President Donald Trump escalated his criticism of the “radical left” over efforts to remove statues of historical figures linked to slavery during a rally in Michigan, as the state’s governor said his rhetoric has endangered her and her family.
Trump told supporters in Muskegon on Saturday that one of the most important issues in his race against Democrat Joe Biden is “the radical left’s plan to erase American history, purge American values and destroy the American way of life and that’s what they’re trying to do.”
He mocked discussions about removing statues that have gained currency in recent months after nationwide protests drew attention to police brutality against people of color.
“This election will decide whether we preserve our magnificent heritage or whether we allow far left radicals to wipe it all away,” he said.
Earlier this month, federal authorities charged right-wing militia members in connection with a plot to overthrow the government of Michigan by storming the Capitol, kidnapping Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and trying her for treason. Whitmer, a Democrat, blamed Trump for creating an environment that encourages radical criminal behavior.
“You got to get your governor to open up your state,” Trump said at the Muskegon rally. The crowd responded with a “lock her up” chant, to which Trump replied “lock ‘em all up.”
During Trump’s rally on Saturday, Whitmer tweeted: “This is exactly the rhetoric that has put me, my family, and other government officials’ lives in danger while we try to save the lives of our fellow Americans. It needs to stop.”
@GovWhitmer
This is exactly the rhetoric that has put me, my family, and other government officials’ lives in danger while we try to save the lives of our fellow Americans. It needs to stop.Acyn Torabi@AcynThe President mentions the Governor of Michigan, the crowd chants lock her up, and the President says lock them all up
12:14 AM · Oct 18, 2020
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