President Barack Obama said the U.S. will cancel joint military exercises with Egypt in the wake of brutal and deadly violence, but said nothing of cutting off foreign aid to the country.
"The United States strongly condemns the steps that have been taken by Egypt's interim government and security forces," Obama said. "We deplore violence against citizens."
Obama gave his first remarks on the fast-deteriorating situation between the new military-backed interim government and supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi from his vacation in Massachusetts.
Republican response to Obama's remarks was swift.
"President Obama says he 'deplores violence in Egypt', but U.S. foreign aid continues to help pay for it," Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) tweeted.
The U.S. gives $1.5 billion in aid to Egypt annually.
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