Governor Kay Ivey’s office on Monday confirmed to Yellowhammer News that she participated in a national phone call led by President Donald Trump regarding the protests and riots that have unfolded across the country following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week.
Trump, U.S. Attorney General William Barr, governors, law enforcement leaders and national security officials were reportedly on the Monday morning call.
According to Fox News, Trump was critical of many governors’ “weak” responses to violence, looting, arson and vandalism that has plagued several cities nationwide.
“Most of you are weak,” Trump said, according to Fox News’ reporting. “You have to arrest people.”
“You have to dominate, if you don’t dominate you’re wasting your time,” he added. “They’re going to run over you, you’re going to look like a bunch of jerks. You have to dominate.”
Among other strong remarks, the president reportedly urged governors to call up their respective National Guard. Trump told the governors they were making themselves “look like fools” for not doing so as a show of force on city streets.
This came the day after Birmingham, Alabama, joined the ranks of cities who have experienced protests devolving into criminality.
Asked for comment on the phone call with the president, a spokesperson for Governor Ivey’s office referred Yellowhammer News to her remarks and actions announced earlier in the day. The spokesperson added that the governor “and the president are certainly on the same page.”
Ivey on Monday morning announced that she has given authorization to Adjutant General Sheryl Gordon with the Alabama National Guard to activate up to 1,000 guardsmen, should the need arise in response to violent civil unrest.
“The Alabama National Guard stands ready to assist when peaceful protests become violent and dangerous to our public safety,” Ivey stated. “I will always support the right of the people of Alabama to peacefully lift your voices in anger and frustration. However, we will not allow our cities to become a target for those, especially from other states, who choose to use violence and destruction to make their point.”
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
