Trump's Address On George Floyd Protests Was 'Heartfelt', Sen. Scott Says

South Carolina Senator Tim Scott commended President Donald Trump’s statement on Monday vowing to protect peaceful protesters.

In an interview with Fox News, Sen. Scott said the President's first official address since the protests began was "heartfelt" and had "let us in the right direction."

“We need to hear more like that from the President because frankly, the country rallies around our chief executive,” he said. “And when he speaks about bringing the American family together … I thought what he said in the Rose Garden was important, it was powerful, and it was necessary.”

He added that “stoking the flames” is not helping the cause. Senator Scott, currently the only African-American senator from the Republican Party, also encouraged real conversations on race and justice.

He pointed out that the death of George Floyd, not so long after the killing of Ahmaud Arbery by white residents of South Georgia, has led to these intense outcries. In March, police officers also shot and killed an African-American woman, Breonna Taylor, in Louisville, Kentucky.

“For many African-Americans, this situation has occurred too often,” Sen. Scott said. “Mr. Floyd is not simply one lost life, though that one lost life is too many. He really represents a larger, broader picture, portrait of what’s happened over many decades.”

A series of mass protests had broken out after the death of Floyd, an African-American man who died from asphyxiation after an arresting officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes. The protests have rapidly spread beyond the U.S., with Black Lives Matter topping the news and social media trends.

However, the protests have not only confronted state authorities. StarTribune reported riots affecting businesses and organizations serving people of color in Minnesota, with rioters burning down structures in the indiscriminate attacks. President Trump had warned of bringing in the U.S. military if state or city authorities will not be able control the situation.

George Floyd's brother, Terrence, has also asked for a more peaceful way of calling for justice.

Actions have since been taken by the authorities. Derek Chauvin, the police officer accused of killing Floyd, was arrested on Friday (May 29) on charges of third-degree murder and manslaughter. In Kentucky, the police chief of Louisville has been fired after police officers shot and killed a man, David McAtee, during a protest action.

“I recommend we focus our attention on progress… We all make more progress together,” said Sen. Scott. “There is a path forward but it starts with all of us taking responsibility where we can, moving forward.”