Donald Trump wants ‘unlimited power of military’ unleashed on George Floyd rioters
President Trump claimed the protests at Floyd's death have been hijacked by far left groups, and slated liberal rivals for failing to crack-down on ongoing unrest
Donald Trump has called for the ‘unlimited power of our military’ to be unleashed on rioters protesting the death of unarmed black man George Floyd. The President of the United States tweeted Saturday: ‘Crossing State lines to incite violence is a FEDERAL CRIME!
‘Liberal Governors and Mayors must get MUCH tougher or the Federal Government will step in and do what has to be done, and that includes using the unlimited power of our Military and many arrests. Thank you!’
Trump spoke after a fourth night of riots gripped the US after police in Minneapolis killed unarmed black security guard George Floyd on Monday night. The president himself has been accused of stoking tensions further after tweeting ‘when the looting starts, the shooting starts’ and suggesting that his ‘MAGA’ supporters stage a counter-protest at the White House Saturday.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz estimated that 80% of those arriving in the riot-ravaged Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St Paul had come from other areas. He said ongoing unrest in the city – which has seen hundreds of businesses looted and tortured – is ‘no longer, in any way about the murder of George Floyd.’
Walz has fully mobilized the Minnesota National Guard for the first time in the state’s history to try and head off a continuation of riots tonight. He claimed that well-organized white supremacist and cartel groups are worsening the chaos in his city.
Asked earlier this morning why the riots had continued to spiral out of control, Walz said the city had not gathered sufficient manpower to contain the demonstrations.
Meanwhile, President Trump and US attorney general Bill Barr have blamed far-left antifa (anti-facist) groups for stoking trouble. Trump tweeted Saturday: ‘It’s ANTIFA and the Radical Left. Don’t lay the blame on others!.’
And Barr said: ‘The voices of peaceful protest are being hijacked by violent, radical elements.
‘Groups of outside radicals and agitators are exploiting the situation to pursue their own separate and violent agenda.
‘In many places, it appears the violence is planned, organized and driven by anarchic and left extremist groups, far left extremist groups, using Antifa-like tactics, many of whom travel from outside the state to promote the violence.’
Distressing video footage of Floyd shouting ‘I can’t breathe’ while Minneapolis Police Department cop Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck sparked nationwide outrage.
Floyd died shortly after the clip was filmed, having been arrested for allegedly trying to pass a fake $20 bill in a grocery store. Chauvin and three colleagues were fired from their jobs, with Chauvin also charged with Floyd’s murder Friday.
Protests at Floyd’s death have spread across the US, with cities including New York, Detroit, Oakland and Portland experiencing unrest on Friday night.
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