Donald Trump Cancels Miami Campaign Stops After Dallas Police Shootings

Most human beings would have a hard time sitting down to some ropa vieja with a guy they just spent months calling a "con man" and suggesting on national television might also have a tiny little micropenis. But then again, most human beings aren't shameless political opportunist on the level...

By Tim Elfrink

July 8, 2016

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What promised to be Donald Trump's first major campaign stop in Miami has been canceled after a shocking attack in Dallas last night, where five officers were killed and another five wounded during a protest march.

Trump has now canceled plans to speak in Doral after a lunch at Versailles with Sen. Marco Rubio, Lt. Gov. Carlos López-Cantera, and other local leaders, citing the attacks in Dallas as reason for the no-show.

Soon after canceling his Miami plans, the GOP nominee released a statement calling the shootings an "attack on our country."

"We must restore law and order," Trump's statement reads, before also noting the two black men killed by police on camera earlier this week in Louisiana and Minnesota. "We must restore the confidence of our people to be safe and secure in their homes and on the street."

Hillary Clinton released her own statement on the shootings soon afterward:

I mourn for the officers shot while doing their sacred duty to protect peaceful protesters, for their families & all who serve with them. -H
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) July 8, 2016

Miami politicos and leaders have been tweeting and emailing their own condolences and outrage about the Dallas shootings, which are still being investigated this morning.

"Today, we mourn with the police officers and residents of Dallas as we offer our thoughts and prayers," Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez says in a statement. "We in Miami-Dade County will continue to support our law enforcement as they protect and serve our residents."

For Trump, today marks the second time he's canceled a high-profile Miami event at the last minute. In March, the real-estate magnate backed out of a planned rally in Doral amid plans for mass protests.

Presumably, he'll have to speak at some point in the most important swing state's largest city during this presidential election. But Miami is also unlikely to be welcoming territory for a candidate struggling mightily to attract Hispanic votes.

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Tim Elfrink is a former investigative reporter and managing editor for Miami New Times. He has won the George Polk Award and was a finalist for the Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting.

Contact: Tim Elfrink

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Twitter: @timelfrinkmia