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‘Islam,’ ‘Muslim,’ and ‘terrorism’ are never mentioned together.”
    Harper had felt obligated to arrange this pre–press conference meeting because Nader and the OIN had been major supporters of the president’s reelection campaign through a score of American Muslim organizations and political action committees.
    â€œWe believe the most effective way to counter homegrown terrorism,” Nader continued, “is by eliminating the grievances that these criminals exploit, such as poverty and a lack of opportunity for young Muslims. I have been authorized to say that the OIN is willing to financially support community programs in Minneapolis and elsewhere aimed at eliminating the injustices and inequities that these criminals capitalize on to recruit members.”
    â€œWhat exactly are you and the OIN offering to do?” Harper asked.
    â€œWe would be happy to finance the building of more Islamic community centers in Muslim neighborhoods in Minneapolis and other American cities where young people can be taught that these radicals are thieves and murderers. But our presence alarms many Americans because they have been misled about our people. This is why I am here urging you to not proliferate this harmful rhetoric by referring to these killers as being followers of Islam.”
    â€œYou mentioned financing projects in Minneapolis,” President Allworth said. “Can I assume you are good friends with Representative Adeogo and he is aware of the OIN’s willingness to help?”
    For a moment, a crack appeared in Nader’s polished diplomatic veneer, and Harper noticed.
    â€œSo you are not friends with Adeogo?” she interjected, turning her statement into a question.
    â€œAs fellow Muslims, we are, of course, colleagues.”
    â€œBut I asked if you were friends?”
    â€œUnfortunately, Representative Adeogo and I have, as you Americans like to say, a history. But that certainly will not prevent us from working together.”
    Harper wanted to continue probing, but Nader switched subjects, and when an aide appeared to escort him to the Rose Garden news conference, he ended his spiel with these words. “Please, please, Madam President, do not give these criminals the honor that they are desperately seeking. Do not give them a cloak to hide their treachery. Do not refer to them as Muslims or followers of Islam.”
    Minutes later, the president walked down the White House Colonnade to an outside podium in the Rose Garden. It was a cool March morning but Allworth’s media advisors had urged her to stage the conference outside because it would send the public a subtle image: The president was not hiding inside the White House.
    President Allworth quickly expressed her condolences to the victims of the National Cathedral attack, especially the Secret Service and District of Columbia police officers who were maimed and killed. She thanked Major Brooke Grant, who was seated in the fourth row. Without mentioning either Fawzia or Cumar Samatar by name—so not to humanize them—she described how radical extremists operating under the banner of ISIS had committed horrific atrocities in Syria and Iraq, how the Taliban had sparked political upheaval in Pakistan, how Al-Shabaab and Boko Haram had butchered men, raped women, and kidnapped young schoolgirls in Africa and sold them into the sex trade.
    â€œEarly today, a video of six Coptic Christians being beheaded on a beach in Libya was posted on the Internet. The masked figure who committed this act of barbaric cruelty goes by the fanciful name ‘The Falcon.’ But make no mistake; he is nothing other than a serial murderer and coward who hides his face behind a black hood. This psychopath will ultimately be held accountable for his actions because we will not rest until he is brought to justice.”
    Looking directly into the television cameras that were broadcasting her comments