Justice tells Trump of violent protests: ‘I’m not going to put up with this’
By Brad McElhinny in News | June 01, 2020 at 4:42PM
Gov. Jim Justice spoke up on a call with President Trump today, saying he agrees with the president’s guidance to get tough when protests turn violent and added that he would be willing to call out the National Guard.
“You know, when it really boils right down to it, we’ve had some real peaceful protests. We welcome them,” Justice told the president.
“But absolutely we’re not going to have a problem here because first and foremost, I’m not going to put up with it. There is no way. Instantaneously, we’ll call in the Guard or do whatever we’ve got to do. But I am just exactly like you, and I’m not going to put up with this.”
Justice’s comments came 43 minutes into a videoconference call between Trump and the nation’s governors.
Comments by Trump made news because he began the call by telling governors they “have to get much tougher.”
“Most of you are weak,” Trump said, according to audio and multiple reports. “You have to arrest people.”
The teleconference, which lasted nearly an hour, was almost over when Justice — a Republican who speaks often of being close with Trump — spoke up.
“Mr. President, can you hear me? This is Jim Justice of West Virginia,” he said. “All I would say to you is if it comes to pass that some states would rather you didn’t come there, you come to West Virginia. Because you’re a blooming hero here, and we’ll protect you in every way. And there won’t be any disturbance whatsoever.”
Trump responded, “I appreciate it very much, Jim” before suggesting to governors that their states should institute laws against burning the American flag.
If they would just follow the F*****g rules, everything would work great!!