White House spokeswoman refuses to say if Trump condemns Kenosha shooting suspect – live

The Trump campaign has responded to Joe Biden’s speech, in which the Democratic nominee argued the president was exacerbating the difficult problems currently facing the country.

But rather than respond to the substance of Biden’s criticism, the Trump campaign instead tweeted a three-second video of the Democrat saying, “You won’t be safe in Joe Biden’s America.”

But Biden was actually quoting the president’s attacks on him. The full quote from Biden was, “Since they have no agenda or vision for a second term, Trump and Pence are running on this: ‘You won’t be safe in Joe Biden’s America’. And what’s their proof? The violence you’re seeing in Donald Trump’s America.”

Kenosha’s Democratic mayor said he did not know if he would meet with Trump tomorrow, when the president visits the Wisconsin city.

Mayor John Antaramian was asked if he thought Trump was using the city as a political prop while protests continue over the police shooting of Jacob Blake.

Antaramian sidestepped that question, instead saying he is hoping for peace for the city as it works to combat racism.

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany was asked earlier today if Trump was going to Kenosha partly because Wisconsin is a swing state, but McEnany insisted the president simply wanted to go where Americans are “hurting.”

Democratic nominee Joe Biden said in his Pittsburgh speech that more police officers have died from coronavirus than have been killed in the line of duty this year.

That is true, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page. Since the start of the pandemic, 93 police officers have died from coronavirus, while 80 officers have died from other causes, such as gunshot wounds, car accidents and vehicular assaults.

Democratic nominee Joe Biden said Trump had acted “subservient” to Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling his behavior “humiliating and embarrassing” for the country.

Specifically addressing voters in Pennsylvania, where energy is a major job provider, Biden repeatedly said, “I am not banning fracking. Let me say that again. I am not banning fracking. No matter how many times Donald Trump lies about me.”

Biden accused Trump of failing to lead as the country faces crises on multiple fronts, arguing the president is running a campaign based solely on fear.

“The current president wants you to live in fear,” Biden said. “He advertises himself as a figure of order. He isn’t.”

The Democratic nominee asserted the president was “poisoning” American values and even “poisoning our very democracy.”

Democratic nominee Joe Biden repeatedly posed this question in his Pittsburgh speech: “Do you really feel safer under Trump?”

Biden lambasted Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic and the recent protests against racism and police brutality.

Despite Trump’s claims that he will protect law enforcement officers, more cops have died from coronavirus than have been killed on patrol this year, Biden noted.

Joe Biden mocked efforts by the president and his allies to paint the Democratic nominee as a socialist who is rooting for violence.

“You know me, you know my heart, you know my story, my family’s story. Ask yourself: do I look like a radical socialist with a soft spot for rioters? Really?” Biden said.

The Democratic nominee once again pointed out that the president’s warnings of danger in “Joe Biden’s America” overlook the violence happening right now, in Donald Trump’s America.

“The simple truth is that Donald Trump failed to protect America, so now he’s trying to scare America,” Biden said.

Speaking in Pittsburgh, Democratic nominee Joe Biden attacked Trump’s handling of the recent protests against racism and police brutality.

Biden said the president is “incapable of telling us the truth,” making him uniquely ill-suited to lead the country through the multiple crises it faces right now.

The Democratic nominee went on to accuse Trump of “fanning the flames rather than fighting the flames” of division in the country.

Biden also condemned recent violence, saying those who are “looting” and “rioting” should not be compared to peaceful protesters.

“None of this is protesting,” Biden said. “It’s lawlessness, plain and simple.”

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany also outlandishly claimed Trump had not seen a video of his supporters using paintballs and pepper spray against Portland protesters.

Here’s the catch: the president himself tweeted out the video this weekend.

The caption of the video reads, “Trump people unload paintballs and pepper spray. They shot me too.”

Democrats were quick to criticize Trump for refusing to condemn the shooting of protesters in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

From Democratic Senator Chris Murphy:

From the former acting solicitor general under Barack Obama:

From a Democratic strategist:

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Trump would not condemn the shooting of protesters in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

McEnany was asked if the president would condemn the actions of Kyle Rittenhouse, a 17-year-old who has been charged with fatally shooting two protesters.

“The president is not going to, again, weigh in on that,” McEnany said.

The press secretary indicated Trump may address the issue later today, during a briefing that was not on the president’s original schedule.

It’s worth noting that Trump has repeatedly “weighed in” on the fatal shooting of a reported member of a right-wing group in Portland since it happened on Saturday night.

Trump does not currently plan to meet Jacob Blake’s family when he visits Kenosha, Wisconsin, tomorrow, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said.

The president is expected to meet with local law enforcement officials and tour damaged property, as protests continue over the police shooting of Blake.

McEnany said Trump condemns all acts of violence, but she also attacked Democratic lawmakers, arguing they need to “step up” to stop violence on the left.

It’s worth noting that Democratic nominee Joe Biden has repeatedly condemned the recent violence.

Here’s where the day stands so far:

• The US surpassed 6 million cases of coronavirus, representing nearly a quarter of all cases confirmed worldwide. The country’s death toll currently stands at 183,203.
• A federal appeals court ruled the case against Michael Flynn could continue for now. The justice department has sought to dismiss the charges against Flynn, even though the president’s former national security adviser already pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI.
• Trump continued his threats of action against Portland two days after a reported member of a right-wing group was fatally shot amid a clash with anti-racism protesters. The president also plans to visit Kenosha, Wisconsin, tomorrow amid protests there over the police shooting of Jacob Blake.

The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.