Trump claims suspected teen gunman acted in self-defense, ‘leftist political violence’


Ahead of his visit to Wisconsin, President Trump admitted to claiming that the teenager, who was accused of firing on two protesters last week and injuring another, was acting in self-defense – as he ripped out Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and other Democrats. Accused. “Left-wing political violence.”

During a White House press briefing, Trump appeared to support the claim that 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse was working in self-defense – saying the teenager had been trapped and “would probably have been killed” if he hadn’t used it. His weapon.

Trump said, ‘He was in very big trouble. “He would probably have been killed.”

The defendant’s legal team claims he was working in self-defense. The social media video shows Rittenhouse, who is accused of murder, being chased before falling and firing on his pursuers.

Kyle Rattenhouse, left, with a hat on the back, walked down Sheridan Road in Canosha, Wisconsin, on Tuesday.  Prosecutors on Thursday indicted Electro's 17-year-old Rittenhouse in connection with the fatal shooting of two protesters and the injury of a third in Kesosha, Wisconsin, during a night of unrest following a police shooting of Jacob Blake last week.  (Via Adam Rogan / The Journal Times AP)

Kyle Rattenhouse, left, with a hat on the back, walked down Sheridan Road in Canosha, Wisconsin, on Tuesday. Prosecutors on Thursday indicted 17-year-old Rittenhaus of Illinois in connection with the fatal shooting of two protesters and the wounding of a third in Kesosha, Wisconsin, during a night of unrest following a police shooting of Jacob Black last week. (Via Adam Rogan / The Journal Times AP)

Amid protests of racial injustice and police brutality, the president on Monday also sought to bind Biden and his party in unrest across the country, noting that “unrest is taking place in Democrat-run cities.”

Violence is provoked by the rhetoric of far-left politicians, Trump said. “Stormy and JB are on Biden’s side and they’re both radically to the left.”

Biden issued a statement after the press conference criticizing Trump over his remarks on Rittenhouse: “Tonight the president refused to reprimand the violence. He will not deny any of his supporters, who have been charged with murder for assaulting another. He is very weak, afraid of the one he hates and he has awakened to put an end to it. “

Trump’s remarks came a day after he was protesting the police shooting in Kenosha, Whiskey, the city of Jacob Blake, a black man who was shot seven times in the back, to which police responded. . Domestic dispute and firing of protesters.

Protesters are calling the officer who officials say Blake – Rusten Shesky – has been fired and faces murder charges.

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Blake’s death sparks new protests against racial injustice and police brutality Months after George Floyd’s death, when he was detained by Minneapolis police officers, the race was widely counted.

Democrat Kenosha and Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers both said they believe Trump’s visit comes at a bad time. Evers urged Trump not to send a letter, saying the visit would “delay our work to overcome divisions and move forward together.”

Trump will not meet with Blake’s family during Campo’s visit, saying during a press briefing Monday that the family’s lawyer wanted to be on the phone and that the president “did not consider it appropriate.”

The president and other Republicans have tried to slam the far-left groups, such as Antifa, for the violence and upheaval, and have tried to tie Biden to the more radical wing of the Democratic Party amid unrest.

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Trump added Monday that if Biden is elected, he will “give Antifa whatever they want.”

When asked about the weekend violence in Portland, Ore – where a presidential supporter was shot dead after a large convoy of Trump supporters and opponents of Black Lives Matter – Trump insisted his supporters were there. Peaceful protest. ”

Videos taken before the shooting show people breaking up for a fist fight and Trump supporters running bear sprays and paintballs on counters, which in turn throw objects at trucks and try to block their progress by standing at intersections.

When questioned by a reporter, Trump also refused to condemn the violence and unrest caused by quarrels between his supporters and defendants, arguing that “paint is not a bullet” and that it is “a defensive mechanism.”

The president’s remarks come hours after Biden accused Trump of “poisoning” the nation’s values, while he condemned the violence in recent protests on Monday and blamed Trump for the war of blame.

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In his most direct attacks so far, Biden has accused Trump of causing divisions to provoke violence, delivering a reckless bursting speech in Pittsburgh and distancing himself from the radical forces involved in the boycott.

He said of Trump, “They don’t want to shed light, they want to generate heat, and they’re running violence in our cities. They can’t stop the violence, because they’ve obscured it for years.”

Biden also accused Trump of being too “weak” to tell his own supporters to stop working as an “armed force.” And he leaned over his 47-year career in politics to defend himself against Republican attacks.

“You know me. You know my heart. You know my story, the story of my family. Ask yourself: Do I feel like a soft-spoken fundamentalist socialist for the rioters? Really? ”

The Associated Press contributes to this report.