Trump holds a Bible in front of the church damaged by riots near the White House

President Donald Trump paid a surprise visit Monday to the Church of Saint John, a historic building near the White House damaged Sunday night during a rally against racism.

To get closer to the church, known as “The Church of the Presidents,” the president had to cross Lafayette Park; that it had already been cleared by the military and civil police with the use of tear gas.

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In addition, several military vehicles flocked to Pennsylvania Avenue. Some 1,000 peaceful protesters were in the park.

After a statement in the gardens of the White House in which he denounced the vandalism of the previous day, the president announced, to the general surprise, that he would go to a “very very special” place.

And then he made his way on foot to the Church of Saint John, which was partially damaged by fire and graffiti after Sunday’s debris.

“We have a great country,” Trump said.

 “Greatest country in the world. We’re going to keep it nice and safe,” he said shortly after. He was along with Attorney General Bill Barr and White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany. “I am the president of law and order,” he added.

Criticism of Trump’s visit

The Right Rev. Mariann Budde, the Episcopal bishop of Washington, was furious.“I am outraged,” Budde said

“I am outraged. The President did not pray when he came to St. John’s, nor as you just articulated, did he acknowledge the agony of our country right now,” she added.

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Analysts interpreted the image as a gesture to the American evangelicals, a fundamental electorate for his re-election in November, and who had departed from the Republican leader for his management of the coronavirus.

Military deployment

During his speech, Trump announced the deployment of “thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers, military personnel and law enforcement officers” to stop the riots and looting that are currently taking place, in the context of the protests over the death of George Floyd.

Likewise, the president recommended that the governors “deploy the National Guard to take to the streets.”

George Floyd died on May 25 after police officer Derek Chauvin put his knee around his neck for more than 8 minutes, when he was detained in Minneapolis. His death caused massive protests in several US cities, some of which ended in riots and looting.

 

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