More than 30 people were killed in two deadly acts of violence over the weekend in the US. The President was criticised for his rhetoric on immigration, which some claim was a factor in El Paso, with the suspected shooter allegedly posting an anti-immigrant manifesto online. Signs saying “Trump is racist”, “Love over hate” and “Send him back!” could be seen.
Trump and First Lady Melania Trump visited wounded victims at the University Medical Centre in El Paso and Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton.
The Daily Mirror reported the couple avoided the press and tried to stay out of public view.
Before the President left Washington he said he wanted to strengthen background checks for weapons purchases and prohibit people with mental illness from obtaining firearms.
Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley and Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown joined Trump in Dayton and called him to arrange for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConell to end the summer recess to work on plans to pass bills for more background checks.
READ MORE: US-China trade war: How Trump’s trade war with China could HELP euro
Before he left for Washington, Trump insisted: “There is a great appetite, and I mean a very strong appetite, for background checks.”
He said he did not feel Congress would support a Democratic call to ban assault rifles: “I can tell you that there is no political appetite for that at this moment, but I will certainly bring that up.”
Mr Brown called on Trump to give Presidential support and said Trump was “comforting” to victims as well as explaining: “He only said that we will get things done.”
Ms Whaley meanwhile said she agreed with Trump’s decision not to visit the district where the shooting occurred due to emotions running high.
Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan has also called on Trump to prove he is not a “spineless coward” and ban assault weapons, high-capacity magazines and introduce checks on all gun purchases.
Dayton is the sixth largest city in the state of Ohio.
El Paso is in Texas and is just north of Ciudad Juarez.
The cities form one metropolitan conurbation.
It is the second largest metropolitan area on the border behind San Diego-Tijuana.