SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) — Both Democratic Presidential candidates from Texas are blaming President Donald Trump for the shooting rampage at an El Paso Walmart that left 20 people dead.

Former Congressman and El Paso resident Beto O’Rourke appeared on CNN’s State of the Union. During the interview, O’Rourke claimed the shooting in his hometown happened because “Trump is a racist.”

“He does not even pretend to respect our differences or to uh..understand that we are all created equal. He is saying that some people are inherently defective or dangerous.”

O’Rourke cited President Trump’s 2016 campaign and his two and a half years in office when he said he believes the President is a white nationalist.

“He is an open avowed racist and he’s encouraging racism in our country.”

Former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro was interviewed by ABC’s This Week.

He says President Trump made a choice to divide the nation for his political benefit.

“Division and bigotry and fanning the flames of hate…has been his political strategy.”

Castro went on to say while President Trump has created the environment that led to the mass shooting, the one person directly responsible for the deaths is the shooter.

He says the shootings prove the need for new leadership and common sense gun reform.

More about: