Soon after the shooting that killed five officers and injured seven more in Dallas, Donald Trump's Virginia campaign chairman took to social media to blame Hillary Clinton and Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam for the killings.
However, the social post is drawing rebukes from the Trump campaign and from a Virginia county electorial board chairman.
Corey Stewart, who is also chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors, posted the comments to his Facebook page as news of the attacks was breaking, according to The New York Times.
“Liberal politicians who label police as racists—specifically Hillary Clinton and Virginia Lt. Governor Ralph Northam—are to blame for essentially encouraging the murder of these police officers tonight,” Stewart wrote.
Another post from Stewart went on to say:
"Va. Lt. Governor Ralph Northam and Hillary Clinton are pitting minorities against the police. Whenever there is a police shooting involving a minority, their knee jerk reaction is to allege racism. That is insulting to the men and women in blue who risk their lives to protect ours. But worse, these allegations result in the murder of our police."
The Times reported Trump campaign spokeswoman Hope Hicks condemned Stewart's post, saying, “Corey does not speak for the campaign, and this is not something we agree with.”
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Fairfax County Electoral Board Chairman Brian Schoeneman (R) also condemned Stewart's Facebook post in an online column for the Bearing Drift. In his column, published Friday, Schoeneman said he cannot understand why anyone would think Stewart's post were OK.
"Was he drunk? Was he high? Kidnapped by aliens? Illegal or legal? Did Ted Cruz steal his phone? Interns posting without permission?
"I can’t believe that someone of Stewart’s seniority and experience would think that any of this is okay. Even the Hillary comments are over the top and beneath the dignity of any Republican, let alone a Virginian."
After the shooting, Trump's campaign released the following statement:
Last night’s horrific execution-style shootings of 12 Dallas law enforcement officers – five of whom were killed and seven wounded - is an attack on our country. It is a coordinated, premeditated assault on the men and women who keep us safe.
We must restore law and order. We must restore the confidence of our people to be safe and secure in their homes and on the street.
The senseless, tragic deaths of two people in Louisiana and Minnesota reminds us how much more needs to be done.
This morning I offer my thoughts and prayers for all of the victims’ families, and we pray for our brave police officers and first responders who risk their lives to protect us every single day.
Our nation has become too divided. Too many Americans feel like they’ve lost hope. Crime is harming too many citizens. Racial tensions have gotten worse, not better. This isn’t the American Dream we all want for our children.
This is a time, perhaps more than ever, for strong leadership, love and compassion. We will pull through these tragedies.
The Associated Press reported Stewart plans to run for the Virginia governor seat in 2017.
