George Floyd protests LIVE updates: Donald Trump threatens Black Lives Matter protesters with US military as unrest continues to grip America

George Floyd's death at the hands of Minneapolis police has sparked widespread riots in the United States with more than 40 cities in lockdown as demonstrators continue to clash violently with police.

Summary

Joe Biden has lashed out at President Donald Trump for "fanning the flames of hate", a day after police drove back peaceful protesters near the White House
The New York Police Department and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio "did not do their job last night", Governor Andrew Cuomo said
Six Atlanta police officers have been charged after a dramatic video showed authorities pulling two young people from a car during protests
At least five US police officers were shot and wounded during Monday night's violence

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Biden lashes Trump for fanning the 'flames of hate'

Joe Biden lashed out at President Donald Trump a day after police drove back peaceful protesters near the White House so Trump could pose with a Bible before a damaged church. Biden said Trump's "narcissism has become more important than the nation that he leads".

The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee delivered a speech at Philadelphia's City Hall, addressing the civil unrest across America following the death of George Floyd. Biden said "the moment has come" to deal with systemic racism and deeply ingrained economic inequality - and insisted that the nation can't wait until November's election and its outcome.

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden speaks in Philadelphia on Tuesday.Credit:AP

"I call on the Congress to act this month," Biden said, urging lawmakers to start "with real police reform" and citing proposed legislation outlawing choke holds.

But Biden stepped up his criticism of Trump as he works to elevate his voice in the national debate - after more than two months of the campaign for the White House being frozen amid the outbreak of the coronarvius.

"This President today is part of the problem and accelerates it," Biden said, adding that Trump is "consumed with his blinding ego".

Biden's criticism comes a day after Trump threatened the nation's governors that he would deploy the military to states if they did not stamp out violent protests over police brutality that have roiled the nation.

Authorities under federal command later forced back peaceful demonstrators in Washington with tear gas so the President could walk to nearby church St John's Church and pose briefly with a Bible. The church had sustained damage during Sunday protests.

Biden noted that "peaceful protesters" were dispersed from the "doorstep of the people's house, the White House" using tear gas and flash grenades to stage what he called a "photo op" publicity stunt.

"The President held up a Bible," Biden added. "I just wished he opened it once in a while instead of brandishing it."

The 20-plus minute address was covered live by US cable networks and Biden used it to declare, "This job's not about me. It's about you. It's about us".

"Look, the presidency is a big job. Nobody will get everything right. And I won't either," Biden said, but promised, "I won't fan the flames of hate".

George Floyd protests LIVE updates: Donald Trump threatens Black Lives Matter protesters with US military as unrest continues to grip America

George Floyd's death at the hands of Minneapolis police has sparked widespread riots in the United States with more than 40 cities in lockdown as demonstrators continue to clash violently with police.

Summary

Biden lashes Trump for fanning the 'flames of hate'

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