George Floyd Protests: Trump Deploys Thousands Of US Soldiers

 

United States National Guard troops have been deployed near the White House to stop protest following the killing of black man, George Floyd by a white police officer, Derek Chauvin.

 

President Donald Trump announced on Monday evening at the Rose Garden that he has deployed the military to tackle protesters.

 

He said he wanted a military show of force against violent protests occasioned by George Floyd’s death.

 

Trump described himself as a “law and order” president.

“I am dispatching thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers, military personnel, and law enforcement officers to stop the rioting, looting, vandalism, assaults, and the wanton destruction of property. We will end it now,” he said.

 

He added that Washington would be “under much more control. We’re going to clamp down very strongly. We’re going to do something that people haven’t seen before”.

 

The troops will protect national monuments, the White House, property, and infrastructure.

 

It is expected that not all will be armed.

 

Trump urged governors to use their National Guard units to “dominate the streets”.

 

The American leader threatened to call on active duty military if governors failed to use the National Guard more forcefully.

 

Trump stated that he has the power to do this under the 1807 Insurrection Act.