US President Donald Trump on Friday evening struck a more somber tone talking about the death of George Floyd and recent protests in Minneapolis.
The comments at the White House came after a day of criticism over a tweet that referred to protesters there as thugs and prompted a warning from Twitter, which said the president glorified violence.
The protests were against the killing of an unarmed black man by the Minneapolis Police Department.
After this warning from the Twitter, and a lot of criticism from Twitterati and other locals, he said he understands the reason behind the protest and feels the pain, but will not allow this to turn into a lawless anarchy.
"We have peaceful protesters and support the rights for peaceful protesters — we can't allow a situation like happened in Minneapolis to descend further into lawlessness, anarchy and chaos," Trump said. The president said he had spoken with Floyd's family before the news event.
Trump also said he understood the hurt and pain of people who have "been through a lot."
Donald J. Trump✔@realDonaldTrump
· 23h
I can’t stand back & watch this happen to a great American City, Minneapolis. A total lack of leadership. Either the very weak Radical Left Mayor, Jacob Frey, get his act together and bring the City under control, or I will send in the National Guard & get the job done right.....
Donald J. Trump✔@realDonaldTrump
....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!
Twitter hid the second of Trump's messages with a warning but added it "has determined that it may be in the public's interest for the Tweet to remain accessible."
We have placed a public interest notice on this Tweet from @realdonaldtrump. https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/
Donald J. Trump✔@realDonaldTrump
Trump also responded Friday on Twitter, saying Twitter was doing "nothing about all of the lies & propaganda being put out by China or the Radical Left Democrat Party."
Donald J. Trump✔@realDonaldTrump
Twitter is doing nothing about all of the lies & propaganda being put out by China or the Radical Left Democrat Party. They have targeted Republicans, Conservatives & the President of the United States. Section 230 should be revoked by Congress. Until then, it will be regulated!
