Hundreds of people have gathered near the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh to protest the arrival of Donald Trump and his family as they came to pay tribute to the 11 Jewish worshippers killed in Saturday’s deadly shooting rampage.
The Washington Post notes that the First Family’s “hastily planned day trip” occurred despite Pittsburgh mayor Bill Peduto and other local officials urging the President to delay his visit until after the dead had been buried.
A number of senior US officials, including the top four congressional leaders, were reportedly invited to accompany Trump on the trip to Pittsburgh, but all of them, including House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, had declined.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Protesters gathering near where Trump laid a wreath of roses from the White House garden were carrying signs bearing slogans such as “Words Matter”, “Strength through Unity”, “Watch Your Words” and “Hate does not work in our Neighbourhoods”.
Critics of the US president have accused him of “fomenting a surge in white nationalist and neo-Nazi activity through divisive rhetoric”, the BBC says, adding that more than 70,000 locals have signed an open letter saying that Trump was “not welcome” in the city unless he “fully denounces white nationalism”.
The alleged shooter, 46-year-old Robert Bowers, posted anti-Semitic hate speech and conspiracy theories online, and reportedly shouted “all Jews must die” before embarking on the 20-minute killing spree. He now faces the death penalty.
-
How will the new Repayment Assistance Plan for student loans work?the explainer The Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) will replace existing income-driven repayment plans
-
In the Spotlight Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been at odds with US forces
-
Music reviews: Ethel Cain, Amaarae, and The Black KeysFeature "Willoughby Tucker, I'll Always Love You," "Black Star," and "No Rain, No Flowers"
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across SyriaTHE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weaponsThe Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarrayIn the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law
