Tear Gas Fury As Trump Pulls Church Stunt

Donald Trump poses with a Bible by a Washington DC church where protesters had been tear-gassed

- Christopher Bucktin

Church leaders accused Donald Trump of staging a “cheap political stunt” yesterday after protesters were tear-gassed out the way so he could be pictured by a church clutching a Bible.

Seething over coverage of how he had fled to a White House bunker to be safe, the President demanded he was seen walking the streets of Washington DC.

Over the weekend nearby St John’s Episcopal Church was partially burned in protests over the killing of a black man, George Floyd, by a white officer Derek Chauvin.

Mr Trump went to the church where every president has prayed since 1809 and demanded to be photographed outside with a Bible.

As officers cleared peaceful protesters surrounding the church using tear gas and rubber bullets he threatened to unleash military might on people.

Gini Gerbasi, a rector at St John’s, had been passing out water and help to demonstrators with fellow clergy when the National Guard began their action.

Battleground

He said: “That man turned it into a battleground first, and a cheap political stunt second. They started using tear gas and folks were running at us for eyewashes or water or wet paper towels. We were driven off the patio at St John’s – a place of peace and respite and medical care throughout the day – so that man could have a photo opportunity in front of the church.

“People were hurt so he could pose in front of the church with a Bible.”