Trump impressed by victims, first responders

Last week, President-elect Donald Trump was all about the perpetrator of the attack at Ohio State University, calling the man “a Somali refugee who should not have been in our country.”

On Thursday, Trump concentrated on the victims and first responders, visiting them separately in Schottenstein Center meeting rooms about a mile from where an 18-yearold student drove a Honda Civic into a crowd, got out and began slashing people with a butcher knife.

After the half-hour session, Trump called those he met “really great people, amazing people. The police and first responders were incredible.”

Among those Trump talked with was OSU police officer Alan Horujko, who fatally shot Abdul Razak Ali

Artan shortly after the Nov. 28 attack.

“I got to meet him, and he’s very brave,” Trump said.

In all, 13 people were injured, none seriously.

“The families have done so well to come through this so well,” Trump said. “This was an honor for me to be here today.”

Trump didn’t mention the assailant. Last week, he said the Ohio State incident illustrated the security problems caused by an immigration system that fails to weed out dangerous would-be terrorists.

Artan was a legal immigrant from Somalia via Pakistan.

The media arm for Islamic State claimed the day after the attack that Artan was prompted by the terrorist organization’s jihadist message to commit the attack. Authorities have not confirmed that claim, although federal investigators said they believe Artan’s attack was inspired by an American-born cleric with ties to al-Qaida.

Not all the victims were present Thursday. OSU Emeritus Professor William Clark, who was struck by the car, said he wanted no part of Trump’s visit.

No reporters or members of the public were permitted in the Trump meetings, which reportedly included Ohio State Police Chief Craig Stone, Franklin County Sheriff Zach Scott and officers from the Columbus and campus police departments.

Ohio State President Dr. Michael V. Drake had a brief private meeting with Trump, too.

Trump was accompanied to Columbus by Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, senior adviser Jason Miller and Michael Flynn, Trump’s nominee for national security adviser.