Donald Trump Told U.S. Governors to “Dominate” and “Jail People for Long Periods of Time” Before Gassing Peaceful Protesters for a Photo-Op
Congressman John Katko was silent after his endorsed Presidential candidate told U.S. Governors to “dominate,” “fight back,” and “jail” peaceful protesters for “long periods of time” on a conference call yesterday morning. By that evening, Donald Trump had gassed and shot rubber bullets at peaceful protesters in Washington, DC who were advocating for an end to police violence against Black people.
All for a photo-op at St. John’s Church.
Donald Trump has been widely criticized by faith leaders and other elected officials for his use of excessive force, but so far, we’ve heard nothing from the Congressman.
Here’s what folks are saying:
The bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington condemned President Donald Trump on Monday for his visit to St. John’s Episcopal Church near the White House after law enforcement officers used tear gas to clear protesters from the area.
“Let me be clear: The president just used a Bible, the most sacred text of the Judeo-Christian tradition, and one of the churches of my diocese without permission as a backdrop for a message antithetical to the teachings of Jesus and everything that our churches stand for,” Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde told CNN.
“And to do so… he sanctioned the use of tear gas by police officers in riot gear to clear the church yard. I am outraged,” Budde said.
[…]
“It’s a Bible,” Trump told reporters as he held it up for photos outside the boarded-up church.
Trump’s visit drew immediate backlash from those who criticized the police’s use of force to clear his path to the church for a “photo op.”
“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.”
In a written statement, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, head of the Episcopal denomination, accused Trump of using “a church building and the Holy Bible for partisan political purposes.”
“This was done in a time of deep hurt and pain in our country, and his action did nothing to help us or to heal us,” Curry wrote.
[…]
The Rev. Robert W. Fisher, the church rector, said he felt blindsided by the visit. Usually, the White House gives the church at least 30 minutes’ notice before the president comes by.
“We want St. John’s to be a space for grace, as a place where you can breathe,” he said. “Being used as a prop, it really takes away from what we’re trying to do.”
Republicans for the Rule of Law:
“The federal government launched tear gas at protestors who were peaceably assembled to petition the government for a redress of grievances. There was no curfew in place. These were not looters. It would be difficult for Trump to violate the Constitution more directly.”
Office of Congressman John Katko:
[coming soon?]
Statement From DCCC Spokesperson Christine Bennett:
“Following President Trump’s decision to use tear gas to clear out peaceful protesters at the White House so that he could stage a photo op at St. John’s Church, Congressman John Katko, who endorsed Trump and policies earlier this year, has an obligation to break his silence and state whether he stands with President Trump’s use of military force on American citizens or with the clergy denouncing his tear gassing of peaceful protesters in pursuit of a photo op.
“It’s time for John Katko to find the backbone to state clearly whether he stands with President Trump or the clergy denouncing his tear gassing of Americans peacefully protesting.”
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