WASHINGTON: President Trump threatened use of military force on Monday to “stop the violence and restore security and safety in America”.
Trump said he has “strongly recommended” to every governor to deploy the National Guard in “sufficient numbers that we dominate the streets.” He said mayors and governors must establish an “overwhelming law enforcement presence until the violence has been quelled.” If the city or state refuses to take the actions, Trump said he would deploy the U.S. military.
“I will deploy the United States military and quickly solve the problem for them. I am also taking swift and decisive action to protect our great capital, Washington, DC. What happened in this city last night was a total disgrace,” he said.
He added, “Those who threaten innocent life and property will be arrested, detained and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I want the organizers of this terror to be on notice that you will face severe criminal penalties and lengthy sentences in jail.”
Meanwhile, four police officers were injured by gunfire in St Louis on Monday night as the city was gripped by violent protests. Their lives are reportedly not in danger.
The four injured officers were conscious when they were taken to hospital, the police department said. Law enforcement is “still taking gunfire downtown.”
The incident happened near St Louis police headquarters, where police and protesters clashed repeatedly throughout the night, according to local media. The protest was initially peaceful, but turned violent after nightfall, with vandalism and looting of businesses reported.
Officers apparently came under gunfire shortly after using multiple flash-bangs and tear-gas rounds against a crowd near Olive and 16th streets.
Gunshots and sirens can be heard in several videos posted on social media, which were purportedly shot in St. Louis during Monday’s protests.
St Louis is among dozens of cities across the US facing nighttime violence as the country is consumed by public rage over police brutality. The wave of protests, which has already spilled across the American borders, was unleashed by a video showing a white Minneapolis police officer pinning a black man to the ground by kneeling on his neck. George Floyd died in custody in what an independent autopsy confirmed to be a homicide. – TLTP
Trump threatens to use mily force to put out ‘riots’ in US
