Donald Trump: 'Boston Incident Is Terrible... I Would Never Condone Violence'
BOSTON (CBS/AP) - Donald Trump attempted to clarify his remarks Friday about an attack on a Mexican immigrant in Boston earlier this week.
Scott Leader, 38, and his 30-year-old brother Steve were arrested Tuesday night after police say they beat and urinated on the homeless man at the JFK T station on Columbia Road in Dorchester.
According to the State Police arrest report, Scott Leader "stated Donald Trump was right, all these illegals need to be deported."
Trump was asked about the alleged comment by a reporter at an event in New Hampshire Wednesday.
"I haven't heard about that. I think it would be a shame," Trump said. "But I haven't heard about that. I will say the people that are following are very passionate."
That response prompted Robert Trestan, the ADL New England Regional Director, to call on Trump to send a stronger message.
"He should join others in condemning the attack," Trestan told WBZ NewsRadio 1030 Friday.
Trump did that Friday afternoon with a tweet, stating:
"Boston incident is terrible. We need energy and passion, but we must treat each other with respect. I would never condone violence."
Trump, a Republican presidential candidate, has inflamed Latinos by describing Mexican immigrants as "criminals" and "rapists" and saying he would build a wall between the United States and Mexico to crack down on illegal immigration.
He recently said he would deport the millions of people already in the United States illegally, sort them into groups of "good ones" and "bad ones" and then allow those deemed good to re-enter the country.
Mexican officials said they would follow the Boston investigation "very closely" to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
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