George Floyd Protests: Trump Threatens To Deploy Military If Riots, Violent Rallies Continue

Taking aim at rioters and looters, President Donald Trump on Monday all but declared war on criminals exploiting the death of George Floyd to commit widespread looting, robbery and arson. He proclaimed himself "your president of law and order” by promising to unleash the might of the United States military on them.

Trump made these declarations at the White House in his bid to suppress the wave of violent riots sweeping the country. Protests in more than 70 cities are denouncing the death of Floyd, police brutality and endemic racism, especially among America's police.

Most of the nationwide protests have been peaceful but high-profile protests in Minnesota, New York City, Los Angeles and Atlanta, among others, devolved into wanton looting, arson and property destruction, and grabbed media headlines. Washington D.C. was hit by protests Friday, forcing Trump to hide for an hour inside an underground bunker in the White House.

The president made his law and order declaration one week after Floyd was allegedly choked to death by police officer Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis. Political pundits noted Trump has made no effort to either talk to or assuage the concerns of protesters. He also issued no appeal to quell the violence.

At the White House, Trump said the state can't allow "the righteous cries and peaceful protesters to be drowned out by an angry mob." He said the biggest victims of the rioting are peace-loving citizens in the poorest communities, and added he'll fight to protect and keep them safe.

"These are not acts of peaceful protest, these are acts of domestic terror," said Trump.

He then announced the mobilization of all available federal resources, civilian and military, to stop the rioting and looting. He also said this call-up will end the destruction and arson and will protect the rights of law-abiding Americans, including their Second Amendment rights.

Trump was also trying to persuade governors to deploy their National Guards to "dominate the streets" and demonstrate an "overwhelming law enforcement presence until the violence has been quelled."

He declared if any city or state refuses to take "the actions necessary to defend the life and property of their residents, I will deploy the United States military and solve the problem for them."

Experts said Trump had no legal basis for implementing such a drastic step. The closest the president can get to doing this is to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807, which allows him to deploy active-duty U.S. troops to respond to protests, but only at the request of state governors.

Trump can't act on his own and unilaterally order U.S. Army troops to invade a state. Such an invasion will allow a state to call out its National Guard to repel the army's illegal incursion.

Police in states hit by rioting and looting are saying both left wing radicals and white supremacists are taking advantage of the chaos by stoking fear and anger. Trump, however, only blamed the left for the riots. Without offering any shred of proof, he said the violence and vandalism "is being led by Antifa and other radical left-wing groups who are terrorizing the innocent, destroying jobs, hurting businesses, and burning down buildings.”

He also assailed Democrat governors for not being more brutal toward protesters in their states.

"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!" tweeted Trump Saturday.

Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan said Trump’s remarks during a call with governors were “deeply disturbing.” She said instead of offering support or leadership to calm down the protests, he told governors to "put it down" or will be "overridden."

“He said governors should ‘dominate’ protesters, ‘or you’ll look like a bunch of jerks,’” according to Whitmer. “The president repeatedly and viciously attacked governors, who are doing everything they can to keep the peace while fighting a once-in-a-generation global pandemic.”

She warned Trump's dangerous comments "should be gravely concerning to all Americans, because they send a clear signal that this administration is determined to sow the seeds of hatred and division, which I fear will only lead to more violence and destruction."

Whitmer said Americans must reject Trump's way of thinking.

"This is a moment that calls for empathy, humanity, and unity," she declared.