US President Donald Trump has threatened to deploy army to quell protests over the killing of black man George Floyd in police custody. He said if city and state governments failed to control the protests and evacuate residents, the problem would be quickly resolved through the deployment of the army.
President Trump made the remarks in a brief speech at the White House Rose Garden on Tuesday (June 2) about the ongoing protests.
Heavy armed forces and law enforcement officers will be sent to stop these riots, looting, vandalism, attacks and proper destruction, he said.
Trump added, all Americans are shocked by the brutal death of George Floyd. But his memory is being lost through riots, looting and vandalism.
A Las Vegas sheriff said a police officer had already been killed in a shootout with protesters. Many more were injured.
Meanwhile, the National Guard has been deployed in 23 states, including the US capital, Washington to stop looting and riots. Police in riot gear stormed a rally on Friday, removing hundreds of protesters by truck. Violence is on the rise in other states as well.
On May 25, a video of police killing George Floyd went viral on social media. The video shows 46-year-old George Floyd being strangled by police. He repeatedly screamed for breath and pleaded for life and at one point died. Blacks began protesting the death of Floyd.