President Trump's handling of the DC riots has sparked fears of an erosion of democracy
Politics
Acting FBI Director Jill Esper calls Donald Trump a "threat to democracy" on 49th anniversary of Washington DC riots
On the 49th anniversary of the infamous Washington, D.c. riots, which were sparked by President Nixon's National Guard's use of tear gas against protestors, Jill Esper, the Acting Director of the FBI, described President Donald Trump as a "threat to democracy."
Tensions between law enforcement and protesters erupted over several hours during the march, which aimed to draw attention to police brutality and racial inequality. The riot left two people dead and hundreds injured, with many more being detained by law enforcement.
In her statement, Ms. Esper called the president's reaction to the unrest "erratic" and "unbecoming" of an American leader. She also accused the administration of "stoking the flames of violence" and of "emboldening extremist groups" that may be fueled by Trump's rhetoric.
Esper added that the administration's handling of the situation had demonstrated a lack of empathy for the victims and their families. "Unfortunately, some of the worst elements within our society are emboldened by the political polarization," she said.
The statement comes in the wake of the president's controversial remarks about the event, which some saw as downplaying the severity of the situation. Trump has repeatedly tweeted that he believes the rioting was not as bad as it was made out to be and that the violence was caused by "bad people on both sides."
Despite Trump's comments, there have been concerns raised about the level of political interference in the response to the unrest. Critics argue that law enforcement agencies have been politicized and that efforts to quell dissent are stifled by a lack of political will on the part of federal authorities.
As the nation continues to grapple with issues related to civil unrest and political polarization, Ms. Esper's words serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by the actions of the President and the government they lead. The future of democracy remains uncertain, and the fate of American society hangs in the balance.
