CNN host Don Lemon slammed President Donald Trump's call Monday to bring in "all federal resources, civilian and military" in response to sometimes violent protests that have gripped the nation following the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer.
"Those were the orders from the commander in chief for this very moment that just happened in front of our eyes," Lemon told host Wolf Blitzer. "Why were pretending otherwise? Open your eyes, America. Open your eyes. We are teetering on a dictatorship. This is chaos."
Lemon also slammed Trump for having police and National Guard units push back protesters in Lafayette Park so he could walk to St. John's church for a photo op after the speech. The church was damaged by fire by protesters Sunday night.
"Is the president declaring war on Americans? What is happening here?" Lemon said. "He's saying he wants to protect peaceful protesters at the same time sending law enforcement and military into the streets to push peaceful protesters back, to be aggressive with peaceful protesters. He is doing the exact opposite of what he said in that speech. I think the president is playing a very, very dangerous game."