Toronto: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday that Canadians are watching what’s unfolding in the United States with horror and consternation and he paused for 21 seconds when asked about US President Donald Trump and the use of tear gas against protesters to clear the way for a photo opportunity.
Trudeau has long been careful not to criticize Trump as Canada relies on the US for 75 percent of exports. But Trudeau, who is usually quick to answer, paused and struggled to come up with the right words when asked about Trump calling for military action against protesters and the use of tear gas for a photo opportunity.
The Prime Minister avoided mentioning Trump directly.
“We all watch in horror and consternation at what is going on in the United States,” he said. “It is time to pull people together.”
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Police violently broke up a peaceful and legal protest by several thousand people in Lafayette Park across from the White House ahead of a speech in the Rose Garden by Trump on Monday. The protesters had gathered following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis a week earlier.
Afterward, Trump strolled out of the White House gates and walked across the cleared Lafayette Park to make a surprise visit to St. John’s Church. Trump, standing alone in front of cameras, raised a Bible. He didn’t mention Floyd, the church or the peaceful protesters' police had just cleared away.