Trump asks governors to use harsher tactics against mass protesters in leaked audio: 'You have to dominate'
President Donald Trump had allegedly ordered governors to "dominate" George Floyd protesters, according to newly leaked audio. Trump was heard talking to governors and telling them that they needed to step up law enforcement measures in response to protesters so that "you'll never see this stuff again". The "unhinged" audio call was obtained by CBS News.
During the call, he had also reportedly revealed, "You have to dominate, if you don't dominate you're wasting your time. They're going to run over your, you're going to have to look like a bunch of jerks."
"Washington was under very good control, but we're going to have it under much more control. We're going to pull in thousands of people," he added. Trump had allegedly also told governors that they need to "arrest people, you have to track people, you have to put them in jail for 10 years and you'll never see this stuff again." While on the call, Trump also kept questioning the decisions and leadership of governors to deal with the George Floyd protests. He also implored them to make use of the National Guard as well as other military services.
Trump shared, "You're making a mistake because you're making yourselves look like fools. And some have done a great job. But a lot of you, it's not – it's not a great day for our country." One of the participants on the call revealed how Trump's tone was "unhinged". "You've got to arrest these people. You've got arrest these people — and you've got to charge them. And you can't do this deal where they get one week in jail. These are terrorists, these are terrorists, they're looking to do bad things to our country. They're Antifa and they're radical left," Trump told the governors.
He also discussed using much harsher and aggressive police tactics to contain the nationwide riots and tension over police brutality and the disregard for African American lives. "When they have bricks — you know they come armed with bricks. And they have bricks and rocks, big rocks, and they have other big things, and they throw them. You know, you're allowed to fight back, folks. You don't have to have a brick hit you in the face, and you don't do anything about it. You are allowed to fight back," Trump encouraged.
Floyd died after a now-former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin was seen kneeling on his neck during an arrest. Floyd had repeatedly told Chauvin that he was unable to breathe but the cop paid no heed, eventually leading to Floyd losing consciousness and, subsequently, passing away.
A viral video showed Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck after they arrested him for trying to use forge papers at a local Deli. In the video, Floyd can be heard pleading, "I can't breathe". Chauvin continues to dig his knee into Floyd's neck for a sickening eight minutes until Floyd loses consciousness and eventually dies. Floyd's death led to nationwide protests and outrage. We had previously reported that Chauvin has been shifted to one of the most secure prisons in the US on Sunday, May 31, night, and has been charged with murder.