In Minnesota campaign stop, Trump warns voters Democrats cannot protect them during civil unrest

President Trump on Monday kicked off a busy campaign week with a first stop in Minnesota where he told potential voters, "I'm here to help you."

He spoke on the opening day of the Democratic Party's nominating convention and nearly four months after the death of George Floyd in the custody of Minneapolis police, sparks weeks of protests that frequently devolved into nights of vandalism, looting and rioting. 

"My message to Minnesota is clear," Trump said at an airport in Mankato, Minnesota. "I'm here to help you. We will bring back law and order to your community, we will bring it back and bring it back immediately."

Trump, who narrowly lost Minnesota in 2016, also said that he does not believe the Democratic leadership in such cities as Chicago, Minneapolis and New York can handle the challenges of this moment of civil unrest.

"We've seen the blueprint here in Minneapolis," he said. "The city recently voted to abolish the police department. They actually went to that extent. ... More than 700 buildings were burned, damaged, or destroyed. If left-wing Democrats can't run a city, why on earth would you let them run your country?"

Trump spoke as she stood beside a group of local business owners, saying the riots have deprived them of the chance to live the American dream.

"Their dreams were burned to the ground," he said.

The president also said he hoped to see a wave of Republican victories in Minnesota in the fall.

Lacy Johnson, the Republican who will compete against progressive stalwart and Democratic Rep.  Ilhan Omar for her seat in the state's 5th district, was in the audience.

Trump repeatedly asked Johnson how Omar, a Muslim, made it to elected office in the first place. "Lacy, what the hell happened Lacy?" asked the president. "How does a woman who hates our country, who says nothing but bad things about our country and Israel and our other allies, win?" The woman is crazy. She's a horrible woman who hates our country." 

Trump also warned that electing Democratic candidate Joe Biden, whose platform now includes many of the progressive ideals proposed by former primary rival Bernie Sander, puts Americans' freedom and safety at risk.

"He will not control the situation," the president said. "I'm asking for the vote of every American who believes police officers are not enemies, but heroes who keep us safe," he continued.

The president argued that winning Minnesota is essential in his path to reelection.

"If I don't win Minnesota, I'm not coming back," he said.