Executive Summary
President Donald Trump delivered solemn remarks on Sunday following a weekend of deadly violence across the globe and at home, addressing the recent mass shooting at Brown University, an antisemitic terror attack at Bondi Beach in Australia, and an ambush in Syria that killed three Americans. Speaking from the White House, the President offered condolences to all victims and promised “very serious retaliation” for the attack in Syria, which the U.S. has blamed on the Islamic State (ISIS) group.
Syria: Vow of ‘Very Serious Retaliation’
The President reserved his strongest condemnation for the attack in Syria on Saturday, which resulted in the deaths of two U.S. service members and one American civilian interpreter. U.S. Central Command confirmed the casualties occurred during an ambush by a lone ISIS gunman in central Syria.
“We mourn the loss of three great American patriots,” President Trump told reporters before departing for the Army-Navy football game in Baltimore. He vowed a forceful response, later stating in a social media post, “There will be very serious retaliation. This was an ISIS attack against the U.S., and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria…”
The deadly ambush is the first with fatalities for U.S. troops in the country since the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad last year. President Trump noted that Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, was “devastated by what happened” and that Syrian forces were fighting alongside U.S. troops. The attack, which wounded three other Americans and members of Syrian security forces, targeted soldiers involved in ongoing counter-terrorism operations. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed the President’s warning, posting on X: “Let it be known, if you target Americans—anywhere in the world—you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you.”
Australia: Terror at Bondi Beach
The President also extended his condolences to the victims of an antisemitic terror attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, Australia, on Sunday. The massacre, which occurred during a Hanukkah celebration, saw two gunmen kill at least 15 people and wound 29 others, including two police officers.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the shooting a strike “at the heart of the nation” and an act of antisemitic terrorism.
President Trump, speaking on the matter, called the incident “Pure evil, a despicable act of hate that we must all condemn.” He affirmed America’s solidarity with its ally, stating that the U.S. government has offered “all necessary support” to Australia as authorities investigate the attack. The attack follows a global rise in antisemitic incidents, which the U.S. administration has repeatedly pledged to combat both at home and abroad.
Brown University: Domestic Tragedy
Closer to home, the President addressed the shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, on Saturday, which left two students dead and several others wounded. The attack took place in the engineering building during a final exam review session.
On social media, the President urged prayers for the victims, calling the event “a terrible thing” and “a shame.” He noted that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was on the scene, providing assistance to local and state law enforcement.
Providence police confirmed on Sunday that a person of interest was in custody, detained at a hotel about 17 miles from campus. The President praised law enforcement for their swift action and commitment to “bringing the perpetrator to justice” and ensuring the safety of the community. “We will always stand with our students and faculty,” the President said, “and we will take every measure to protect the sanctity of our schools.”
Sources and Links
- The Associated Press: Trump Pledges Retaliation After 3 Americans Are Killed in Syria Attack That the US Blames on ISIS
- PBS NewsHour: Gunmen kill at least 11 people during a Jewish celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach
- The Guardian: Person of interest detained in Brown University shooting that left two dead
- RNZ (Radio New Zealand): Trump vows retaliation after US troops in Syria killed in IS ambush attack
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