Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms on Sunday condemned President Donald Trump’s response to the nationwide protests sparked by George Floyd’s death, calling it reminiscent of his response to the deadly white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017.
But the president has also stoked tensions by threatening to use military force against people looting during the protests.
Earlier Saturday, Trump tweeted that he watched protesters outside the White House “scream” and “rant” and praised the Secret Service for keeping them at bay.
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On Sunday, Bottoms blasted Trump’s remarks, comparing them to comments he made in the wake of the Charlottesville rally, which drew criticism from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers.
During an appearance on “Fox News Sunday,” Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina said Trump’s tweets threatening violence were “not constructive,” calling on the president to “lead with compassion.”