Despite requests to reconsider his Kenosha visit, POTUS proceeded anyway. Promising more funds for law enforcement and the local businesses who were gravely affected.
President Donald Trump toured the affected city of Kenosha, which had been engulfed in fire and chaos following the shooting of Jacob Blake by a police officer. He visited the affected local businesses but did not reportedly meet with Blake nor with his family.
He did, however, met with Julia Jackson’s, Blake’s mother, pastors—James and Sharon Ward. In fact, during President Trump’s roundtable conference, they were the only Black people present.
Donald Trump on Kenosha aftermath
Per Reuters, Trump visited a “burned-out furniture store” and a “makeshift command center,” where the National Guard troops were. He praised them for the response in reinforcing the local police in handling the situation.
President Trump describes that the city of Kenosha was “hit by anti-police, anti-American riot,” during the roundtable conference. Although most of those who were identified to have contributed to the wreckage were not from the city, as confirmed by Attorney General William Barr during the roundtable conference.
Barr stated that out of the 175 arrests made, 100 of them were not from Kenosha. It should be noted, as previously reported, that there have been reports of call for arms in social media platforms to join and head over to Kenosha to serve as vigilantes against the protests.
.@AmbassadorRice on Trump: "I didn’t hear him condemn the killer in Kenosha. I didn’t hear him even condemn what happened to Jacob Blake. What I did see were 90 tweets on Sunday that seemed to encourage vigilantism in Kenosha and Portland." #TribFest20 pic.twitter.com/PNYnVDaVSE
— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) September 2, 2020
In fact, an alleged Trump supporter from Illinois, who was later identified as a teen vigilante, brought a semi-automatic rifle and shot three people in total, with two left dead.
Trump condemns the protests by saying, “These are not acts of peaceful protest, but really domestic terror.” Although, it has been wildly noted that “violent agitators” have hijacked the peaceful protests, which are “often white,” according to the news outlet.
The said hijacking was also acknowledged by Attorney General Barr.
“To stop the political violence, we must also confront the radical ideology,” Trump exerted. “We have to condemn the dangerous anti-police rhetoric.”
Donald Trump swore more funding
Amid the call to “defund the police,” Trump promises to give one million dollars to further support the law police enforcement. Meanwhile, he pledges almost $4 million to help rebuild the damaged local businesses.
In addition, as noted by Reuters, President Donald Trump will further allocate $42 million for “public safety statewide.” As to what this will entail was not thoroughly discussed.
Trump funds law enforcement again.https://t.co/tKSXmbflpD
— David J Harris Jr (@DavidJHarrisJr) September 2, 2020
The roundtable also consisted of representatives from different local business organizations, wherein they described how gravely affected their businesses were. Trump was empathetic to them, repeatedly promising them support in rebuilding their business.
Trump further expressed that there is a need to strengthen support to law enforcement, slamming “reckless far-left politicians” who allegedly “continue to push the destructive message that our nation and our law enforcement are oppressive or racist.”
Featured image courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr