Trump’s Use Of Hate

The photo op of June 2nd is a defining moment

On June 2, we witnessed what will go down as a defining moment in U.S. history. It will either send our country into chaos and tyranny, or it will eventually release us from the nightmare of the Trump presidency in November.

Following seven days of nation-wide protests and violence in response to the brutal killing of George Floyd by Minnesotta police officers on May 25, Trump delivered a speech in the Rose Garden. Our country has had horrible racial violence over the course of our entire history, the killing of Mr. Floyd was nothing new. Racism is systemic and it is imperative that we change. But in his speech that day, Trump did not offer solutions, condolence, hope, or calm words; his speech was full of hate and threats of violence. In addition, at the same time his administration instructed the police who were around the peaceful protestors in Layfayette Park by the White House to use batons, runner bullets, pepper spray and tear gas to push the assembled protestors away from the area.

All so that Trump could walk from the Rose Garden to the church nearby for a photo op.

He stood in front of the church and held a bible in the air for the cameras. He did not offer words of kindness for George Floyd and his family. He did not pray. He used the bible and the church behind him as a prop…