President Obama Calls Attack on Nice 'Appalling'
President Obama called the attack on Nice an "appalling attack on the freedom and peace that we cherish" and said the hearts of Americans are with the people of France, in remarks Friday.
The president made the remarks at what was originally planned to be a private reception for the Diplomatic Corps in the East Room.
The president said he spoke to President Hollande of France, and said he "reminded him that France is America's oldest ally and one of our strongest."
"This is a threat to all of us," the president said.
According to a White House official, the assistant to the president for homeland security and counterterrorism, Lisa Monaco, has kept the president apprised of the investigation into the attack in Nice, in which two U.S. citizens were among the at least 84 killed.
The President sent out a statement Thursday evening expressing condolences to the French people and offering U.S. assistance to the French government with the investigation.
"On this Bastille Day, we are reminded of the extraordinary resilience and democratic values that have made France an inspiration to the entire world," Obama said. "And we know that the character of the French Republic will endure long after this devastating and tragic loss of life."
