Donald Trump has called for President Obama to resign for failing to use the term ‘radical Islam’ to describe the shooter responsible for murdering 50 people at an Orlando gay club.
Omar Mateen, 29, used a powerful assault rifle and a handgun to shoot at more than 300 people at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando just after 2am on Sunday.
So far, 50 people have been confirmed as dead and 53 people remain in hospital, with most in a critical condition.
Mr Obama earlier called the massacre at the LGBT club as an "act of terror" and an "act of hate", describing Mateen as being "filled with hatred".
But he also said it served as a reminder of how easy it is for someone to access a weapon like a gun.
"We have to decide if that is the type of country we want to be. To actively do nothing is a decision as well.”
Mr Obama ordered flags at the White House and federal buildings to be flown at half-mast as a mark of respect for the victims. The Empire State Building in New York was left in darkness as a mark of sympathy on Sunday evening.
But Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was quick to call for President Obama’s resignation.
In the statement, he said: “In his remarks today, President Obama disgracefully refused to even say the words ‘Radical Islam’. For that reason alone, he should step down.”
He added: “If we do not get tough and smart real fast, we are not going to have a country anymore.
“Because our leaders are weak, I said this was going to happen – and it is only going to get worse.”
A tweet by Trump has also drawn fierce criticism for congratulating his own stance on Muslims.
He tweeted: “Appreciate the congrats for being right on radical Islamic terrorism, I don’t want congrats, I want toughness and vigilance. We must be smart.”
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