Donald Trump has mobilised the military and ordered them to take to US streets to stop riots across the nation.
Trump said he will be dispatching "thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers" as violence worsens following the killing of George Floyd.
While Trump acknowledged Floyd's "brutal death" and promised justice will be served, he warned he won't allow the chaos to continue.
"I am taking immediate Presidential action... I am mobilising all available federal resources, civilian and military, to stop the rioting and looting... and protect the rights of law-abiding Americans including your second amendment rights," Trump said during a national address on Tuesday (NZ time).
"As we speak, I am dispatching thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers, military personnel and law enforcement officers to stop the rioting, looting, vandalism, assaults and the wanton destruction of property."
Trump said a number of states and local governments have "failed to take action" after "violent mobs" of "thugs" and "Antifa" attacked civilians.
"We cannot allow the righteous cries of peaceful protesters to be drowned out by an angry mob," Trump said. "We will end it now."
Trump called on governors to "dominate the streets" or he will end the "riots and lawlessness that has spread across the country".
"Today I have strongly recommended to every governor to deploy the National Guard in sufficient numbers that we dominate the streets. Mayors and governors must establish an overwhelming presence until the violence is quelled," Trump said.
"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 quickly solve the problem for them."
In order to allow the military to operate in the US, Trump would have to invoke the 213-year-old Insurrection Act. The act was last invoked during the 1992 Rodney King riots in Los Angeles.
