President Donald Trump ignored advice from GOP lawmakers and allies on Sunday to address the nation as urban unrest spread around the nation in response to the death of black man at the hands of police in Minnesota, as the President instead retreated to his favorite social media platform, and lobbed verbal jabs at his critics.
"Get tough Democrat Mayors and Governors. These people are ANARCHISTS," the President wrote on Twitter.
"LAW & ORDER," Mr. Trump added in another tweet.
Asked about tweets where President Trump said looters would be shot, one GOP ally said he told the President to stop.
"Those are not constructive tweets, without any question," said Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) on Fox News Sunday.
Americans are looking for leadership and an Oval Office address from the President can go a long ways to establishing law and order in our land again today. USA has been through a lot. @realdonaldtrump—you are the executive president who can make America feel safe again!
— Jim Banks (@RepJimBanks) May 31, 2020
The President had a chance to try to bring calm to the nation today. Maybe nothing he said would have helped, but he could have tried to deliver healing words.
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) May 31, 2020
He did the exact opposite. He chose, tragically and predictably, to douse the country with more gasoline.
Some urged the President to address the nation, as a way to rally Americans.
"Americans are looking for leadership," said Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN), in a direct Twitter appeal to the President.
Instead, the President attacked Democrats, and his likely opponent in November.
"The World is watching and laughing at you and Sleepy Joe. Is this what America wants? NO!!!" Mr. Trump wrote.
While the President stayed out of sight on Sunday, former Vice President Joe Biden went into his home town of Wilmington, Delaware to meet with protesters.
"We are a nation exhausted, but we will not allow our exhaustion to defeat us," Biden said in a statement on Instagram.
We are a nation in pain right now, but we must not allow this pain to destroy us.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) May 31, 2020
As President, I will help lead this conversation — and more importantly, I will listen, just as I did today visiting the site of last night's protests in Wilmington. pic.twitter.com/0h2ApbKT0C
Protestors are asking to take pictures with @JoeBiden. Because? They know he sees them. He hears them. He respects them. He’s not hiding in a bunker. #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/KTlo80gLsJ
— Eric Swalwell (@ericswalwell) June 1, 2020
"The President hid in the White House bunker because there were protesters across the street," said Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI).
"Tells you all you need to know," Cicilline added.
Cox Media Group