On Wednesday, September 23, President Trump was asked at a White House press briefing how he felt about the Louisville grand jury's decision not to charge the police officers who shot 26-year-old Breonna Taylor in her own apartment.
The officers, executing a warrant for a suspect already in police custody, burst into Taylor's home, weapons drawn, and killed the ER technician. One of the three officers involved was charged with wanton endangerment for accidentally firing his weapon into the neighboring apartment. No officers faced any charges related to the shooting death of Taylor.
Q: "Do you believe that justice was served in the Breonna Taylor case in Kentucky?" @POTUS: "My message is that I… https://t.co/tCN1HT9sc9— CSPAN (@CSPAN) 1600896070.0
Asked about this tragedy, however, President Trump took the opportunity to give himself a pat on the back.
Trump commented:
"My message is that I love the Black community, and I've done more for the Black community than any other president, and I say, with a possible exception of Abraham Lincoln, and I mean that."
"With opportunity zones and with criminal justice reform, with prison reform, with what we've done for historically Black universities, colleges, schools, what we've done, nobody's done more. Abraham Lincoln, let's give him the nod, but beyond that nobody's done more."
Trump was asked what message he has for those who feel justice was not served in the Breonna Taylor case. He said… https://t.co/zBXzS0mzdW— Weijia Jiang (@Weijia Jiang) 1600890247.0
Trump participates in discussion on Protecting Consumers from Social Media Abusesyoutu.be
Twitter wasn't surprised that President Trump seems habitually unable to empathize with the concerns of his citizens.
@cspan @POTUS Why is his answer about him. 🙄— kjhfive (@kjhfive) 1600896227.0
@cspan @POTUS Perfect example of a mind in chaos.— Awakened (@Awakened) 1600896381.0
Later that same day, President Trump was again asked about the Breonna Taylor grand jury verdict.
This time, he chose to praise the Kentucky Attorney General for his handling of the case, which has resulted in nation-wide protests.
Here’s how Trump reacted to Wednesday's news on the Breonna Taylor case https://t.co/MEOvyspI0P— NowThis (@NowThis) 1600953180.0
Asked about the Breonna Taylor case, Trump says Kentucky’s AG, Republican Daniel Cameron, made a “really brilliant”… https://t.co/mlU75oKzVV— Daniel Dale (@Daniel Dale) 1600900033.0
When reporters persisted, President Trump made an excuse and left the room.
The internet is already decrying the Breonna Taylor verdict as a miscarriage of justice.
Others online called out President Trump for his apparent lack of knowledge about such an important issue.
@cspan @POTUS This is like me saying "I love ice cream". Then someone asking "What's your view on Mint Chocolate Ch… https://t.co/nmafFXc4n6— JD (@JD) 1600897397.0
@cspan @POTUS That’s the same answer he gives for any questions with the word black in it.— Father Unicorn🌝🌚 (@Father Unicorn🌝🌚) 1600917876.0
President Trump continues to show Americans where his priorities lie—with himself before anyone else.