President Biden in Milwaukee: Live coverage recap from Hero Plumbing, Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce

President Joe Biden came to Milwaukee Wednesday to pitch a message of economic improvement and business growth under his administration with a focus on Black voters in Milwaukee.

His visit to the Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce came as Democrats look to counter a lack of enthusiasm for a potential 2020 rematch between Biden and former President Donald Trump, especially among Black voters.

Biden arrived at Mitchell International Airport at about 10:45 a.m. and came off the plane about 10 minutes later.

He was greeted by Gov. Tony Evers and his wife Kathy, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and Colonel Adria Zuccaro, Wing Commander of the 128th Air Refueling Wing.

Here's a recap of Biden's day in Milwaukee:

Biden speaks at Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce

At about 12:45 p.m., Biden gave his primary remarks at the Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce, 2900 W. Vliet St.

He pointed to progress made through legislation like the American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. And he promised Black workers would benefit from his administration's economic strategy that he described as a "fundamental break from trickle-down economics."

"We always believe diversity is our strength as a nation. I don't believe as ... the former president said again yesterday, that immigrants are polluting our blood," Biden said. "The economy in our nation is stronger when we're tapping into the full full range of talents in this nation."

He wrapped up his speech at about 1:15 p.m. and took off from Mitchell at about 2:30 p.m.

More: Here's how Wisconsin's Black chamber plans to create 3,000 new businesses statewide by 2024

More: The Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce is moving. Here's why that's a big deal for entrepreneurs

Biden's first stop is at Hero Plumbing on N. 27th St.

Biden's first stop after arriving was at Hero Plumbing LLC, 4365 N. 27th St., where he was joined by owner Rashawn Spivey.

Hero Plumbing removes and replaces lead pipes in the city — it's done 600 lead pipes so far — aligning with Biden's goal to remove lead pipes by the end of the decade.

“This was a really nice neighborhood before the manufacturing left,” Spivey said, noting the loss of a high-rise corporation just blocks away.

“We created 800,000 new manufacturing jobs. It’s coming back,” Biden responded.

More: Replacing all lead lines in Wisconsin could cost as much as $1 billion, not including private wells

More: New rule would require Wisconsin to replace all lead pipes by 2037

Protestors denounce Biden for lack of Israel-Hamas ceasefire support

Across the street from the Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce, pro-Palestinian protesters assembled to deliver a message. They’re demanding that Biden and the United States support a ceasefire in Gaza to end the Israel-Hamas conflict.

And they’re threatening to take their case to the ballot box in next year’s presidential election.

The protest was organized by the Wisconsin Coalition for Justice in Palestine, which represents more than 60 organizations.

“What is happening in Gaza is genocide and he is complicit with that genocide, so he has blood on his hands,” said attorney Munjed Ahmad. “We still expect him to call for a ceasefire and not have the U.S. stand alone on the wrong side of history.”

Ahmad noted that Wisconsin is a swing state that Biden narrowly won over former President Donald Trump in 2020.

“He won Wisconsin by about 20,000 votes only,” Ahmad said. “We are a voting bloc that is way more than 20,000. He will not win Wisconsin without our votes. And at this point, he doesn't have them. It is our intention to abandon him because of the complicity with the genocide.”

Biden says 'no expectation' for another Israel-Hamas hostage deal

At the airport, Biden said "there’s no expectation at this point," of another deal for hostages in the Israel-Hamas conflict "but we're pushing."

Asked about the milestone expected of 20,000 Palestinians killed in Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza, he said, “It’s tragic.”

Biden declines comment on Colorado ruling, says 'no question' Trump supported Jan. 6 insurrection

Also at the airport, the president declined to comment on the Colorado Supreme Court ruling that Trump be removed from the ballot.

But he said there was "no question" that Trump supported the Jan. 6 insurrection.

“It’s self-evident. You saw it all. Now whether the 14th Amendment applies, I’ll let the court make that decision. But he certainly supported an insurrection. No question about it. None. Zero. And he seems to be doubling down on about everything. Anyway.”

What is the Black Chamber of Commerce?

The Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce is an organization dedicated "to make(ing) Black people the largest employer of Black people," according to Chairman/CEO Ruben Hopkins.

The chamber, which was created in the early 2000s, executes that mission in a variety of ways by investing in Black-owned businesses; providing entrepreneurial training; offering seed money to help start-ups get off the ground; providing technical assistance and helping existing businesses seeking to expand; and marketing.

Other chamber plans include creating a Black business expo for Wisconsin.

Hopkins' latest goal is called the 3,000 Black Business Challenge, which hopes to create 3,000 new Black-owned businesses in the state by 2024.

More: What is the Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce, and why is Biden visiting there?

What are Republicans saying about Biden?

Wisconsin Republicans blasted the Biden administration ahead of the president's visit. In a Wednesday morning call with reporters, Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson said without more aggressive efforts to control illegal immigration in the country, Black families will be affected financially and personally.

"Without proper documentation, without work permits, (people who enter the country illegally) are going to be employed by the underground economy — that's going to undermine every Americans wage, but certainly it'll impact African American families as well. One dollar held by an African American family is only worth 85 cents," Johnson said.

"Counterfeit fentanyl tablets will kill Black Americans just like it'll kill white and Hispanic Americans as well."

Johnson and U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil, who represents the First Congressional District, also argued that "Bidenomics" has been an economic failure and cited the lingering effects of high prices on voters' wallets, though inflation has cooled down.

Biden struggling with his job approval rating

Biden is no stranger to low approval numbers — particularly since August 2021. According to the Marquette Law School poll, that was the last and only time the president registered positive favorability in his job rating throughout his entire presidency, based on Marquette’s polling.

Since then, the 81-year-old Biden has seen those numbers of favorability and approval decrease within Wisconsin, as well as nationally. Throughout the beginning of his first term, Biden recorded an average net favorability rating of minus-10. His net job approval in Wisconsin over his three years as president sits at minus-11.

According to the Marquette Law School poll, the president’s most recent job approval in Wisconsin is 42%.

More: What Joe Biden's negative poll numbers say about his re-election chances

How many times has Biden been to Wisconsin this year?

This was the president's third visit to Wisconsin in 2023.

His most recent stop in Milwaukee had been in August, right before the first Republican presidential debate. He also went to Madison immediately after his State of the Union Speech in February.

Vice President Kamala Harris also visited Milwaukee in August, focusing on the administration's broadband efforts.

And First Lady Jill Biden made recent stops in Madison and northeastern Wisconsin to promote cancer initiatives and meet with members of the Menominee Nation.

More: President Joe Biden coming to Milwaukee to tout small-business growth, economic policies

Are any future White House trips to Wisconsin planned?

Harris will return to Wisconsin to Wisconsin on Jan. 22 to kick off a “nationwide reproductive freedoms tour." The date marks the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade, which was overturned last year.

Abortion proved a key issue in driving turnout for the governor's race and state Supreme Court election that flipped the court to a liberal majority.

Presidential candidates are sure to continue making campaign stops in Wisconsin as the 2024 elections draw closer.

More: With Biden visit and GOP debate, the fight for Wisconsin's 2024 votes is already underway

What was turnout in Milwaukee like for Biden in 2020?

Turnout in Milwaukee for the 2020 presidential election was virtually the same as it was in 2016.

Biden performed worse than then-Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in wards where at least 50% of residents were Black, picking up about 5,100 fewer votes.

Molly Beck, TJ Dysart and Lawrence Andrea of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: President Biden in Milwaukee: Live coverage recap of Wisconsin visit