8/31/2020

NATIONAL GUARD/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: [Reporter: “Mr. President, are you giving any consideration — or did you give any consideration to the governor and mayor’s request not to come to Kenosha tomorrow?”]

“No, because Kenosha was something we did a good job on. The governor didn’t want us there. He didn’t want the National Guard, as you know. He was very reluctant. But I give him credit because, ultimately, he said yes. And as soon as he said yes, the problem ended.

But I have to see the people that did such a good job for me. And we’re meeting with numerous people. And we have tremendous support in the state of Wisconsin. So I promised them, when it all gets taken care of, we’ll go.”

[Reporter: “They expressed concerns though that it could exacerbate tensions and increase violence. Do you give any consideration to that?”]

“Well, it could also increase enthusiasm and it could increase love and respect for our country. And that’s why I’m going, because they did a fantastic job. As soon as I called and told them, ‘Let’s go,’ the whole problem stopped. That was — what? — six days ago.”

-Donald Trump, “Remarks by President Trump in Press Briefing | August 31, 2020,” whitehouse.gov, Aug. 31, 2020