For the second night in a row, a large crowd of protesters has surrounded the White House. So far, no person or group has been able to clearly articulate why they are protesting at the White House.
President Trump was quick to condemn the death of George Floyd, tweeting on Wednesday, that he has already engaged the FBI and DOJ in an investigation into the “very sad and tragic death” of George Floyd. Trump added that he’s asked for the investigation to be “expedited,” saying he greatly appreciates all of the hard work done by local law enforcement. President Trump also shared his sympathy for Floyd’s family and friends, assuring them, “Justice will be served!”
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1265774770877902848?s=20
Two hours ago, President Trump addressed the death of George Floyd from the NASA Space Center.
“The death of George Floyd on the streets of Minneapolis was a grave tragedy. It should never have happened. It has filled Americans all over the country with horror, anger, and grief.”
"The death of George Floyd on the streets of Minneapolis was a grave tragedy. It should never have happened. It has filled Americans all over the country with horror, anger, and grief." pic.twitter.com/lirAMSv4Wo
— The White House 45 Archived (@WhiteHouse45) May 30, 2020
“We support the right of peaceful protestors, and we hear their pleas. But what we are now seeing on the streets of our cities has nothing to do with justice or peace.”
“We support the right of peaceful protestors, and we hear their pleas. But what we are now seeing on the streets of our cities has nothing to do with justice or peace.” pic.twitter.com/ckZ28xXSkA
— The White House 45 Archived (@WhiteHouse45) May 30, 2020
“My Administration will always stand against violence, mayhem, and disorder.
We will stand with the family of George Floyd, with the peaceful protestors, and with every law-abiding citizen who wants decency, civility, safety, and security.”
"My Administration will always stand against violence, mayhem, and disorder.
We will stand with the family of George Floyd, with the peaceful protestors, and with every law-abiding citizen who wants decency, civility, safety, and security." pic.twitter.com/Wxk6qmBR69
— The White House 45 Archived (@WhiteHouse45) May 30, 2020
AG Barr has also promised accountability for George Floyd’s death at the state and federal level and “moving at exceptional speed.”
AG Bill Barr: "The outrage of our national community about what happened to George Floyd in Minneapolis is real and legitimate." pic.twitter.com/m6jqhICHfA
— The Hill (@thehill) May 30, 2020
Both the President of the United States and the United States Attorney General have assured the public they are fully committed to “expedited” justice for George Floyd’s death, but somehow, that’s not enough for protesters who push forward, determined to drag President Trump into a battle that has nothing to do with him.
NBC News White House correspondent Kelly O’Donnell shared video footage of US Secret Service agents in heavy gear getting ready to face protesters.
Secret Service in heavy gear head toward protest from White House grounds. pic.twitter.com/lJamIUZ6g1
— Kelly O'Donnell (@KellyO) May 30, 2020
O’Donnell showed another video of Secret Service agents behind the gate at the White House.
Protests near the White House but kept beyond a perimeter. pic.twitter.com/WHoyMdEHNQ
— Kelly O'Donnell (@KellyO) May 30, 2020
Violent rioters have spray painted the vehicles of Secret Service agents and smashed out their windows. In the video below, protesters/rioters can be seen running as law enforcement agents are pushing them away from the perimeter of the White House.
UPDATE: Rioters have spray painted and smashed out windows of multiple U.S. Secret Service vehicles outside of the White House.
People were stomping on the vehicle's roofs and tossing objects at the police line.
This is at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and 17th Street. pic.twitter.com/xLvIe499jy
— Kevin Lewis (@ABC7Kevin) May 30, 2020
Rioters have ripped down barricades between Secret Service and the rioters and are now coming face-to-face with US Secret Service agents. What these rioters don’t understand is that Secret Service agents aren’t your run-of-the-mill local cops, they are highly-trained and highly-skilled law enforcement agents, many of whom are former members of the US military.
Penn. and 17th is split between protesters and Secret Service with what’s basically a buffer zone between them. The situation is stable at the moment but some protesters are daring to inch forward. Cries of “hands up, don’t shoot” are getting louder. pic.twitter.com/ToiwFKwoP3
— Alejandro Alvarez (@aletweetsnews) May 30, 2020
The crowd continues to swell, as protesters become more emboldened. As night falls, the US military moves into D.C., providing back up for the US Secret Service.
Tensions flared near the White House. Not sure what triggered it, all I saw was a blast of pepper spray and a sudden sprint backward. There’s a lot more pressure on the police cordon and they’re pulling out gas masks. pic.twitter.com/X4uCQRzPkw
— Alejandro Alvarez (@aletweetsnews) May 30, 2020
Videos are starting to appear on Twitter, showing military vehicles filled with troops rolling into Washington D.C.
BREAKING: Military convoy moves through Washington DC pic.twitter.com/z4fMFlXS7e
— Stoll News (@StollNews) May 30, 2020
Another video shows the National Guard arriving in Washington D.C.
National Guard arrives to DC https://t.co/7ZTrI7HjIv
— Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) May 30, 2020
Should protesters be outside of the White House, causing chaos and destroying personal property over the death of George Floyd, that happened in Minneapolis?