Trump Responds to Suspect's Claim He Inspired Attack on Homeless Man

Donald Trump responded Friday to the alleged attacker of a homeless man in Boston who said the attack had been at least partly inspired by the Republican presidential candidate’s firey rhetoric.

In a Tweet Friday afternoon, Trump said he does not condone such behavior, and that while the country needs ”passion, but we must treat each other with respect.”

Trump was responding to a South Boston man who, along with his brother, is accused of beating and urinating on a homeless man in the JFK/UMASS T station Wednesday. Scott Leader, 38, and Steve Leader, 26, both of South Boston, were charged with multiple crimes, including assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery for the purpose of intimidation because of national origin, open and gross lewdness, indecent exposure, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, and threatening to commit a crime, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley announced. Steve Leader was arraigned on an additional count of malicious destruction of property.

After his arrest, Scott Leader credited Trump with inspiring his thinking in attacking the homeless man, according to police reports. He reportedly told officers he and his brother “tuned up” an “illegal immigrant,” and that this behavior was acceptable because the victim was homeless and Hispanic. That opinion, he says, matches with Donald Trump’s platform.

“Donald Trump was right, all these illegals need to be deported,” Scott Leader reportedly said.

Reached by the Daily Beast and informed of Leader’s comments, Trump initially said, “It would be a shame. I will say that people who are following me are very passionate. They love this country and they want this country to be great again. They are passionate.”