Texas governor Greg Abbott was jeered and booed by mourners during his visit to the Uvalde school shooting site on Sunday.
“Shame on you, Abbott,” one man screamed at the Republican as he wheeled past the memorial.
Mr Abbott’s visit came the same day as that of president Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden, who were also confronted by grieving residents asking them to “do something”.
The president, entering his limousine, responded: “We will.”
Meanwhile, the US Department of Justice has announced that it will investigate the response by local law enforcement to the shooting at Robb Elementary School, in which 19 children and two teachers died last Tuesday.
“The goal of the review is to provide an independent account of law enforcement actions and responses that day, and to identify lessons learned and best practices to help first responders prepare for and respond to active shooter events,” said spokesperson Anthony Coley.