u.s. & world

Trump warns of military deployment as George Floyd protests resume

By Jonathan Lemire, Jill Colvin & Alan Suderman
Monday, June 1, 2020
President Donald Trump threatened to deploy the United States military unless states halt violent protests. Trump said he was recommending that governors deploy the National Guard in sufficient numbers to "dominate the streets."
WASHINGTON -- Amid racial unrest across the nation, President Donald Trump on Monday declared himself "the president of law and order" and threatened to deploy the United States military to American cities to quell a rise of violent protests.

As Trump spoke, an incredible TV split screen developed around the White House. While he addressed the nation in the White House's idyllic Rose Garden, a series of military vehicles rolled out front on Pennsylvania Avenue and military police and law enforcement clashed with protesters at Lafayette Park.

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Those peaceful demonstrators were cleared so Trump could walk across the park to St. John's Episcopal Church, known as "The Church of the Presidents," which suffered fire damage in a protest this week. Holding a Bible, he then stood with several of his Cabinet members as the cameras clicked.

"We have the greatest country in the world," Trump declared. "We're going to keep it safe."

George Floyd protests: Police, demonstrators clash nationwide


Trump said he would mobilize "thousands and thousands" of soldiers to keep the peace if governors did not use the National Guard to shut down the protests. Loud tear gas explosions could be heard as authorities moved what appeared to be peaceful protests in the park. The escalation came just after Attorney General William Barr came to the park to to survey the demonstrators.



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According to senior defense officials, between 600 and 800 National Guard members from five states were being sent to Washington to provide assistance. Those troops were either already on the ground or will arrive by midnight.

Under the Civil War-era Posse Comitatus Act, federal troops are prohibited from performing domestic law enforcement actions such as making arrests, seizing property or searching people. In extreme cases, however, the president can invoke the Insurrection Act, also from the Civil War, which allows the use of active-duty or National Guard troops for law enforcement.

The officials said that some of the National Guard in D.C. will be armed and others will not. They said that the D.C. guard members do not have non-lethal weapons. The military police that are visible in the city are members of the Guard.

Police move towards a protester after curfew on May 30, 2020, in Minneapolis.none
A protester has her eyes washed after being exposed to teargas on May 30, 2020, in Minneapolis.none
Police and protesters clash, May 30, 2020, in Philadelphia, during a demonstration over the death of George Floyd.none
Police scuffle with protesters in the Brooklyn borough of New York on May 30, 2020. Demonstrators took to the streets of New York City to protest the death of George Floyd.none
Tear gas canisters detonate beside a protester as authorities clear an intersection near the Minneapolis 5th Police Precinct on May 30, 2020, in Minneapolis.none
A Los Angeles Police Department kiosk is seen ablaze in The Grove shopping center during a protest over the death of George Floyd on May 30, 2020, in Los Angeles.none
A protester is assisted with a solution to help neutralize the effects of tear gas fired by police outside the Minneapolis 5th Police Precinct May 30, 2020, in Minneapolis.none
A woman holds up a banner as people gather in Trafalgar Square in central London on May 31, 2020 to protest against the recent killing of George Floyd.none
A protester shouts in front of a fire during a protest over the death of George Floyd in Los Angeles on May 30, 2020.none
Musical artist Jeleel stands at a protest over the death of George Floyd on May 30, 2020, in Los Angeles.none
Los Angeles Police Department commander Cory Palka stands among destroyed police cars as one explodes during a protest over George Floyd's death on May 30, 2020, in Los Angeles.none
Protesters rally Saturday, May 30, 2020, in Las Vegas, over the death of George Floyd.none
Demonstrators gather to protest the death of George Floyd on May 30, 2020, near the White House in Washington. Floyd died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers.none
A protester in an Elmo mask dances during the Justice for George Floyd Philadelphia Protest on May 30, 2020.none
People march towards Trafalgar Square in central London on May 31, 2020 to protest against the recent killing of George Floyd.none
Police pull a man off his bike to make an arrest during protests in the Brooklyn borough of New York on May 30, 2020.none
Philadelphia police detain a person during the Justice for George Floyd Philadelphia Protest on May 30, 2020.none
Demonstrators gather to protest the death of George Floyd, a black man who died in police custody in Minneapolis, May 29, 2020, in Washington.none
Uniformed U.S. Secret Service police detain a protester near the White House as demonstrators protest the death of George Floyd, May 29, 2020, in Washington.none
Protesters confront police officers during a protest over the death of George Floyd in Chicago, May 30, 2020.none
A lone protester confronts a line of police during a demonstration next to the city of Miami Police Department, May 30, 2020, downtown in Miami.none
A man kneels on the street in front of police officers while chanting "I can't breathe" during a protest over the death of George Floyd, May 29, 2020, in Los Angeles.none
A demonstrator holds a sign during a protest the death of George Floyd, May 30, 2020, near the White House in Washington.none
A vandalized car rests in a Mercedes-Benz of Oakland showroom during in Oakland, Calif., on May 30, 2020, during protests against the Monday death of George Floyd,none
Annah Dominis wears a face mask with Black Lives Matter written on it at a protest over the Memorial Day death of George Floyd in San Francisco, May 30, 2020.none
A person burns a Chicago flag during a protest over the death of George Floyd in Chicago, May 30, 2020.none
Protesters and National Guardsmen face off on East Lake Street, May 29, 2020, in St. Paul, Minn.none
Demonstrators protest, May 30, 2020 in Atlanta.none
A security guard walks behind shattered glass at the CNN building at the CNN Center in the aftermath of a demonstration against police violence, May 30, 2020, in Atlanta.none
A protester runs past burning cars and buildings on Chicago Avenue, May 30, 2020, in St. Paul, Minn.none
Protesters gather on May 30, 2020, in Minneapolis.none
Demonstrators protest on May 30, 2020 in Atlanta. The protest started peacefully earlier in the day before demonstrators clashed with police.none
A protester confronts police as they advance on May 29, 2020, in San Jose, Calif., as people demonstrate nationwide in response to George Floyd dying while in police custody.none
Protesters stand near a Minnesota National Guard vehicle, May 29, 2020, in Minneapolis. Protests continued following the death of George Floyd.none
Demonstrators rally in Oakland, Calif., on May 29, 2020, protesting the death of George Floyd.none
A demonstrator is detained by Atlanta Police during a protest on May 30, 2020 in Atlanta.none
A demonstrator is injured as people protest the death of George Floyd on May 30, 2020, near the White House in Washington.none
An armed protester walks past a flipped over police vehicle on May 30, 2020, in Salt Lake City.none
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