The president has threatened to deploy the military to quell outbreaks of violence at protests if states do not restore calm.
President Donald Trump faces mounting criticism after protesters near the White House were tear-gassed ahead of him crossing the street to be photographed outside a church.
Following his address on Monday evening, where he discussed potentially deploying the military to tackle unrest at demonstrations across the nation, Trump visited St. John’s Church, which was damaged by a fire lit during protests.
After saying he wanted to pay respects to « a very, very special place, » Trump walked out of the White House gates with his security and stood outside the church to be photographed while holding a bible.
Moments beforehand, authorities were seen using tear gas to clear a crowd of protesters that had gathered over the death in police custody of George Floyd, an African American man, in Minneapolis on May 25.
In a joint statement, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) branded Trump « cowardly, weak and dangerous » for « fanning of the flames of discord, bigotry and violence. »
They wrote: « Across our country, Americans are protesting for an end to the pattern of racial injustice and brutality we saw most recently in the murder of George Floyd.
« Yet, at a time when our country cries out for unification, this President is ripping it apart. Tear-gassing peaceful protesters without provocation just so that the President could pose for photos outside a church dishonors every value that faith teaches us. »
Sen. Schumer also tweeted: « How low can this president go? President Trump ordered federal authorities to fire tear gas at peaceful protesters so that he could hold a photo op to appear like a tough guy. His words are empty.
