Kellyanne Conwaysuggested that what she sees as late-night comedians’ “anti-religiosity” was a motivator for the massacre thatkilled 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogueon Saturday.
“And remember, these people were gunned down in their place of worship, as werethe people in South Carolinaseveral years ago, and they were there because they’re people of faith, and it’s that faith that needs to bring us together,” she continued. “This is no time to be driving God out of the public square, no time to be making fun of people.”
Suspected shooterRobert Bowersallegedly killed worshipers during a Shabbat service at the Tree of Life synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood. The deadincluded siblings, a husband and wife and a 97-year-old woman. Four responding police officerswere among the six people wounded.
Bowers has been charged with 29 federal crimes, most of whichcarry a maximum penalty of death, U.S. Attorney Scott Brady told reporters Sunday.
The Internet was quick to react.The Daily Showtweeted, “Hey @KellyannePolls, if late night shows are so anti-religious, why did God create TEN THOUSAND of them?”
Earlier in the interview, Conway defended PresidentDonald Trump‘s response to the shooting and pushed back against accusations that his harsh political rhetoric has encouraged violence and contributed to the shooting.
RELATED VIDEO: SWAT Team Evacuates Tree of Life Synagogue After Shooter Open Fires During Morning Service
“He denounced anti-Semitism in all forms. He said we must rise above this evil. He’s called for the death penalty for this murderer in Pittsburgh who gunned down 11 innocent people because of their faith, and he said the word ‘anti-Semitism,’ ‘anti-Semite’ any number of times,” Conway said.
“This president is asking us to rise above it and asking us to come together and unify as a nation, and anybody who’s saying he isn’t isn’t listening,” she said.
On Monday, Trump tweeted that the “anger” in the United States was “in part” due to the media.
Trump and First LadyMelania Trumpwill go to Pittsburgh on Tuesday to visit with victims’ families, according to a pool report. More than 35,000 people had signed a letter asking Trump not to visit Pittsburgh until he speaks out against white nationalism,The Washington Postreported.
source: people.com
