'We offered help; help was denied': Mark Meadows says Trump not to blame for riots

by Madison Dibble, Breaking News Reporter | | August 30, 2020

White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said President Trump should not be blamed for the violent riots taking place throughout the nation when local leaders refuse federal assistance.   Meadows accused Meet the Press host Chuck Todd of trying to pin the blame for the unrest on Trump, rather than on local leaders. Meadows said that Trump offered federal assistance to help during the recent riots in Kenosha, but Kenosha and Wisconsin refused that assistance until after two protesters were killed.

"You can try to reframe it that way, Chuck, but that’s just not accurate. I can tell you that when we look at Kenosha and the phone calls that were made to the governor of Wisconsin, we offered help; help was denied," Meadows said. "Obviously there was multiple gunshots, and people lost their life. We made a repeated call then the next day, sent in National Guard, FBI agents, U.S. Marshals to restore peace in Kenosha, Wisconsin. And that’s what needs to happen in Portland," he added.

One man was shot and killed Saturday in Portland where a pro-Trump car caravan clashed with counterprotesters. Meadows criticized state and local leaders allowing the Portland unrest to continue for 94 days and said he hopes the death will convince Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler to accept assistance to restore order.

"You know, it’s interesting to see you frame Portland that way after 94 days. Perhaps now we’re going to act because someone was shot last night. But to suggest that somehow it’s been peaceful in Portland, Chuck, is just not looking at the facts. We’ve had over 200 anarchists, and they’re not peaceful protesters. These are people that every single night conduct violent acts," Meadows said.........To Read More.....