Trump says he doesn’t actually want Whitmer, Biden and Obama to be locked up despite chants | TheHill – The Hill
President TrumpDonald John TrumpMore than 300 military family members endorse Biden Five takeaways from the final Trump-Biden debate Biden: 'I would transition from the oil industry' MORE in an interview with "60 Minutes" clarified that he does not actually want to lock up former President Obama, Democratic presidential nominee Joe BidenJoe BidenMore than 300 military family members endorse Biden Five takeaways from the final Trump-Biden debate Biden: 'I would transition from the oil industry' MORE or Michigan Gov. Gretchen WhitmerGretchen WhitmerTrump says he doesn't actually want Whitmer, Biden and Obama to be locked up despite chants The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Goldman Sachs - Tipping point week for Trump, Biden, Congress, voters Rally crowd chants 'lock him up' as Trump calls Biden family 'a criminal enterprise' MORE (D) despite chants from his supporters to do just that.
The president on Thursday posted raw footage of his interview with veteran journalist Lesley Stahl in which he grows increasingly agitated by her questions before abruptly ending thesit-down.
In one exchange, Stahl presses Trump on the "lock her up" chants directed at Whitmer and others that are a feature of his campaign rallies.
"You encourage it," Stahlsaidof the chants, referencing how they were at first directed at 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonFive takeaways from the final Trump-Biden debate Trump, Biden tangle over Wall Street ties, fundraising The Hill's Campaign Report: Trump, Biden face off for last time on the debate stage MORE.
"I dont encourage it. If I mention her name about something, they go crazy," Trump said.
The president typically stands by while his crowds call for his opponents to be jailed, but in recent days he has signaled clearer support.
He told supporters in Florida last week that he agreed "100 percent" with a "lock her up" chant about Clinton, he told campaign staff Biden "should be in jail" and the president added "lock 'em all up" last weekend when the crowd directed the refrain at Whitmer, the target of an allegedkidnappingplot.
"You dont want to lock up Gov. Whitmer?" Stahlasked.
"When did I say lock her up? ... When did I say lock up the governor?" Trumpresponded. "I didnt say lock up the governor. Why would I lock her up?"
"Of course I dont want to lock her up. Why would I lock her up?" he added shortly after calling her restrictions meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus "disgraceful."
After Trump spent portions of the interview complaining that journalists are not being tough enough on Biden over unprovencorruption allegations involving his son Hunter Biden, Stahlaskedif Trump wants to "lock up the Bidens."
"No, I dont want to lock them up, but they certainly should be looked at," Trumpsaid.
Asked about locking up Obama, whom Trump has baselessly accused of treason, the president said, "I dont want to lock him up, but he spied on my campaign. Obama andBiden spied on my campaign."
"Thats never been verified," Stahl interjected.
"Its been totally verified," Trump responded.
Democrats, critics and outside experts have frequently raised concerns about Trump's rhetoric toward his opponents. Whitmer's office and Rep. Ilhan OmarIlhan OmarTrump says he doesn't actually want Whitmer, Biden and Obama to be locked up despite chants Hillicon Valley: Threatening emails raise election concerns | Quibi folds after raising nearly B | Trump signs law making it a crime to hack voting systems Ocasio-Cortez draws hundreds of thousands of viewers on Twitch livestream MORE (D-Minn.) have said they receive an increase in threats whenever Trump targets them at his rallies.
The president has made little effort to discourage his supporters from calling for his political supporters to be jailed, though, and Trump himself added fuel this week when he urgedAttorney General William BarrBill BarrSeattle, Portland, NYC sue Trump administration over threat to pull federal money Trump says he doesn't actually want Whitmer, Biden and Obama to be locked up despite chants Trump and advisers considering firing FBI director after election: WaPo MORE to launch an investigation into Hunter Biden just two weeks before Election Day.
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Trump says he doesn't actually want Whitmer, Biden and Obama to be locked up despite chants | TheHill - The Hill
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