The Obamas’ letter to Parkland massacre survivors just leaked and it’s breaking the internet

America sorely misses the Obamas. As the world trudges through day after worsening day of the Trump administration it’s difficult not to look at every new blunder, scandal, and international fiasco without considering how much more competently Barack Obama would have handled it. Now, we have an answer to how Obama did react to a recent tragedy, and it puts Trump to shame.

Mic reports that after the tragic mass school shooting in Parkland the Obamas sent a letter to the students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The former First Couple said how inspired they were by the Parkland survivors, many of whom have come forward as fierce advocates of gun reform after witnessing the horrors of assault-style rifles firsthand. 

The Obamas commended the students for pressuring lawmakers to take immediate action and reminded the students that historically young people have played a key role in improving America.

Add your name to demand Trump & Congress act to prevent gun violence. THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE NOT ENOUGH!

Read the moving transcript below:

10 March 2018

To the students of Parkland —

We wanted to let you know how inspired we have been by the resilience, resolve and solidarity that you have all shown in the wake of unspeakable tragedy.

Not only have you supported and comforted each other, but you’ve helped awaken the conscience of the nation, and challenged decision-makers to make the safety of our children the country’s top priority.

Throughout our history, young people like you have led the way in making America better. There may be setbacks; you may sometimes feel like progress is too slow in coming. But we have no doubt you are going to make an enormous difference in the days and years to come, and we will be there for you.

Barack Obama Michelle Obama

The encouraging words offer a stark contrast to Trump’s response to the shooting. Rather than rallying behind the student survivors and pushing for meaningful legislation to prevent future school shootings, our current president suggested the absurd and dangerous idea of arming teachers.

No rational person could believe the solution to these tragedies is to flood classrooms with more firearms, but Trump and the rest of the Republican Party are determined to please their NRA donors. We need our leaders to be more like the Obamas and less like the GOP.

Take a look at the original letter from the Obamas below: