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White House responds to Milwaukee mayors comments linking acid attack to president
White House responds to Milwaukee mayors comments linking acid attack to president
MILWAUKEE -- The White House and other Republicans are now responding to Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett's comments about an acid attack on a Latino man on the city's south side.
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett
"We as a nation and we as a city have to do better than this," said Barrett on Monday, Nov. 4.
A horrific attack on Friday, Nov. 1 left one man doused with acid. He suffered burns to his face and neck. The violent act prompted Barrett to speak out.
"One of my biggest concerns is that this type of racial, verbal attack -- and now physical attack -- is condoned at the highest levels of government in our country," Barrett said.
The mayor called out President Donald Trump during a news conference Monday -- saying his rhetoric is encouraging hate in our society.
Suspected acid attack (Surveillance images courtesy: Hispanic News Network)
"This anger toward people from other countries is being fed by our president and his followers," Barrett said.
On Tuesday, the White House responded to Barrett's comments with this statement from Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere:
Terry Dittrich, the chairman of the Republican Party of Waukesha County shared a similar statement:
"Is it tied directly to this event? I can't say that," said Mayor Barrett. "I don't know what was in the mind of the man who threw acid in an individual's face."