Last Updated on February 17, 2022
A Black Lives Matter chapter president threatened to “burn down the system” if they did not get what they wanted. In response, President Donald Trump blasted the comments as “treason, sedition, insurrection” in a tweet.
Greater New York Black Lives Matter president Hawk Newsome joined Fox News where he was interviewed by host Martha MacCallum on Wednesday, discussing the direction of the Black Lives Matter movement.
MacCallum asked Newsome, “You … have said that violence is sometimes necessary in these situations, what exactly is it that you hope to achieve through violence?”
Newsome responded, “Wow, it’s interesting that you would pose that question like that, because this country is built upon violence. What was the American Revolution, what’s our diplomacy across the globe?
“We go in and we blow up countries and we replace their leaders with leaders who we like. So for any American to accuse us of being violent is extremely hypocritical.”
MacCallum regathered herself, then clarified that her question was inspired by things Newsome had said in previous interviews.
“I said,” Newsome told the host, “if this country doesn’t give us what we want, then we will burn down this system and replace it. All right? And I could be speaking… figuratively. I could be speaking literally. It’s a matter of interpretation.
“Let’s observe the history of the 1960s, when black people were rioting,” he went on. “We had the highest growth in wealth, in property ownership. Think about the last few weeks since we started protesting. There have been eight cops fired across the country.”
The comments made by Newsome prompted President Trump to express his disapproval on social media, categorizing Newsome’s remarks as deserving of serious legal remedy.
President Trump wrote, “Black Lives Matter leader states, ‘If U.S. doesn’t give us what we want, then we will burn down this system and replace it’. This is Treason, Sedition, Insurrection!”
Black Lives Matter leader states, “If U.S. doesn’t give us what we want, then we will burn down this system and replace it”. This is Treason, Sedition, Insurrection!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 25, 2020
Black Lives Matter had been criticized in recent weeks for their political bent. One BLM co-founder, Patrisse Cullors, admitted in a 2015 interview that she was a “trained Marxist.” Cullors also called for Trump’s immediate resignation in an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper.
A BLM Chapter leader penned an article urging white people to give up their homes for people of color.
Another threat of violence was heard from a notable member of Antifa and CHAZ/CHOP resident who warned white Americans that there would be more burnings and lootings if they did not get things right.
