Trump's visit worries Democrats and Republicans 2:10
(CNN) -
President Donald Trump said he is "terribly sorry for anyone who goes through that" when asked what his message was for Jacob Blake's family, while speaking at a panel discussion in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
"I feel really bad for anyone who goes through that, that's why we are so honored to meet pastors," Trump said.
“I feel really bad for anyone who goes through that.
As you know, it is under investigation.
Blake, a black man, was shot seven times in the back by a Kenosha police officer, sparking demonstrations in the city.
“Something big is going on right now,” he continued, “I assume it's under a local investigation.
I know, Bill, you are participating too, ”he told Attorney General William Barr.
"I hope they find the correct answer," Trump said.
“It's a complicated subject, to be honest with you.
But I feel very bad for anyone who has to go through, and I couldn't talk to the mother, I heard that she is a good woman.
I heard from the pastor, (who is) a very good woman.
But you can see when I talk to the pastors, I see exactly what it is and they understand where I am.
A bit of context: It
was the first time the president himself spoke about the Blake shooting during the roundtable.
He repeatedly addressed people whose businesses were affected by the protests and pledged his support to the police, but not once did he address police brutality, except to again express his support for officers who "suffocate" and kill. someone unnecessarily.
It was not until more than 30 minutes after the event began that someone in the room mentioned Blake by name, when a pastor said he continued to "pray for Jacob's healing."
The president never noticed that comment.
Trump's only conviction was "condemning the dangerous anti-police rhetoric," despite the fact that an armed supporter of the president, allegedly acting as vigilante, allegedly killed two people on the streets of Kenosha during the protests.
Trump says he doesn't think police violence is a systemic problem
Trump responded for a couple of black pastors in the room when asked if they believe police violence is a systemic problem.
The two pastors were James Ward and Sharon Ward, who said they were pastors to Julia Jackson, Jacob Blake's mother.
The Wards were the only blacks sitting on the stand for a public safety roundtable and were the only participants to mention the Blake shooting before the president answered questions from the press.
When a reporter asked the Wards if, like other leaders in the black community, they believed that police violence was a systemic problem, Trump chimed in: “I don't think so.
I think the police do an amazing job and I think there are some bad apples.
He added: “There is also the other situation, where they are under tremendous pressure and they don't handle it well.
They call it suffocation and it happens.
The president also appeared to suggest that his personal interactions with the police were sufficient evidence for him to know that police violence was not a systemic problem.
"No, but I don't believe that at all," he told the journalist.
I have met so many policemen.
I have the support of so many, perhaps all.
The pastors never had a chance to answer the reporter's question, even when the reporter tried to clarify that the question was not directed at the president.
It's unclear whether Trump understood the question was directed at pastors.
Earlier, the Wards told the president they wanted to work with him to restore unity amid demonstrations across the country calling for police reform.
«We believe that we can help to listen with empathy and compassion to the real pain that hurts blacks, but we want to be at your service and our nation to do everything we can to achieve true healing, true peace and truly seek the best of God. in our nation, ”James Ward told Trump after offering a prayer.
With information from Nikki Carvajal and Maegan Vazquez
Police brutality
