President Trump says he wants an expedited investigation into the death of George Floyd, who died in police custody in Minneapolis Monday as protests continued against harsh treatment of the unarmed African American as shown on widely circulated videos.
The White House reaction comes amid protests at several places where participants demanded criminal charges against the police officers involved in the incident.
“At my request, the FBI and the Department of Justice are already well into an investigation as to the very sad and tragic death in Minnesota of George Floyd,” Trump said in a Twitter post.
“I have asked for this investigation to be expedited and greatly appreciate all of the work done by local law enforcement. My heart goes out to George’s family and friends. Justice will be served!” the president added.
….I have asked for this investigation to be expedited and greatly appreciate all of the work done by local law enforcement. My heart goes out to George’s family and friends. Justice will be served!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 27, 2020
A video of the incident captured by an onlooker shows Floyd telling the officers that he couldn’t breathe when one of them continued to pin him down with knee on his neck.
Minneapolis Police Department has fired all four police officers involved in the incident and Mayor Jacob Frey has called for charging the officer who knelt on Floyd’s neck.
"They murdered my brother. They killed him," Bridgett Floyd tells @ABC News of the officers involved. "Firing them is just not enough." https://t.co/OMr5tty7Po
— ABC News (@ABC) May 27, 2020
The incident has sent shock and anger among African Americans across the country.
Democratic presumptive nominee for this year’s November election Joseph Biden has also called for a thorough FBI probe into the incident.
