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Mike Pence: You won't be safe in Joe Biden's America

Vice President Mike Pence delivers an address at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday night: REUTERS
Vice President Mike Pence delivers an address at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday night: REUTERS

Mike Pence has cast the re-election of Donald Trump as critical to preserving law and order and economic viability, saying the US would not be safe under his rival.

The vice president described Joe Biden, the Democratic challenger in the November 3 election, as a "Trojan horse for the radical left".

"The hard truth is you won't be safe in Joe Biden's America," Mr Pence told a crowd seated in folding chairs at historic Fort McHenry in Baltimore.

Accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, Mr Trump joined Mr Pence on stage after the speech as the crowd chanted: "Four more years.”

Donald Trump points to supporters as he joins Vice President Mike Pence and first Lady Melania Trump on stage (AP)
Donald Trump points to supporters as he joins Vice President Mike Pence and first Lady Melania Trump on stage (AP)

Mr Pence addressed the ongoing unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, which followed the police shooting of a black man multiple times in the back at close range on Sunday.

The incident reignited protests against racism and police brutality that erupted across the United States earlier in the year.

During a third night of unrest on Tuesday, three people were shot, two fatally. A teenager was arrested on homicide charges.

In his speech Mr Pence said: "Let me be clear: the violence must stop â whether in Minneapolis, Portland or Kenosha.

“Too many heroes have died defending our freedom to see Americans strike each other down.

“We will have law and order on the streets of this country for every American of every race and creed and colour."

Mr Biden said earlier he had spoken with the family of the victim, Jacob Blake, and called for an end to the violence.

Unlike Mr Trump who has yet to publicly comment on the police shooting, Mr Biden called for justice and defended the right to protest.

"Protesting brutality is a right and absolutely necessary, but burning down communities is not protest. It's needless violence," Mr Biden said in a video posted by his campaign.

Earlier on Wednesday, Mr Trump said he would send federal law enforcement to Kenosha by agreement with the state's governor.

The US Department of Justice said a federal civil rights investigation had been opened into the shooting.

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