The mayor of Pittsburgh wants President Trump to hold off on his visit until funerals for the victims of the synagogue shooting are completed.
Mayor William Peduto said the focus right now should be on the families who are in mourning following Saturday’s mass shooting at Tree of Life temple in the city’s predominately Jewish Squirrel Hill neighborhood.
“We did try to get the message out to the White House that our priority tomorrow is the first funeral,” Peduto told CNN Monday night.
“I do believe that it would be best to put the attention on the families this week, and if he [Trump] were to visit, choose a different time to be able to do it.”
Trump and first lady Melania Trump are set to travel to Pittsburgh on Tuesday — despite faith leaders penning a scathing letter saying Trump isn’t welcome until he condemns white nationalism.
Tree of Life Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, however, has said he’s open to a visit from the president.
Funerals for Dr. Jerry Rabinowitz, 66, and brothers Cecil and David Rosenthal, 59 and 54, will be held Tuesday. They were among 11 worshipers killed when Robert Bowers allegedly opened fire inside the synagogue. He faces a slew of federal and state charges, including murder.
The rest of the victims will be laid to rest over the week.
“Our focus as a city will be on the families and the outreach that they’ll need this week and the support that they’ll need to get through it,” said Peduto.
He said only when the funerals have wrapped up, “I think there’s the opportunity for presidential visits.”




