Long criticized for his racism, President Donald Trump is supporting the white police officer of the Atlanta Police Department (APD) that shot and killed Rayshard Brooks, an African-American, while seemingly blaming Brooks for getting himself killed.
Trump appeared to defend former APD officer Garrett Rolfe and seemed to criticize Brooks in an appearance on Trump-friendly Fox News on Wednesday. He also told friend and TV host Sean Hannity he hopes Rolfe gets a fair trial. Rolfe was fired from his job on June 13, the day after he shot Brooks to death at the parking lot of a Wendy's restaurant the evening before. On June 17, Rolfe was charged with felony murder and 10 other charges by Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard.
Apart from felony murder, Rolfe faces five counts of aggravated assault, four counts of violation of oath of office and one count of criminal damage to property. He surrendered to the police on Thursday.
Devin Brosnan, the other officer involved in the Brooks' shooting, faces an aggravated assault charge for standing on Brooks in the parking lot. He also faces two counts of violation of oath of office.
Trump, who branded himself America's law and order president, told Hannity people should let policemen do what they want.
"You can't resist a police officer, and if you have a disagreement, you have to take it up after the fact," said Trump to Hannity. "It was out of control. The whole situation was out of control."
Trump also said police are being treated unfairly in the U.S. in keeping with new image as the law and order president. He also believes Rolfe might not get a fair trial and doubled down on his idea people shouldn't argue with cops.
Trump said, strangely, it's up to justice right now. It's going to be up to justice. He hopes Rolfe gets a fair trial because police have not been treated fairly in the U.S. "But again, you can't resist a police officer like that, emphasized Trump.
And, in another defense of Rolfe, Trump bought into a statement by Rolfe's lawyers Brooks might have fired a gun at the cop. He seemed to agree with a statement made by Rolfe's lawyer, who said Rolfe heard a sound like a gunshot and saw a flash in front of him.
Video of the chase that ended in Rolfe shooting Brooks to death shows Rolfe dropping his Taser and going for his pistol. He then takes out the pistol and fires three times at the fleeing Brooks. Brooks was hit twice in the back and collapsed onto the pavement. Brooks was still alive.
Rolfe then stood over Brooks and kicked him to see if he was dead. He then muttered, "Got him," to Brosnan. Rolfe and Brosnan never assisted the badly wounded but still alive Brooks for two minutes after the African-American fell to the ground. Brosnan also stood on Brooks' shoulder.
Trump told Hannity the statement by Rolfe's lawyer is a very interesting thing.
"I don't know that I would have necessarily believed that, but I will tell you, that's a very interesting thing and maybe that's so," said Trump. "They are going to have to find out. It's up to justice right now. It's going to be up to justice. I hope he gets a fair shake because police have not been treated fairly in our country. They have not been treated fairly."
