Biden traced a line from the mass killing in a Pittsburgh synagogue and the slaying of two black shoppers at a Kentucky grocery store last month to Trump's remarks after clashes between white supremacists and counterprotesters in Charlottesville when he blamed both sides for the violence.

"When hatred is given space to fester, it gives license to others to come out from the darkness," Biden said, accusing Trump of putting "fuel on the fire of intolerance."

IMMIGRATION

The White House pushed back against claims that Trump's recent steps to secure the US southern border were motivated by the upcoming election.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in an interview with CBS' "Face the Nation" that the president's moves had nothing to do with electoral politics.

"I've been involved in scores of conversations about stopping illegal immigration from Mexico and never once has there been a discussion of the political impact in US domestic politics," Pompeo said. "It has always been about securing the safety of the American people and securing our southern border."