Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot lashed out at President Trump in response to unrest in Minneapolis, sending him an obscenity in “code.”
“He wants to show failures on the part of Democratic local leaders, to throw red meat to his base,” Lightfoot said in response to Trump’s tweets about the death of a black man in Minneapolis while in police custody. “His goal is to polarize, to destabilize local government, and inflame racist urges. We can absolutely not let him prevail. And I will code what I really want to say to Donald Trump. It’s two words. It begins with F, and it ends with you.”
For those looking for the clip of @chicagosmayor Lori Lightfoot telling President @realDonaldTrump “f— you,” here ya go. pic.twitter.com/bbGCxXZ09U
— Kelly Bauer (@BauerJournalism) May 29, 2020
Lightfoot added that she doesn’t usually “take the bait” but felt she had to this time.
“I don’t take the bait every time, but this time, when we are suffering pain and trauma at the killing of a black man in the street, to try to, for political gain, and blow the dog whistle to his base, I’m a black woman and a leader, and I feel an obligation to speak out when something as offensive as that is said by anyone, but particularly the president,” Lightfoot continued. “And I make no apologies whatsoever for my word choice and the way in which I’m calling him out for what he said.”
George Floyd died while in police custody under arrest for alleged forgery earlier this week, sparking riots and looting across the country.
The officer, Derek Chauvin, was fired by the Minneapolis Police Department and subsequently charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
Fires are still smoldering in Minneapolis this morning. The entire affordable housing development was razed to the ground. Wendy’s and Autozone have been completely destroyed in the riot as well. #BlackLivesMatter #antifa #GeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/Gkd05db6d2
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) May 28, 2020
Democrats across the country have joined Lightfoot in criticizing the president for his tweets following the shooting, most notably a tweet referring to the rioters as “thugs.”
“These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen,” Trump said. “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!”
….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!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2020
