THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR
THROW THE BOOK AT THEM: President Trump’s photocall yesterday
OUT OF CONTROL: Rioters and protesters in the US
NOT since the anti-Vietnam riots of 1968 has there been anything like this…
Flames licking at the front gates of the White House, 75 US cities ablaze, curfews, tear gas, rubber bullets and even the Chinese government denouncing the Land of the Free’s human rights record.
When white cop Derek Chauvin choked the life out of black man George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, he threw a match on a powder keg.
Already living in fear over COVID-19, facing Depression era-levels of unemployment and resentful over decades of racial inequality, the United States exploded.
And Donald Trump, the man who promised to “Make America Great Again” cowered in a White House bunker.
When the Commander-in-chief emerged, after protesters had been cleared to salvoes of tear gas, he proceeded to pour petrol on the flames.
President Trump threatened to send in the military to quell growing civil unrest.
He said if cities and states failed to control the protests and “defend their residents” he would deploy the army and “quickly solve the problem for them”.
He made a televised address to the nation vowing a tough response to nationwide disorder and walked to St. John’s Church to hold up a Bible for news crews while flanked by police.
The President declared: “The biggest victims of the rioting are peace loving citizens in our poorest communities, and as they are president, I will fight to keep them safe. I will fight to protect you. I am your president of law and order and an ally of all peaceful protesters.”
There was little law and order to be found across the US.
In New York, the iconic Macy’s department store was broken into by a mob while across the country, small shopkeepers watched powerless as their livelihoods were torn to shreds by rioters.
Earlier, Mr Trump had agreed with Arkansas Senator
MURDER RAP: Policeman Derek Chauvin kneeled on and choked the life out of George Floyd
Tom Cotton who suggested sending in the 101st Airborbne Division – the “Screaming Eagles” immortalised in the World War Two series Band of Brothers – against rioters.
Sen Cotton tweeted: “Anarchy, rioting, and looting needs to end tonight. If local law enforcement is overwhelmed and needs backup, let’s see how tough these Antifa terrorists are when they’re facing off with the 101st Airborne Division. We need to have zero tolerance for this destruction.”
The President replied: “100% Correct. Thank you Tom!”
However, Trump’s warning was met with swift criticism from senior Democrats.
Joe Biden, the presumptive presidential candidate, said Mr Trump “was using the American military against the American people”.
Derek Chauvin has been charged with third-degree murder and will appear in court next week. Three other police officers have been fired.