President Donald Trump says the National Rifle Association (NRA) should re-locate to Texas after New York State Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit to dissolve the organization.
As he left the White House on Thursday, Trump was asked about the new lawsuit, he said, āI just heard about that. Thatās a very terrible thing that just happened.ā
He continued, āI think the NRA should move to Texas and lead a very good and beautiful life. And Iāve told them that for a long time. I think they should move to Texas. Texas would be a great place, or to another state of their choosing, but I would say that Texas would be a great place and an appropriate place for the NRA.ā
āThis has been going on for a very long time. Theyāve been absolutely decimated by the cost of that lawsuit. And itās very sad, but I would suggest that thatās what they should be doing,ā Trump added.
Watch the video below:
Trump comments come hours after James filed a lawsuit to dissolve the organization, asĀ IJR reported.
āJust a few minutes ago, my office filed a lawsuit against the National Rifle Association to dissolve the organization in its entirety for years of self-dealing and illegal conduct that violate New Yorkās charities law and undermine its own mission,ā she said during a press conference.
She alleged that the NRA had a history of āawarding contracts to the financial gain of close associates and family, and appearing to dole out lucrative no-show contracts to former employees in order to buy their silence and continued loyalty.ā
James also said that it had diverted funds āaway from the charitable mission for personal use by senior leadership.ā
While Trump expressed his displeasure at the news, the gun control advocacy group March for Our Lives took to Twitter to troll the organization.
āSending thoughts and prayers to the ,ā the group tweeted after Jamesā announcement.
The phrase āthoughts and prayersā has, in recent years, been assailed by gun control advocates who argue that lawmakers in Washington, D.C. use the phrase for condolences and fail to advance gun control measures.
NRA President Carolyn Meadow blasted Jamesā lawsuit as āa baseless, premeditated attack.ā
āItās a transparent attempt to score political points and attack the leading voice in opposition to the leftist agenda. This has been a power grab by a political opportunist ā a desperate move that is part of a rank political vendetta. Our members wonāt be intimidated or bullied in their defense of political and constitutional freedom,ā she added.
The NRA has since countersued and argued that James is targeting the organization for political purposes.Ā
