In the above video President Barack Obama is speaking about the shooting in Dallas on Thursday. Paul Ryan, the Speaker of the House, is giving a similar speech in the video included below.
Note that both men, who normally use their hands and arms significantly during other speaking events, here use them minimally.
Although an experience politician, Mr. Ryan has had less tragic occasions at which to speak than has the President. Ryan uses his hands and arms in the beginning of his speech but then rapidly curtails their use to essentially nil. Mr. Obama hardly uses his hands and arms at all.
During funerals, when speaking about recent death, the receiving of soldiers' remains, and similar events, minimal use of the hands is good body language advice - for it transmits much more reverence and respect for the deceased. This lack of hand and arm gestures also conveys more empathy.
During the vast majority of occasions, lack of hand and arm use may very signal suspicion and/or low confidence or emotional discomfort - but not here - not when speaking with respect for the fallen.
See also:
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3615: Store Owner Abdullah Muflahi Interview regarding the Shooting of Alton Sterling
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3611: Salma Hayek, Danny Trejo and a Tattoo
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3604: Nigel Farage, Jean-Claude Juncker, The Brexit and "Why Are You Here?"
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3599: The Brexit, David Cameron announces his Resignation, Protection and Body Language
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3582: Brock Turner's Dad Draws Outrage of "20 Minutes of Action" - Lack of Empathy and No Remorse
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3591: Jo Cox, The Brexit and Sincere Smiles
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3540: Johnny Manziel's Ego
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3575: Hillary Clinton vs. Donald Trump - Comparison Their of Wikipedia Profile Photos
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