Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser is weighing in on President Donald Trumpâs use of the U.S. military to âintimidateâ Americans amid protests.
During an appearance on MSNBCâs âMorning Joeâ on Monday, Bowser criticized Trumpâs use of the military as she explained why she opted to answer the presidentâs tweets and threats with the Black Lives Matter mural in Washington, D.C.
She recounted what transpired last Monday during the presidentâs briefing in the Rose Garden while sharing her opinion on Trumpâs use of the military to confront protesters.
âWe saw in Washington, D.C., federal forces used in a political stunt to attack peaceful protests,â Bowser said.
She continued, âWe saw the American military moved around like toy soldiers around the country to intimidate Americans in Washington, D.C.â
That day, Trump placed an emphasis on dominating the streets of America, while threatening to invoke the 1807 Insurrection Act to deploy troops into states.
See Bowserâs remarks below:
Later reports have also revealed the president reportedly wanted 10,000 troops on the streets of Washington, D.C. as reported on IJR.
âThe finest military in the world shouldnât be used in that way and Americans across the country should be scared about that,â Bowser said.
Bowserâs interview follows a barrage of verbal attacks from Trump due to their differences in the handling of protests and military response. Trump has referred to Bowser as âincompetentâ and previously pinned one of the tweets to the top of his Twitter page.
Trumpâs administration and Law Enforcement agencies in Washington, D.C., came under fire for the tactics used to disperse protesters.
Although the White House and U.S. Park Police previously denied protesters were not tear-gassed while being forcefully dispersed from the street, a USPP spokesperson Sgt. Eduardo Delgado has acknowledged that the pepper balls that were used are a form of tear gas.
On Sunday, Trump confirmed National Guard troops would begin withdrawing from D.C.