Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned two tweets posted by President Trump criticizing the response by the city to violent protests over the death of George Floyd.
“Weakness is refusing to take responsibility for your own actions. Weakness is pointing your finger at somebody else during a time of crisis. Donald Trump knows nothing about the strength of Minneapolis,” Frey said during a press conference at 1 a.m. local time.
“We are strong as hell. Is this a difficult time period? Yes. But you better be damn sure that we’re going to get through this,” he added.
Frey spoke to reporters to explain his decision to have officers abandon the city police’s 3rd Precinct building as it, along with many other buildings in the city, was lit on fire. Trump addressed the situation on Twitter an hour earlier.
“I can’t stand back & watch this happen to a great American City, Minneapolis. A total lack of leadership. Either the very weak Radical Left Mayor, Jacob Frey, get his act together and bring the City under control, or I will send in the National Guard & get the job done right,” Trump wrote.
“These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen. Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!” he added.
Minneapolis is in its third night of protests after Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died in police custody after a white officer pinned Floyd’s neck with his knee.
