President Donald Trump issued a series of tweets Thursday night as protests for George Floyd across the nation turned violent.
Demonstrations played out across the country on Thursday, often echoing the same themes of “Black Lives Matter” and “No Justice, No Peace” following Monday’s death of George Floyd, a black Minnesota man who died in police custody.
In response, President Trump took to twitter, condemning the turn these rally took.
....These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen. Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2020
Three days after Floyd’s death, federal and state investigators said now is not the time to press charges against the officers who held Floyd, despite calls from the mayor of Minneapolis, Floyd's brother, and others.
Derek Chauvin, a now fired Minneapolis police officer, held a knee against Floyd’s neck for several minutes, despite pleas from Floyd and bystanders. Floyd died moments later.
The incident has been seen by millions following a now viral video circulating social media.
When asked why the video was not enough evidence to produce probable cause for a criminal charge against, Chauvin Hennepin County Attorney Michael Freeman told reporters, “There is other evidence that doesn’t support a criminal charge.”
Within hours, police and protesters clashed in dozens of cities.
Parts of this article were contributed by Scripps Digital Producer Justin Boggs
