During a late Monday, straight off the teleprompter statement (watch above), Donald Trump basically declared war on America saying:
“I am dispatching thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers, military personnel and law enforcement officers to stop the rioting, looting, vandalism, assaults and wanton destruction of property. We are putting everybody on warning.”
Has there ever been a lower moment in the history of the American presidency?
— George Conway (@gtconway3d) June 1, 2020
Trump’s address lasted less than six minutes and he did not take questions. It was clear the speech was about law and order, not about trying to heal the country. Instead of calling for peace, he seemed to throw more fuel on the fire. And once again, without evidence, he blamed Antifa.
This is ultimately what the president isn't processing – until he really addresses police reform as the first part of any other statement, the protests won't stop. https://t.co/VLxZ3ze4A4
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) June 1, 2020
After the remarks, CNN’s Don Lemon said “he is playing a very dangerous game. This will backfire.”
These are not the words of a president. They are the words of a dictator.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) June 1, 2020
Even more stunning was what happened next. Military police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse a crowd of peaceful protesters in Lafayette Park across from the White House so Trump could walk through the area to St. John’s Church where he held up a bible. He had peaceful protesters gassed for a photo op.
A completely peaceful protest outside the White House was attacked with tear gas and rubber bullets because the president wants it. He wants escalation https://t.co/krmPey4yz4
— Tim Steller (@senyorreporter) June 1, 2020
In front of the church, he turns to the cameras and holds up a bible.
But actually. All this just to shore up a wobbly base.
— Eli Stokols (@EliStokols) June 1, 2020
Trump had protesters tear-gassed to awkwardly hold a bible in front of a church pic.twitter.com/2Ktijus1z0
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) June 1, 2020
The president is calling out the American military against American citizens.
He used the military to push out a peaceful protest so he could have a photo op at a church.
It's all just a reality TV show for this president.
Shameful.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) June 1, 2020
