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The White House vehemently rejected the suggestions of President Donald Trump's speech that could be at the origin of a massive shootout in a Pittsburgh synagogue.
Sarah Sanders, press secretary, said Monday that it was "outrageous" to imply that Mr. Trump or his language was responsible.
She added that the president and the first lady would travel to Pennsylvania on Tuesday, where 11 people died on Saturday.
The armed suspect Robert Bowers appeared for the first time in court.
Mass shooting is called the worst antisemitic attack in the history of the United States.
"The president is not responsible for these acts," Sanders said repeatedly during Monday's press conference, when a reporter told him that the president's rhetoric might play a role in the Pittsburgh attack or in a recent post bomb alert.
"I think it's irresponsible to blame the president and the members of his administration for these heinous acts."
Progressive Jewish leaders called on the president to soften his tone in an open letter that now has close to 40,000 signatures.
The letter states that the president is "not welcome to Pittsburgh" until he completely denounces white nationalism.
Chained to a wheelchair
Analysis of Jane O 'Brien, BBC News
Robert Bowers arrived tied to a wheelchair, wearing a blue shirt. His hands were untied to allow him to sign his name.
It's good, I can scribble, he says.
The hearing lasted only a few minutes and allowed to set Thursday the date on which the prosecution will present evidence.
He leaned slightly and looked down when the judge asked him if he wanted to hear the complaint against him.
His lawyers refused and Mr. Bowers was placed under the sheriff's custody without bail. He faces charges of murder and aggression at the federal level that could result in the death penalty.
He was shot and wounded during an exchange of gunfire with the police while he was attempting to leave the synagogue of the Tree of Life, where he allegedly killed 11 worshipers during the worst crime of hatred committed against the Jews in America.
The press secretary's voice was heard with emotion as she spoke of how the president "adores" Jewish Americans.
What happened in court?
During his first court appearance Monday, Mr. Bowers – who was injured during a shootout with police during the shooting – gave up his detention hearing and asked a public defender, to reported the US media.
A team of snipers and police teams with dogs were part of the strong security presence at the federal courthouse when the 46-year-old truck driver appeared.
The alleged gunman spoke very little, giving only his name, recognizing the charges against him and stating that he could not afford a lawyer.
He faces 29 charges, including interfering with the exercise of religious beliefs that resulted in death – a hate crime.
Federal prosecutors are considering asking for the death sentence against the suspect. He must appear in court on November 1st.
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Who are the victims?
Eight men and three women were killed at the Tree of Life synagogue.
They were between 54 and 97 years old. The faithful were well-known devotees. Many had been to the synagogue since childhood.
Allegheny County Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Karl Williams, said that two brothers and a husband and a wife are among the dead.
- Joyce Fienberg, 75
- Richard Gottfried, 65
- Rose Mallinger, 97
- Jerry Rabinowitz, 66
- Cecil Rosenthal, 59
- David Rosenthal54 years old, brother of Cecil
- Bernice Simon, 84
- Sylvan Simon86 years old, husband of Bernice
- Daniel Stein, 71
- Melvin Wax, 88
- Irving Younger, 69
The first funeral will be held on Tuesday for Cecil and David Rosenthal.
Shooting in Pittsburgh: Who were the victims?
Copyright of the image
Reuters
A woman reacts in front of a makeshift memorial in front of the Synagogue of the Tree of Life after Saturday's shootings
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