Former U.S. President George W. Bush has called on Americans to confront domestic violent extremists on the 9/11 anniversary.
Gatekeepers News reports that Bush on Saturday called on Americans to confront domestic violent extremists comparing them to violent extremists abroad.
Bush who gave this charge at the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, during his speech in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, warned that they are “children of the same foul spirit.”
He said the US has seen “growing evidence that the dangers to our country can come not only across borders but from violence that gathers within.”
The former Republican President said, “There is little cultural overlap between violent extremists abroad and violent extremists at home.
“But in their disdain for pluralism, in their disregard for human life, in their determination to defile national symbols, they are children of the same foul spirit…And it is our continuing duty to confront them.”
His speech came eight months after violent insurrectionists breached the US Capitol on January 6 in an attempt to stop Congress from certifying the 2020 election for President Joe Biden.
Earlier, Bush publicly condemned the violent mob of Trump supporters who stormed the Capitol that day.
At that time, the former U.S. President said in a statement, “This is how election results are disputed in a banana republic — not our democratic republic,” adding that he was “appalled by the reckless behavior of some political leaders since the election.”
On Saturday, Bush lamented the division in the United States, contrasting the current political climate to the spirit of unity that he said he observed in the wake of the September 11 attacks.
He said, “A malign force seems at work in our common life that turns every disagreement into an argument, and every argument into a clash of cultures. So much of our politics has become a naked appeal to anger, fear, and resentment.
“That leaves us worried about our nation and our future together.”
Bush noted that he didn’t have “explanations or solutions,” but went on to recall the America he saw in the aftermath of the 2001 terrorist attacks.
“At a time when religious bigotry might have flowed freely, I saw Americans reject prejudice and embrace people of Muslim faith. That is the nation I know.
“At a time when nativism could have stirred hatred and violence against people perceived as outsiders, I saw Americans reaffirm their welcome to immigrants and refugees. That is the nation I know,” Bush added.
Also in attendance at the memorial events were President Joe Biden, former President Barack Obama, and other US leaders of the post-9/11 era except former President Donald Trump.
Gatekeepers News earlier reported that Trump will be providing commentary on a boxing match to commemorate the 20th anniversary on Saturday.
Trump in a September 11 short video lambasted Biden for the handling of the withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Trump said, “Many things were displayed that day, including most importantly the bravery of our police, fire, and first responders of every kind. The job they did was truly unbelievable.
“It is also a sad time for the way our war on those that did such harm to our country ended last week.”
