Soon after arriving in the Wisconsin city for a visit, which state and local leaders had warned would inflame tensions after protests had died down, Mr Trump toured a block badly damaged by violence and fire.

"These are not acts of peaceful protest, but really domestic terror," he later told a group of local business leaders.

He spoke to the owners of a century-old furniture store that had been destroyed and criticised Democratic leaders in charge of Kenosha and Wisconsin.

"They just don't want us to come in and then destruction is done," said Mr Trump, who had offered to send in federal enforcements.

"These governors don't want to call and the mayors don't want to call. They have to ask."

The city had been embroiled in protests and violence since the August 23 shooting of Jacob Blake, a black man shot seven times in the back by police as he was getting into a car while they were trying to arrest him.

Peaceful demonstrators have complained violent agitators hijacked their protests with property damage. But many have also sharply criticised the police, saying the United States needs to completely rethink its law enforcement practices.

On the eve of his visit, Mr Trump defended a teenage supporter accused of fatally shooting two men at a demonstration in Kenosha last week.

The President also accused Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden of siding with "anarchists" and "rioters" in the unrest.

Yesterday Mr Biden denounced the "senseless violence of looting and burning and destruction of property".

"I want to be clear about this: Rioting is not protesting. Looting is not protesting. Setting fires is not protesting. None of this is protesting, it’s lawlessness, plain and simple," Mr Biden said.

Trump might 'hinder healing': Wisconsin Governor

Mr Trump's motorcade passed a mix of supporters, many holding American flags, and protesters, some carrying signs that read Black Lives Matter.

As a massive police presence, including several armoured vehicles, secured the area, barricades were set up along several of the city's major thoroughfares to contain onlookers.

Democratic Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, who deployed the National Guard to quell demonstrations in response to the shooting, had pleaded with Mr Trump to stay away for fear of straining tensions further.

"I am concerned your presence will only hinder our healing," Mr Evers wrote in a letter to Mr Trump.

"I am concerned your presence will only delay our work to overcome division and move forward together."

Mr Biden has assailed Mr Trump over the deadly protests that have sprung up on his watch.

But Mr Trump has been vocal in supporting law enforcement and offered himself as the leader best positioned to keep Americans safe.

He insisted his appearance in Kenosha would "increase enthusiasm" in Wisconsin, one of several key battleground states in the upcoming presidential race.

The White House said he "wants to visit hurting Americans".

'We need justice and relief'

Mr Trump did attempt to arrange a meeting with the family of Mr Blake, according to family lawyers.

Mr Trump said he would not meet with Mr Blake's relatives because of a request that a family lawyer be involved.

Mr Biden's campaign has said the candidate would go to Wisconsin soon but has not disclosed details.

He and his running mate Kamala Harris both spoke with Mr Blake's father.

Mr Blake's family planned a Tuesday "community celebration" to correspond with Mr Trump's visit.

"We don't need more pain and division from a President set on advancing his campaign at the expense of our city," Justin Blake, an uncle, said in a statement.

"We need justice and relief for our vibrant community."

The US National Association for the Advancement of Colored People said neither candidate should visit the Wisconsin city as tension simmers.