The two people in the United States who have done more to fan the flames of racial unrest than anyone have issued statements on the execution of two police officers in New York City.

President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder failed to examine their own statements on race over the past few months, and instead put out self-serving comments about the killings.

BBC:

Mr Obama said the officers would not be going home to their loved ones "and for that, there is no justification".

The two were killed while on patrol in Brooklyn. New York's police chief says they were "targeted for their uniform".

The gunman had posted anti-police messages online, amid continuing tensions over police tactics.

In a statement President Obama said: "I unconditionally condemn today's murder of two police officers in New York City."

"Officers who serve and protect our communities risk their own safety for ours every single day and they deserve our respect and gratitude every single day," said Mr Obama, who is on holiday in Hawaii.

I don't think I've ever heard a president say that he "unconditionally condemns" an action of anyone. Is it an indication that the president thinks his rhetoric may have had something to do with the killings?

Meanwhile, Holder's words ring hollow when you consider how he tried to nationalize the purely local matter of a policeman shooting a young man:

Attorney General Eric Holder condemned the “senseless” shooting of two New York City police Saturday, and pledged the full resources of the Justice Department to assist in the investigation of the ambush killings.

“This was an unspeakable act of barbarism, and I was deeply saddened to hear of the loss of these two brave officers in the line of duty,” Holder said in a statement. “On behalf of all those who serve in the United States Department of Justice, I want to express my heartfelt condolences to the officers' loved ones and colleagues.”

[...]

"Our nation must always honor the valor -- and the sacrifices -- of all law enforcement officers with a steadfast commitment to keeping them safe,” he said. “This means forging closer bonds between officers and the communities they serve, so that public safety is not a cause that is served by a courageous few, but a promise that's fulfilled by police officials and citizens working side by side."

Recall that Holder didn't call what happened in Ferguson "barbarism," despite the savagrey of the rioters.

These are the wages of poking the mob with a stick for political reasons. They shouldn't be surprised when the mob responds.