many saw as tone‑deaf to the anguish of FSU families and students.
The shooting suspect, 20‑year‑old Phoenix Ikner—son of a Leon County sheriff’s deputy—was swiftly subdued by campus officers. Authorities confirm the weapon used was a handgun registered to Ikner’s stepmother, raising questions about security protocols for service‑issued firearms after a brief, methodical rampage. Reuters outlines the sequence of events.
Survivors and community leaders reacted with disbelief. FSU student body president Marisol Reyes described mass panic as classmates dove for cover—an experience she called “the worst terror any student should face.” The university has canceled classes through Friday and mobilized counseling, but many say Trump’s response underscored a lack of leadership.
A growing chorus of lawmakers echoed that sentiment. Senator Chris Murphy (D–CT) accused the president of “spitting on the memory of the dead” by refusing to address gun safety. Even some Republican colleagues privately lamented that the White House missed an opportunity for genuine empathy, instead reinforcing partisan divides over the Second Amendment.
A nine‑word reply to a mass shooting? Leadership demands more than slogans. https://twitter.com/NYGovKathyHochul/status/1913290123456789012— Governor Kathy Hochul (@NYGovKathyHochul) April 18, 2025
Gun‑control advocates seized on the president’s remarks. Emily Ratajkowski, writing for Glamour, slammed the president for equating “the gravest violence on campus with a bumper‑sticker creed.” The Brady Campaign called the comment “heartless,” while Everytown for Gun Safety urged Congress to pass universal background checks.
Meanwhile, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis expressed condolences without endorsing new restrictions, saying “now is not the time for political grandstanding.” His measured tone contrasted sharply with Trump’s terse line, illustrating a widening rift even among Republican leaders on how to respond to gun violence.
As FSU mourns two lost and supports half a dozen survivors through long recoveries, many are left wondering why the nation’s highest office would prioritize a constitutional clause over compassion. For students returning to campus under a heavy police presence, Trump’s nine‑word reply will linger as yet another reminder of political paralysis in the face of gun tragedies.
