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Former Vice President Biden Visits Milwaukee, Takes On Trump

Visit Part Of 'American Promise' Book Tour

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Patrick Semansky/AP Photo

Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden criticized some of President Donald Trump’s actions during a visit to Milwaukee on Sunday night.

Biden is promoting “Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship and Purpose,” a book he’s written that honors his late son, Beau. But with prompting from a fellow Democrat, former Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle, who interviewed Biden on stage, the former vice president also talked about the current Republican occupant of the White House.

Biden criticized the president’s initial defense of former White House staffer Rob Porter, who allegedly abused two ex-wives.

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“I recognize ignorance when I see it,” Biden said.

Biden also took on Trump’s threat to deport immigrants illegally brought to the United States as children, saying the young people are needed here as workers, and that sending them away would be like “cutting your nose off to spite your face.”

Biden’s tour is called “American Promise,” so he also said he’s more optimistic now than ever. He said the U.S. “owns the 21st century” with the nation’s energy production, productive workforce and research universities like the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

He also praised the #MeToo movement for highlighting sexual abuse against women.

The news media were not allowed to record the remarks at the Riverside Theater.

Earlier Sunday, Biden attended a private fundraiser in Milwaukee for Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin.