Christie: Orlando Attack Shows US At War Against Terror
HANOVER TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The United States is at war with radicalized Islamic terror, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said a day after dozens of people were killed in the worst mass shooting in U.S. history.
Christie addressed the deadly Orlando nightclub shooting while speaking Monday at a Chamber of Commerce event in Hanover Township.
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FBI Director James Comey said the gunman in Sunday's attack that killed 49 people had "strong indications of radicalization" and was likely inspired by foreign terrorist organizations. Comey told reporters Monday that Omar Mateen spoke with a 911 operator three times early Sunday morning and also pledged loyalty to the head of the Islamic State group on his last call.
Christie said that not calling the incident a terrorist attack won't make the problem go away.
The Republican governor also said the nation must show there is a price to pay for killing people based on their sexual orientation.
Christie is a top adviser to presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, who picked him to head his White House transition team. Trump has redoubled his calls for tougher action against terrorists and took credit for "being right'' about the threat.
Trump also harshly criticized President Barack Obama for not using the term "radical Islamic terrorism" to describe the attack.
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