Critics have detailed what they believe are striking differences between how US President Donald Trump dealt with Black Lives Matter (BLM) protesters and the ongoing situation in the US Capitol.
Following the police killing of US man George Floyd in May and subsequent BLM protests, Trump labelled demonstrators "thugs," called on military power, and said, "when the looting starts, the shooting starts".
"These THUGS are dishonouring the memory of George Floyd, and I won't let that happen, Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you."
On Thursday as Pro-Trump rioters stormed the US capitol building, smashing windows, planting pipe bombs, tearing down fencing, and fighting police, Trump simply asked for "peace".
"I am asking for everyone at the US Capitol to remain peaceful. No Violence!
"Remember, We are the party of law and order," Trump said.
During a BLM protest outside a church in Washington in June, police officers and the National Guard flooded the crowd using tear gas to push them away, despite it being a peaceful protest.
It became obvious the tear gas was used to clear the crowd so that Trump could have his picture taken outside the church, holding a bible.
According to The New York Times, the President did not pray, nor did he mention Floyd.
The visit followed an announcement from Trump at the White House where he declared himself to be the "President of law and order" and demanded Governors deploy the National Guard in states where unrest was ongoing.
"If a city or state refuses to take the actions that are 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," he said.
So far, there has been no demand from Trump for the National Guard to be deployed against rioters in Washington. Trump's press secretary has said the national guard is "on the way" with Trump himself staying quiet.
In a pre-recorded speech posted to Twitter, Trump told the Capitol mob he "loved" them and continued to spread false claims of election fraud.
"I know your pain, I know your hurt. We had an election that was stolen from us.
"It was a landslide election, and everyone knows it - especially the other side.
"But you have to go home now.
"We have to have peace. We have to have law and order. We have to respect our great people in law and order," he continued.
Twitter users shared images of the contrast in police and military power used against BLM protesters and the scenes unfolding in the Capitol.
"The US capitol during BLM protests versus Pro-Trump riots. See the problem?" one user captioned two images - one image showing military personnel lined up outside the capitol during BLM protests, the other showing Pro-Trump rioters storming the stairs of the capitol building, no police or military insight.
CNN's Abby Phillip also spoke on Trump's response to the situation in the Capitol compared to BLM protests calling it "incredibly shameful".
She explained that every block in Washington was locked down during BLM protests and now she is witnessing little to no action being taken.
"They're mostly white, and they're storming the Capitol with violence, someone has been shot, glasses being broken, lawmakers are in lockdown wearing gas masks, and looking at these pictures, where is law enforcement?"
Phillip said police were struggling to control the rioters but "you don't hear the President saying, 'we are sending reinforcement.'"
"That is incredibly shameful."
