Trump's Surprise Outing After Crackdown on Peaceful Protests... Anger Protests Intensify

US Media Criticize Church Visit After Tear Gas Fired at Peace Protest
Possibility of Election Strategy Using Outbursts and Surprise Shows
Despite Attempts to Rally Supporters and Shift Momentum, Protests Intensify
Looting Observed as Curfews Ignored in Washington and New York at Night

President Trump made a surprise visit to St. John's Church in Washington, DC, on the 1st and is returning to the White House along a path covered with graffiti criticizing him. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] On the evening of the 1st (local time), police began firing rubber bullets and tear gas at protesters peacefully demonstrating in front of Lafayette Park near the White House. Under police pressure, the protesters started to retreat, and about 35 minutes later than scheduled, President Donald Trump’s press conference began at the White House Rose Garden. During the conference, President Trump announced a bold move to deploy the military to suppress violent protests.

The reason why the police cracked down on the peaceful protest soon became clear. After a brief press conference lasting about 10 minutes, President Trump walked to St. John’s Church located outside the White House. Holding a Bible, he emphasized his image as a president who would "be strong" and uphold law and order. St. John’s Church is called the president’s church because every president since James Madison, the 4th president of the United States, has attended worship there at least once. This church also suffered fire damage amid the recent protests. If the protests had continued, President Trump’s surprise outing would have been impossible.

Criticism is emerging everywhere that President Trump’s reckless actions are further fueling the protests. Even after the press conference that day, he acted in a way completely opposite to what he mentioned. Although he described himself as a companion to the peaceful protesters, his actual behavior was entirely different. American media such as The New York Times and CNN reported that President Trump suppressed peaceful protesters to make his church visit. According to protest footage broadcast by Fox News and others, the protesters near the White House that day were holding placards and chanting slogans but were demonstrating peacefully. Muriel Bowser, Mayor of Washington DC, lamented the police’s use of force just before the curfew was moved up to 7 p.m. that day, calling it "a shameful act."

President Trump was able to walk calmly to the church under heavy security. Ivanka Trump, the White House senior advisor and President Trump’s daughter, accompanied him throughout, carrying a white luxury handbag. Although President Trump chased away protesters and moved freely, he could not avoid a small "humiliation" of being photographed alongside graffiti criticizing him on the park’s wall during the process.

This is not the first time President Trump has made provocative remarks. After the death of a Black man, as protesters took a hardline stance, he continued to make remarks that hurt the public’s feelings. He did not hesitate to use harsh terms such as rioters, radical leftists, and anarchists against the protesters. That day, he posted protest videos on his Twitter and called the protesters anarchists. He also unleashed harsh words on Twitter, claiming that people associated with former Vice President Joe Biden, his opponent in the presidential election, are radical leftists trying to release anarchists from prison.

These remarks by President Trump are widely interpreted as intended for the upcoming November presidential election. The goal is to rally his support base and create a favorable situation for the election. This is why criticism arises that his approach is far from national unity.

Amid repeated harsh remarks by President Trump, UN Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres demanded that U.S. authorities listen to the voices of protesters and show restraint.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.