Former US Defense Secretary: Trump Seeks to Divide US

Former US defence secretary James Mattis has slammed US President Donald Trump’s response to nationwide demonstrations triggered by the killing of George Floyd, accusing him of trying to divide the country.

The retired Marine General said he has watched this week’s “unfolding events, angry and appalled” in an extraordinary statement published by The Atlantic.

“Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people, does not even pretend to try,” Mattis said.

“Instead he tries to divide us. We are witnessing the consequences of three years of this deliberate effort.”

This is the first time Mattis has publicly criticised his former boss since he resigned as defence secretary in 2018.

He quit over Trump’s approach to foreign policy — particularly his decision to withdraw American forces from Syria.

In his statement, Mattis singled out Trump’s decision to leave the White House and hold a Bible outside nearby St John’s Episcopal Church.

“We know that we are better than the abuse of executive authority that we witnessed in Lafayette Park,” Mattis said.

“We must reject and hold accountable those in office who would make a mockery of our constitution.”

Mattis wrote that it would not be easy for Americans to move ahead without “mature leadership”.

“We can unite without him, drawing on the strengths inherent in our civil society,” he insisted.

Mattis’ statement comes as protesters have filled the streets across the United States for the ninth day of protests sparked by the police killing of unarmed black man, George Floyd. Floyd died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.

On Monday, mostly peaceful protesters were forced back by police with tear gas and flash bangs to make way for the photo opportunity.

Trump has made no major public statement to address the growing crisis but has issued a flurry of tweets, describing protesters as “thugs” and urging mayors and governors to “get tough.” He has also threatened to utilize the US military, but his national security adviser on Sunday said the administration would not yet invoke federal control over the National Guard.

Source: Agencies

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