Transcripts For CNNW CNN Newsroom 20200827

Weve been seeing these individuals like this young, white males armed, showing up at protests around the country in minneapolis, louisville, connecticut. Kyle is from about 20 25 miles away. We do know from his facebook and tiktok that he is a police want to be. He was a police cadette, as you mentioned. He also has strong feelings of support for the police. Back the badge, back the blue on his pages. Theres one line that says trump 2020 on his Facebook Page and tiktok videos, anderson. One showing him shooting a gun. One i think we can show you having him assembling his gun or what appears to be him assembling his gun. And then we have video of Kyle Rittenhaus at a trump rally in january, in which he is briefly seen there. Donald trump is not seen in that video. That is what we know about him at this time. Again, he seems to be one of those armed individuals who is compelled to go to these protest sites and act like a police officer. And cnns facebook did not shut down one of the pages that served as a call to arms in the city, encouraging people like the shooter, who kiem from illinois, to take to the streetstreet streets. Reporter despite the fact they were warned about this particular site, kenosha guard, facebook has since taken it down. We dont know if this alleged shooter visited that site. But it is a site that called people to arms. I think armed citizens to protect our lives and property. Is what was on their Facebook Page. Facebook has since reacted and taketen down and taken down Kyle Rittenhauss pages. Athletes are making sure we hear their voices. Players force the nba to cancel all their playoff games. Major League Baseball cancelled three games. Some nba teams even considered ending the season but have decided against it. Joining us is a writer for the New York Times magazine. What should we take away by the strike from proathletes and now the decision to keep play sng i think what we can take from it is that people are tired and athletes are using what power they have to position the struggle for black lives to matter in this country. It is definitely a strike, not a boycott. They are workers who are deciding they are not going to work because they want to see justice. Youre obviously a well versed in history. Im fascinated. I look back at muhammad ali, who everyone looks back on now and respects and loves and thinks my god, what an amazing american, what an extraordinary thing he did. At the time, we forget, he was vilified. I mean, he was destroyed. Or attempted to be destroyed. People just hated him. White america was outraged at what he was doing. And yet, in years later, we look back and suddenly everyone loves him. Er for its so interesting to me, these players are being vilified and for taking what they believe is a principaled stand. And i just wonder how inlens of history will look at this years from now. If it will be like for muhammad ali. We can look at what happened to Colin Kaepernick when he decide heed was going to start kneeling and actually the strike was on the anniversary of that act. So, he was vilified. He lost his ability to play in the nfl for that. And four years later you have the message of black lives matter. Ritsz clear theyre on the right side of this issue. These men and women were black before they ever picked opbasketball or decided to engage in any sport. For us to say our entertainment is more important than their fight for justice is deplorable. I think well understand they were on the right side of this, even if a lot of people are upset about it right now. I want to focus on comments by the Trump Administration, taking aim at these athlete activists. I think the nba players are very fortunate that they have the financial position where theyre able to take a night off from work without having to to have the consequences to themselves financially. So, they have that luxury is great. Its absurd, silly. What you saw from the professional basketball asocialiation was a continued acceptance and nondenial or nonspeaking out against chinas continued abuse. If they want to protest, i dont think we care. I think at this point, if they want to say were not going to play anymore games, i dont think thats a position youre going to see us speak out about one way or another. It seems like the dribbled response weve heard before. When were saying the athletes have the luxury. Theyre black in america and theyre worried about family members, their community and they are saying that the lives of black people are more important than you being able to sit there and be entertained by him dribbling on the court. I dont see how it sparks outrage or why arent they doing this . Its typical people who are not having to bear the brunt of this nations 400yearold system. And i feel there are a lot of people very proud of the stance these athletes are take. If youre given any amount of privilege, you have a moral obligation to speak up for those who dont have it. We have not heard from President Trump or even Vice President pence in his speech last night about shooting of mr. Blake. Obviously the police havent given much information at all about what they were doing there, what happened before hand. What we have seen is what is on the video and theres a second video as well. But we havent heard the president address a man shot seven times in the back. Does it surprise you its not going to surprise you. I find it interesting were told now the president will address kenosha tonight. The question is will he actually address the shooting of mr. Blake or will it just be about violence and protesters . I think we should, long ago, disabuse ourselves that were going to see some type of moral guidance from this president. What we will likely see is more rhetoric on law and order. The racialized rhetoric of law and order, that wants mapeace or justice. That wants to pretend the reason people are in the streets is not related to the fact that a black man was shot in the back seven times in front of his kids, and that the real problem is the protesters and not the violence that leads to the protesters. I think we should stop looking for or expecting for this president to act in ways hes not capable of acting. It seems to me that the protesters, that all americans want law and order, they just want equal treatment under the law. And order in their community is just like other communities as well. I mean, the same kind of treatment. It seems to me protesters arent saying they dont want law and order. They just dont want to be treated differently. Absolutely. Law and order is about accountant. And it is about a very high level of accountability for people armed by the state with the ability to kill. People are protesting for no reason. Theyre protesting because an unarmed man was shot seven times in the back, something any moral person could argue is not the right thing Law Enforcement should be doing. And the other thing is law and order is not applied equally, even in concept. You have a president who pardoned a man who pled giuilty to violating the law. If it comes to the fbi or people investigating him, does not seem to have respect for law and order. But we want to apply law and or order to people exercising their constitutional right to protest what they consider unjust treatment by the government. I dont understand people who think its a good idea to encourage citizens to take up arms and go to protests. I understand everybody has a right to protest and thats how change happens in this country and theres a long, proud tradition of it. But going armed, heavily armed with long guns to a protest, it just no matter what your politics are, it seems like a recipe for if theres problems with Police Officers and all the training Police Officers get to handle weapons, to have citizens who dont have training show up at protests, whoever they are, whatever their causes may be, doesnt seem like a good idea. Er for its not going to lead to anything good. This is the worst manifestation of why you do not want vigilante justice. You have a child who goes there with what is a semiautomatic rifle. And of course, when hes approached, hes afraid and what does he do . He pulls the trigger. It also speaks to the different realities of america. Because one could not imagine a 17yearold black boy Walking Around with this rifle, shooting someone and walking past the police is the police dont even stop and question him and he gets to go home that night. Meanwhile, you have a jacob blake, who has no weapon and shot seven times in the back. You cant think of a more perfect summation of the disproportioned realities in america than that. Thank you. After yesterdays playoff games were postponed, several wnba people spoke out. And heres this response. Today or yesterday, you know, i was sitting there and i started crying. And my wife walks in and shes like are you crying . I said no, did you see the video of this guy getting shot . At first and i saw it, im looking at it i thought maybe theyre going to tase him, right . Because thats what they do with white people, right . They tase them. I didnt have the volume up and christian walks in the room and says no, dad, they shot him. He shoots this guy seven times in the back. And then i have this conversation with christian and hes like thats not thats wrong. I said it is beyond wrong. Its just flat out eval and im telling him and its hard to tell your 14yearold son that i worry about him when he walks out that door. I have a 21yearold son. I worry about him because black men are endangered species, pretty much. These cops are just killing because they feel like if they dont have the body cams on, they have a right. And i tell my kids all the time. I said i dont care whats going on because at the end of the day i want you coming home to me. If you have to lay down on the ground and they can kick you, beat you, at least youre going to the hospital and youre coming home to me. Whatever they say, dont take upon yourself to let that rage you have against that cop come out because he has the gun. He can end you. And i dont want him to end you, because if he ends you, that means im going to end him. And i know thats wrong for me to say. But im so much a time to kill type of guy like Samuel Jackson and its going to happen with me. I said i dont want that to happen. I already lost one child, i dont need lose another. And i dont think people understand, especially white people, how hard it is for black people to watch that. Any moment, we are expecting a News Conference with police in kenosha who have been mostly silent on the circumstances around the shooting of jacob blake. Well see what they say today. Plus laura has been down graded from hurricane to a tropical storm, but not before leaving behind a path of destruction. To support us no matter what. Whether we see them or not, we need to know that theyre always there. For the past 25 years, masimo has been monitoring patients in hospitals around the world so that doctors and nurses can make sure you feel safe. As new challenges have arisen, weve grown to bring that same safety and support to the place that you want to be most. If weve learned nothing else, its that when challenges arise, theres only one way to rise above. Together. Masimo. Together in hospital, together at home. When their growing family meant growing expenses, our agents helped make saving on insurance easy usaa. What youre made of, were made for. Usaa we are tracking destruction from hurricane laura which struck the louisiana coast at 150mileperhour winds. Its now been down graded. To a tropical storm. Heavy blooding in some areas and some of the worst of it is the coast. And whats the scene there . This was the western edge of hurricane laura and it is really stunning to see ooze weve driven around town here, this is some of the worst damage weve seen. This is the first united pent costal church. This is facing back towards the south. So, this was clearly the back side of the storm where the roof and wall were blown over here. What strikes us as we drive around town is the lack of structural damage. It is amazing, considering the worst of the storm passed 35 miles or so to the east of where we are. Its amazing weve seen so little of this kind of destruction. Lets go to the press conference in kenosha about thevents there. Pqts we ask you to pray with me. We come knowing who you are. You have called this moment of time so we can reflect on what we need to do. But more importantly, lord, we need wisdom from you and we need to pray for this family. Theyre grieving right now. And things happening here. We know its not from above. When we ask for your grace and mercy too, comfort us too, bring peace to us and most importantly, would you shine your light so we can have solutio solutions to sustain us today and were going to be careful to give you all the praise. And in jesus christs name, amen. Amen. Well start with mayor. Good afternoon, everyone. Im going to be talking a little about a couple of the issues i think are important to the community and for everyone to understand. Number one, the most important aspect of whats going on is the safety of all people. Safety of the city of kenosha and making sure the residents understand the Law Enforcement, the National Guard, insheriffs department, all of them here be protected and to help protect the community. And to also keep protesters, who are Peaceful Protesters, safe. So, that, i think, is one of the main messages i want to be sure everyone gets today. Once we get past the safety issues, next question is unity. And though were not going into a lot of detail of how were going to do all these things, unity becomes one of the main aspelkts of what has to happen in the community. So, the city has been working along with other entities and put together a number of committees, working on cysts emic racism and dealing with how were going to improve our community and give everyone a voice. In fact, you put in charge of making that happen. The last issue i wish to bring up is dealing with the rebuilding of the community. And rebuilding is more than just fixing buildings. Its one of the things i thought was very impressive and im very proud of our community and that is that when, and after the damage had been done, people came out. Neighbors came out to help neighbors. All neighbors came out to help neighbors. The downtown had numerous people in the downtown cleaning up the streets, doing everything they could to help their neighbor. And that is what this community is really about. And that is what we need to make sure that people see within our community and what is happening. But rebuilding also means more than that. Its a call to action. A call to make sure that were there to be helpful. We have asked i have asked the governor for support financially for businesses and were in conversations with that and were going to make the same request of the federal government. Thank you, mr. Mayor. Thank you to the people of Kenosha County and the Peaceful Protesters and especially those who followed the curfew and all the people who followed the curfew. You made Law Enforcement life a lot easier. I want to recognize the support for businesses that are small and really across Kenosha County. Whether showing up in person or through donations to rebuild, its been a heartwarming experience. This is a true representation of Kenosha County. I want to also reconfirm our commitment to all of us here to address the core issues that have brought us to this point in time. We are still in the thick of many challenges but there will be a coming together in the coming days to talk to pastor peoples also. Were working together, the city and the county and the community ive had just over 50 emails recently by people who want to participate in that and move forward. My message to the world, which we know is watching, is that Kenosha County is made up of good and caring people. Im confident that what we saw sunday, monday, and tuesday night isnt who we really are. I call on our community to seek change. With peace and i thank them again. Forrel for how we ad hered to the curfew to keep our Community Safe during this time, thank you. Im going to mirror what the mayor and county exec already said. Since wednesday, the entire atmosphere has changed dramatically as far as the people who live here. And i think the crowds last night were small. There was a few hundred people and they walked peacefully through kenosha. And they did exactly what they wanted to do, as far as the protests to make people know their concerns but they did it without violence. And i think the people that were here last night were kenoshas people. We didnt see streams of cars coming in from out of Kenosha County. Huge party thinks a lot of our issues start when different people with different agendas come here to kenosha. Kenoshas people are loving, peaceful, and good with change. And these people did exactly what they needed to do in a peaceful way. The people that did not want to partake in what was happening last night, which again was very small, they stayed home. We made a 7 00 curfew. The people of kenosha, thank you. Thanks for ad hering to the 7 00 curfew and clearing the streets. So, you, your family, your property were safe and it allowed us to do our jobs. Since sunday, when this whole thing started, the personnel, the resources, equipment from our county, from the counties around us, we have departments in the state of wisconsin, their smaller departments that sentuss a third of all their deputies. We have one that sent one of their officers and thats about a third of all the officers they have. They want to keep kenosha safe and help people in kenosha and help protect the protesters too. The state has been fantastic as far as sending resources from the very first minute that we ask them. They have sent everyone weve asked for and theyve been outstanding. The federal government notified us yesterday theyve been here, truthfully, from the first day too. Weve had people from marshals, atf. The feds have been here from the first day, helping with the exact same mission that everyone else is to help protect the people of kenosha and protect everyone whos here. We have got generous people and business said here in kenosha. Our staff, the numbers continue to grow. And we need to feed them. The businesses, the people, are coming with bags from mcdonalds. Theyre coming with cold meat, platters, all kinds of nourishment that our staff needs. And were getting lots of thanks. We get some people who dont like us too. But the majority of people were hearing from tell us thank you for wanting to do in our mission. The i think the combined efforts of everyone sitting up here, everyone thats trying to get a little sleep right now and every btdy who was out there at nighttime has been paying dividends. Last night was very peaceful. Tuesday night not quite so peaceful but wasnt too bad. Monday was our big night. Hopefully were over that hump of what we have to face. Hopefully the we know there are still people out there, instigators that are trying to fire things up. Got it. Bee weve had those before. Every day life we have instigators of trouble and were going to do our best to deal with that too. Overall, im pleased with the last 24 hours here in kenosha, the response from every part of government, response of the people of kenosha and the cooperation with everyone. Much of what i have to say has already been said. I can tell you from the Law Enforcement standpointed, the situation is much calmer. Persons are lawfully protesting and that continues late into the night, early into the morning with persons making their views, making their concerns known. The voice of those people is not falling upon deaf ears. We are hearing what is being said and the mayor has spoke to his constituents, involving myself, to usher in change wherever possible. Those in support of every cause, different sizes of issues, different sides of issues, whether they were protesters, antiprotesters, antipolice, propolice. Many people were out speaking their mind and that is one of the things thats part of america. You have the right to do that. So much of what was talked about mere is the number oaf resources to deploy and use. Those are be dg ploing deployedp people safe whether youre a resident of kenosha orsomeone traveling here. We do our best to keep it a safe environment and we thank those yesterday who peacefully protested and obeyed the curfew. Unfortunately, not everybody did so. The sheriff spoke that it was less tumultuous night and i would agree. Unfortunately, there were still weapons charges, persons arrested on warrants and i believe other cases as well. I know that we have will be scheduling another conference soon. I thank those who peacefully protested and obeyed the curfew. Not losing their voice, their desire for change to the violence which has gleened this way. Kenosha was once known for american motors and the lake front. We do not wish to be known for violence of any kind. We continue to investigate the previous looting and arson cases that took place sunday night and into the morning. And we hope to bring those involved to the court system. I have no Additional Information regarding the shooting deaths from the night before. The investigations continue and we will build a strong case based upon the facts. We are working hard to keep the citizens of kenosha safe and to investigate and stop lawless behavior and thats only by a small group. By no means do i or anybody up here think 1500 people intend violence. Most of those people want change, they want accountability and those are things i think we all agree upon. So, regardless of being particulate of the protest or not, we encourage everybody to obey inlaw and help keep the Community Safe so we can concentrate our efforts instead of controlling violence. Thank you. Good afternoon. The general for the Wisconsin National guard. I want you to know i grew up in wisconsin, where i make my home and raising my kids. Whats happening in this Community Goes beyond city and county boarders. It effects us all as wisconsinites and americans. With that, im here to give you an update on the role of the National Guard. As we continue toserve in a supporting role to local Law Enforcement. Were help to preserve Public Safety and to insure individual rights to exercise their firstamendment rights to demonstrate. Yesterday i spoke about the sacrifices of the National Guard Service Members leaving their families and homes to come here and support kenosha. Today i want to make sure and reemphasize there are other people from all over the state, Law Enforcement, who have done the same thing. Theyve picked up what they were doing, left their jobs, their families and rallybed hind this mission to bring a peaceful conclusion to this event. So, i think thats important. I think we need to keep that in mind and keep them in mind as well. Going forward, in terms of National Guard presence, we mentioned yesterday that we were going to be bringing in guard members from other states. So, weve solidified details and i can tell you we have commitments from three other states, arizona, alabama, and michigan. Well be sending some of their National Guard members here to assist in this effort. And they will be here and hopefully be assisting us as early as tomorrow night in some cases. For claire and not federalized. Troops. If theyre here, through mutual compact between the states and specifically the governors. And they will be under my command and ultimately under authority of the commander in chief. Our goal is to protect life safety in the community and bring back peace. Were also very supportive of all of those who feel that want to peacefully demonstrate and we urge continued peaceful demonstrations. We also understand there are people coming to the area with the intent to destroy property and ruin lives. Those are the people that we need to all look together to keep them out of the community and keep them from doing the harm theyre intending. So, in closing, i like to reemphasize how important it is for us all to be together in our efforts. I know we all appear on the stage together and i hope all of you out there as well are there together in our efforts to bring a peaceful conclusion to this tragic event as we go forward in kenosha. Thank you. Thank you very much for your patience. Any explanation are you going to answer any questions at any point . I want to bring in our shimon, whos in kenosha. Officials saying that they have been relatively pleased with the last 24 hours what theyve seen with the protests last night, how things took place. How was last night different than previous nights . Reporter certainly the violence and the level of disruption throughout the city. We didnt see that last night. You didnt have Police Engaging with protesters the way weve seen in other nights. You didnt have people with long guns and vigil antes running around recklessly without regard for life and trying to take conroco control of the streets. So t is a big change. One of the things authorities said in the press conference is most of the people, they have found, and well see if they can back this up, that who have been coming here and starting trouble are not from here. We know the 17yearold who was arrested for the murder of those individuals, the 17yearold with the long gun, he was not from this area. The other people who were with him, the other part of this vigilante group, they were not from this area. So, theres evidence to suggest people can come in here and starting trouble, are not in here. So, thats what theyre saying and talking about the clean up. You see this destruction behind me here. There are atf agents sorting through it debris, looking for evidence. Weve seen people all around the community. I see people forwarding up, painting murals, painting signs on wooden boards that are posted over stores all around. And that is what the sheriff was talking about. They did not update us at any aspect of this investigation. Not as it relates to 17yearold and not as it relates to to the shooting of mr. Blake. The Mayors Office and police chief all refused to take questions. They said they were just going to read statements and they were not going to take questions. There were a lot of answers obviously regarding the 17yearold and answers, questions that need to be answered about the shooting and why ultimately did this officer feel the need to have to take such force and shoot mr. Blake seven times in the back. We still dont have a lot of those answers. We may have another press Conference Tomorrow from police where we can get more answers. And the 17yearold is supposed to be in Court Tomorrow for an extradition hearing in antioch, illinois. So, perhaps well learn more there and then well see. But there are still a lot of questions surrounding, really, both shootings, anderson, when you think of it. A lot of unknowns. Coming up ill speak live with Vice President joe biden own his response with whats happening. You hear that . Thats your weathered deck, crying for help. While you do nothing, its inviting those geese over for target practice. Today, lets stain. Cause if you stain your deck today, they cant stain your deck tomorrow. Behr. Exclusively at the home depot. For spending a perfectly reasonable amount of time on the couch with tacos from grubhub . Grubhubs gonna reward you for that with a 5 off perk. doorbell rings [crowd] grubhub fireworks exploding combative yelling he used to have bad breath. Now, he uses a capful of therabreath fresh breath oral rinse to keep his breath smelling great, all day long. combative yelling therabreath, its a better mouthwash. At walmart, target and other fine stores. Therabreath, its atry wayf r. You got this perfect. Youre welcome. I love it. Howd you do all this . Told ya wayfair. Lets talk dining tables. Yes blow it up. Wayfair youve got just what i need conservatives have been for three days trying to denounce violence in the protests. What do you say to that had . First of all ive made it clear from the beginning that theres no justification whatsoever for violence, looting. Matter of fact t flies in the face of the legitimate protests and takes away from the rational for whats happening here. Ive condemned the violence from the very beginning. Theyre flat wrong. The Vice President echoed the Vice President by telling americans they would not be safe in Joe Bidens America. Well, you know, look, if you think about it, donald trump saying youre not going to be safe in Joe Bidens America with all the video being played is in Donald Trumps america. Kellyanne conway came out and was very bluntd about it today. I think i have a quote here. The more chaos and an arkansasy and vandalism and violence equal as better for a very clear choice. These guys are rooting for violence. Thats what this is all about to prover you should be scared and theyre talking about Donald Trumps america. Theres no place for violence or looting or burning. When i spoke to jacob blakes mother, julia, you played her on the air. Shes saying thats not who we are. Thats not who jacob is. Dont do it. So, he continues to root for violence. The country will be substantially safer when he is no longer in office. Im going to work to root out systemic racism. Im going to lead. You think hes rooting for violence, that he wants violence . Absolutely. Because it allows him to play on the law and order mantle . And takes everybodys eye off the ball. Want to talk about safety . Look at the biggest safety issue in the nation, covid. Just yesterday we had 1,249 deaths. Over the sevenday period, weve averaged a thousand death as day. Now, that is more than the five largest countries in europe a combined population we are a combined population bigger than us. You know how many deaths theyve had . 77 deaths a day. Hes been incompetent in how me deals with this. And hes still in court trying to get rid of the Affordable Care act. Going to take 100 Million People with preexisting conditions and move them in a direction where they cant get coverage. Going to coverage that will and on top of that, i got another quote i found today that was pointed out to me. August 12th. This is what he said. And the payroll tax, talking about funding Social Security. Will be terminating the pay roll tax. The fact of the matter is the acchaer for Social Security said if you do that, Social Security will be bankrupt. Not have any money after 2023. We lost 15 million in jobs. Youre in a position where you have 15 Million People needing Unemployment Insurance and instead of sitting down with congress and working something out, hes in one of his golf course sand traps, trying to get out of a sand trap. Get us out of this mess. You talked about covid19, the cdc just the other day, with virtually no announcement of it, they just changed on their website, changed guidelines for who should get tested, moving away from actually testing me mean meanal who are asymptomatic. Is that change . Every doctor ive talked to said that isnt supported by science. Its not supported by every doctor i talk to. I speak with medical professionals, on average for three days a week. The convenss is thats a foolish thing to say, to do. Its ridiculous. Look, this is the guy talking about pray god well have a vaccine. Id love to have a vaccine tomorrow. Id lub ove if. We dont need to test people is absolutely bizarre. He needs to be responsible. The president has not talked about the shooting of mr. Blake. Hes talked about violence at protests in the wake of it. Im wondering why you think that is he hasnt actually addressed it . Theres obviously a lot we dont know about the circumstances around it but the video obviously has been out there. Well, look. I dont know enough to know whether that 17yearold kid exactly what he did, but allegedly hes part of a militia coming out of the state of illinoiss have you ever heard this president say one negative thing about White Supremacists . Ever heard it . Thats the reason i got back in this way because of what happened in charlottes riehl. People coming out of the woods carrying torches, their veins bulging. A young woman killed resisting hate and violence and the president is asked to comment on it and whats he say . He says theyre very fine people on both sides. We wouldnt even condone division and hate is the only way he stays in office. Its all about dividing, and the idea he doesnt sorry. Im sorry. Satellite problem. Whats your take on the Republican Convention so far . Well, i thought it was a great line that the Vice President had last night. Were going to make America Great again, again. I mean, look. I mean, look where the economy is. Look where the Health Circumstances look where covid is. Look where we are internationally. When we left office we were one of the most respected nations in the world. Led not only by example of our power but the power of our example. Now we rank just a click above russia and a click below china, i think 87 or i cant remember the exact number, but i mean, it is ridiculous. I said when i announced, the next president s going to have to do two thingse things. Unite the country and deal way world out of order and we have to do both of those things, and the idea, the things hes saying and doing his embrace of dictators, the way he throws his arms around putin, the way he talks about xi gjinping and how theyre being so transparent. I just i dont quite frankly, he confused me. I dont understand maybe he just doesnt understand. Maybe its not deliberate. Maybe he just doesnt know enough. I dont know. Whatever it is sorry. We heard last night at the rnc from the mccloskeys, the couple facing charges for pointing guns a the protesters portrayed essentially as heroess is that how you see them . No, i dont see them that way as all. Talk about noclass neighborhoods . Looked like living in a multimillion dollar mansion for gods sake. The fact theyre pointing at protesters that werent going after them. No evidence of that. Look, this is weve got to calm this whole situation down. Weve got to move in a different the American People arent buying this. You have over 50 70some perce percent of people saying there is systemic racism. We have a chance to change it. Black, white, asian, hispanic. Doesnt matter. The country is ready, but the only way he can win, and he and pence can win i mean, can you imagine . Im getting attacked on my religion by donald trump . Whens the last time he darkened the doorway of a church . Come on. This is weve seen athletes just in the last couple of days stepping back from actually playing any games. The president just called the nba a political organization, the white house, pence advisers dismissed the protests as j. Jared kushner weighed in on their salaries and can just take the night off. What do you make of the nba . Trump wont acknowledge a lot of these men and women have had brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, who have been victimized just because of their color. Just because of their color. These arent people who, in fact, are out there just trying to they dont need anymore attention. They are sick and tired. Theyre sick and tired. The bucks coach, did you see him . Maybe you had i watched him on your station, on your show. Standing there almost crying saying, we love america so much. Why dont they love us . Im paraphrasing it. The vast majority of the American People are ready to deal with systemic racism. And all this administration does is keep pouring gasoline on the fire. They dont have a dog whistle. He use a bullhorn. Its all about division. Americas always been about addition. Addition. We can deal with these problems. Make it better for, the country better for all of us. Everyone. Everybody. We really can the countrys ready. Speaker pelosi said today that you shouldnt debate trump. I just want to play what she says for viewers and how do you respond. I, myself, just, dont tell anybody i told you this especially dont tell joe biden. I dont think that there should be any debates. I do not think that the president of the United States has comported himself in a way that anybody should has any association with the truth, evidence, data and facts. I wouldnt i wouldnt legitimize a conversation with him. Nor a debate in terms of the presidency of the United States. Mr. Vice president , what do you think . I understand nancys point of view. Some of the leading columnists in the country who are mainstream leaders have indicated i shouldnt debate. Not to me but in the press. I shouldnt debate unless theres a fact checker, et cetera. Look, im used to dealing with bullies and understand how they work and im going by the rules, play by the rules of the commission and were going to have a debate, and im confident that the vast majority of the press will point out when there are just gross lies. I will mention it as well, and im happy to run on the record i had as a senator and as a Vice President , as well as be happy to challenge his position. But i dont expect much truth to come out of that obvious podium. Traditionally there are three president ial debates run by the commissioner of president ial debates. Is that what you expect three . Yeah. What im expecting. The first one is each of us at a podium. Second one i guess more of a town hall setting, like the kinds ive done with you. As i understand it. Im not positive of that, and a third one as well. Mr. Vice president , appreciate your time. Thank you. Appreciate your time. Thank you very much for having me. I want to bring in our jeff zeleny. Whats your takeaway of the Vice President . Reporter look, i think that joe biden is clearly trying to get back into the conversation this week. Hes been taking a couple days off, but im told very much watching this Republican Convention, watching these attacks on him, watching this attended rebranding of him as part of the radical left and also watching the Trump Administration and the Vice President , mike pence trying to rebrand themselves. So thats why he is getting out there today to kind of respond to some of these things. Look, there is one question, anderson, when you talk to democrats who are also watching all of this. They wonder if the Biden Campaign and they wonder if democrats at large are taking President Trump seriously enough. They wonder, given the unrest in the country all the crises, are they taking his campaign seriously enough . This is a sign that joe biden is doing that. They only have to look to the election four years ago with hillary clinton. Who also was leading by big margins at this point four years ago on this exact day. There is a sense he is taking this seriously. He has been around Racial Justice issue as long time in his life, seen it change throughout the course of his public life and is i think attuned to this, and certainly interesting both he and senator Kamala Harris made phone calls to the family in wisconsin, and are certainly much more engaged on this than the president. Br there is no question they know some of these attacks and branding will likely work among some people this week in the country and why he is out there, of course, speaking out at this point anderson. Jeff zeleny, thanks. Obviously a lot more ahead. The lead with jake tapper starts right now. Welcome to the lead. Im jake tapper. We begin with a ton of breaking news. Right now, any moment, we are expecting to hear from democratic Vice President ial nominee Kamala Harris, the democratic senator from california. Harris is expected to slam President Trump and address the unrest in wisconsin. This comes as just moments ago President Trump did not answer a question about the Police Shooting that has sparked this chaos in the streets. We should clarify the reporter misstated that the shooting of jacob blake in kenosha, wisconsin, was fatal. Joe biden also just moments ago here on cnn responding to the president s comments, his law and order message that has been front and center at the Republican National convention. Take a listen to Vice President biden