President Donald Trump walks away after making a statement in the Rose Garden on June 1, 2020 in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Demands for Trump Removal Grow as 'Fascist' Speech Condemned as Declaration of War Against US Public
"Trump needs to be removed now, because after the massacre it will be too late."
President Donald Trump's pledge Monday evening to deploy the full force of the U.S. military against demonstrators protesting the killing of George Floyd--and the president's authorization of police violence against peaceful protesters to clear the way for a photo-op--amounted in the eyes of lawmakers, rights groups, and commentators to "declaration of war" against the U.S. public that must result in Trump's removal from office.
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) characterized Trump's remarks from the Rose Garden of the White House as a "fascist speech" that "verged on a declaration of war against American citizens" who have taken to the streets across the nation to condemn police brutality and racial injustice.
"The president of the United States tear-gassed peaceful protestors in order to clear the way for a useless photo-op outside the White House--just after vowing to activate the military against our own people. Lives and our democracy are in danger."
--Sen. Elizabeth Warren
"I fear for our country tonight and will not stop defending America against Trump's assault," Wyden tweeted.
Other progressive lawmakers similarly condemned Trump's address, during which the president vowed to deploy " thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers, military personnel, and law enforcement officers," to the streets of the nation's capital.
Following his speech, the president walked from the White House to St. John's Episcopal Church as police officers swinging batons and hurling tear gas canisters cleared the streets of peaceful demonstrators. The ACLU demanded an immediate investigation into the president's approval of "politically-motivated and life-threatening use of indiscriminate weapons" against the crowds of protesters.
After police officers and military personnel forcefully removed demonstrators from his path, Trump arrived at the church and hoisted a Bible for the cameras. The White House Monday night posted an edited video of the president's walk on Twitter which includes zero indication that, as Trump casually strolled to St. John's, protesters were being brutally attacked for his benefit.
"The president of the United States tear-gassed peaceful protestors in order to clear the way for a useless photo-op outside the White House--just after vowing to activate the military against our own people," tweeted Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). "Lives and our democracy are in danger."
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) slammed Trump for having "peaceful demonstrators viciously attacked."
"This is not a dictatorship," tweeted Sanders. "This is the United States of America. Our citizens have a constitutional right to peacefully protest. It's called the First Amendment."
Will Bunch of the Philadelphia Inquirer wrote in a column late Monday that Trump's speech in the Rose Garden represented "the moment we've been dreading since that escalator ride down Trump Tower five years ago this month--that's been slowly building brick by brick as Donald Trump tore down the rule of law, abused the presidency to enrich himself, and grabbed the bully pulpit of the White House to divide America with racism, sexism and xenophobia."
"Backed into a corner after his incompetence and distrust in science was trampled by a virus that's killed 105,000 Americans, compounded by 40 million unemployed, and now massive, chaotic protests over the police brutality and racism that he has nurtured instead of combating, the president of the United States declared war on the American people," Bunch wrote. "Donald Trump needs to go, and we can't wait until even November 3, let alone January 20, 2021."
Slate's Ben Mathis-Lilley also made the case for Trump's speedy removal from office, warning in a column Monday that "there is not much more room for the president's program of violence to keep escalating."
"Trump needs to be removed now," wrote Mathis Lilley, "because after the massacre it will be too late."
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This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. In a few short weeks, US voters will have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. Our Fall Campaign is underway, and we need your help. To power our newsroom through the rest of the year, we need to raise $125,000 by midnight on October 31. So if you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
President Donald Trump's pledge Monday evening to deploy the full force of the U.S. military against demonstrators protesting the killing of George Floyd--and the president's authorization of police violence against peaceful protesters to clear the way for a photo-op--amounted in the eyes of lawmakers, rights groups, and commentators to "declaration of war" against the U.S. public that must result in Trump's removal from office.
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) characterized Trump's remarks from the Rose Garden of the White House as a "fascist speech" that "verged on a declaration of war against American citizens" who have taken to the streets across the nation to condemn police brutality and racial injustice.
"The president of the United States tear-gassed peaceful protestors in order to clear the way for a useless photo-op outside the White House--just after vowing to activate the military against our own people. Lives and our democracy are in danger."
--Sen. Elizabeth Warren
"I fear for our country tonight and will not stop defending America against Trump's assault," Wyden tweeted.
Other progressive lawmakers similarly condemned Trump's address, during which the president vowed to deploy " thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers, military personnel, and law enforcement officers," to the streets of the nation's capital.
Following his speech, the president walked from the White House to St. John's Episcopal Church as police officers swinging batons and hurling tear gas canisters cleared the streets of peaceful demonstrators. The ACLU demanded an immediate investigation into the president's approval of "politically-motivated and life-threatening use of indiscriminate weapons" against the crowds of protesters.
After police officers and military personnel forcefully removed demonstrators from his path, Trump arrived at the church and hoisted a Bible for the cameras. The White House Monday night posted an edited video of the president's walk on Twitter which includes zero indication that, as Trump casually strolled to St. John's, protesters were being brutally attacked for his benefit.
"The president of the United States tear-gassed peaceful protestors in order to clear the way for a useless photo-op outside the White House--just after vowing to activate the military against our own people," tweeted Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). "Lives and our democracy are in danger."
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) slammed Trump for having "peaceful demonstrators viciously attacked."
"This is not a dictatorship," tweeted Sanders. "This is the United States of America. Our citizens have a constitutional right to peacefully protest. It's called the First Amendment."
Will Bunch of the Philadelphia Inquirer wrote in a column late Monday that Trump's speech in the Rose Garden represented "the moment we've been dreading since that escalator ride down Trump Tower five years ago this month--that's been slowly building brick by brick as Donald Trump tore down the rule of law, abused the presidency to enrich himself, and grabbed the bully pulpit of the White House to divide America with racism, sexism and xenophobia."
"Backed into a corner after his incompetence and distrust in science was trampled by a virus that's killed 105,000 Americans, compounded by 40 million unemployed, and now massive, chaotic protests over the police brutality and racism that he has nurtured instead of combating, the president of the United States declared war on the American people," Bunch wrote. "Donald Trump needs to go, and we can't wait until even November 3, let alone January 20, 2021."
Slate's Ben Mathis-Lilley also made the case for Trump's speedy removal from office, warning in a column Monday that "there is not much more room for the president's program of violence to keep escalating."
"Trump needs to be removed now," wrote Mathis Lilley, "because after the massacre it will be too late."
President Donald Trump's pledge Monday evening to deploy the full force of the U.S. military against demonstrators protesting the killing of George Floyd--and the president's authorization of police violence against peaceful protesters to clear the way for a photo-op--amounted in the eyes of lawmakers, rights groups, and commentators to "declaration of war" against the U.S. public that must result in Trump's removal from office.
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) characterized Trump's remarks from the Rose Garden of the White House as a "fascist speech" that "verged on a declaration of war against American citizens" who have taken to the streets across the nation to condemn police brutality and racial injustice.
"The president of the United States tear-gassed peaceful protestors in order to clear the way for a useless photo-op outside the White House--just after vowing to activate the military against our own people. Lives and our democracy are in danger."
--Sen. Elizabeth Warren
"I fear for our country tonight and will not stop defending America against Trump's assault," Wyden tweeted.
Other progressive lawmakers similarly condemned Trump's address, during which the president vowed to deploy " thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers, military personnel, and law enforcement officers," to the streets of the nation's capital.
Following his speech, the president walked from the White House to St. John's Episcopal Church as police officers swinging batons and hurling tear gas canisters cleared the streets of peaceful demonstrators. The ACLU demanded an immediate investigation into the president's approval of "politically-motivated and life-threatening use of indiscriminate weapons" against the crowds of protesters.
After police officers and military personnel forcefully removed demonstrators from his path, Trump arrived at the church and hoisted a Bible for the cameras. The White House Monday night posted an edited video of the president's walk on Twitter which includes zero indication that, as Trump casually strolled to St. John's, protesters were being brutally attacked for his benefit.
"The president of the United States tear-gassed peaceful protestors in order to clear the way for a useless photo-op outside the White House--just after vowing to activate the military against our own people," tweeted Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). "Lives and our democracy are in danger."
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) slammed Trump for having "peaceful demonstrators viciously attacked."
"This is not a dictatorship," tweeted Sanders. "This is the United States of America. Our citizens have a constitutional right to peacefully protest. It's called the First Amendment."
Will Bunch of the Philadelphia Inquirer wrote in a column late Monday that Trump's speech in the Rose Garden represented "the moment we've been dreading since that escalator ride down Trump Tower five years ago this month--that's been slowly building brick by brick as Donald Trump tore down the rule of law, abused the presidency to enrich himself, and grabbed the bully pulpit of the White House to divide America with racism, sexism and xenophobia."
"Backed into a corner after his incompetence and distrust in science was trampled by a virus that's killed 105,000 Americans, compounded by 40 million unemployed, and now massive, chaotic protests over the police brutality and racism that he has nurtured instead of combating, the president of the United States declared war on the American people," Bunch wrote. "Donald Trump needs to go, and we can't wait until even November 3, let alone January 20, 2021."
Slate's Ben Mathis-Lilley also made the case for Trump's speedy removal from office, warning in a column Monday that "there is not much more room for the president's program of violence to keep escalating."
"Trump needs to be removed now," wrote Mathis Lilley, "because after the massacre it will be too late."