Remember when officials sympathetically spoke on Kyle Rittenhouse’s behalf, the 17-year-old who fatally shot two people in Wisconsin and made comments suggesting he was helping out by defending small businesses, well now it all makes sense why.
According to NBC News, internal documents with talking points from that conference were obtained, revealing the preparation of Homeland Security officials. The officials were directed to make comments that showed sympathy for Rittenhouse by claiming he “took his rifle to the scene of the rioting to help defend small business owners.”
Through another set of talking points, the news publication also discovered that officials were instructed to inform the media that the group Patriot Prayer was incorrectly labeled as racist following its clash with protesters in Portland, Oregon.
It is still vague whether the white house or the Homeland Security’s press office created the talking points. Regardless, it adds to the widespread scrutiny of how officials wish to portray certain groups.
What we do know is that 17-year-old Rittenhouse supported Trump as well as police on his social media accounts prior to arriving in Kenosha, Wisconsin, from his Antioch, Illinois home on August 25. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Rittenhouse used his AR-15 style rifle to shoot and kill two people and injured a third.
People were outraged that Rittenhouse was able to leave the scene while authorities were there. He was later arrested on first-degree murder charges.
Rittenhouse’s attorneys feel he was acting in self-defense and use that basis as their legal argument.
Talking points suggested the same, “Kyle was seen being chased and attacked by rioters before allegedly shooting three of them, killing two.” Elizabeth Neumann, former DHS’s assistant secretary for threat prevention and security policy in the Trump administration, said. Apparently, videos have even emerged which purportedly show multiple gunmen involved, which lends additional credence to self-defense claims.
Four former Homeland Security officials have said it was not normal practice for law enforcement officials to be instructed to add their input on a case that involves a specific group or person before investigations have concluded.
“It is as unprecedented as it is wrong,” said Peter Boogaard, former spokesperson for Homeland Security during the Obama administration.
“What strikes me about the talking points is that they didn’t call for calm among the public,” said Neuman. “Even in the early hours after the incident, it was known private militias had self-deployed. …They seemed more interested in Rittenhouse’s reputation than calling for calm and actual law and order.” Neumann departed from Trump’s administration and has since endorsed Joe Biden for president.
Apparently, officials were also instructed to say they would not comment on an ongoing investigation if asked about Rittenhouse, by saying, “what I will say is that Rittenhouse, just like everyone else in America, is innocent until proven guilty and deserves a fair trial based on all the facts, not just the ones that support a certain narrative. This is why we try the accused in the court of law, not the star chamber of public opinion.”
The creator or creators of the talking point also advised officials to revert the conversations back to the need to preserve law and order: “This is also why we need to stop the violence in our cities. Chaotic and violent situations lead to chaotic, violent, and tragic outcomes. Everyone needs law and order.”
Unsurprisingly, Trump also shared in the sympathy for Rittenhouse. In his opinion, Rittenhouse was “trying to get away from them,” referring to the protesters he is accused of having fatally shot. Trump refused to condemn white supremacy during Tuesday night’s debate but stood firm on blaming left-wing groups for what is taking place in America.
This is America.
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