Joe Biden pushed back against arguments from Vice President Mike Pence, President Trump, and others speaking at this week’s national convention who argue that a Biden presidency would lead to more riots and violence and asserted that right-wing, white supremacist hate groups are responsible for much of the violence in recent riots.
“Is Donald Trump even aware he’s president? These are not images from some imagined ‘Joe Biden’s America’ in the future. These are images from Donald Trump’s America today,” the former vice president and Democratic presidential nominee said in a statement released Thursday, referencing comments from Pence on Wednesday night.
Biden went on to mention that he has condemned recent violence in Kenosha, Wisconsin, during protests and riots sparked by the police shooting of Jacob Blake on Sunday, as well as condemning the nationwide violence and riots sparked by the death of Minneapolis man George Floyd in police custody earlier in the summer.
He then referenced Kyle Rittenhouse, a 17-year-old from just over the Wisconsin border in Illinois close to Kenosha, who was arrested on Wednesday after two people were killed and another was injured in a shooting that took place the previous night. Rittenhouse, whose social media showed that he was part of a police cadet program for young students and a fan of Trump, is shown in video footage before the shooting with other armed vigilantes explaining that he was there to protect local businesses from looting.
“But while I have condemned all forms of violence — police violence, lawless violence and violence perpetrated by extreme, right-wing militia groups — like the groups the 17-year-old just arrested in Illinois for murdering two people in Wisconsin is reputed to have been aligned with,” Biden said. “Trump doesn’t speak out against these extreme right-wing groups. Instead — as he did about Charlottesville — he embraces them.”
“If you’re worried about the violence you’re witnessing, you better be worried about the armed militias — often aligned with white supremacists and white nationalists and Neo-Nazis and the KKK — who are often the source of the biggest trouble,” Biden said.
There is currently no evidence that Rittenhouse is affiliated with white supremacist or neo-Nazi groups.
Much of the organized violence in recent riots and clashes at protests, particularly those in Portland, Oregon, has been blamed on anarchists or “anti-fascist,” or “antifa,” groups and movements.
Other clashes and violence have been blamed on white nationalist extremist groups.
A man who prosecutors said is a Ku Klux Klan leader was sentenced to six years in prison earlier this month after he drove into a group of protesters outside Richmond, Virginia, in June.
Minneapolis, Minnesota, police last month put out a warrant for the arrest of “Umbrella Man,” a person shown on video smashing the windows of an auto parts store that some say was the catalyst for more violence in the city during some of the first protests following Floyd’s death. Police identified him as a member of a white supremacist group that allegedly sought to “incite violence.”
Biden’s full statement is below:
His proof?
The violence you’re seeing in Donald Trump’s America.
Did Mike Pence forget Donald Trump is president? Is Donald Trump even aware he’s president? These are not images from some imagined “Joe Biden’s America” in the future. These are images from Donald Trump’s America today. The violence we’re witnessing is happening under Donald Trump. Not me. It’s getting worse, and we know why.
Donald Trump refuses to even acknowledge there is a racial justice problem in America. To solve this problem, first we have to honestly admit the problem. But he won’t do it. Instead of looking to calm the waters, he adds fuel to every fire. Violence isn’t a problem in his eyes – it’s a political strategy. And the more of it, the better for him.
One of his top White House advisors said it flat out earlier today. “The more chaos and anarchy and vandalism and violence reigns, the better it is for the very clear choice on who’s best on public safety and law and order.” The better it is.
I have made it clear. There is no place for violence, looting, or burning. None. Zero.
All it does it hurt the communities reeling from injustice – and it destroys the businesses that serve them – many of them run by people of color who for the first time in their lives have begun to build wealth for their family.
But while I have condemned all forms of violence – police violence, lawless violence and violence perpetrated by extreme, right-wing militia groups – like the groups the 17-year-old just arrested in Illinois for murdering two people in Wisconsin is reputed to have been aligned with. Trump doesn’t speak out against these extreme right-wing groups. Instead – as he did about Charlottesville – he embraces them.
If you’re worried about the violence you’re witnessing, you better be worried about the armed militias – often aligned with white supremacists and white nationalists and Neo-Nazis and the KKK – who are often the source of the biggest trouble.
I am sure Donald Trump will stand before America and say the same things his vice president said last night. And when he does, remember: every example of violence he decries has happened on his watch. Under his leadership. During his presidency.
And of course, as has been true all week, I’m sure there will barely be a mention of what more than 300 million Americans fear the most right now – contracting COVID-19. 180,000 Americans have lost their lives under this president to this virus.
And there will almost certainly be no mention of the catastrophic impact his failure to deal with the virus has had on this nation’s economy – the millions of people who have lost their jobs, their health care, their homes, their small businesses.
So when Donald Trump says tonight you won’t be safe in Joe Biden’s America, look around and ask yourself: How safe do you feel in Donald Trump’s America?
