Former National Security Adviser Susan Rice believes the civil unrest in the United States may be fueled by more than frustrated American protesters.
During an interview with CNN’s Wolfe Blitzer, Rice — who served under the Obama administration — offered her perspective as she suggested that Russian players may have a part in the protest escalations.
“This is right out of the Russian playbook as well,” Rice said over the weekend. “We can’t allow the extremists, the foreign actors, to distract from the real problems we have in this country.”
She went on to note the history of foreign nations’ attempts to seize on discord in the United States.
“They take any divisive, painful issue … and they play on both sides,” Rice said. “Their aim is to not simply to embarrass the United States, their aim is to divide us.”
See Rice’s remarks below:
https://twitter.com/esaagar/status/1267184451077001216
Despite her speculation, Rice also noted that the problems in the U.S. are “longstanding” and “centuries old.”
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Flo.) also echoed similar sentiments via social media as he suggested foreign players may have an influence on the protests.
Tonight seeing VERY heavy social media activity on #protests & counter reactions from social media accounts linked to at least 3 foreign adversaries.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) May 31, 2020
They didn’t create these divisions. But they are actively stoking & promoting violence & confrontation from multiple angles.
Rice’s comments follow days of civil unrest across the United States. George Floyd died in Minneapolis police custody after a now-former officer pinned his knee into Floyd’s neck for several minutes.
Floyd’s death has uncovered more layers of racial tension in the U.S. Activists have argued systematic racism is at a “breaking point” in the U.S.
Protests have taken place in at least 140 cities across the country. Several cities have had curfews imposed.
As of Monday, the other three officers involved in Floyd’s death have not been arrested or charged. The one officer’s court date has been postponed until June 8.
