Trump weighs in on Minneapolis protests, threatens more violence

(Image credit: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)

published 29 May 2020

President Trump threatened to send the National Guard into Minneapolis, where the National Guard has already been activated and deployed by Gov. Tim Walz (D), in a tweeted response early Friday to the chaotic protests, fires, and looting in the Twin Cities. "These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won't let that happen," Trump tweeted, referring to the violent death that sparked three days of protests, so far. "Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!"

On Monday, a white police officer, Derek Chauvin, kneeled on Floyd's neck for nearly 10 minutes after handcuffing him in a forgery investigation. Floyd, who was black, repeatedly protested that he couldn't breath, and he died soon after. It was all caught on video by a bystander. Chauvin and four of his colleagues were fired Tuesday but none have been arrested. One of the chants from protesters has been "No justice, no peace!" It's not clear what Trump hopes to accomplish by pouring rhetorical gasoline on a raging fire.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Explore More

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.

Subscribe to The Week

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox