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Reuters
President Trump denounced the violent protests after his arrival in Kenosha
US President Donald Trump visited Kenosha, Wisconsin, to support “law enforcement” after police shot a black man, sparking riots and violence.
The Republican president sought to blame local Democratic leaders for the “destruction” of the city.
Kenosha witnessed days of violence after officers shot Jacob Blake in the back.
Polls show Trump is narrowing the gap between himself and his Democratic rival, Joe Biden, ahead of the November presidential election.
Trump is sending a strong message about the establishment of “law and order” ahead of the presidential election, while his rival Biden Trump accused him of fueling the “racial divide.”
What happens in Kenosha?
President Trump visited the areas affected by the protests and met with local business leaders.
“Violent crowds destroyed or damaged at least 25 businesses, burned public buildings and threw stones at police officers,” he told a meeting.
“This is not about acts of peaceful protest, but about internal terrorism.”
Trump defended the actions of the US police and accused the media of focusing only on “bad” incidents involving officers.
He also said his administration would provide nearly $ 4 million to help Kenosha businesses affected by the riots and $ 1 million for law enforcement.
The president met with the police officers, but not with the Blake family. On Monday, he said the reason was that his relatives wanted attorneys to attend.
Earlier, Blake’s father, Jacob Blake Sr., said in an interview with CNN that his son’s life was more important than meeting President Trump.
“I don’t get into politics. It’s about my son, man. It has nothing to do with taking photos,” he added.
Mr. Blake said his son, still paralyzed in his lower half, was “clinging to life.”
A police officer shot Jacob Blake several times in the back during his arrest when the 29-year-old tried to get into a car where his three children were sitting.
Trump’s visit to Kenosha went ahead despite pleas from the mayor and the Democratic governor to avoid it.
The president also claimed without evidence that the city would have been “burned in its entirety” had it not been for the intervention of the National Guard.
Although Trump said he had sent the National Guard to Kenosha, they were deployed by the Wisconsin governor and supported by 200 law enforcement officers on the orders of the president.
“I think a lot of people are looking at what is happening in these Democratic-run cities with disgust,” Trump said before boarding Air Force One for Wisconsin.
Over the weekend, Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian said it was not the right time to visit Trump.
“Realistically, from our point of view, we would have preferred not to come at this time,” he told National Public Radio.
Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers also cautioned against the visit, saying it would “hamper our recovery.”
