Trump boasts ‘domination’ over Washington DC protesters after using tear gas before church photo op
Donald Trump has boasted "domination" in Washington DC over protesters following accusations that the president had police deploy tear gas to clear his path for a church photo op.
"DC had no problems last night. Many arrests. Great job done by all. Overwhelming force. Domination. Likewise, Minneapolis was great (thank you President Trump!)," the president wrote in a tweet on Tuesday after another day of unrest across the country.
The president faced backlash on Monday for his Rose Garden address about the protests erupting across the country following the death of George Floyd at the hands of former Minneapolis police officers. As Mr Trump promised Americans he would protect peaceful protesters, police just outside the White House fired tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash bangs at people who all looked to be peaceful in Lafayette Square.
With the protesters dispersed using police force, the president then had a path that allowed him to walk from the White House to St John's Episcopal Church for a photo op.
The president, once at the church, then held up a bible as he stood outside the structure.
"Is that your bible?" a reporter is heard asking Mr Trump during the moment. He responded: "It's a bible."
St John's Episcopal Church partially burned on Sunday during protests. Every modern day president, including Mr Trump, has attended at least one service in the church, making it a historical structure in Washington DC.
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