Trump says he’s ‘law and order president’ and vows to send the ARMY to quell riots as blasts echo near White House – The Sun

DONALD Trump declared himself a "president of law and order" in a speech on Monday, stating he would be deploying "thousands" of military personnel to combat nationwide unrest.

Speaking in the Rose Garden, Trump said: "America is founded on the rule of law," before adding, "if malice or violence reigns, then none of us are free."

Trump was speaking at a time when America has been gripped by protests and unrest, its citizens have taken to the streets to showcase their anger at police brutality and racism.

As the president spoke, loud explosions could be heard in the background as tear gas was fired on protestors just outside the White House gates.

Overhead, the constant sound of a helicopter sounded as Trump declared his intention to call on the military to help uphold laws and end nationwide looting.

Trump said: "My first and highest duty as president is to defend our great country and the American people.

"I swore an oath to uphold the laws of our nation and that is exactly what I will do."

The president said that justice would be served for George Floyd, the unarmed black man who died after a white police knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes.

Nationwide protests were sparked after a video of Floyd's death was released, and Trump declared himself an "ally of all peaceful protestors."

Such protests, however, have spawned outbreaks of looting, with Trump declaring he would deploy "thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers, military personnel and law enforcement officers" to bring order.

Over recent days, calls from the Republican donors and those on Capitol Hill have increases as Trump supporters have looked for the president to address the nationwide unrest.

Minutes after his speech, Trump walked out of the White House to pay tribute to a nearby church that caught first during the unrest.

In a shock move, Trump, guarded by military personnel, headed past peaceful protests and graffiti that was a result of the recent demonstrations.

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