Trump visits Kenosha, not to urge racial healing but to back police

[webfact]

Trump visits Kenosha, not to urge racial healing but to back police

By Jeff Mason

 

U.S. President Donald Trump talks to reporters as he stands with Kenosha police and business people while examining property damage to a business while visiting the city in the aftermath of recent protests against police brutality and racial injustice and ensuing violence after the shooting of Jacob Blake by a police officer in Kenosha, Wisconsin, U.S., September 1, 2020. REUTERS/Leah Millis

 

KENOSHA, Wis. (Reuters) - President Donald Trump defied requests to stay away and visited Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Tuesday, not to urge racial healing after a white officer shot a Black man in the back but to express support for law enforcement in a city rocked by civil unrest.

 

With the United States polarized over issues of racial injustice and police use of force, Trump is appealing to his base of white supporters with a "law and order" message as opinion polls show him cutting into the lead of his Democratic rival, former vice president Joe Biden.

 

Meanwhile Trump has largely overlooked the racial wounds caused by police use of force and played down the more than 180,000 U.S. deaths from the coronavirus pandemic.

 

The Republican president also threatened to send more federal officers into cities governed by Democratic mayors even if local officials objected, saying, "At some point ... we'll just have to do it ourselves."

 

Trump did not visit Jacob Blake, who was paralyzed from the waist down after a white police officer fired at his back seven times on Aug. 23. He did not meet Blake's family either, but did meet with his mother's pastors.

 

He promised instead to rebuild Kenosha and provide more federal spending to Wisconsin, a political battleground state that Trump won narrowly in 2016 and badly needs to keep in his column as he seeks re-election on Nov. 3.

 

The president visited a burned-out furniture store that was destroyed in the upheaval and then a makeshift command center to praise National Guard troops who were called in to reinforce local police after several nights of peaceful protests gave way to looting, arson and gunfire.

 

"These are not acts of peaceful protest, but really domestic terror," Trump told local business leaders in a high school gym.

 

Peaceful demonstrators have complained that violent agitators, often white, have hijacked their protests with property damage. But many have also sharply criticized the police, saying the United States needs to completely rethink its law enforcement practices.

 

"To stop the political violence, we must also confront the radical ideology. ... We have to condemn the dangerous anti-police rhetoric," Trump said, adding that without his help Kenosha would have "burned to the ground."

 

APPEAL TO 'CHANGE THE HEARTS'

The visit was not completely without empathy. While Trump dodged questions about systemic racism and problems in policing, he did say that he felt "terribly for anybody who goes through that," referring to the police shooting, and that he was honored to meet with the co-pastors of Blake's mother, the only two Black people at Trump's roundtable.

 

Pastor James Ward appealed for greater efforts to "change the hearts of people" and bring healing and peace to the community, while his wife and co-pastor Sharon Ward said, "I think it's important to have Black people at the table to help solve the problem."

 

The state's Democratic governor and the city's Democratic mayor both had urged Trump not to visit so as to avoid inflaming tensions and allow citizens to heal. But when he showed up, the president pledged $1 million (746,658 pounds) in federal support to Kenosha law enforcement, $4 million to small businesses, and $42 million to public safety statewide, contrasting that with leftist calls to "defund the police."

 

Much of the country has rallied to the side of civil rights since George Floyd, a Black man, died on May 25 after a white police officer knelt on his neck. The country was reckoning with that case when Blake was shot as he entered his car on Aug. 23.

 

Kenosha has become one of the flashpoint cities where anti-racist demonstrators have clashed with Trump supporters who have converged on protest sites, sometimes openly carrying arms while vowing to protect property from looters.

 

A 17-year-old Trump supporter has been charged with killing two people and wounding another with a semi-automatic rifle in Kenosha. Trump defended the white teenager, who faces six criminal counts, and declined to condemn violence from his supporters.

 

But in Portland, Oregon, site of three months of nightly protests that have often turned violent, a Trump supporter was shot dead on Saturday and the president lamented that "they executed a man in the street."

 

The president took credit for restoring peace in Kenosha since National Guard and federal law enforcement reinforcements were sent in. Although Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers called in more National Guard troops on his own authority, Trump did send in about 200 federal law enforcement officials.

 

(Reporting by Jeff Mason; Additonal reporting by Andrea Shalal; Writing by Daniel Trotta; Editing by Howard Goller)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-09-02

 

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[thaibeachlovers]

38 minutes ago, webfact said:

Trump did not visit Jacob Blake, who was paralyzed from the waist down after a white police officer fired at his back seven times on Aug. 23. He did not meet Blake's family either, but did meet with his mother's pastors.

He wouldn't because they wanted a lawyer present. Wonder why the article doesn't point that out ( no, I can guess )?

 

39 minutes ago, webfact said:

to express support for law enforcement in a city rocked by civil unrest.

Someone has to support them.

[simple1]

47 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

He wouldn't because they wanted a lawyer present. Wonder why the article doesn't point that out ( no, I can guess )? <SNIP>

why would a president be so scared of having a victim of police violence having his lawyer present at a meeting? trump had thousands of law suits as a private citizen, Now he has the power of the presidency. comes across he's worried meeting a private citizen face to face who wouldn't fawn over him.

[MaxYakov]

He's doing what he should be doing as the chief Federal law enforcement officer, supporting the rule of law, IMHO.

 

Jacob Blake was a victim of his own bad decisions, much like the people who are protesting his shooting during Blake's apparently legitimate arrest. Blake is lucky to have survived his violent resistance to arrest. Many don't, IMHO.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 1, 2020 by MaxYakov

[Matzzon]

I am just surprised he is still alive.

[Tug]

Shows up to play mr law and order (as long as it doesent apply to him) does nothing nada zip zero to address the issue of why the riots happened except gas light the BLM movement and try to stoke fear and division totally un suited for the job of potus come on November enough!

[TopDeadSenter]

The good people of Kensosha are not fooled by carefully editted video footage, this isn't the first time a narrative has been crafted to attack conservatives, only later to spectacularly implode(Sandmann and Smollett for 2 recent examples of this exact thing). Trump's visit is a great show of strength. Potential rioters, looters, and anarchists may not have Kyle to contend with, but not to worry, Trump himself is watching. 

 

"Kenosha GOP chairwoman says '80% of people in the city support teenage gunman Kyle Rittenhouse' - and the remaining 20% are 'probably people that can't stand Trump'"

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8686969/Kenosha-GOP-chair-says-80-people-support-Kyle-Rittenhouse-did.html

[PatOngo]

7 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

"Kenosha GOP chairwoman says '80% of people in the city support teenage gunman Kyle Rittenhouse' - and the remaining 20% are 'probably people that

...........don't own guns or don't support gun violence! 

 

 

Edited September 1, 2020 by PatOngo

[thaibeachlovers]

22 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

...........don't own guns or don't support gun violence! 

 

 

So, the people that depend on the cops to protect them from thugs that seek to destroy their city.

[PatOngo]

3 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

So, the people that depend on the cops to protect them from thugs that seek to destroy their city.

Damn it, wherrrre's ma gun! 

[Pattaya Spotter]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Donald Trump...visited Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Tuesday, not to urge racial healing after a white officer shot a Black man in the back...

"Urge racial healing," what does this even mean...it's just an empty and meaningless platitude of the mainstream media that means nothing. [Note to Reuter's editors and "reporters," I know you want to appear "woke" but the word "black" is a descriptive adjective, not a proper noun, and is therefore not capitalized.]

Edited September 2, 2020 by Pattaya Spotter

[stevenl]

2 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

He wouldn't because they wanted a lawyer present. Wonder why the article doesn't point that out ( no, I can guess )?

 

Someone has to support them.

You think there is any chance Trump's statement after a visit to Blake would have been true? In Blake's position, I would have wanted a lawyer present.

[Mama Noodle]

1 hour ago, simple1 said:

why would a president be so scared of having a victim of police violence having his lawyer present at a meeting?

You mean alleged rapist who was at the house of his victim, who was the one that called the cops. 
 

Trump should NOT meet with Blake. 
 

 

[BritManToo]

1 hour ago, MaxYakov said:

Jacob Blake was a victim of his own bad decisions, much like the people who are protesting his shooting during Blake's apparently legitimate arrest. Blake is lucky to have survived his violent resistance to arrest. Many don't, IMHO.

I can't believe 7 shots in the back takes place during legitimate arrests.

And am tempted to put trolls that suggest such an event is in any way normal or justified on 'ignore'.

Edited September 2, 2020 by BritManToo

[Mama Noodle]

3 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I can't believe 7 shots in the back takes place during legitimate arrests.

And am tempted to put trolls that suggest such an event is in any way normal or justified on 'ignore'.

Nobody said it was “normal” but it was definitely justified. 
 

That’s called an “uncomfortable truth” to some, but the truth nonetheless. 

[jesimps]

Well done Mr President! I have a feeling most of the US will approve of you backing the police, because law and order are the bedrock of any society. This will be the defining reason that you'll walk the upcoming election. I'm also encouraged by the majority support you receive on this forum despite the number of minorities that use it, who normally lean to the left.

[MaxYakov]

3 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I can't believe 7 shots in the back takes place during legitimate arrests.

And am tempted to put trolls that suggest such an event is in any way normal or justified on 'ignore'.

That's for a court of law to determine, if it even gets that far.

 

Apparently, that's what it took to stop him. Do you know where and how many of the shots actually injured (or even hit) Mr. Blake? If you do know please tell us how you know this. Refer to the first sentence, please and volunteer to testify if you do know and tell the court how you know. Do you have any experience shooting people? Just wondering. ????

[Peterw42]

10 minutes ago, jesimps said:

Well done Mr President! I have a feeling most of the US will approve of you backing the police, because law and order are the bedrock of any society. This will be the defining reason that you'll walk the upcoming election. I'm also encouraged by the majority support you receive on this forum despite the number of minorities that use it, who normally lean to the left.

Do you realise your president probably doesn't read Thaivisa ?? A good chance he wont see your personal congratulations message to him.

I think you may also find both sides of politics back the police, except were it results in someone being unnecessarily killed during an arrest 

Edited September 2, 2020 by Peterw42

[BritManToo]

4 minutes ago, MaxYakov said:

Apparently, that's what it took to stop him. Do you know where and how many of the shots actually injured (or even hit) Mr. Blake? If you do know please tell us how you know this. Refer to the first sentence, please and volunteer to testify if you do know and tell the court how you know. Do you have any experience shooting people? Just wondering. ????

If a policeman can't get every bullet in the target, while holding the target in his other hand, he shouldn't be carrying a gun.

On ignore now.

Edited September 2, 2020 by BritManToo

[bendejo]

He would have mooned the demonstrators but it's difficult with the diaper.

 

 

[Enzian]

The problem here is that this more an editorial or opinion piece than a work of reporting. I've been trying to find a balanced non-biased news site or two to look at, in the middle, and it's getting harder and harder. Reuters and AP almost make it sometimes, and then something like this appears. And it's not like I don't listen to the left; because of my background I have hundreds of people I know who are are far left as it gets, absolute antifa. A guy I know once looked at us and said the only good cop is a dead cop. OK with me if he feels that way. I also read Breitbart. Where do we go?

[Isaan sailor]

A sitting President should not have to negotiate with criminals or domestic, well-funded terrorists.

[Berkshire]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The president took credit for restoring peace in Kenosha since National Guard and federal law enforcement reinforcements were sent in. Although Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers called in more National Guard troops on his own authority, Trump did send in about 200 federal law enforcement officials.

Typical Trump, taking credit for something he had nothing to do with.  Trump is such a lying sack of sht.

 

[Although Trump suggested he helped quell the violence by sending the National Guard, it was Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers who activated the state’s National Guard and asked for help from Arizona, Michigan and Alabama, which sent Guard troops.]

 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/09/01/trump-kenosha-president-praise-police-tour-damage-wisconsin/5679029002/

 

[johnray]

I agree with U.S. President Donald Trump.  We need to support the police.

[Jingthing]

5 minutes ago, johnray said:

I agree with U.S. President Donald Trump.  We need to support the police.

So does president to be elected Joe Biden.

[Jingthing]

12 minutes ago, Isaan sailor said:

A sitting President should not have to negotiate with criminals or domestic, well-funded terrorists.

Are you talking about his many close associates that turned out to be convicted felons?

[Pattaya Spotter]

1 hour ago, stevenl said:

You think there is any chance Trump's statement after a visit to Blake would have been true? In Blake's position, I would have wanted a lawyer present.

It shows they didn't want to genuinely meet the president but to turn it into a political stunt...there is no reason to have a lawyer present for a personal meeting. If anyone, they could have suggested a faith leader.

[simple1]

2 hours ago, Tug said:

Shows up to play mr law and order (as long as it doesent apply to him) does nothing nada zip zero to address the issue of why the riots happened except gas light the BLM movement and try to stoke fear and division totally un suited for the job of potus come on November enough!

 

 

 

 

Plus trump lied again claiming he was responsible for re-establishing order, it was the democratic governor who had already ordered the national guard in.

Edited September 2, 2020 by simple1

[simple1]

1 hour ago, Mama Noodle said:

You mean alleged rapist who was at the house of his victim, who was the one that called the cops. 
 

Trump should NOT meet with Blake. 
 

 

No - kindly cease your disinformation efforts.

[b17]

Portland Mayor's statement after learning that Trump is planning to visit Kenosha. Thank goodness there is still some sanity within the USA...

 

‘Do you wonder why America, in the first time in decades, has seen this level of violence? It’s you who have created this level of hate and division. It is you who have not found a way to say the names of Black people killed by police officers even as people in law enforcement have. And it’s you who claimed white supremacists are good people. Your campaign of fear is as anti-democratic as anything that you’ve done to create hate and vitriol in our beautiful country. You’ve tried to divide us more than any other figure in modern history. And now you want me to stop the violence that you helped create.’