Democrats oppose Trump Wisconsin visit, president says 'strength' only answer

By Nandita Bose and David Morgan

 

A person paints a mural following the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, U.S., August 28, 2020.

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats said Donald Trump should not visit the Wisconsin city where protests erupted last week after a Black man was shot in the back by a white police officer, while the Republican president said "strength" was the only way to deal with unrest.

 

The Aug. 22 shooting of Jacob Blake in front of three of his children turned Kenosha, a mostly white city south of Milwaukee, into the latest flashpoint in a summer of U.S. demonstrations against police brutality and racism ahead of Trump's November reelection bid.

 

Trump has taken a hard stand against the racial protests and the White House said he will visit the Midwestern city on Tuesday, raising concerns among Democrats that this may worsen the strife.

 

"They centered an entire convention around creating more animosity and creating more division around what's going on in Kenosha," Wisconsin's Democratic Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes told CNN, referring to last week's Republican National Convention.

 

"So I don't know how, given any of the previous statements that the president made, that he intends to come here to be helpful, and we absolutely don't need that right now," he added.

 

Critics accuse Trump, who faces Democratic former vice president Joe Biden in the Nov. 3 election, of seeking to exacerbate violence with incendiary rhetoric, while the president has repeatedly called in tweets for "law and order."

 

In a statement on Sunday, Biden accused Trump of "recklessly encouraging violence."

 

"He may believe tweeting about law and order makes him strong – but his failure to call on his supporters to stop seeking conflict shows just how weak he is. He may think that war in our streets is good for his reelection chances, but that is not presidential leadership – or even basic human compassion."

 

Republicans accuse Democratic mayors and state governors of losing control of cities rocked by demonstrations that have seen outbreaks of violence, arson and vandalism.

 

U.S. Representative Karen Bass, a Democrat who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus, said Trump's trip to Kenosha would only increase tensions.

 

"His visit has one purpose and one purpose only, and that is to agitate things," she told CNN's "State of the Union." "We're 66 days from an election and I think it's a tragedy that we have a president that is doing everything he can to fan the flames."

 

Anger over Blake's shooting sparked three nights of unrest in Kenosha, including clashes between anti-racism protesters and armed militia members. On Tuesday, a white teenager with a semi-automatic rifle shot three demonstrators,killing two of them.

 

The 17-year-old suspect, Kyle Rittenhouse, is charged with six criminal counts, including first-degree homicide, in connection with the incident, which was captured in several witness videos.

 

His lawyers say he acted in self-defense after traveling to Kenosha from his home 30 miles (50 km) away in Antioch, Illinois, to help protect businesses during the unrest. They called his prosecution "a reactionary rush to appease the divisive, destructive forces currently roiling this country."

 

Rittenhouse has also received support from some right-wing commentators who have hailed the former YMCA lifeguard as a hero who wanted to help law enforcement.

 

Another flashpoint has been Portland, Oregon, where one person was shot and killed late on Saturday after three months of nightly protests since the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody.

 

The Portland shooting came after a caravan of Trump supporters drove into the downtown area where there were confrontations with protesters, according to videos posted on social media. Police urged the public to let detectives do their work before drawing conclusions about what took place.

 

Trump sent several tweets and retweets at the weekend criticizing Portland's Democratic mayor, Ted Wheeler, and again urging him to request help from federal law enforcement.

 

"The people of Portland, like all other cities & parts of our great Country, want Law & Order," Trump wrote on Twitter on Sunday. "The only way you will stop the violence in the high crime Democrat run cities is through strength!"

 

Biden has defended peaceful protesters, saying justice must be done, but he has repeatedly called for an end to violence. In his statement on Sunday, he called the Portland violence "unacceptable."

 

Asked on CBS' "Face the Nation" whether Trump's social media posts were heightening tensions, acting Homeland Security secretary Chad Wolf said "absolutely not." Pressed on whether local law enforcement should crackdown on violence by pro-Trump groups as well as by anti-racism protesters, Wolf said he wanted them to "address any violent activity."

 

(Reporting by Nandita Bose and David Morgan and Michael Martina; Additional reporting by Arshad Mohammed, David Brunnstrom, Michelle Price and Mike Stone; Writing by Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Daniel Wallis)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-08-31

 

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To my mind, good arguments can be generated by both sides as to whether such a visit should or should not take place.

Emotions are running very high right now, so I would like to think that if Trump does visit, it is after discussion and agreement with the local authorities, along with a solid argument that it will be beneficial to the situation rather than detrimental.

The last thing needed is for any more bloodshed and violence from any side.

There is a terrible rift in society right now, with everyone generally decrying what the other side suggests without ever stopping to analyse things first.

The depth of fear of the other side gaining power, or retaining it is illogical. You have all lived through periods when your team was not running things and while you might not have been happy, it wasn't the apocalypse then, nor will it be in the future.

What is needed is for the two sides to stop their distrust and mudslinging at the opposition and work together to find solutions.

This incident should present an opportunity to try to do what is right for ALL of the citizens it is effecting, not just ones supporters.

A unified approach is the only way this is going to improve, though tough to see that happening unfortunately. Everyone is too firmly in their trenches.

Tough to see how Trump can visit without the full support and genuine welcome of the local powers, and still expect to come away with a positive outcome.

2 hours ago, webfact said:

"They centered an entire convention around creating more animosity and creating more division around what's going on in Kenosha," Wisconsin's Democratic Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes told CNN

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

In a statement on Sunday, Biden accused Trump of "recklessly encouraging violence."

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

U.S. Representative Karen Bass, a Democrat who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus, said Trump's trip to Kenosha would only increase tensions.

 

"His visit has one purpose and one purpose only, and that is to agitate things,"

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Asked on CBS' "Face the Nation" whether Trump's social media posts were heightening tensions, acting Homeland Security secretary Chad Wolf said "absolutely not."

Three to one Democrat vs. Republican quotes on the situation in Wisconsin...way to go "unbiased" media. Despite your best efforts to get him to the White House, candidate Biden is sinking like a stone...

 

The Guardian: Michael Moore warns that Donald Trump is on course to repeat 2016 win.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/29/michael-moore-donald-trump-repeat-2016-warning

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The people of Portland, like all other cities & parts of our great Country, want Law & Order," Trump wrote on Twitter on Sunday. "The only way you will stop the violence in the high crime Democrat run cities is through strength!"

surprised he didn't use the slogan.... Liberate Wisconsin

1 hour ago, darksidedog said:

along with a solid argument that it will be beneficial to the situation rather than detrimental.

wouldn't count on it, that's asking too much/the impossible from Trump

Edited August 31, 20205 yr by Mavideol

Before anything else Trump needs to recognise there is a problem. Suppression is not the answer.

1 hour ago, darksidedog said:

To my mind, good arguments can be generated by both sides as to whether such a visit should or should not take place.

Emotions are running very high right now, so I would like to think that if Trump does visit, it is after discussion and agreement with the local authorities, along with a solid argument that it will be beneficial to the situation rather than detrimental.

The last thing needed is for any more bloodshed and violence from any side.

A good, objective post, darksidedog.  I do think, though, that there could be no such thing as a solid argument for or against as any reason could be validated or invalidated depending on one's political persuasion.

 

My view would be to favour such a visit by Trump.  And my reason would be that, like him or not, he is the President.  Whether that triggers some people negatively their personal reaction should be owned by them and another should not be blamed for their own personal choice of feelings.  What is a major problem in my view is that people have been conditioned to believe that they are not responsible for their personal feelings.  As far as false ideas go this one ranks right up there.  Pandering to that false notion is to enable it.

 

I would reject the idea that a President needs to hide himself from his own people else they become upset.  I would imagine there would be many Wisconsinites who would be supportive of a Trump visit as I'm sure there are residents who do not want him there.  Who do you appease then?  Those who mistakenly believe their emotions are not within their control and could not suffer such a visit lest they feel the need to act out in violence or those who would welcome Trump?

5 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Before anything else Trump needs to recognise there is a problem. Suppression is not the answer.

Look yourself in the mirror first and recognise your own problems.  Hatred blinds.

Expect Trump to be incendiary during his visit. He has already laid down his gauntlet to portray strength and his visit only limit to the police force and burnt sites. No plans for a bipartisan platform with the governor or the mayor and no speech to heal and unify the citizens. He is there for his political agenda of the exploiting division and absolutely nothing to solve the crisis. 

30 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Suppression is not the answer.

And neither is rioting... 

55 minutes ago, ThreeEyedRaven said:

There is a terrible rift in society right now, with everyone generally decrying what the other side suggests without ever stopping to analyse things first.The depth of fear of the other side gaining power, or retaining it is illogical.

It is indeed illogical, but it is the result of propaganda, notably from the mainstream media, which people tend to trust way too much. 

 

The problem with Trump is that he is not part of the political establishment, and therefore is considered unacceptable by the latter (both sides) never mind what he does. 

 

Biden on the other hand is the epitome of political establishment, never mind what he does... not! 

 

In a totally corrupted system, such as the one in D. C., potential troublemakers (drain the swamp) are not welcome, for they might expose the extent of the rot... 

Trump asked asked not to go by the same mayor/governer who refused the federal assistance their own police force requested to help stop the chaos before it even started and while everyone on planet earth KNEW it was going to happen. 

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Trump has taken a hard stand against the racial protests

 

I am a very online person and have never, not once, seen trump take a hard stance against anything other than the rioting and looting happening in these "Protests". 

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

anti-racism protesters

 

More cover. More denial. Theres a sickening underbelly in these protests and the more it is refused and denied its fair mention and role in all this, the more chaos is going to ensue and the bolder the factions become.

31 minutes ago, Brunolem said:

And neither is rioting... 

Nobody claimed that.

 

First step required is that the federal government recogises there is a problem. Reacting to the symptoms, like condemning the knee taking by Kapernick but letting the problem persist, has led to the present situation.

Edited August 31, 20205 yr by stevenl

He certainly is not going there to listen to the issues. So no point going.

27 minutes ago, Brunolem said:

It is indeed illogical, but it is the result of propaganda, notably from the mainstream media, which people tend to trust way too much. 

 

The problem with Trump is that he is not part of the political establishment, and therefore is considered unacceptable by the latter (both sides) never mind what he does. 

 

Biden on the other hand is the epitome of political establishment, never mind what he does... not! 

 

In a totally corrupted system, such as the one in D. C., potential troublemakers (drain the swamp) are not welcome, for they might expose the extent of the rot... 

You nailed it.  

 

And once people are convinced of the propaganda there is no unconvincing them.  For some they'll see with their own eyes and understand.  For others, and there are probably very few (though they are very vocal), nothing will ever get them to change their ideas.

1 hour ago, ThreeEyedRaven said:

There is a terrible rift in society right now, with everyone generally decrying what the other side suggests without ever stopping to analyse things first.

The depth of fear of the other side gaining power, or retaining it is illogical. You have all lived through periods when your team was not running things and while you might not have been happy, it wasn't the apocalypse then, nor will it be in the future.

What is needed is for the two sides to stop their distrust and mudslinging at the opposition and work together to find solutions.

This incident should present an opportunity to try to do what is right for ALL of the citizens it is effecting, not just ones supporters.

A unified approach is the only way this is going to improve, though tough to see that happening unfortunately. Everyone is too firmly in their trenches.

Tough to see how Trump can visit without the full support and genuine welcome of the local powers, and still expect to come away with a positive outcome.

I think the size of this "rift" you speak of is highly exaggerated. We have the law abiding public, the silent majority, sitting at home, afraid to go out or speak up, as a small bunch of rioters wreak havoc throughout US cities, doing what they enjoy without punishment.

 

These rioters should be locked up. You can't talk to them, reason with them, pacify them or "heal them". Trump has to go there to speak to the majority that wants law and order and safety for their family and businesses.

 

Governor Evers and the other Democrats in Wisconsin know that if Trump comes, he wins the state if he hasn't already won it.

 

Being a Democratic publication with quotes from CNN, they conveniently left out (of course) White House Spokesman Judd Deeres response to Governor Evers.

 

"The White House has been humbled by the outreach of individuals from Kenosha who have welcomed the President’s visit and are longing for leadership to support local law enforcement and businesses that have been vandalized," Deere wrote in reply to Evers. "President Trump looks forward to visiting on Tuesday and helping this great city heal and rebuild."

 

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/wisconsin-gov-tells-trump-not-to-come-to-kenosha

 

Many residents in Kenosha have been reaching out for help and will welcome the president. The silent majority. It's ludicrous to think that some loudmouth rioters speak for the city, state and the whole country. It's a few people making a lot of noise and scaring everyone from speaking out. They will speak out on the ballots on November 3.

34 minutes ago, Mama Noodle said:

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Trump has taken a hard stand against the racial protests

I am a very online person and have never, not once, seen trump take a hard stance against anything other than the rioting and looting happening in these "Protests". 

 

<snip>

Mama Noodle just pointed it out in black and white for all to see.  That line is pure, unadulterated propaganda purposely written to promote a reality that doesn't exist and fool people into thinking it's true.  And as W.C. Fields famously and astutely quipped, "There's a sucker born every minute."  Crooked politicians and other corrupt people understand W.C. Fields full well and know they can count on the unthinking and uncritical portion of the population to be easily fooled.

 

We all remember the professor at MIT and an architect of Obamacare, Jonathan Gruber's famous admission, "In terms of risk rated subsidies, if you had a law which said that healthy people are going to pay in, you made explicit healthy people pay in and sick people get money, it would not have passed. Lack of transparency is a huge political advantage. And basically, call it the stupidity of the American voter or whatever, but basically that was really really critical to get for the thing to pass."

 

You can thrust this type of evidence right in people's faces time and time again and still they refuse to recognize that they're simply fools being played.

A troll meme has been removed

"...the Republican president said "strength" was the only way to deal with unrest."

Such a limited mind he has. No brains, so brawn is "the only way".

Maybe he could learn from history... if he could learn. There's the rub.

11 minutes ago, Emdog said:

"...the Republican president said "strength" was the only way to deal with unrest."

Such a limited mind he has. No brains, so brawn is "the only way".

Maybe he could learn from history... if he could learn. There's the rub.

Where could he learn from when all the adults have left the room metaphorically speaking. What’s left are yes and frightened men. Perhaps the Rep party ought to change their name to say Proud Trump Party. 

1 hour ago, stevenl said:

Nobody claimed that.

 

First step required is that the federal government recogises there is a problem. Reacting to the symptoms, like condemning the knee taking by Kapernick but letting the problem persist, has led to the present situation.

That problem being people with outstanding felony warrants attempting to resist arrest (and attempt to reach for weapons in the process)?

48 minutes ago, Emdog said:

"...the Republican president said "strength" was the only way to deal with unrest."

Such a limited mind he has. No brains, so brawn is "the only way".

Maybe he could learn from history... if he could learn. There's the rub.

What a ridiculous comment. I suppose you think the Democrat's approach to widespread rioting, arson, looting, beatings and killings is the answer - burying your heads in the sand and pretending it is not happening, or worse, endorsing it in the hope that it will help you win the election.

 

I've never heard of any soft approach working with thugs. Most civilized countries put these people where they ought to be - in prison. They aren't protestors. Most intelligent protesters would have bowed out long ago. Would you want to protest amongst a group of thugs destroying public property, beating people and looting shops? The Democrats have called a party for all the nation's criminals - enticing them to go out and have fun.

1 hour ago, Tippaporn said:

And as W.C. Fields famously and astutely quipped, "There's a sucker born every minute." 

Except, of course, it was P T Barnum.

He probably shouldn’t bother.  Let the Democratically controlled cities riot and burn.  It’s a local issue, and maybe they’ll stop defunding the police.

trump has got nothting to do there. he is the one igniting the fire with his incendiary tweets and secterian rethoric

12 minutes ago, Isaan sailor said:

He probably shouldn’t bother.  Let the Democratically controlled cities riot and burn.  It’s a local issue, and maybe they’ll stop defunding the police.

That's exactly what the President is doing...let the Democrats snatch defeat from the jaws of victory once again.

4 hours ago, stevenl said:

Before anything else Trump needs to recognise there is a problem. Suppression is not the answer.

then, good luck with that 555

19 minutes ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

That's exactly what the President is doing...let the Democrats snatch defeat from the jaws of victory once again.

The people have spoken in latest poll. Trump took a gamble on portraying strength against protesters failed miserably. Majority have dim view of his crackdown on protests against racial inequality. Another failed attempt following his rather non inspiring and low energy RNC speech.

https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2020-07-31/trumps-law-and-order-approach-falls-flat-poll

4 hours ago, stevenl said:

Before anything else Trump needs to recognise there is a problem. Suppression is not the answer.

A problem wherever the Democrats are in charge