Washington – United States President Donald Trump has been condemned by his Democratic challenger Joe Biden for invoking George Floyd’s name as he touted US jobs figures.
Trump said Floyd, an unarmed black man who died in police custody in Minneapolis, is “looking down” and “saying this is a great day”.
Biden, who has now formally clinched the Democratic presidential nomination, said the remark was “despicable”.
Trump spoke while celebrating a surprise US jobs rebound.
In his speech, the president called for “equal justice under the law”.
Floyd, who was unarmed and in handcuffs, died on May 25 after a policeman knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. The officer involved was charged with murder and three colleagues stand accused of aiding and abetting.
The death triggered protests against racial discrimination across the US and world. On Friday, Minneapolis banned the police neck restraint seen in the video of Floyd’s death, and California pledged to follow suit.
What did Trump say?
Speaking in the White House Rose Garden on Friday, Trump said: “Equal justice under the law must mean that every American receives equal treatment in every encounter with law enforcement regardless of race, colour, gender or creed.
“They have to receive fair treatment from law enforcement. They have to receive it.
“We all saw what happened last week. We can’t let that happen.
“Hopefully George is looking down and saying this is a great thing that’s happening for our country. A great day for him. It’s a great day for everybody.”
Trump, a Republican, added: “This is a great, great day in terms of equality.” (Reuters)