President Donald Trump called himself an "ally to all peaceful protesters" during a speech at the White House on Monday evening while police dressed in riot gear simultaneously clashed with peaceful protesters nearby.
At around 6:30 p.m. local time, law enforcement pushed peacefully protesters out of Lafayette Square using tear gas, rubber bullets, shields, and horses. Trump spoke at 6:44 p.m. local time.
Trump addressed the unrest playing out across the US in response to the death of George Floyd, a black man who was killed in the custody of Minneapolis police last week.
The video of Floyd's death in police custody was widely shared across social media and has since sparked a week of escalating protests across several US states.
On Monday, Trump expressed support for "peaceful" protesters while decrying the violent actions that have branched off from some protests.
"I am your president of law and order and an ally of all peaceful protesters, but in recent days our nation has been gripped by professional anarchists, violent mobs, arsonists, looters, criminals, rioters, Antifa, and others," Trump said at his briefing.
"We cannot allow the righteous cries of peaceful protesters to be drowned out by an angry mob. The biggest victims of the rioting are peace-loving citizens in our poorest communities and as their president, I will fight to keep them safe. I will fight to protect you," he added.
But nearby, authorities were already clashing with peaceful protesters that had gathered near the White House to demonstrate ahead of the president's remarks.
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