Houston Police Chief Rips Donald Trumps Violent Rhetoric: 'Keep Your Mouth Shut'

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo on Tuesday ripped President Donald Trump s divisive rhetoric on the protests that have erupted nationwide following the death of George Floyd .

Let me just say this to the president of the United States on behalf of the police chiefs in this country: Please, if you dont have anything constructive to say, keep your mouth shut. Because youre putting men and women in their early 20s at risk, Acevedo told CNN s Christiane Amanpour .

Its not about dominating. Its about winning hearts and minds, the police chief continued, referencing Trumps order earlier this week that governors should dominate anti-racism protesters.

Acevedo clarified that police did not want people to confuse kindness with weakness, but we dont want ignorance to ruin what weve got here in Houston.

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And it hurts me to no end because whether we vote for someone or we dont vote for someone, hes still our president. But its time to be presidential and not try to be like youre on The Apprentice, he added. This is not Hollywood. This is real life, and real lives are at risk.

Check out the interview here:

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