In a stunning decision Thursday night, a San Francisco jury handed down a not guilty verdict to Jose Garcia Zarate, and the White House issued an official response Friday morning.
Zarate, an illegal immigrant and convicted felon, shot and killed Kate Steinle while she was walking with her family in July of 2015. Zarate, who had been deported five times, was in San Francisco at the time due to their sanctuary city status. In 2015, Zarate was released by the San Fransisco county jail, even though federal agents asked for him to be detained and eventually deportated.
Zarate was found not guilty by a San Fransisco jury in the murder of Steinle Thursday night. The reactions were deeply critical across the board. President Trump took to twitter to condemn the decision:
A disgraceful verdict in the Kate Steinle case! No wonder the people of our Country are so angry with Illegal Immigration.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 1, 2017
The Kate Steinle killer came back and back over the weakly protected Obama border, always committing crimes and being violent, and yet this info was not used in court. His exoneration is a complete travesty of justice. BUILD THE WALL!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 1, 2017
Moments ago, Sarah Sanders released a scorched earth statement, saying “criminal illegal immigrants like him, should never be allowed to threaten our citizens” and calling for closed borders and an end to sanctuary cities. Sanders ended her statement by noting “Had San Francisco enforced our Nation’s immigration laws, the Steinle family would be celebrating this holiday with all of their loved ones.”
