2LT International News

WASHINGTON, U.S. – As the suspect in a case that has become the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in American history, was brought before a federal court on Monday, in Washington, a storm was brewing over the serious impact of U.S. President Donald Trump’s rhetoric.

The suspect in the case, 46-year-old Robert Bowers, made an appearance at a federal courtroom on Monday, and was ordered to be held without bond after shooting and killing 11 people.

Bowers acknowledged 29 charges against him two days after he opened gunfire at the Tree of Life synagogue.

Charges against the suspect, if proven, could even lead to his execution.

Bowers, who had suffered a gunshot wound in the attack, was set to get a court-appointed attorney.

His next hearing has been scheduled for Thursday. 

Bowers was revealed to have had a long history of posting anti-Semitic material online.

After the arraignment, U.S. Attorney Scott Brady said, “Robert Bowers murdered 11 people who were exercising their religious beliefs.

He added that a grand jury would hear details of the crime within 30 days.

‘Outrageous’ to link Trump

However, the attack that took place on Saturday, is being defined as the deadliest anti-semitic attack in the history of the country.

Many critics of the President have blamed his rhetoric for encouraging right-wing extremism, which triggered the shocking attack against America’s Jewish community.

On Monday, the Trump administration angrily rejected the accusation, with the White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders arguing that it was “outrageous” to suggest that “Trump or his language was at all responsible.”

Sanders told reporters, “The president is not responsible for these acts. I think it’s irresponsible to blame the president and members of his administration for those heinous acts.”

However, in an open letter that received 40,000 signatures, progressive Jewish leaders have called on Trump to soften his tone.

In the letter, Jewish leaders wrote that the president is “not welcome in Pittsburgh” until he fully denounces white nationalism.

Sanders, however, told the media that Trump and the first lady were scheduled to visit Pennsylvania on Tuesday.