Trump tells US governors to respond to violent protests with force News
© WikiMedia (Paul Becker)
Trump tells US governors to respond to violent protests with force

In a video teleconference on Monday, US President Donald Trump told US governors to target violent protesters by exercising more force, following the third night of protests across the country.

In the audio clip obtained by CBS News, Trump addressed national governors, law enforcement and national security officials, accusing them of being “weak” and failing in their dealings with the protests. Calling state officials “laughing stock[s]” around the world, Trump urged greater force and an increase in arrests of violent protesters.

The president further stated that officials were “fools” for failing to call the National Guard to calm violent protests. Thousands of national guard troops have already been deployed, with curfews imposed in Minneapolis and other cities.

The protests come in response to the death of George Floyd, a black man who was killed by white police officer, Derek Chauvin. The officer was charged with third degree murder and manslaughter, but many are urging a charge of first degree murder, with protests occurring in multiple countries, including the US, Germany and the UK.