<P> President Donald Trump criticized the officers who failed to enter the building during the shooting . On February 26, he said that he believed he would have entered "even if I didn't have a weapon, and I think most of the people in this room would have done that, too", a claim and reaction that was mocked by the media . </P> <P> President Trump offered his prayers and condolences to the victims' families, writing, "no child, teacher or anyone else should ever feel unsafe in an American school". In a televised address, he mentioned school safety and mental health issues . Florida Governor Rick Scott ordered that flags at state buildings be flown at half - staff, and Trump later ordered flags be flown at half - staff for the entire country . Two days after the shooting, Trump and his wife Melania visited Broward Health North, a hospital where eight of the shooting victims were admitted . They met with two victims and Trump praised doctors and law enforcement officials for their responses to the attack . </P> <P> On February 22, Trump met with students and others at the White House for a "listening session". He suggested arming up to 20% of the teachers to stop "maniacs" from attacking students . The following day, he called a "gun free" school a "magnet" for criminals and tweeted, "Highly trained, gun adept, teachers / coaches would solve the problem instantly, before police arrive ." </P> <P> BBC News characterized Republican politicians' reactions as focusing on mental health issues while dodging debate on gun control, with the reasoning that it was either "too political or too soon". Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan said that this was the time to "step back and count our blessings" instead of "taking sides and fighting each other politically". Republican Florida Senator Marco Rubio said that "most" proposals on stricter gun laws "would not have prevented" this shooting nor "any of those in recent history" and that lawmakers should take action with "focus on the violence part" alongside guns . Republican Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin declared that the country should re-evaluate "the things being put in the hands of our young people", specifically "quote - unquote video games" that "have desensitized people to the value of human life". </P>

List of victims of stoneman douglas high school shooting