Democrats are none too happy with Florida Gov. Rick Scott after he chose to call President-elect Donald Trump instead of President Barack Obama following Friday's attack at the Fort Lauderdale airport, which saw five people slain.
In the aftermath of the attack, Scott told the media during a press conference that Obama had yet to reach out to him and that he had not tried contacting Obama. Instead, the Florida governor said that he had spoken to Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence "several times" in the hours following the shooting.
"I have reached out to President-elect Trump, and spoken to him and to Vice President-elect (Mike) Pence multiple times to keep them informed, and they told me whatever resources that we need from the federal government, they would do everything in their power to make that happen," Scott said, according to CBS News.
But when pressed by reporters multiple times if he had reached out to Obama, he continually stated that he had not and that the aftermath of a shooting isn't time to get "political."
And that did not go over well with Democrats:
Rick Scott reached out to Trump, not Obama, for help. What a piece of garbage. Can't keep his politics aside even in the face of a massacre.— David Hume 🇺🇸 (@David Hume 🇺🇸) 1483741385.0
Governor Rick Scott apparently doesn't know we only have one president at a time. He only called Trump, who isn't acting president...— Khary Penebaker (@Khary Penebaker) 1483741407.0
FL Gov Rick Scott reaching out to Trump and Pence(?).One president at a time. Repubs are unbelievable. Partisanship over country every time.— Elizabeth (@Elizabeth) 1483741321.0
Rick Scott is a jackass. Trump and Pence can't help, they aren't in office yet. Obama and Biden can help if asked.— Eric Dorsey (@Eric Dorsey) 1483741727.0
Rick Scott reached out to Trump & Pence about Fla shooting, using 6 dead people just to insult Obama. A new low for any Republican.— PoliticalGroove (@PoliticalGroove) 1483750540.0
However, for reference, presidents typically reach out the governors of states that are facing a tragedy or crisis. During Obama's time in office, he too has made this a general practice.
But Obama and Scott have not had a very amicable relationship over the last several years. In fact, after the Pulse Nightclub terrorist attack in Orlando last year, Obama reportedly never reached out to Scott and he denied Scott's request to declare a state of emergency in the Sunshine State.