Joe Biden Criticizes Donald Trump Amid Racial Justice Protests, Fomenting Violence For Political Gain

Democratic nominee Joe Biden on Monday criticized President Donald Trump after racial justice demonstrations in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and Portland, Oregon, claiming Trump is fomenting violence for political gain.

"This president long ago forfeited any moral leadership in this country. He can’t stop the violence — because for years he has fomented it," Biden said in a speech in Pittsburgh. “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."

During the 2016 campaign, Trump had often used the phrase “law and order” and would bring back the slogan in recent months amid nationwide demonstrations. Kyle Rittenhouse, 17, was charged with first-degree intentional homicide after allegedly shooting and killing two people and injuring a third at demonstrations in Kenosha over the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man.

Rittenhouse considered himself to be a militia member, and had attended a Trump rally. Trump has declined to condemn the allegations against Rittenhouse.

"Does anyone believe there will be less violence in America if Donald Trump is re-elected?" Biden continued.

Biden condemned all forms of violence during his address.

“I want to be very clear about all of this — rioting is not protesting,” Biden said. “Looting is not protesting. Setting fires is not protesting. None of this is protesting. It’s lawlessness, plain and simple. And those who do it should be prosecuted. Violence will not bring change, it will only bring destruction. It’s wrong in every way, it divides instead of unites.”

Biden also mocked Trump’s characterization of him as being far-left. The president has frequently referred to Biden as a “trojan horse” for socialist policies.

"Ask yourself: Do I look like a radical socialist with a soft spot for rioters? Really?" Biden said. “I want a safe America. Safe from COVID. Safe from crime and looting. Safe from racially motivated crime and violence. Safe from bad cops. Let me be crystal clear — safe from four more years of Donald Trump.”

In addition, Biden attacked Trump on other issues, noting that the U.S. is on track to have over 200,000 deaths from COVID-19 by mid-September. He accused Trump of attempting to defund Social Security, as Trump has suggested that he would abolish the payroll tax used to finance the safety net program.

On national security, Biden criticized Trump’s relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Biden referred to reports that Russia created bounties for Taliban militants to kill U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan.

“Never before has an American president played such a subservient role to a Russian leader,” Biden said. “It’s not only dangerous, it’s humiliating and embarrassing for the rest of the world to see. It weakens us.”

“Not even American troops can feel safer under Trump,” the former vice president added.

Biden’s speech in Pittsburgh comes after a barrage of attacks towards the Democratic nominee from speakers at the Republican National Convention last week. Biden has been under pressure to make more public appearances to condemn the violence in American cities and strike back at Trump.

Biden told donors last week that he would soon visit swing states such as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Arizona and Minnesota.

Vice President Mike Pence is expected to visit Pennsylvania on Tuesday, with Trump visiting the state on Thursday.