Hillary Clinton Reminds New York City That Its "Resilience Is Stronger" Than Terror

On Tuesday evening, former 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton responded to the New York City attack that killed eight people and left about a dozen wounded. Clinton, who was the first female senator from New York and served in that role for eight years, wrote a message to the state she loves, reminding the residents how resilient they can be.

"New York's resilience is stronger than a cowardly act of terror," Clinton wrote. "Thinking of the victims, their families, & the responders who saved lives."

Earlier Tuesday afternoon, a suspect was taken into custody after he drove a truck down a popular bike path in Lower Manhattan, crashed into a school bus, and displayed what appeared to be firearms when confronted by police. The firearms were later determined to be a paintball gun and a pellet gun, the New York Police Department said. The NYPD and the FBI are investigating the incident as potential terrorism.

Clinton had been serving as a New York senator for less than a year when the devastating Sept. 11 attacks killed nearly 3,000 people and injured around 6,000 in New York City and at the Pentagon near Washington, D.C. At the time, she said, "We have to make it very clear that we cannot permit any state, any government, any institution or individual to pursue terrorism aims that are directed at the United States or any country with impunity. So I’m hoping that this is the kind of dramatic, terrible catastrophe that unites the entire civilized world."

Many politicians have responded to the New York City attack. Sen. Bernie Sanders wrote, "My thoughts are with the victims of today’s horrific attack in Manhattan and their loved ones." Sen. Elizabeth Warren added, "Keeping the victims, first responders, & people of NY in our thoughts tonight. We will not let terrorism or fear divide us. #NYCStrong."

About an hour and a half after the incident, President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter, "In NYC, looks like another attack by a very sick and deranged person. Law enforcement is following this closely. NOT IN THE U.S.A.!" He later added that "We must not allow ISIS to return, or enter, our country after defeating them in the Middle East and elsewhere," before sending one more tweet that read, "My thoughts, condolences and prayers to the victims and families of the New York City terrorist attack. God and your country are with you!"

The other Trumps — who have close ties to New York City — also issued their thoughts and prayers to the victims. Ivanka was the first Trump to respond, even before her father, writing, "Heartbreaking news coming out of NYC. Praying for the victims." Melania Trump wrote, "My heart breaks for #NYC today. Thoughts & prayers as we monitor the situation."

The responses to Clinton's message of resilience to New Yorkers were almost overwhelmingly positive, save for a few of the usual trolls. "THIS is how a president responds to a tragedy!" one person wrote.