Donald Trump ordered military to tear-gas kids in DC so he could get a photo-op

George Floyd Protest In Washington DC

For hours yesterday afternoon, a large group of protesters were gathered close to the White House, in Lafayette Park. They were entirely peaceful, and most of them were just kids, mostly black teenagers. Then Donald Trump decided to give a speech at the White House about how he was going to order the United States military into American cities to end the peaceful protests. Someone – likely Stephen Miller – wanted a certain optic for that speech. So military police were sent out to violently move the peaceful protesters from Lafayette Park. The military used tear gas, flash-bangs, batons and shields to forcibly disperse a peaceful crowd of kids. Reporters covering Trump’s speech noted that they could hear the flash-bangs from the White House garden. Trump wanted that split screen on all of the news channels. He got it.

Of course, Trump had another reason for gassing kids and using military force on nonviolent protesters: he wanted the area cleared because he wanted a photo-op. After the kids were gassed and cleared from a public area BY THE UNITED STATES MILITARY, Trump waddled over to St. John’s Church, which had been damaged in some recent protests. Trump didn’t go into the church. No. He just stood outside of the church and held a Bible upside down so everyone would take his photo. The Episcopal bishop of Washington was not having any of it:

The Right Rev. Mariann Budde, the Episcopal bishop of Washington, was seething.

“I am outraged,” Budde said in a telephone interview a short time later, pausing between words to emphasize her anger as her voice slightly trembled. She said she had not been given any notice that Trump would be visiting the church and did not approve of the manner in which the area was secured for his appearance.

“I am the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington and was not given even a courtesy call, that they would be clearing [the area] with tear gas so they could use one of our churches as a prop,” Budde said. She excoriated the president for standing in front of the church — its windows boarded up with plywood — holding up a Bible, which Budde said “declares that God is love.”

“Everything he has said and done is to inflame violence,” Budde of the president. “We need moral leadership, and he’s done everything to divide us.”

[From WaPo]

This all happened as Democratic and Republican local and state leaders were all coming out to encourage Trump to STFU and not say or tweet anything about the protests or anything else. Which is where we are now – a president with zero moral authority, who orders the gassing of children so he can do a fascist photo-op at a church.

Donald Trump Visits St. John's Church

Donald Trump Visits St. John's Church

Photos courtesy of Backgrid.

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132 Responses to “Donald Trump ordered military to tear-gas kids in DC so he could get a photo-op”

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  1. Eleonor says:

    I call this dictatorship.

    • LahdidahBaby says:

      Yes. There is no other word for it. He has taken America fully into the dark side now.

      • Betsy says:

        Fascism is another word for it. I’m not a scholar in the field so I don’t know the finer points that make it one vs another.

        Whatever it is, it is antithetical to what America is supposed* to be.

        *and never was, but I’d rather the nation had worked toward its ideal rather than the GOP selling it for scrap to the highest bidder.

    • Edna says:

      Anyone who has the power to make you believe absurdities has the power to make you commit injustices. – Voltaire

      Trump has so many people drinking the kool aid, they will believe and do anything to support him.

    • I am Mimi says:

      And republicans (via fox) are gaslighting Americans, saying those protestors were violent. As if we didn’t see things with our own eyes.

    • Maida says:

      Absolutely agree. And note that he’s holding the Bible upside down.

      • Lou says:

        How is the Bible upside down? Those ribbon bookmarks are supposed to stick out the bottom.

        Like, I hate the guy, and he holds it uncomfortably and clearly hasn’t read the thing, but I dont get this critique.

      • Lou says:

        He’s not holding it upside down, the ribbon bookmark is meant to stick out the bottom. My bible is the same.

        Dont get me wrong, I hate the guy and he clearly hasn’t read it. But I dont get why people are saying hes holding it upside down?

  2. Daisyfly says:

    He’s holding that Bible upside-down AND backwards.

    If that’s not the perfect metaphor of his entire presidency, I don’t know what is.

    • Erinn says:

      +10000000

    • 10KTurtle says:

      People calling him the Antichrist are sounding less hyperbolic every day…

      • Emily says:

        Seriously. It’s not hyperbolic anymore.

        I don’t understand why some evangelicals think this penguin is the second coming. I’m glad more and more religious leaders are coming out against him.

      • Edna says:

        @ Emily

        “The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders…tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. – Herman Goering “

      • The Recluse says:

        Yep, saw this particular evil coming a long ways off. Attended one of the early DC protests at Dupont Circle that ended up in front of the White House and tried to get it through to a WAPO reporter that Drumpf was going to BAD for this country, Hitler level bad.
        She wrote that I was scared. Horrified would have been more correct.

    • Ya Boy Stav says:

      No accident. 👹

    • Tiffany :) says:

      I don’t understand how anyone on the religious right could buy his faux piousness.

      I know they probably don’t think he is sincere and just want their judges appointed, but at some point, those that claim to be believers will have the atone for what they have empowered. I don’t see how they can look themselves in the face in the bathroom mirror each morning and pretend they follow the teachings of Jesus when they support a man this corrupt and hateful.

      • MsIam says:

        Christendom has been hijacked by prosperity theology which basically teaches that god exists to make you rich. So if you have money and you hold up a bible, well you are a”godly” person regardless of how you act. Combine that with a good dose of self righteousness and a lack of self awareness and there you have it. And of course some good ole racism too.

    • Liz version 700 says:

      Yes!!!!! Clearly a book he isn’t familiar with but willing to desecrate for a prop!

  3. CommentingBunny says:

    Speechless.

  4. Darla says:

    He basically gassed the priests too. I didn’t get out of bed for 3 days after the election, I couldn’t stop shaking. So I knew winter was coming, but I have to admit, I really didn’t picture this. I think I pictured nuclear war more than anything. And a lot of racial violence, by which I mean, white people doing violent isht to non-white people. Which we did get. I didn’t think of the military invading our states, or gassing churches. Well, lack of imagination on my part.

    • Becks1 says:

      I was worried about womens rights – access to abortion, victims rights, equal pay, sexual harassment, etc. I was also incredibly worried about another foreign war.

      Like you said, lack of imagination I guess.

    • Laura-j says:

      I said, “He will kill us all…”

      I didn’t think he’d really try to kill us all.

    • Liz version 700 says:

      He set this up because he was mad about being called a coward for hiding in the bunker. He gassed priests so he could look tough getting his picture taken?!? I also lack imagination clearly omg

  5. Lightpurple says:

    The Reverend Rob Fisher was praying with the protesters and giving them water when the tear gas struck. He also gave interviews last night about how upset he was that his church and his name were used for this purpose.

    This sick stunt, supposedly to show “respect” for a black man murdered by cops, showed only one person of color in Trump’s large entourage – a black female Secret Service officer, and only five women, which included that Secret Service officer, Kayleigh McEnany, and that snake Ivanka, whose idea this very likely was.

    We are all in danger.

  6. Gutterflower says:

    Tyranny

  7. Seraphina says:

    My heart weeps for what is happening now and what has happened. Instead of leading and trying to heal the wounds that have gone untreated for so long, he adds insult to injury and fuels the pain that must be healed. And if That picture, of him holding the Bible upside down AND backwards, I don’t know what is.

    • AnnaKist says:

      My heart aches for the American people. I’m watching our late news, where an Indigenous lady is lamenting, in empathy with the Floyd family, the death of her son at the hands of police while he was in custody. Since The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody concluded in 1991, we have still had more than 430 Aboriginal people die while in custody. We protest in support, to say “Enough. This Must Stop”.

      Your president is a putrid despot, scum of the Earth. But you already know that.

  8. Dilly says:

    Do you think we all have a responsibility to march now? Those of us who can, I mean, of course. I really don’t know what will work, but it’s starting to feel imperative to be on the streets to save Democracy.

    • Sankay says:

      I’m a 56 year old white woman and I’m feeling the need to march more and more.

    • Laura-j says:

      I’m going to socially distance visit my immunocompromised niece tonight then I’m going to have to march. I’ve been waiting to see her before I put myself at risk.

      I’m almost 50, and I think we are gonna have to. As an ally, it’s time to be an ally in a real way, white people need to get out there and protect our POC family from harms way.

    • Sparkle says:

      My hispanic father, with heart failure, asked to join me to drive to the BLM protest in our neighborhood. Around 50 people standing on the corner. I loaded him in the car and drove him by. He rolled down the window and threw up the peace sign and eveyone cheered, I honked the horn. Lots of clapping. We felt so much better after going. It is HEALING to go protest and be with your community and support justice for us all. It was ALL good vibes at my towns protest.

      Its time.One of my friends, a trump voter, degraded me last night as “part of the problem” because I invited him to go to a small protest for George Floyd tomorrow. I mistakenly thought he was progressing in his perspective. So many are misinformed about the protests. I was sad but I will go going to another local protest tomorrow for a few minutes. Making my sign tonight. I will be wearing my mask and filter and will stay for about 10 minutes. Its time.

  9. Bougie says:

    When I saw that photo of him it stopped me in my tracks. Very little surprises me any more with Trump but this was totally shocking to me. The audacity, the lack of respect, the over the top, blatant use of the church and bible as a prop… seriously I am astounded.

    Maybe I am overreacting, but I swear this is one of the most surprisingly horrible things he has done. Like its so ridiculous and so pandering that I just cant believe it. It truly feels like he’s testing us to see how far he can go and what he can make his supporters believe.

    • Darla says:

      Yes, he’s testing us, and he got away with this, so he’ll do worse today or tomorrow. That’s his personality disorder. He has the most dangerous disordered personality i have ever seen in power.

      • LahdidahBaby says:

        Yes, I have never in my lifetime seen such a disordered personality in a position of power. It harkens back to Hitler and Mussolini.

      • schmootc says:

        I really am starting to wonder if he’ll shoot someone in Times Square in broad daylight soon. I wouldn’t put it past him at this point. Every time I think he’s done the worst, he (or Stephen Miller) comes up with something more horrific. He has killed people by proxy already, just not personally yet.

    • Tiffany :) says:

      I can’t stop thinking about the Handmaid’s Tale. In the episodes when they showed how it happened….how peaceful protests suddenly became deadly when teargas turned to bullets. Those in power just decided they weren’t going to tolerate peaceful protest anymore, and then it was over. The right to protest, gone in a moment.

      I’m really scared, honestly. Our democracy is hanging by a thread. Having the DOJ and other cabinet members there is such a chilling message.

      • Dara says:

        I had the same thought. My mental wellbeing was not helped at all when i realized the border with Canada is probably still closed. There goes by back-up plan.

  10. KellyRyan says:

    I’m really beginning to hope it ends badly for Drumpf, carted away and removed to a psychiatric hospital. Pleased the minister made a statement. Episcopal churches are socially active within communities. Sheriff Chris Swanson, MI, is making headlines because of his thoughtful interaction with protestors.

    • Lightpurple says:

      The pastor of the church was praying with the protesters when the tear gas flew. He made a statement later too.

    • pottymouth pup says:

      no, I want him lucid for his downfall. I want a huge blue wave and people shook enough that we can enact constitutional amendments if necessary (since the GOP has stacked the judiciary with RWNJs) and I want thorough, public investigations of those in the administration and the likes of Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham, Devin Nunes and the rest of those Republican legislators who have probably committed treason. I really want Junior, Ivanka and Jared behind bars

  11. Scal says:

    Curfew in DC is at 7. Idiot went out for this stunt at 636 instead of waiting 24 minutes so that he could flex and prove a point. It’s disgusting. The way his supporters are like-well a church is public property the bishop can’t complain is disgusting.

    Never mind the fact that he held that bible backwards and upside down. This was all about everyone mocking him for the bunker all weekend.

  12. Mellie says:

    We voted in Indiana today, my husband and I were at the polls at 0600…November cannot come soon enough. Over it. Over this. Over him. It’s heartbreaking. Frustrating. Exhausting. You cannot be middle of the road about politics right now…you’re either for this f#$Ker or against and if you’re for him, get the f#$k away from me.

  13. Marjorie says:

    This stunt had to come from the First Daughter, who discovered the bible over the weekend and tweeted a verse from Kings. Trouble was she edited out the context, because she is stupid in addition to evil, which was about the people being delivered by God from the rule of a mad king.

    • Lightpurple says:

      I very much believe she was behind this. Staged videos and photo-ops, which are then run on various federal agency websites and social media, are her thing and she was right there telling him and others how to stand and pose.

  14. Mia4s says:

    You know the race for “worst human being ever to be president” is competitive…but we may have a winner. At least the other candidates you could name were products of their time and era. This orangutan (a comparison which is likely offensive to orangutans) is a fascist waste of oxygen straight out of 200 years ago.

    General strikes. Look into it America. Time to make the ruling class hurt the only way they care about…financially.

    • lisa says:

      For me, the “worst” label is hard, because Prez George W is a war criminal and killed millions. It’s hard to decide between the two, who has the worst impact.

      • Mia4s says:

        Oh George W is up there, no doubt. But honestly the war monger responsible for countless deaths things? That’s kind of a common trait for presidents. It really doesn’t help narrow the list that much. And George W can fake being a human, and I believe he loves his kids (and doesn’t want to sleep with any of them…unlike Trump). So yeah, tough competition.

    • Juls says:

      “Time to make the ruling class hurt the only way they care about…financially.”
      Trump has declared war on the American people and is using the military to wage said war. He uses words like “insurrection” and “domestic terrorism. ” I call it revolution. It may come down to French style.

  15. Seraphina says:

    The religious leaders coming out in droves to criticize him is EVERYTHING. I wish the lawmakers would keep quiet. Having heads of churches speak out against him is far more powerful.

  16. Desdemona says:

    I have an incredible difficulty in trrying to grasp 1/10 of what he’s saying. He is te personificatiion of babble talking…
    Maybe it’s because his speech rubbs me the wrong way and gets on my nerves. He’s so inhumane.
    I’m sorry USA. You deserved better. Black people deserved better.
    Everyone deserved better…

  17. Aang says:

    I saw an older member of the white half of my family worried about being murdered by mobs of black looters. She lives in a very rural area far from any city. Even if she lived in the middle of a riot the idea would be ridiculous. But the right wing propaganda press is doing its best to terrify white people and it is succeeding. I’m afraid this will push trump back into office. It worked for Nixon.

    • Darla says:

      He’s trying to pull a Nixon, but this isn’t 1968. It worked on one rural woman you know. It has to work in big numbers. I don’t think it will. I’m not worried about him winning the election. I’m worried about there being a fair election. A real election.

      • Also Ali says:

        It’s sadly not one rural woman. I live in the bluest of blue areas and a video of some white suburbanites out and armed in protest to the “rioting and looting” was on twitter Sunday. The comments were 99% in support of people standing on a manicured lawn with a rifle. For the all lives matter crowd, they can now forget about institutional racism and police brutality and focus on feeling threatened and distraught over the rioting, looting and, gasp, destruction of private property.

      • Allie says:

        Nobody would think he’d win last time. Look who’s POTUS now.

      • Kelly says:

        @Also Ali

        Never use social media to measure the support something has. I could link you to several sites with hundreds of comments against Trump and in favor of the protests. Even the hottest Trending Topics on twitter sometimes have little to do with reality. Take Ellen for example – social media hates her, but clearly social media isn’t the world, because her show is doing great.

        I’m confident (but not over-confident) Trump will be voted out of office, but I’m also well aware the problem is much bigger than Trump at this point and that just having a democrat in office won’t solve everything. Trumpism isn’t going away, and Trump supporters sure as hell won’t simply stand by calmly as a democrat governs.

      • lisa says:

        Trump will be re-elected because the alternative is too weak to push him out. It’s always hard to unseat the incumbent, in any election. We needed a real rockstar.

    • felebel says:

      The so called “double haters” who went for DJT last time have flipped – Biden may often come across as a silly boob, but a boob is the less dangerous choice between these two.

  18. Sean says:

    We’ve had many dark moments since this administration took office. However, this weekend was the first time I actually thought “America is over”.

    It’s been written before that the GOP and Trump were slowly working towards a Kleptocracy; he wasn’t going to leave office willingly if he loses in November in addition to laws gradually being changed to suite their agenda.

    Democracy can still be saved but it’s going to be more difficult than ever. Since the pandemic began I had a scary thought it’d be used to grab more power. Now with the protests over George Floyd’s murder, I believe this may be the American Reichstag fire they needed.

    He’s only going to escalate. Today and in he following weeks, he’ll do more that makes last night look tame. He and hey will keep pushing the boundaries until someone pushes back.

    • Darla says:

      The only real push back will be an American Spring type thing. A sustained effort with an overwhelming number of citizens. Are we there yet? I don’t know.

      https://dildockdystopia.com/blogs/news/donald-trump-declares-war-on-the-united-states

      • Aang says:

        I was at the protest in my city Saturday. I’m a middle aged mixed race woman and most of my age cohort chose to stay home. There were rumors on social media of violence being planned and that was enough to scare them into staying home. When I got there I heard another older person ask “where’s all the older folks?” I was out again last night. I feel that my age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and lack of mental health issues protect me somewhat from the worst of what the police dish out. At the very least I can afford to get arrested. So I see it as a duty to use my privilege and show up to be counted. I really hope this lasts and we can make real structural change. I’m willing to take to streets everyday between now and November. But to be truthful I’m not hopeful.

    • KellyRyan says:

      There is push back, mayors, governors, law enforcement. One LE in Houston said, “This is not The Apprentice, say something constructive or be silent.” And gaining on media coverage.

      • BearcatLawyer says:

        The Houston Police Chief reiterated on TV yesterday that people have the right to peacefully protest and demand change and his officers would protect those rights.

      • Kelly says:

        In Minnesota, where George Floyd was killed, there’s already some evidence that the peaceful protests are working to create positive changes. The state’s attorney general, Keith Ellison, is now leading the investigation into Floyd’s death. Also, with the evidence rather obvious that his death was a homicide with both autopsies and videos, Derek Chauvin should be convicted even if the trial isn’t held in the Twin Cities. That was my fear that if it got moved to a rural MN county, he’d get off.

        The state filed civil rights charges against the Minneapolis Police Department. The MPD lost its contracts with the University of Minnesota and Minneapolis Public Schools last week. The AFL-CIO is the latest and most visible group to call for Bob Kroll, the head of the MPD’s union to step down. Getting rid of Kroll, a hard liner with conservative views, would be a great first step toward real reform and the long process of rebuilding the MPD’s credibility with the people they serve.

        I live in Wisconsin and there have been protests and riots for the past couple nights where I live. Normally, I work close to areas that were hit hard by vandals the last 3 nights, but I’ve been working from home since March due to the pandemic. I go in once a week to check on the space and get tasks that require me present on campus done. I’m the designated person from my area allowed in and my boss sent me an email with areas to check for damage tomorrow morning.

        I went in this afternoon to pick up some to go meals from a restaurant in the area and get some father’s day and graduation cards from a local shop. Most stores and restaurants have plywood covering windows, both shattered and intact. I saw some broken glass, but most had been cleaned up already. I felt safe and people were out. Most people seemed to view the destruction as something we will bounce back from. Artists, most either Latinx or African-American, were painting on some stores’ plywood coverings, which was awesome.

        I hope that last night was the last night of destruction. I don’t see people being too committed to destruction with rain and thunderstorms in the forecast tonight.

  19. MsIam says:

    Frightening that a president would even say out loud the idea of using the military against the people. You know one of the main arguments the right-wingers and gun nuts use to justify their weapon obsession is the need to be armed against government tyranny, specifically left-wing government tyranny. Well look who is the tyrant, one of their own.

    • khaveman says:

      Just remember, all Americans, the more unrest, the faster this “dictator wannabe” will declare martial law to prevent the November election.

  20. MellyMel says:

    Surprised that Bible didn’t burst into flames! I wish we could vote him out TODAY. Some days I feel like we’re not even gonna make it to November.

    • Also Ali says:

      The fact that he wasn’t struck by lightning is all the proof I need that god will not be here to save us. It’s vote or die time.

    • Juls says:

      That’s the point, isn’t it? He doesn’t WANT us to make it to November. He wants to seize absolute power before the election.

  21. JaneDoesWerk says:

    I’ve lived in DC since 2006 and had many friends at the protest last night. A couple things that are not getting much coverage:
    1. Last nights protest was peaceful
    2. DC has a 7pm curfew in place, Trump chose to order the tear gassing of peaceful protestors a full 25 minutes before that curfew was scheduled to start. He could have waited to see if they left on their own.
    3. Priests from the church he posed outside of had been distributing water and PPE to the protestors to try and keep people safe during the pandemic. They were not warned and were also tear gassed.
    4. Prior to the tear gassing, helicopters from the US Park Police flew about 1200 feet above the protestors to ward them off using the wind created
    5. The tear gas attacking the lungs and resulted in body fluids from the eyes and mouth all over the place, DURING A PANDEMIC that attacks the lungs
    6. Police from Arlington County, Virginia had been brought in to maintain the peace, once the County executives learned that they had been used to attack the protestors for a political prop by Trump they were ordered to leave DC and will not be returning, leaving the White House with less protection.

    • Erika says:

      I lived here since 2009, and same. It’s unreal and scary – you can hear the police moving through the city.

      • JaneDoesWerk says:

        It’s surreal and scary. I live Right off of South Capitol Street in Navy Yard and it’s been horrifying to see the helicopters and actual tanks rolling around, not to mention boarded up windows of our neighbors. Meanwhile my Uncle who voted for the orange idiot because “give him a chance. What’s the worst that could happen?” In the suburbs of the Midwest is mansplaining why I should not be terrified. So over 2020.

  22. Allie says:

    It is really ironic that the nation which liberated Europe from the Nazis is now run by fascists itself.

    • Andrew’s Nemesis says:

      The Russians were instrumental in liberating Europe from fascism. America joined in late.

      • Betsy says:

        That’s Russia’s line on it, yes.

      • Allie says:

        Well, actually it was the USA, GB, France and the Russians. While “liberating” Germany the Russians left a lot of destruction and raped, traumatised women & children behind (which is no surprise since German soldiers committed the same war crimes when invading Russia). When they were done they took whatever they could back to Russia and instilled another, this time communist dictatorship in East Germany which lasted until 1989. I was born there when it was still in place.
        The USA and other western allies also destroyed whole cities by bombing them for days (we are still digging up hundreds of unexploded and still intact WWII bombs per year) but they made sure West Germany would be re-educated, fed and become proper democracy.

      • el says:

        @Betsy
        that’s a fact, yes.

        @Allie,
        well, ok, if you know history so well, then next time, don’t say that this is THE nation which liberated Europe.
        And noone said Germany was “liberated”. Germany was defeated, the rest of Europe was liberated.

      • Jo73c says:

        Arrived just in time to take credit 😉

    • Jerusha says:

      We Americans brought a lot of firepower-my father fought in the Battle of the Bulge-but don’t discount the Brits, Aussies, French Underground, Russians, and all others who fought and sacrificed. And for most of them it was their country, their land, their citizens who were being savaged by the Nazis. We can’t take all the credit.

      • Allie says:

        Yes, I know. It’s not about the other allies this time, though. Also, not all of them are democracies (i.e. Russia).

      • el says:

        @Allie
        so, people who aren’t in democracies do not get to be honored for their sacrifice?

    • Juls says:

      All of your points are well- taken. And I’m not necessarily disputing them. Russia was horrible and still is. But lets give credit to the man that made the biggest blunder of all: Hitler himself. He violated the treaty with Russia and invaded. Russia was the bloodiest front in the war, and caused the Germans to have to fight a war on 2 fronts. And Russia eventually started kicking his ass, so let’s not take for granted the HUGE advantage that gave to the Allies fighting the western front. Also, the US was also fighting another, even bloodier front in the Pacific, forcing us to split our military might. So, yeah, Russia was absolutely integral to the Allies’ victory in Europe.

  23. Edna says:

    Orange 🤡 has been living and breathing for this moment. When he can go full on despot/dictator. He can finally emulate Putin or Kim Jung Un. He’ll use this moment to further his political goals of winning re election and distracting from his ineptness that has murdered over 100,000 people, destroyed the economy and bankrupted the country. Trump is not stopping. He’s gonna keep ramping this thing up. The violence and looting help him to justify his goals. And he’s probably got a hand in ensuring there’s violence and looting. Question is what will U.S. citizens do to save democracy and their country. Cause it’s looking to be a long hot summer and folks are gonna have to decide.

  24. Maria says:

    He spoke this Putin yesterday. Would not be surprised that he gets his marching orders from him, since all he did before was hiding in the bunker.

    • MsIam says:

      Watch, his next move will be to ask his dear friend Putin to come in and “help”.

    • khaveman says:

      Just remember, all Americans, the more unrest, the faster this “dictator wannabe” will declare martial law to prevent the November election. Mark my words!!!!

  25. BUBS says:

    Trump is NOT a Christian. Jesus did not discriminate against people on the basis of their color or social standing in life. He was friends with tax collectors (who were regarded as scum in his day) and protected a woman accused of adultery. Jesus did not put children in cages but instructed his disciples to let the children come to him. Jesus taught that leadership is service by washing his disciples feet. Jesus is LOVE… That’s why I’m always baffled when I see people who claim to be religious supporting Trump. I know that I’d certainly not want to be a Christian if Jesus acted like Trump. I am, because Jesus is LOVE. Trump is NOT a Christian…he only uses the Church to further his dictatorial political ambition. This is the man who calls communion ‘wafers’ and went to play golf after basically demanding that governors open places of worship. Christianity is reflected in our actions and this man is NO Christian! Vote Blue in November!

    • BearcatLawyer says:

      His supporters who call themselves Christian are definitely not followers of Christ and sure missed a whole lot in the New Testament.

    • Emily says:

      I completely agree.

      Jesus is love. This is Christian white nationalism.

  26. Veronica S. says:

    He’s making himself out to be a prophet of the Evangelicals. Understand, they really do believe he’s ordained by God. They’re f*cking crazy.

    My mom and I cried all evening watching it. She lived through Kent State, and it was like reliving the horror of watching those kids shot all over again. She spent the whole evening on the edge of her seat terrified it would turn to military violence. In a lot of ways, I fear this will be the beginning of the end if state governments don’t push back.

  27. Lindy says:

    This is a test to see how far he can actually go. Thus far in his presidency, there have been no actual consequences for anything he’s done. Checks and balances have failed (it helps that the DOJ under Barr is now being run like Trump’s personal mafia).

    This is a test. This is the Beerhall Putsch. That happened in 1923, and Hitler failed to take any power then. Ten years later, he was the Chancellor, and 4 months after that came the Reichstag fire and martial law.

    We don’t have ten years. Things happen faster with the internet and contemporary technology (and an already entrenched wannabe dictator in the White House).

    There’s a great article in the Atlantic right now by Anne Applebaum examining what makes some people roll over and collaborate and accept unjust regimes in their country, and what makes others resist and fight back. It’s worth a read.

    My husband and I have two kids, and that feels a lot like having hostages to fate. It’s frightening to think about taking but risks and endangering our kids or our ability to work and care for them. But that’s how Nazism too over. By forcing a lot of small decisions from regular people, until you suddenly realize it’s too late, and by that time, to resist means death or prison.

    I’m a white middle-class woman and I’ve benefited from structural racism my whole life. Setting aside that automatic benefit, in a culture and political system like ours, may now demand more from us. That’s scary. But guess what? It’s still not as scary as the reality that Black Americans have to live through every single day. I’m still trying to educate myself. It’s never going to be enough.

    It’s time to decide where your lines in the sand are, what small everyday decisions you say no to in order to retain your humanity, what sacrifices you’re going to be willing to make when the time comes to say “enough.”

    I keep thinking of this quote by a French Jewish author (Simone Weil) who was part of the French anti-Vichy government and resistance (Vichy was the Nazi collaborationist regime in France). She was an active supporter of syndicalism (labor unions), workers’ rights, and labor movements:

    “Whether the mask is labeled Fascism, Democracy, or Dictatorship of the Proletariat, our great adversary remains the Apparatus — the bureaucracy, the police, the military. Not the one facing us across the frontier or the battle lines, . . . but the one that calls itself our protector and makes us its slaves. No matter what the circumstances, the worst betrayal will always be to subordinate ourselves to this Apparatus, and to trample underfoot, in its service, all human values in ourselves and in others.”

  28. Anonymous says:

    Atlanta just boarded up the mall because they knew people act irrationally when they are emotionally upset. I feel bad for the nonviolent protestors. If you can prevent violence or police having to use force, anticipate what problems are going to occur, and take precautions.

  29. Christin says:

    I watched his brief WH address, which was around 6:40. He ended by saying he was now going to a place he really loves, or something to that effect. My first thought was, do you love the bunker that much? Or is it time for a fast food fix?

    I had no idea the next move was to walk to the church.

    The posing was sadly hilarious, though. The closed Bible was a prop for the photos, and he has no idea how to hold it. He was turning it different directions and holding it in the air.

    Within two hours, the diocese and the church leader were on TV, stating how disappointed they were. No one asked for permission to use the church grounds, either.

    • Jerusha says:

      Bishop Budde was on CBS This Morning. Gayle asked her if trump was a churchgoer, the bishop paused and said, “No.” Gayle then asked about how many times he’d visited St John’s. Bishop Budde said the only other time was right after the inauguration. Such love.

      • Christin says:

        I am so glad she is speaking out. That stunt was as transparent as clear glass.

  30. Allergy says:

    I love that he’s now called BunkerBoy! Doughy orange BunkerBoy.

  31. Andrew’s Nemesis says:

    Is what this sadistic, sociopathic narcissist doing actually *legal*? As in, could a legal challenge be mounted? Is there ANY redress or comeback?

    • MsIam says:

      What I want to know is where is our congress? They’re jumping on CNN making comments but that is about it. If they have no ability to put checks on him then why are they there?

    • KellyRyan says:

      Thank you New Jersey. For those who wish to become involved I highly recommend becoming a Neighborhood Watch captain volunteer. Also, establish Coffee with a Cop meetings in your area. I can’t say enough good about both organizations. It truly brings us together, and I know in the darkest of times it’s what we need.

  32. EMF999 says:

    A friend of mine posted this on her FB page last week and it is so on point “If you’d told me at Trump’s inauguration that four years from now, 100,000 Americans would be killed by a pandemic, the economy would be devastated and cities would be burning, I would’ve believed you”

  33. Faye G says:

    I am beyond disgusted by the president and the behavior of the police across the country this weekend. Sickening that the police are armed to the teeth while doctors and nurses still don’t have enough PPE. I am so embarrassed to be American right now. We need to get out the vote and have a blue wave in November!

  34. khaveman says:

    Just remember, all Americans, the more unrest, the faster this “dictator wannabe” will declare martial law to prevent the November election. Mark my words!!!!

  35. Mabs A'Mabbin says:

    We are truly dystopian now.

    • Lady D says:

      For the first time in my life I’m a little bit grateful my one and only offspring doesn’t want kid/s of his own.

  36. nicegirl says:

    Can we call our state representatives and have something done about this bullshit or him tear gassing and other crap to these folks right before curfew?

    I’m so pissed. I’ve learned a lot (even from this site) about my white privilege, and as I’ve been more aware, it’s blatantly obvious. What the f!!!

    The video from Amsterdam (I saw it on twitter) with their citizens protesting about civil rights in America was very touching to me – how do we fight this evil besides our vote in November?

    Why is the practice of disrespect and disbelief and lack of civility prevalent in almost all of our police forces toward POC?? I do not understand this f-cking sh-t. Should all of those entrusted with policing our streets be POC because we are so f-ckong hideous we cannot get our heads out of our ??? Putting MORE responsibility onto POC? No!!

    We need to educate our children better, teach compassion, learn from Buddhism, appreciate life. Sorry, I’m in Portland, Oregon, a bit overwhelmed rn- it’s a shit show of bullshit lately to be an American. I’m like, we’re all American Idiots.

    Can we hope they will get their comeuppance, this crime syndicate of a presidential administration that is ‘running’ our country? Prison.

    • Mabs A'Mabbin says:

      Nope. I mean you can try. Everyone should at least try. I’ve created letters and thrown mass emails local and federal since 2016. We saw this coming. The second he was president elect, those of us who had already developed hate in our pristine hearts knew, without a shadow of doubt, he would be our ruin. What I didn’t predict, was a global pandemic with us leading in numbers, millions of unemployed, small businesses closing everywhere and a country engulfed in flames. We knew he was a racist pig. We didn’t know he would cheerlead for violence, and record for posterity every maniacal and idiotic thought on Twitter. He’s right about one thing. He will go down in history. He will wear a crown. He will be released back into public as the worst president in our brief history. I only pray once his feet hit the pavement he will have to run…because the hunt will begin.

      • nicegirl says:

        I called my rep, gov, White House and speaker of the house and left voice mails. But you’re right. It’s nothing.

        Stay safe fellow Celebitches

  37. ME says:

    Hey I read this elsewhere but it’s so true…

    The protesters aren’t looting and the looters aren’t protesting !

  38. Elizabeth says:

    I am so horrified. I have seen so many videos of police violently beating up on people peacefully protesting, hitting women in the back as they flee, instigating violence. It is apocalyptic. I read that clergy at that Episcopal church were tear-gassed along with protestors on their own church property. With no warning. They’re declaring war on our peaceful law abiding citizens. Using military force, helicopters, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, in the streets of our capitol. This is too much!!

    Donate to bail funds if you can, march if you can, call your elected representatives, call your local police… god I don’t know, none of it seems like nearly enough. This country is being torn apart.

  39. Valerie says:

    The ‘Christians’ who complained about Melinda Gates’s upside-down cross have suddenly gone quiet.

  40. Anonymous says:

    Fayetteville North Carolina police were able to take a knee in front of protestors for 30 seconds, and diffuse the conflict. Trump should follow their lead. Smart people can often find nonviolent solutions to problems.

    • North of Boston says:

      Trump doesn’t *want* to diffuse the conflict.
      He wants to stir it up.

  41. Siul says:

    The minute Trump he said he’d use the military to stop the protesters , then I knew we were in really deep shit. We’re close to the edge of becoming a fascist state. He’ll use the tools of society to control the masses: military, media, money. That’s why no matter what happens now we all have to vote in November. We’ve got to get him and his people out of office and out of the government!

  42. virginfangirls says:

    The protesters were peaceful. The amount of self control it must take to have all the anger and disappointment and channel it into a peaceful protest. I commend them. I hope they channel it into the highest percentage of black voting ever. Then Trump will see who has the power.

  43. Sparkle says:

    Why do they think its ok to exercise their First Amendment when they don’t want to wear masks during a pandemic and want to go get their nails done…but they believe we shouldn’t exercise our First Amendment to peacefully protest to end racism after George Floyd was murdered? SMDH

    I am tired of people trying to delegitimize our voice and our protests by labeling us as all “looters.” The protests are not the cause of the looting, systemic RACISTS are causing the looting.

  44. North of Boston says:

    Is this the same incident where they used medical helicopters to help disperse the protestors?

    ” The use of a helicopter with Red Cross markings was an abuse of global norms that could help erode its neutral symbolism, military justice experts said.

    “This was a foolish move,” said Geoffrey Corn, a former Army lawyer and professor at the South Texas College of Law in Houston. “The symbolic significance of the Red Cross is pervasive: It denotes a ‘noncombatant’ function of the armed forces.” ”

    ‘ “Misuse of the Red Cross symbol is prohibited even during peacetime by the First Geneva Convention, to which the U.S. is a party,” said Rachel E. VanLandingham, a former Air Force attorney and professor at the Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles.

    Linking the symbol with law enforcement, VanLandingham said, can weaken its “effectiveness as signifying medical and humanitarian assistance, a symbol of trust that is needed to give those vehicles with that symbol needed access where they are needed during armed conflict.” ‘

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2020/06/02/helicopter-protest-dc/

  45. Gippy says:

    Fellow Hoosier here – my husband and I voted blue! Indiana is still disgustingly red, but I’m seeing more blue than I ever remember. A lot of the right Christians are still pro-Orange, but I have seen a few people change. I was sure Hillary was going to win last election, I’m terrified but hopeful again this time 🤞🏻🤞🏻

  46. Mai Ann Lee says:

    Those prostests won’t change anything. For too many it is simply an opportunity to riot and to loot.

  47. Fabulous says:

    The protests may not change anything but they are a valid form of expression for people who have no other recourse. When life is cheap destruction of property is the only way those in power listen. Rioting is rage.

    For those who can’t or won’t protest there are other things you can do…

    75 Things white people can do for racial justice

    https://medium.com/equality-includes-you/what-white-people-can-do-for-racial-justice-f2d18b0e0234

    Anti-racism resources

    https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BRlF2_zhNe86SGgHa6-VlBO-QgirITwCTugSfKie5Fs/mobilebasic?fbclid=IwAR0I_TxSI1eeEXM_2px15_ohhkO1t7z3pyIzjZZZfMUg5mtHw6ShDIjqBK0

    These are both US links but useful UK too.