As protests continued across the nation, many turned violent. Police began firing rubber bullets and unleashing tear gas onto protestors.
In response to the unrest, the President—who spent some of the weekend in a White House bunker—admonished governors for not being rough enough with protestors.
Trump said:
"We're going to clamp down very, very strong. The word is 'dominate.' If you don't dominate your city and your state, they're gonna walk away with you. And we're doing it in Washington, in DC, we're going to do something that people haven't seen before ... But we're going to have total domination."
He continued to encourage the imprisonment of protestors and emphasized a reliance on intimidation tactics.
The Republican governor of Massachusetts—Charlie Baker—got emotional when reflecting on Trump's words.
Watch below.
Gov. Charlie Baker (R-MA) gets emotional when talking about Trump's calls to "dominate" protesters: "When the country needed compassion ... it was simply nowhere to be found." pic.twitter.com/M9LIzdgPUj
— The Recount (@therecount) June 1, 2020
Baker said:
"At so many times during these past several weeks, when the country needed compassion and leadership the most, it was simply nowhere to be found. Instead, we got bitterness, combativeness, and self-interest. That's not what we need in Boston, it's not what we need right now in Massachusetts, and it's definitely not what we need across this great country of ours either."
On Monday, Trump ordered the military police to unleash tear gas on peaceful protestors in order to clear a path for him to hold a photo opportunity in front of the historic Saint John's Episcopal Church. The bishop of the diocese of Washington has condemned Trump's actions as well.
People sided with the governor.
You have to know Charlie Baker to fully appreciate this. He is a fantastic governor and sensitive to the needs of his constituents, but he never shows any emotion.
— Paula Lovinski (@LovinskiPaula) June 1, 2020
Trump's admonishment of governors angered many.
