Rep. Val Demings (D-Fl.) is suggesting the violence breaking out across the nation amid protests against racism and police brutality is a result of President Donald Trump’s leadership.
Margaret Brennan, host of CBS’ “Face the Nation,” asked Demings what her message is to activists.
Instead of sending a message of her own, Demings called on the president to send one himself.
“Wouldn’t it be nice for the president of the United States to take to the microphone or the airwaves and send a message for peace and calm,” Demings said.
She added, “Talking to the protestors, talking to the demonstrators, but also talking to those who come in and loot and steal and do harm.”
Watch her comments below:
“This now more than ever is a time when we need to hear from the President of the United States," @repvaldemings says, pleading for @realdonaldtrump to speak directly to protesters.
— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) August 30, 2020
"The chaos and disorder and lawlessness we are currently seeing, that's Donald Trump's America" pic.twitter.com/VjZikJVp3c
She also implored Trump to speak to his supporters who have “taken the lives” of those trying to send a “calming” and “peaceful” message.
Demings reiterated this is, now more than ever, the time the American people need to hear from the president.
She stressed the discord the nation is experiencing is the product of the way Trump has decided to run the country.
“The chaos and the disorder and the lawlessness that we are currently seeing, that’s Donald Trump’s America,” Demings said.
Protests intensified after the death of Jacob Blake, a Black man, who was shot several times in the back by a white police officer in Wisconsin on Aug. 23.
A gunman opened fire on protesters on the following Tuesday and killed two and injured a third, as IJR previously reported.
A 17-year-old was arrested and is charged with six criminal counts, including first-degree homicide and attempted homicide.
According to a high-profile lawyer representing the defendant, he had acted in self-defense.
He is being accused of firing an assault-style rifle at the three protesters who attempted to subdue him.