Marco Rubio ignores Charleston tragedy in big speech -- but makes sure to praise the Second Amendment

Unlike '16 rivals speaking at a Faith and Freedom summit, Rubio made no mention of the South Carolina massacre

By Sophia Tesfaye

Senior Politics Editor

Published June 18, 2015 5:51PM (EDT)

  (AP/David Goldman)
(AP/David Goldman)

Republican presidential candidate Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida ignored yesterday's heinous shooting at a historical African-American church in Charleston, South Carolina when he addressed a crowd of conservatives today, choosing instead to reaffirm his commitment to the 2nd amendment.

21-year-old Dylann Roof was apprehended today after he allegedly opened fire on a Bible study group at the historic predominantly black Emanuel AME Church last night. The shooting left nine people dead.

Today, Rubio spoke before the Faith & Freedom Coalition's Road To Majority 2015 summit in Washington. Billed as "the premier event for people of faith and conservative activists," the summit is expected to host every announced and potential 2016 GOP candidate except Donald Trump. Today’s schedule featured Senators Ted Cruz and Rand Paul, in addition to Rubio.

During the speech, which was interrupted by immigration reform activists, the freshman senator completely ignored the Charleston attack:

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By contrast, both Senators Cruz and Paul acknowledged the attack:

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[embedtweet id=611574935631319040]

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By Sophia Tesfaye

Sophia Tesfaye is Salon's senior editor for news and politics, and resides in Washington, D.C. You can find her on Twitter at @SophiaTesfaye.

MORE FROM Sophia Tesfaye


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