Cringing over Buffalo tweet
Trump draws criticism after targeting 75-year-old protester
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump ignited fresh controversy over his “law and order” push Tuesday, this time trying to raise suspicions about a 75-year-old protester who was hospitalized after being shoved by police and falling.
Trump tweeted that the confrontation in Buffalo, New York, may have been a “set up.” Two Buffalo police officers have been charged with second-degree assault after video captured protester Martin Gugino falling to the ground after being pushed by police. He was seen bleeding from his head as officers walked away.
The officers, who could face prison sentences of up to seven years if convicted, have pleaded not guilty.
“Buffalo protester shoved by Police could be an ANTIFA provocateur,” Trump wrote in his tweet. “75 year old Martin Gugino was pushed away after appearing to scan police communications in order to black out the equipment. @OANN I watched, he fell harder than was pushed. Was aiming scanner. Could be a set up?”
There is no evidence to suggest that anything of the sort took place. Trump was referencing a report on One America News Network.
Trump’s tweet was criticized by both Republicans and Democrats.
“It’s a serious accusation, which should only be made with facts and evidence. And I haven’t seen any yet,” said Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate. Asked by reporters if the president should not be making it, Thune said: “Well, I think that’s a given.”
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-alaska, who last week said she’s “struggling with” whether to support Trump in November, reacted to the tweet in the Capitol after a reporter handed her a printout.
“Oh lord. Ugh,” she said. “Again, why would you fan the flames?
That’s all I’m going to say.”
New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo called on Trump to apologize for a “wholly unacceptable” tweet.
“How reckless, how irresponsible, how mean, how crude. I mean if there was ever a reprehensible, dumb comment, and from the president of the United States,” Cuomo said.
Erie County District Attorney John Flynn declined comment Tuesday on the president’s tweet and said he would have no further comment on the Gugino case because it remains under investigation.