Donald Trump Jr. Says Democrats Have 'Lost Control to the Radical Left'
Donald Trump Jr. said the Democrats have "lost control to the radical left" amid ongoing civil unrest and scenes of violence across the United States.
The Quote
Speaking to Sean Hannity on Fox News, the president's eldest son said:
"They had one week in that hate-filled, I hate America Zoom call that was the DNC to have a single person denounce the violence, the rioting that's going on and they took a total pass. They didn't even question it. It's just fine.
"Remember, it's the Democrats in America right now that it's okay for you to rob someone store, but if you open up your story to put food on your table, you're going to go to jail, you're going to be arrested, you're going to lose your business license.
"That's the Democrat's America because they've lost control to the radical left."
Why it Matters
Protests against police brutality continue across America and some people are using them as a springboard for acts of violence, such as looting and vandalism.
President Donald Trump and his allies at the Republican National Convention have touted a forceful message on law and order. They argued that if Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden were to win the election, America would not be safe.
It is a message they continue to push amid the recent bout of unrest. Biden has reflected the accusation back at Trump, saying the president has stoked violence and that it would only get worse under a second term. Both candidates say they can keep America safe.
Law and order is set to be a prominent issue in voters' minds on November 3. Trump, who trails Biden in the polls, is using his hardline stance as a bid to win over much-needed support.
Trump and allies have also suggested the violence is being carried out by far-left agitators who are exploiting protests, with a particular focus on the group Antifa.
The Counterpoint
In a Pittsburgh speech on Monday, Biden condemned the violence and said there is a difference between such acts and legitimate protest.
"Rioting is not protesting. Looting is not protesting. Setting fires is not protesting. None of this is protesting. It's lawlessness—plain and simple," Biden said.
"Violence will not bring change, it will only bring destruction. It's wrong in every way."
After Trump said the nation would not be safe under Biden, the Democrat highlighted the fact that Trump is currently president: "Do you really feel safer under Donald Trump?"
Biden has also said the president should condemn the actions of some of his own supporters.
"Donald Trump 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," Biden tweeted on Monday.
Newsweek has contacted the Trump and Biden campaigns for comment.
