President Trump calls driver in NYC attack 'sick and deranged person'

NEW YORK — President Donald Trump called the driver who killed at least eight people in New York City Tuesday afternoon a "sick and deranged person" while tweeting about the incident.

President Trump wrote: "In NYC, looks like another attack by a very sick and deranged person. Law enforcement is following this closely. NOT IN THE U.S.A.!"

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said President Trump was briefed on the incident by Chief of Staff John Kelly and would be continually updated.

The president later sent a tweet about ISIS: "We must not allow ISIS to return, or enter, our country after defeating them in the Middle East and elsewhere. Enough!"

Shortly after President Trump’s first tweet, Vice President Mike Pence said he was “saddened by the tragedy in NYC.”

The VP also said “those responsible must be held accountable.”

First Lady Melania Trump also took to Twitter to discuss the attack.

“My heart breaks for NYC today. Thoughts and prayers as we monitor the situation,” she wrote.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called the incident “a cowardly act of terror.”

The mayor said, “It was intended to break our spirit. But New Yorkers are resilient. We will be undeterred.”

London Mayor Sadiq Khan released the following statement: “London stands in grief and solidarity with the great city of New York tonight after the despicable and cowardly terrorist attack in Manhattan. My heart goes out to the victims and their families. New Yorkers are strong and resilient – I know they will not be cowed by this assault on the innocent, and on our shared values and way of life.”

Cox Media Group