Here & Now

Trump and Biden Visit Kenosha Following Weeks of Protests

Frederica Freyberg:

The protests in Kenosha this week have been largely peaceful. So much so that officials ended the 7:00 p.m. nightly curfew. But attention to the city was renewed as President Donald Trump and candidate Joe Biden visited, talking racial disparities and policing. Will Kenneally has the story.

Will Kenneally:

The streets of Kenosha were filled again this week as presidential politics descended on the city in the wake of the Jacob Blake shooting. The president was in the city Tuesday touring damage caused by violent protests and speaking with local law enforcement. The visit was contrasted two days later when Democratic candidate Joe Biden visited Kenosha to speak with the Blake family and community members. The family, however, was not inclined to speak with the president.

Justin Blake:

We don’t have any words for the orange man. All I ask is that he keep his disrespect, his foul language far away from our family. We need a president that’s going to unite our country and take us in a different direction.

Will Kenneally:

The two men offered different visions for a path forward as Kenosha begins to heal. Trump offered support for law enforcement and those affected by the violence.

Donald Trump:

We must give far greater support to our law enforcement. It’s all about giving them additional support. These are great people. These are great, great people. These are brave people. They’re fighting to save people they never met before in many cases.

Will Kenneally:

Biden offered a vision for how to address racial disparities in the country.

Joe Biden:

If I get elected president, I promise you there will be a national commission on policing out of the White House, where I’ll bring everyone to the table.

Will Kenneally:

The two visits fall amid a contentious presidential election. In 2016 Kenosha County was won by Donald Trump with just a few hundred votes. The protests themselves have also become a wedge issue. The president has championed law and order but now trails Biden in his handling of criminal justice.

Crowd:

Hands up! Don’t shoot!

Will Kenneally:

Support for racial justice protests have also fallen in Wisconsin among the most recent Marquette Law School Polls. The politics of the event struck a chord with Wisconsin leaders who asked the candidates to let Kenosha heal.

Tony Evers:

I would prefer no one be here, whether it be candidate Trump or candidate Biden.

Will Kenneally:

And comes as Wisconsin politicians work to move forward on policing reform legislation. The state legislature convened a gubernatorial-ordered special session Monday, taking a bipartisan step to not immediately gavel out the session. The bills proposed by Evers would create statewide use of force standards and more oversight. The GOP proposal has some overlaps and would add penalties for violence against first responders. Republicans say the bills will take time to vet but Democrats want quicker action.

Lena Taylor:

I appreciate the concept of not trying to rush anything, but I also understand the sense of urgency.

Woman:

Oh, yeah.

Lena Taylor:

It’s a difference. So waiting til January is not quite it.

Will Kenneally:

All the while, leaders call for action.

Justin Blake:

We going to make some big changes that affect all the little Jakes around this nation, so their parents can let their children go outside the door, play in the yard, go down the street, drive the vehicle and not have to worry about police officers that might do them in, that might disallow them from getting back to their families or shoot them in the back seven times.

Will Kenneally:

Reporting from Kenosha, this is Will Kenneally for “Here & Now.”