Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden will travel to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Monday where he will address the recurring violence in cities like Kenosha, Wisconsin, his campaign announced Sunday.
Biden will criticize President Donald Trump and ask if voters are safer under his administration, and accuse him fanning “the flames of division” and encouraging violence in cities across the country, Matt Hill, the Biden campaign deputy national press secretary, said in a tweet Sunday.
Biden’s first trip since the virtual Democratic National Convention comes as his campaign faced increasing pressure to directly address and condemn violent riots on the campaign trail, Politico reported.
The former vice president will deliver a contrasting vision to Trump, who has asserted that the violence witnessed in recent weeks is a snapshot into “Biden’s America,” The Hill reported.
Biden, whose campaign released excerpts from his speech Monday morning, will accuse Trump of being incapable to stop the violence because “for years he has fomented it,” and emphasize that what is occurring now is happening nearly four years in his own presidency, The Washington Post reported. (RELATED: Biden Calls For Violence To End Following Jacob Blake Shooting)
The deadly violence we saw overnight in Portland is unacceptable. Shooting in the streets of a great American city is unacceptable.
I condemn violence of every kind by anyone, whether on the left or the right. And I challenge Donald Trump to do the same. https://t.co/JRuI7ya2Wv
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 30, 2020
Trump attacked Biden Sunday night, calling him “weak on crime” in a series of tweets.
Joe Biden is coming out of the basement earlier than his hoped for ten days because his people told him he has no choice, his poll numbers are PLUNGING! Going to Pittsburgh, where I have helped industry to a record last year, & then back to his basement for an extended period…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 31, 2020
The president, who is set to visit Kenosha on Tuesday, according to his campaign, took credit for a decline in violence in the southeastern Wisconsin city over the weekend, claiming that if he had not sent in the National Guard then “there would be no Kenosha.”
If I didn’t INSIST on having the National Guard activate and go into Kenosha, Wisconsin, there would be no Kenosha right now. Also, there would have been great death and injury. I want to thank Law Enforcement and the National Guard. I will see you on Tuesday!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 31, 2020
Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers urged the president to reconsider his travel plans and expressed concern that a visit would “hinder our healing,” according to The Washington Post.
“I’m concerned your presence will only delay our work to overcome division and move forward together,” Evers wrote to Trump on Sunday.
“It is our job as elected officials to lead by example and to be a calming presence for the people we know are hurting, mourning, and trying to cope with trauma. Now is not the time for divisiveness,” Evers wrote.
Seven members of the 23-member Kenosha County Board expressed support for Trump’s visit in their own letter to the president Sunday, Kenosha News reported.
“Kenoshans are hurting and looking for leadership, and your leadership in this time of crisis is greatly appreciated,” the letter said.
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