Trump's Plan To Visit The Chaotic Kenosha Has Sparked Concern

Presiden AS Donald Trump (Instagram/@RealDonaldTrump)

JAKARTA - The visit of President of the United States (US) Donald Trump to Kenosha, Wisconsin was criticized by the Democrat Party. Trump, according to Democrats, should not go to the chaotic Kenosha. Meanwhile, Trump said "power" was the only way to deal with unrest.

Since last week, riots broke out in Kenosha, after Jacob Blake, a black man, was shot by police. Launched by Reuters on Monday, August 31, the shooting occurred on August 22. Police shot Blake in front of his three children.

The city of Kenosha is the latest flashpoint for demonstrations against police brutality and racism in the US. This demonstration coincides with Trump's attempt to re-elect as US president in November.

Trump has taken a tough stance against the Kenosha protests. The White House said Trump would visit Kenosha on Tuesday, September 1. Regarding the plan, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers wrote a letter to Trump. The letter outlines his concerns over President Trump's presence in Kenosha.

Evers added in his letter to Trump that he was also concerned that a direct visit from Trump would require a major redirection of the resources that supported Trump's visit. Even though currently Wisconsin is focused on keeping the Kenosha people safe and supporting community responses.

"The White House is honored by the people of Kenosha who welcome the President's visit and long for leadership to support enforcement of local laws and businesses that have been tampered with," White House Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere said in a statement.

On the other hand, the visit raised concerns among the Democratic Party. They felt that the visit could actually exacerbate the dispute.

"They centered the entire convention around creating more hostility and creating more divisions around what happened in Kenosha," said Democrat Mandela Barnes in Wisconsin.

"So I don't know how, given the previous statement made by the president, that he intended to come here to help, and we simply don't need him now," he added.

Republicans have accused the Mayor of Kenosha and the Governor of Wisconsin of losing control of the shocks caused by the demonstrations. The demonstration resolved violence, arson and vandalism.

Anger over the shooting of Jacob Blake sparked three nights of rioting in Kenosha, including clashes between anti-racism protesters and members of the armed militia. A white teenager with a semi-automatic rifle shot three of the demonstrators, killing two of them.

The 17-year-old suspect, Kyle Rittenhouse, was charged with six counts of criminal charges, including first degree murder. The shooting action was recorded in several videos.

Lawyers from Rittenhouse said he acted in self-defense after traveling to Kenosha from his 50 km away home in Antioch, Illinois. They called his prosecution a reactionary push to calm the destructive forces currently rocking the United States.