Trump is president of law and disorder
STANDING outside Minneapolis’s under-siege Third Police Precinct among the tear gas and rubber bullets, I was ordered to the front of the rioting mob.
As I was shoved forward, a demonstrator protesting the death of African American George Floyd at the hands of white police officers told me: “Scream ‘No justice’ and we going to follow you.
“They’re not going to shoot your white ass. They are not going to send any gas over here.”
Another added: “They’re not going to get you, you’ve got a nice tie on.”
My six days on the front line of protests was a shocking insight into the anger and frustration felt not only in the city but across America too.
Once again, another black man killed at the hands of white cops, all of which was caught on camera.
For almost nine minutes, officer Derek Chauvin had placed his knee on the neck of the 46-year-old – all on suspicion he had a fake $20 bill.
Thousands have since descended on the nation’s streets in protest over the shocking death leading to fire and fury erupting from east to west coast.
Everywhere there are scenes of destructive demos, outraged protesters.
As always, criminals have hijacked their cause as they loot and destroy, adding to a society at breaking point.
As buildings continue to burn, state governors, mayors, churches, community leaders and Mr Floyd’s family acknowledge people’s pain while appealing for calm.
In the past, the country’s presidents have led by example, bringing the nation together during its darkest of days. Until now.
Donald Trump, who this week told America he was “your president of law and order”, has instead chosen to play his customary role as human flamethrower.
Words matter – none more so than now – as does a pledge to right ongoing wrongs. Good leaders try to deliver both.
They acknowledge patterns of brutality endured by African Americans at the hands of white officers, the challenges of systemic injustice and the unequal rates of imprisonment.
Right now, all others would also understand how Covid-19 has both medically and economically taken its toll, particularly within such communities.
Meanwhile, the divider-in-chief vehemently protests as the nation burns, blaming anyone but himself for America’s troubles.
Instead of issuing pleas for restraint, he threatens to deploy the country’s military on its own citizens.
Instead of pleading for unity, Trump warns “the most ominous weapons” and “the most vicious dogs” would be unleashed.
And instead of acknowledging why black Americans see white police as threats to their lives, he sees no systemic challenge to policing, only “a few bad apples” among cops.
In such times, so much depends on moral authority. Without it, troubles are only compounded.
The right message would see vows that justice will be done in the wake of Mr Floyd’s death, an insistence on keeping protest peaceful and a recognition that righting deeper wrongs is an urgent priority.
But when you have a leader who thrives on hatred, racism and disunity, there is no way that message will come from the White House.
Instead, America has a president who tear-gasses priests to clear them and peaceful protestors away so he can have a photo opportunity outside a church.
President of law and order? Trump thrives on chaos to survive.
In the past, presidents brought the US together – until now