‘Bloodshed will end,’ Trump vows after London attack

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Sunday he will do whatever is necessary to protect the United States from a “vile enemy” that he says has waged war on innocents for too long, vowing: “This bloodshed must end, this bloodshed will end.”

Trump commented on the vehicle and knife attack that killed at least seven people in London. He spoke at the conclusion of a fundraiser for Ford’s Theater, scene of one of the most famous acts of bloodshed in American history: the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

“America sends our thoughts and prayers and our deepest sympathies to the victims of this evil slaughter and we renew our resolve, stronger than ever before, to protect the United States and its allies from a vile enemy that has waged war on innocent life, and it’s gone on too long,” Trump said.

“This bloodshed must end, this bloodshed will end,” said the tuxedo-clad Trump, standing on stage with his wife, first lady Melania Trump.

“As president, I will do what is necessary to prevent this threat from spreading to our shores and work every single day to protect the safety and security of our country, our communities and our people,” he said.

Police say three men drove a van over London Bridge on Saturday and struck pedestrians before crashing the vehicle outside a pub.

The attackers, wielding blades and knives, ran to a well-known fruit and vegetable market and there they stabbed people in several different restaurants. Seven people were killed and at least 48 were hospitalized. Police fired 50 bullets to stop the violence, killing the three attackers and wounding one member of the public. No US citizens were known to be among the casualties.

The Islamic State terror group claimed the attack.

In Australia, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said the organization would not intimidate the US or its allies.

“We are united, as I said, in our resolve, even against an enemy that thinks by hurting us they can scare us,” Mattis said, alongside US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Australian officials. “Well, we don’t scare.”

The rampage was the third major attack in Britain in the past three months, including a similar vehicle and knife attack on Westminster Bridge in March that left five people dead.

On May 22, a suicide bomber killed 22 people and injured dozens at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, in northwest England. Those attacks were also claimed by IS.

Trump earlier criticized London’s mayor on Twitter after he sought to reassure residents about a stepped-up police presence on city streets following a deadly attack there.

In a flurry of early-morning tweets, Trump challenged London Mayor Sadiq Khan for saying there was “no reason to be alarmed.”

Trump also pushed his stalled travel ban, took on gun control supporters and pledged that the United States will be there to help London.

Khan’s spokesman said Trump’s tweet “deliberately takes out of context” Khan’s remarks urging Londoners not to be alarmed when they see armed officers on the streets.

At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is "no reason to be alarmed!"

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 4, 2017

Do you notice we are not having a gun debate right now? That's because they used knives and a truck!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 4, 2017