Joe Scarborough Says Washington Would 'Melt Down' If Shooter Were Named Muhammad

Jenna Amatulli
Updated

“Morning Joe” host Joe Scarborough called out the problem with how U.S. leaders reacts to mass shootings, saying on Monday that had the gunman in Texas been named Muhammad, “Washington would be on fire this morning.”

On Sunday, Devin Patrick Kelley, 26, killed 26 people and wounded 20 others in an assault with a military-style rifle at a church in Sutherland Springs, law enforcement officials said. The gunman was later found dead.

Scarborough said that Kelley’s name was significant in the response from government officials.

“If a guy named Muhammad blew up that church yesterday, oh my God. Oh my God. This morning, Washington would be on fire.” Instead, he said, “All we get is ‘let’s pray. I feel real bad.’”

(Photo: MSNBC)
(Photo: MSNBC)

He then noted President Donald Trump’s response to the terrorist attack in New York City last week, in which Sayfullo Saipov, an immigrant from Uzbekistan, allegedly killed eight people when he drove a truck onto a bike path. After that attack, for which the self-described Islamic State claimed responsibility, Trump decried terrorism, renewed discussion about the death penalty, called for radical vetting of immigrants and attacked political opponents and America’s judiciary.

Responding to the Texas massacre while visiting Japan, Trump said, “This isn’t a guns situation. ... This is a mental health problem at the highest level.”

U.S. lawmakers, meanwhile, routinely react to mass murders in which political terrorism is not a motive by coming out in full force to offer their thoughts and prayers ― and little else. House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) offered his prayers on Twitter after Sunday’s shooting, which sparked a backlash:

Twitter users responded by saying that Ryan’s “prayers won’t do anything. Your vote will,” and asking, “how about some gun control.”

Scarborough went on to say that Americans “wouldn’t put up with this with any other epidemic.”

“We would not. ... If this were terrorism, Islamic, radical terrorism, again Washington would be on fire this morning,” he said.

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Law enforcement officials investigate a mass shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. 
Law enforcement officials investigate a mass shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. 
Members of the Wilson County Sheriff's Office stand just inside a taped-off area near the First Baptist Church.
Members of the Wilson County Sheriff's Office stand just inside a taped-off area near the First Baptist Church.
Law enforcement officials gather near the First Baptist Church following a shooting on Nov. 5, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
Law enforcement officials gather near the First Baptist Church following a shooting on Nov. 5, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
Law enforcement officials gather near the First Baptist Church. 
Law enforcement officials gather near the First Baptist Church. 
A sign at the First Baptist Church. 
A sign at the First Baptist Church. 
Law enforcement officials continue their investigation at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas.
Law enforcement officials continue their investigation at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas.
A gunman killed 26 people at the church and wounded many more when he opened fire during a Sunday service. 
A gunman killed 26 people at the church and wounded many more when he opened fire during a Sunday service. 
View of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs.
View of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs.
A woman and her children take part in a vigil for victims of a mass shooting in Sutherland Springs. 
A woman and her children take part in a vigil for victims of a mass shooting in Sutherland Springs. 
Michaun Johnson attends a candlelight vigil.
Michaun Johnson attends a candlelight vigil.
Danny Barker, his wife Tomie and grandson Gage attend a candlelight vigil after a mass shooting at the First Baptist Church.
Danny Barker, his wife Tomie and grandson Gage attend a candlelight vigil after a mass shooting at the First Baptist Church.
Sofia Martinez, 9, attends a candlelight vigil after a mass shooting at the First Baptist Church.
Sofia Martinez, 9, attends a candlelight vigil after a mass shooting at the First Baptist Church.
Bailey Lejeaune and David Betancourt attend a candlelight vigil after a mass shooting at the First Baptist Church.
Bailey Lejeaune and David Betancourt attend a candlelight vigil after a mass shooting at the First Baptist Church.
Local residents take part in a vigil for victims of a mass shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
Local residents take part in a vigil for victims of a mass shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.