Donald Trump Defends Supporters, Blames Violent Portland Clashes On Joe Biden And Allies

Donald Trump is standing by his supporters amid reports of their involvement in the deadly street clashes in Portland, Oregon over the weekend.

Supporters of Donald Trump allegedly fired paint pellets during a confrontation with counter-protesters in Portland on Sunday. During the clashes, a member of the right-wing group later identified as Aaron Danielson was killed by a self-declared antifa member. No arrest was made following the incident.

Asked for comments about the involvement of his supporters in the recent incidents of violence across the U.S., Trump pointed out that his fans only acted in self-defense. He also blamed the civil disorder on Joe Biden and his allies, saying that his Democratic White House contender has done nothing to disavow far-left activists accused of instigating violence.

“Well, I understand they had large numbers of people that were supporters, but that was a peaceful protest,” said Trump. “Paint as a defensive mechanism, paint is not bullets. Your supporters, and they are your supporters indeed, shot a young gentleman who—and killed him, not with paint, but with a bullet. And I think it’s disgraceful,” he added.

Trump also refused to condemn the white teenager who shot three people dead last week amid the street protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin following the police shooting of Black man Jacob Blake. The shooter, 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse, is an avid supporter of Trump and was once pictured at one of the presidential rallies.

“We’re looking at all of that,” said Trump. “That was an interesting situation, you saw the same tape as I saw, and he was trying to get away from them, I guess, it looks like. And he fell, and then they violently attacked him. And it was something that we’re looking at right now, and it’s under investigation. I guess he was in very big trouble, he probably would have been killed,” he added.

Trump’s remarks drew a slew of negative comments from Democratic congressmen, including Joe Kennedy III of Massachusetts, who said, “This is the United States President justifying a double murder by a white man illegally carrying an assault rifle across state lines.” Eric Swalwell of California also described the republicans “The Mass Shooter Party,” accusing Trump of stoking the ongoing unrest for political gain.