The US president is today visiting the two American cities that were hit by mass shootings over the weekend.
Donald Trump is expected to meet with law enforcement, victims and survivors in Dayton, Ohio and El Paso, Texas.
31 people were murdered and many others injured in the attacks.
He is likely to be greeted by protesters in Texas, many of whom blame him for encouraging a culture of hate and division in the US.
Documents posted online by the El Paso terrorist made reference to an alleged immigrant “invasion” – words President Trump has often used in the past.
Speaking as he departed Washington for Ohio, President Trump insisted his rhetoric "brings people together".
He said he's concerned about the rise in white supremacy in the US - suggesting he is concerned about "the rise of any group of hate".
He also reiterated that he'd support stronger background checks on gun sales.
He observed: "I’ll be convincing some people to do things that they don’t want to do, and that means people in Congress. But you’ve got a lot of people on one side, and you have a lot of people in the other.
"I have a lot of influence with a lot of people, and I want to convince them to do the right thing."
Democrats have called for the Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell to bring senators back from their summer recess to address the issue.
El Paso visit
Ahead of today's presidential visit to El Paso, Texas Congresswoman Veronica Escobar said she had refused an invitation to join President Trump on the visit “because I refuse to be an accessory to his visit.”
The White House invited me to join @realDonaldTrump during his visit to El Paso. My response was clear. I requested a phone call with him today in order to share what I have now heard from many constituents, including some who are victims of Saturday’s attack.
— Rep. Veronica Escobar (@RepEscobar) August 6, 2019
She said she sought a private phone call with the president to tell him that “he needs to understand that his words are powerful and have consequences.
“Using racist language to describe Mexicans, immigrants and other minorities dehumanize us. Those words inflame others.
“The domestic terrorist who came to El Paso to kill innocent people had his sights set on Hispanics and immigrants.
“He took 22 lives, injured more than two dozen.”
I have publicly said he has a responsibility to acknowledge the power of his words, apologize for them, and take them back because they are still hanging over us. I asked for a call so I could say this to him over the phone and ask for a dialogue that could lead to healing.
— Rep. Veronica Escobar (@RepEscobar) August 6, 2019
She said she could not join President Trump on the visit without a “dialogue about the pain his racist and hateful words & actions have caused our community and country.”
Meanwhile, Beto O’Rourke, a candidate for the democratic nomination for the 2020 presidential election, said the President Trump has “no place” in El Paso.
22 people in my hometown are dead after an act of terror inspired by your racism. El Paso will not be quiet and neither will I. https://t.co/dakFPKj0vJ
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) August 7, 2019
The city’s Republican Mayor Dee Margo said he is keenly aware of the anger in the city, but said he has a duty to welcome the president.
“My primary purpose is to occupy the office of mayor," he told Sky News.
“He is the president and his own personal decision to come here. I will try to comport myself, I have been on the receiving end of his rhetoric.
“We said Sunday night at our inter-denominational services that we will confront hate with love.”
President Trump is due to arrive in Texas later today, after visiting Ohio.
