On January 9, there was a terrorist attack in a kosher deli and at the office of magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris, France. According to CNN, two masked men killed a total of 17 people. This incident led to a march in Paris called the “Unity March” where more than 1.5 million people marched and 40 world leaders were in attendance.

President Barack Obama, however, did not attend the Unity March, which led to widespread voicing of disapproval from social media outlets and other informational sources. According to CNN, President Obama wasn’t able to attend the Unity March due to lack of advanced notice. There should have been a security sweep and clearance of the area 36 hours before the event.

But aside from Obama, not a single high-ranking U.S. official attended the march. White House Spokesman Josh Earnest said, “It’s fair to say that we should have sent someone with a higher profile to be there.” Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. was in Paris at the time, yet he too did not attend the march. According to The New York Times, France President François Hollande shared no hard feelings.

     But this still begs the question, is there something larger going on behind the scenes? It is unlike the President of the UNITED STATES to not attend a march AGAINST TERRORISM, considering the United States has gone to such great lengths to declare “war on terror.” Isn’t it hypocritical that the United States wasn’t thoroughly represented at the march? Or should everyone else be criticized for constantly accusing the United States of being the “policemen of the world?”

    The criticism Obama received because of his absence is very reasonable. He (being a world leader) or a member of his staff should have been present at such an event for moral support alone. Yet for security purposes, it is safe to say that proper measures should have been taken beforehand.  Plus, being the President of the United States there are plenty of other duties that require his absolute attention.

Considering the political experience of the President and his advisers, there was probably just cause for missing such an important event. There must have been a reasonable explanation which was not disclosed to the media. Such an event wouldn’t have been taken so nonchalantly, bearing in mind France is one of the America’s “oldest allies.” We should all give him a break and consequently, we should give him the benefit of the doubt.