Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
Vice President Mike Pence, speaking Wednesday in St. Louis, issued a stern condemnation of vandalism at a local Jewish cemetery. At least 100 tombstones were found toppled over at the Chesed Shel Emeth Society in a St. Louis suburban neighborhood. That same day, multiple Jewish community centers around the country received bomb threats. “On Monday morning America awoke to discover nearly 200 tombstones were toppled at a nearby Jewish graveyard,” he told a crowd at a local Caterpillar plant. “We condemn this vile act of vandalism and those who perpetrated it in the strongest possible terms. And let me say it's been inspiring to people all across this country to see the way the people of Missouri have rallied around the Jewish community with compassion and support. You have inspired this nation with your kindness and your care.” President Trump had previously been criticized for offering tepid or dismissive responses when asked about the rise of anti-Semitic vandalism around the country. On Tuesday, however, he issued a statement calling the recent wave “horrible” and “painful.” Later, while visiting the actual cemetery, Pence said: “There is no place in America for hatred or acts of prejudice or violence or anti-Semitism.”