Trump Recasts His Proud Boys Remark as Plea to Let Cops Do Work
- Lawmakers denounce extremists, give Trump benefit of doubt
- Trump’s remarks in debate spark ‘outrage’ among Democrats
President Donald Trump speaks during the first U.S. presidential debate in Cleveland, Ohio on Sept. 29, 2020.
Photographer: Kevin Dietsch/UPIThis article is for subscribers only.
President Donald Trump claimed that he’s unfamiliar with the Proud Boys, a right-wing vigilante group he advised to “stand back and stand by” during Tuesday’s debate, and said they should step aside to let police regulate protests.
“I don’t know who the Proud Boys are,” Trump told reporters before departing the White House for a fundraiser and rally in Minnesota on Wednesday. “Whoever they are, they need to stand down, let law enforcement do their work.”