‘Much smaller crowd than anticipated’: Trump praises police as DC protests stay trouble-free
Protests in Washington, DC did not flare up into riots as night descended on the town. President Donald Trump praised the “fantastic job” of the security services, while reporters on the ground described the mood as a “party.”
“Much smaller crowd… than anticipated,” Trump tweeted around 10pm local time, giving credit to the National Guard, Secret Service, and DC police.
Much smaller crowd in D.C. than anticipated. National Guard, Secret Service, and D.C. Police have been doing a fantastic job. Thank you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 7, 2020
He also took a dig at hostile cable channels CNN and MSNBC, accusing them of trying to incite the crowd to riot, but said that very few people were watching.
.@CNN & MSDNC are doing everything possible to “inflame” the crowd. Fortunately they have a very small audience!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 7, 2020
Reporters on the ground outside the White House described the atmosphere as a “celebration” or a “block party” that feels like Independence Day festivities.
In DC in front of White House:People smoking weed and drinking beers. It’s like 4th of July here. No police.For blocks.No drama. It’s a protest but it feels more like a block party.🇺🇸
— Jack Murphy 🇺🇸 (@jackmurphylive) June 7, 2020
Ambiente actual en la protesta frente a la Casa Blanca. Se siente como una celebración de la unión del pueblo por la lucha contra la injusticia racial. #DCprotestpic.twitter.com/ZmNbtGw10S
— Bricio Segovia (@briciosegovia) June 7, 2020
Activists painted ‘DEFUND THE POLICE’ across the street near the White House, to go along with ‘BLACK LIVES MATTER’ which DC city officials painted the day before.
Black Lives Matter organizers are painting “Defund the Police” in yellow paint on 16th Street right now pic.twitter.com/62zFMPXXOo
— Samantha Schmidt (@schmidtsam7) June 7, 2020
The situation certainly seemed drastically different than last weekend, when demonstrators set fire to a US Park Service building in Lafayette Park, just north of the White House, and damaged the nearby St. John’s Episcopalian Church.
Also on rt.com Historic St. John’s Church near White House set on FIRE as protests rage in Washington DC (VIDEOS)Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!
