They sneered at POTUS for cowering in a bunker (USSS moved him there) vs. leading. Now he gives an inevitably bellicose law/order speech to project ‘strength’ & visits a vandalized historic church. They’ll call this a selfish photo-op. Our dysfunctional purgatory continues.
I would have much preferred a more conciliatory speech — extensively hailing the Floyd family’s beautiful and constructive messages, for instance — even with stern condemnations of violence/riots & announcements of related actions. I wish he’d delivered a more unifying close.
I’m sympathetic to the argument that forcibly clearing the park (why was tear gas necessary?) for a photo-op is a questionable call. Then again, he *just* said the curfew would be enforced, unlike last night, when rioters did disgracefully tried to burn down that church.
Many Americans — already on edge from the pandemic — have watched this unfolding nightmare for several nights & will strongly agree that the rioting must be forcibly quelled. I’m not sure many people beyond his base believe this president has what it takes to meet this moment.
