El Paso orphan's family explains Trump photo with baby
By Marina Pitofsky - 08/09/19 02:21 PM EDT
The uncle of an infant who lost both parents in the Saturday mass shooting in El Paso that killed more than 20 people defended a photo the president took with the child while giving a thumbs up, The Washington Post reported.
Trump traveled to El Paso on Wednesday to meet with first responders, hospital workers and victims of the shootings.
Tito Anchondo, whose brother and sister-in-law were killed in the attack, chose to take his orphaned nephew to meet the president and first lady. The 2-month-old boy suffered two broken fingers, but he survived the shooting after his parents shielded him.
Anchondo told The Washington Post he wanted to take the boy to meet the president and tell him about his family.
“He was just there as a human being, consoling us and giving his condolences,†Anchondo said of Trump.
Anchondo said Trump “wasn’t there to be pushing any kind of political agenda,†calling the meeting “a private conversation between human beings.â€
First Lady Melania Trump tweeted photos Thursday of her and the president’s trip to Dayton and El Paso after the shootings over the weekend in both cities.
In one picture, Melania is holding the baby while Trump stands next to her showing a thumbs up. They are joined by Anchondo and his sister, Deborah Ontiveros.
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https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/456881-el-paso-orphans-family-explains-trump-photo-with-baby