Interfaith Alliance president Rabbi Jack Moline issued the following statement:

“President Trump and his advisors have been quick to exploit tragedies for political gain – even going so far as to make them up – while remaining silent when the victims were Muslim. That was certainly the case in the wake of last week’s bombing of a Minnesota mosque.

“Now top Trump aide Sebastian Gorka, who has ties to the anti-Muslim and anti-Semitic far right, is claiming that President Trump has been silent because the bombing could’ve been a ‘fake hate crime.’ Let’s be clear, Saturday’s mosque attack was an act of terrorism regardless of who committed it.

“President Trump’s lack of a response, to denounce violence and express sympathy, is a political and moral failure. The comments by his aide Gorka drive home the point that this administration has little regard for the American ideal that all people are created equal.”

Interfaith Alliance celebrates religious freedom by championing individual rights, promoting policies that protect both religion and democracy, and uniting diverse voices to challenge extremism. Founded in 1994, Interfaith Alliance brings together members from 75 faith traditions as well as those without a faith tradition to protect faith and freedom. For more information visit interfaithalliance.org.