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WASHINGTON — This week President Trump threatened governors with the use of the United State military to quell violence stemming from anger over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

“If a city or state refuses to take the actions necessary to defend the life and property of their residents then I will deploy the United States military and solve the problem for them,” Trump said in an address to the nation Monday.

Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) stopped short of saying the president was wrong to make that threat but said it is the purview of local leaders to deal with the issue.

“I was glad the president came out and cited the fact the underlying event was horrific and that we need to allow for peaceful protests,” Braun said. “But, when it comes to law enforcement, I think that is the responsibility of cities, towns, and states.”

Braun said he is confident local leaders in each state have the ability to deal with riots related to anger over the death of George Floyd on their own. He also said the president is not addressing the underlying issue of why protests are taking place all over the U.S.

“What caused all of this was law enforcement protocol. I think that needs to be looked at,” said Braun. “When it comes to the methods, the techniques, and the protocols that involved all of these issues that have now broiled up into this, it’s the responsibility of mayors, governors, and law enforcement across the country to figure out how to prevent it in the future.”

He said it’s clear that violence and looting connected to protests all over the U.S. are being “co-opted by and element” that goes way beyond peaceful protests.