2020 Race: Joe Biden – Trump has fomented violence for years

Joe Biden accuses Donald Trump of letting his supporters act as an armed militia.

Joe Biden speaks in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Picture: AFP.

Joe Biden has accused Donald Trump of letting his supporters act as an armed militia, saying the president is deliberately fanning the flames of deadly violence on the streets of American cities.

In a major speech in Pittsburgh, the Democrat candidate delivered his strongest rebuke yet of the deadly street violence plaguing several US cities in an attempt to nullify claims by the president that he is weak on law and order.

“This president long ago forfeited any moral leadership in this country. He can’t stop the violence — because for years he has fomented it,” Mr Biden said. “He may believe mouthing the words law and order makes him strong, but his failure to call on his own supporters to stop acting as an armed militia in this country shows you how weak he is.”

Joe Biden delivers pizzas to Pittsburgh Firefighters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Picture: AFP.

Mr Biden was speaking after a pro-Trump supporter was shot dead in a clash with protesters in Portland and after two people were killed last week in vigilante-style shootings in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

“He’s got no problem with the right-wing militias and white supremacists and vigilantes with assault weapons – often better armed than the police, often in the middle of the violence – at these protests,” Mr Biden said.

He denounced the street violence in Portland, Kenosha and other cities which Mr Trump has blamed on weak Democrat mayors and Governors.

“Rioting is not protesting. Looting is not protesting. Setting fires is not protesting. None of this is protesting. It’s lawlessness, plain and simple,” Mr Biden said.

“These are images of Donald Trump’s America today. He keeps telling you if only he was president, it wouldn’t happen … He keeps telling you, if he was president you’d feel safe. Well, he is president, whether he knows it or not.”

Mr Trump, who will visit Kenosha on Wednesday (AEST), renewed his attack on Mr Biden and Democrat-run cities, saying; “The Radical Left Mayors & Governors of Cities where this crazy violence is taking place have lost control of their ‘Movement.’ It wasn’t supposed to be like this, but the Anarchists & Agitators got carried away and don’t listen anymore – even forced Slow Joe out of basement!”

The Radical Left Mayors & Governors of Cities where this crazy violence is taking place have lost control of their “Movement”. It wasn’t supposed to be like this, but the Anarchists & Agitators got carried away and don’t listen anymore - even forced Slow Joe out of basement!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 31, 2020

In another tweet he wrote: “When is Slow Joe Biden going to criticise the Anarchists, Thugs & Agitators in ANTIFA? When is he going to suggest bringing up the National Guard in BADLY RUN & Crime Infested Democrat Cities & States? Remember, he can’t lose the Crazy Bernie Super Liberal vote!”

Mr Biden’s decision to travel from his home in Wilmington Delaware to Pittsburgh, in the swing state of Pennsylvania, for the speech was part of his promise to campaign in person in the battleground states. But even then there were no spectators at his speech.

Mr Biden challenged Mr Trump’s portrayal of him at last week’s White House speech as a puppet of the radical left who has refused to condemn the riots in US cities.

Strict social distancing measures were in place as Joe Biden spoke. Picture: AFP.

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

“Our current president wants you to live in fear. He advertises himself as a figure of order. He isn’t.

”He doesn’t want to shed light. He wants to generate heat. He’s stoking violence in our cities. That is the tragic fact of the matter about this perilous hour in our nation,” he said.

Mr Trump has made law and order in cities a key campaign theme in a move which Republican strategists believe will help improve Mr Trump’s low approval rating among suburban women

Democrat strategists have been anxious for Mr Biden to forcefully condemn the violence to try to nullify the law and order issue and enable them to focus voter attention on Mr Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Mr Trump – you want to talk about fear? Do you know what people are afraid of in America? Mr Biden said.

“They’re afraid they’re going to get COVID. They’re afraid they’re going to get sick and die. And that in no small part is because of you … More cops have died from COVID this year than have been killed on patrol.”

Mr Trump said he would visit Kenosha despite local authorities warning that his visit would only deepen the divisions in the city.

Protests in Kenosha last week turned violent following the police shooting of African American man Jacob Blake, with rioters burning businesses down and destroying cars and other property.

The following night a 17 year old was arrested and charged with murder when he shot two protesters dead after claiming he was patrolling the streets to help protect a business and to protect people.

(Cameron Stewart is also US Contributor for Sky News Australia)