Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney delivered a statement on Wednesday condemning the attacks on American service personnel in Libya on Tuesday and attacked President Barack Obama’s response to those attacks. He took questions from the press in which he was repeatedly asked to defend the tone and promptness of his campaign’s response to the unfolding attacks in North Africa.

“Americans woke up this morning with tragic news and felt heavy hearts as they considered that individuals who served in our diplomatic corps were brutally murdered across the world,” said Romney.

Romney called the attack in Libya “outrageous” and “disgusting.” He extended his condolences to the families and friends of those who were killed in service to their country.

“America will not tolerate attacks against our citizens and against our embassies,” Romney continued. “We’ll defend, also, our constitutional rights of speech and assembly and religion.”