The latest on the deadly shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue

The mass shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburgh and the mailing of 14 pipe bombs to prominent democrats and critics of President Trump is fueling a conversation about leadership in the United States.

McMaster University professor Dr. Henry Giroux once lived in the Squirrel Hill neighbourhood where the shooting took place over the weekend and says there’s been a rise in alt-right behaviour south of the border.

“I’m not saying that Trump is responsible, I’m saying that he creates a climate of hate that legitimates and makes it possible,” said Giroux.

The Pittsburgh massacre ended a violent week in the U.S. In addition to the mass shooting, 14 pipe bombs were mailed to top democrats and Trump critics.

On Monday, the White House said the President is not to blame. “The only person responsible for carrying it out either of these heinous acts were the individuals who carried them out,” said White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders.

Giroux believes there has been a resurgence in the alt-right movement since Trump was elected.

The suspected gunman also used a social network site called Gab. It bills itself as a “free speech” network but it’s known to attract white supremacists and the alt-right. The website has been taken down and visitors are greeted with a message telling users they will be back soon.

Giroux says websites like Gab need to be held to account for widening and encouraging hate. According to the CEO of the site, when Twitter strengthened its policy against “hateful conduct” back in 2016, Gab gained 60,000 users in a week.