Donald Trump has accused rival Hillary Clinton of being "against the police" and "pandering" to African-American voters.

In remarks made near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the latest city to be dealing with violent scenes following a police shooting, Mr Trump said: "We reject the bigotry of Hillary Clinton, which panders to and talks down to communities of color and sees them only as votes - that's all they care about."

The Republican, who is behind in the polls, accused Mrs Clinton and her fellow Democrats of being on the side of the rioters - arguing that Democratic Party policies have made life worse for African-Americans and those living in inner cities.

Image: Mrs Clinton says Mr Trump's remarks 'hurt us'

Unusually, Mr Trump's remarks were scripted rather than delivered in an "off the cuff" way, and came after Mrs Clinton said, if elected, she would run national security and foreign policy in a way in which Americans could be proud.

Referring to the Milwaukee shooting, in which 23-year-old Sylville Smith was killed, Mr Trump told Fox News it may have occurred because the officer had a gun to his head.


"Who can have a problem with that?" he asked. "If it is true, then people shouldn't be rioting."

Image: Sylville Smith was shot at the weekend. Pic: Milwaukee County Sheriff

In her speech on Tuesday, Mrs Clinton said: "It just absolutely bewilders me when I hear Donald Trump try to talk about national security.

"What (Trump) often says hurts us. It sends the wrong message to friend and foe alike.

In response, Mr Trump said: "Our opponent Hillary would rather protect the offender than the victim - a vote for her is a vote for another generation of poverty, high crime and lost opportunities."

Image: Police in riot gear face a crowd of people protesting against the shooting

On Monday, he said the US's national security requirements demanded "extreme" vetting of immigrants looking to enter the country.

But on Tuesday, he appeared to set a different tone when he posted on Facebook a pledge to "reject bigotry and hatred and oppression in all its forms, and seek a new future built on our common culture and values as one American people."

Image: Protesters outside a TV station in Milwaukee as Mr Trump drives by

The billionaire property mogul has also revealed he is shaking up his campaign again after slipping in the polls in recent weeks, with just 82 days before the November election.

He is bringing in Stephen Bannon of Breitbart News as chief executive officer and promoting pollster Kellyanne Conway to campaign manager.

Revealing the news, Mr Trump said: "I've known both of them for a long time. They're terrific people, they're winners, they're champs, and we need to win it."

Meanwhile, Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto has offered to meet Mr Trump, months after comparing the Republican presidential candidate to Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini.

Mr Nieto said in a pre-taped TV interview: "Yes, I would meet with him. I have never met him

Trump Promises Immigrant Crackdown

"I can't agree with some of the things he has said, but I will be absolutely respectful and will seek to work with whomever becomes the next president of the United States."

Mr Trump caused outrage in Mexico during his campaign by pledging to build a wall along the US's southern border with Mexico to keep out illegal immigrants and control the drugs trade, and to make Mexico pay for it.