• US. Trump proclaims himself president of "law and order" and threatens to deploy the Army to quell protests
  • George Floyd: Protest and Unprecedented Racial Fire: What's Happening in America?
  • Tension. Trump lashes out at "scum" looting New York as protests spread across the US

United States Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said Wednesday that he opposes the use of a law that allows the military to be mobilized to stop the wave of protests against racism and police brutality that is shaking the country.

"I do not support the use of the Insurrection Law," Esper said at a press conference two days after US President Donald Trump indicated that he could deploy the military to quell the mobilizations.

The Pentagon chief indicated that the use of active military forces "should only be used as a last resort and only in the most urgent and serious situations."

" I have always believed and continue to believe that the National Guard is better suited to provide internal support to civil authorities in these situations," said the defense secretary, referring to the contingent of reservists.

Esper also spoke about the controversy after Trump on Monday suppressed a peaceful rally in front of the White House to clear the area and pose with a bible in front of a church that was damaged on the sidelines of a rally over the weekend.

The Pentagon chief admitted that it was a mistake to pose alongside Trump . "I do my best to remain apolitical and to avoid situations that may seem political," he said. "Sometimes I make it and sometimes I don't."

9,000 arrests

Almost ten days after the death of George Floyd, a black citizen who was suffocated by a white police officer in Minneapolis, the mobilizations continued in big cities such as Washington, New York, Houston and Los Angeles , among others, despite the curfew. decreed after the riots over the weekend.

These mobilizations reached a dimension not seen since the 1960s during the civil rights protests.

Trump, who is seeking re-election in November, maintained his speech on Wednesday and despite criticism, repeated on Twitter his message of "Law and order!".

In total, the police recorded nearly 9,000 arrests across the country , according to an estimate by the US media, citing curfew violations, some acts of violence and disorder.

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