The ongoing protests have resulted in violent altercations between protesters and local law enforcement. However, in the incident involving activist Martin Gugino, who was pushed by police officers in Buffalo, New York, President Donald Trump claimed that the incident in itself was a setup and that Gugino was an ANTIFA “provocateur.”
The Guardian reports that Trump made the accusation towards Gugino, a 75-year-old peace activist on Twitter that was hospitalized after the police pushed him to the ground. Soon after, blood could be seen gushing from his head.
“Buffalo protester shoved by Police could be an ANTIFA provocateur. 75-year old Martin Gugino was pushed away after appearing to scan police communications in order to black out the equipment. @OANN I watched, he fell harder than was pushed. Was aiming scanner. Could be a setup?” tweeted the president. Trump mentioned the far-right One America News Network, that aired the conspiracy theory prior to his tweet.
The police officers involved were then charged with second-degree assault as the video footage of the incident went viral. All 57 members of the Buffalo emergency response team resigned from their posts as a show of support towards their two colleagues.
Trump was soon under fire for the claims which he offered no proof of. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo criticized the president during his daily briefing and said that Trump was only making things worse by pushing the conspiracy theory in the midst of a very tense time. Cuomo called for Trump to show decency and humanity as this was the latest example of police brutality that many, especially African-Americans are protesting to put an end to in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
Hawaii Democrat senator Brian Schatz also expressed his displeasure towards Trump’s recent tweet and said that Republicans should ask themselves if they would still support a President would push a conspiracy theory.
South Dakota Republican Senator John Thune was also critical of Trump. Thune told the press at the Capitol that Trump made a serious accusation yet provided no evidence to back up the claim. When pressed if he thought Trump should not be making such a claim, Thune responded, “Well, I think that’s a given.”


U.S. Lawmakers Question Trump’s Iran Strategy After Joint U.S.-Israeli Strikes
Does international law still matter? The strike on the girls’ school in Iran shows why we need it
Israel Declares State of Emergency as Iran Launches Missile Attacks
Russia Signals Openness to U.S. Security Guarantees for Ukraine at Geneva Peace Talks
Israel Launches Fresh Strikes on Iran After Death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei
AI is already creeping into election campaigns. NZ’s rules aren’t ready
Trump to Address Nation as U.S. Launches Strikes in Iran, Axios Reports
UK Accepts U.S. Request to Use British Bases for Defensive Strikes on Iranian Missiles
Middle East Conflict Escalates After Khamenei’s Death as U.S., Israel and Iran Exchange Strikes
Trump Warns Iran as Gulf Conflict Disrupts Oil Markets and Global Trade
Why did Iran bomb Dubai? A Middle East expert explains the regional alliances at play
EU Urges Maximum Restraint in Iran Conflict Amid Fears of Regional Escalation and Oil Supply Disruption
Marco Rubio to Brief Congress After U.S.-Israeli Strikes on Iran
Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Killed in Israeli, U.S. Strikes: Reuters
Trump Says U.S. Attacks on Iran Will Continue, Warns of More American Casualties
U.S.-Israel Strike on Iran Escalates Middle East Conflict, Trump Claims Khamenei Killed
Zelenskiy Urges Change in Iran After U.S. and Israeli Strikes, Cites Drone Support for Russia 



