South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott said President Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric about the protests after the death of George Floyd are not helpful in resolving the issue.
“Those are not constructive tweets, without any question,” Scott, the only black Republican in the Senate, told Fox News Sunday.
In response to some of the demonstrations across the United States turning into violent clashes with police, Trump threatened protesters and looters with “shooting” and “vicious dogs.” In his tweets, the president invoked a phrase used in 1967 by Miami’s police chief about cracking down on black unrest. He later claimed he didn’t mean to suggest that police should shoot people who were part of the unrest.
Scott said he spoke with Trump on Saturday about leading with compassion instead of inflaming the situation.
“Mr. President, it helps us when you focus on the death, the unjustified, in my opinion, the criminal death of George Floyd.” Scott said, adding, “It is helpful when you say what you said yesterday, which is that it’s important for us to recognize the benefit of nonviolent protests. It is helpful when you respond to my request to have the Department of Justice, led by Attorney General Barr, have a commission and a conversation around race and justice in this nation. Mr. President, it is helpful when you lead with compassion.”
Scott said Trump was receptive to his advice.
“The president will listen if you engage him with the facts of the issue and then you ask them to focus his attention on making progress as one nation under God,” he said.
