Trump Calls Egyptian President Following Palm Sunday Bombings
Donald Trump spoke with Egypt's ruler, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, over the phone to express his condolences on the twin church bombings on Palm Sunday, April 9. More than 40 parishioners were killed and dozens wounded by the terror act that was claimed by the Islamic State (ISIS).
In that conversation, Trump expressed his "deepest condolences to Egypt and to the families who lost loved ones in the heinous terrorist attacks."
"The President also expressed his confidence in President al-Sisi's commitment to protect Christians and all Egyptians," the White House said.
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Al-Sisi aired appreciation to Trump's expression of condolences and said the incident wouldn't stop Egypt from battling terrorism. He also reiterated the importance of the international community's cooperation to fight terrorism and oppose those who support terror groups with weapons and fighters.
Before the phone call, Trump condoled with the Egyptian people through his official Twitter account by typing: "So sad to hear of the terrorist attack in Egypt. U.S. strongly condemns. I have great confidence that President al-Sisi will handle [the] situation properly."
The week before the bombings, Trump hosted al-Sisi at the White House, a departure from the Obama policy of severing ties with the former general for ousting President Mohammed Morsi in a 2013 coup. The two discussed fighting terrorism and extremism with al-Sisi committing to battling ISIS.
"We agree on so many things," Trump said during the meeting. "I just want to let everybody know in case there was any doubt that we are very much behind President al-Sisi. He's done a fantastic job in a very difficult situation. We are very much behind Egypt and the people of Egypt."
Al-Sisi declared a three-month state of emergency following the attacks which enable the government to capture suspects and swiftly put them on trial in emergency courts that don't have an appeals process. Only the president can amend, suspend or overrule the decision, LA Times reported.
