Trump promises to put an end to violent demonstrations [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• President Trump said that he would end the unrest and riot across the country right away by using military force.
• Violent protests erupted following the killing of African-American George Floyd at the hands of arresting police officers.
• The cop accountable to Floyd’s death was immediately fired and charged with multiple cases.   

On Monday, President Donald Trump said he would put a stop to violent protests in key cities across the country immediately, saying that he would use military force should mayors and state governors declined to reach out with the National Guard.

“Mayors and governors must establish an overwhelming law enforcement presence until the violence has been quelled,” Trump said. “If a city or state refuses to take the actions that are necessary to defend the life and property of their residents, then I will deploy the United States military and quickly solve the problem for them.”

While Trump is making his announcement in the Rose Garden of the White House, footage of police officers shooting tear gas to protesters in Lafayette Park was shown on television.

Protests across the nation were triggered by the death of black American George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers after ex-officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for almost nine minutes.

According to Reuters, Trump told the governors that they must control the situation; otherwise, the protesters will overwhelm them helplessly.

“You have to dominate,” he told them in a private call obtained by Reuters. “If you don’t dominate, you’re wasting your time – they’re going to run over you, you’re going to look like a bunch of jerks.”

Trump also reiterated that the federal government would be coming in strong to end the chaos. On Monday evening, National Guard troops were seen setting up a post near the White House.

Meanwhile, one person died in Louisville, Kentucky, as National Guard troopers and police responded with live ammunition in attempting to diffuse a crowd.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said the police department was flooded with around 10,000 calls about looting incidents.

What was once a peaceful rally over Floyd’s killing has turned into a disorder, and the rioting started in the midst of the country’s reopening plans after coronavirus lockdown measures were in place.

Floyd’s murder case was the recent incident that prompted an uproar against discrimination in law enforcement officers, and it refueled anger to a country that has always been divided with politics and color. 

The police officer responsible for the death of Floyd, Derek Chauvin, got recently arrested and slapped with second-degree manslaughter and third-degree murder charges.

While Trump repeatedly condemned the murder of Floyd and vowed to give justice, he called violent protesters as “thugs.”

Source: AOL