Jim Mattis 'angry' with Donald Trump's protests response

Gen Jim Mattis, the former US defence secretary, says he is appalled by president's actions

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  The Federal Hall in Manhattan, New York is seen marked with graffiti after protests against the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd. Reuters

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  A NYPD policeman is seen during a protest in Brooklyn, New York City. Reuters

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  Protesters demonstrate during a peaceful march in downtown Houston, Texas. AFP

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  Protestors including British actor John Boyega, centre, raise their fists in Parliament square during an anti-racism demonstration in London. AFP

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  British actor John Boyega speaks to protestors in Parliament square during an anti-racism demonstration in London. AFP

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  Protesters kneel to demonstrate against the death of George Floyd near the US Capitol, in Washington, DC. AFP

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  Protestors hold placards and shout slogans as they march during an anti-racism demonstration in central London. AFP

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  People lay down in protest for the death of George Floyd near the US Capitol, in Washington, DC. AFP

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  Police officers react as they attempt to detain a protestor near the entrance to Downing Street, during an anti-racism demonstration in London. AFP

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  Protesters during a protest on the Malieveld in The Hague, The Netherlands. Organizer Black Lives Matter Netherlands organized the meeting in protest of violence against black people in the US and the death of 46-year-old George Floyd while in police custody. EPA

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  Protestors scuffle with Police officers near the entrance to Downing Street, during an anti-racism demonstration in London. AFP

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  Protestors hold placards during a demonstration in London. AFP

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  U.S. Army soldiers pass protesters as they arrive to maintain a perimeter during a rally against the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, near the White House, in Washington, U.S. REUTERS

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  Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser bows her head in prayer during a vigil as protests continue on the streets near the White House over the death in police custody of George Floyd, in Washington, U.S. REUTERS

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  A demonstrator displays a message of protest on shoes as protesters rally against the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, near the White House in Washington, U.S. REUTERS

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  A police officer takes a knee in front of protesters near Downing Street during a "Black Lives Matter" protest following the death of George Floyd who died in police custody in Minneapolis, London, Britain. REUTERS

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  This combination of photos provided by the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office in Minnesota shows J. Alexander Kueng, from left, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao. They have been charged with aiding and abetting Derek Chauvin, who is charged with second-degree murder of George Floyd, a black man who died after being restrained by the Minneapolis police officers on May 25. AP

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  Hundreds of demonstrators lie face down depicting George Floyd during his detention by police during a protest against police brutality, on Boston Common. AP Photo

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  Atlanta Police Officer J. Coleman, left, and protester Elijah Raffington, of Sandy Springs, fist bump while an Atlanta Police bicycle unit blocking Marietta Street at Centennial Olympic Park Drive kneels down with protesters in a symbolic gesture of solidarity outside the CNN Center at Olympic Park, in Atlanta, during a protest sparked by the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody. AP

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  People continue to gather near the intersection of 38th and Chicago in front of the Cup Foods at the spot where George Floyd was arrested and who later died in police custody, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. EPA

Former defence secretary James Mattis broke his long silence against US President Donald Trump on Wednesday amid ongoing demonstrations against police brutality that have sparked a nationwide discussion on racism.

In a rare public comment, Gen Mattis condemned Mr Trump's militarised response to the protests.

Gen Mattis served under Mr Trump as defence secretary for two years from January 2017 before falling out with the President over Syria policy.

"I have watched this week's unfolding events, angry and appalled," he said.

Gen Mattis denounced Mr Trump's heavy-handed use of military force to quell protests and said the president was setting up a "false conflict" between the military and civilian society.

Former US defence secretary James Mattis listens as President Donald Trump speaks to the media. Reuters

"Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people – does not even pretend to try. Instead, he tries to divide us," Gen Mattis wrote in The Atlantic. 

"We are witnessing the consequences of three years of this deliberate effort. We are witnessing the consequences of three years without mature leadership."

Gen Mattis objected to the force used to move back protesters so Mr Trump could visit St John's Church the day after it was damaged by fire during protests.

"We know that we are better than the abuse of executive authority that we witnessed in Lafayette Square. We must reject and hold accountable those in office who would make a mockery of our Constitution," Mattis said.

The comments from Gen Mattis struck a nerve with Mr Trump, who took to Twitter to call him "the world's most overrated General".

“I asked for his letter of resignation and felt great about it,” wrote Mr Trump. “I didn’t like his ‘leadership’ style or much else about him, and many others agree. Glad he is gone!”

Former president Barack Obama also weighed in on the nationwide discussion sparked by the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody.

During a virtual town hall meeting on Wednesday, Mr Obama called for police reform, urging the country’s mayors to review their police departments’ use of force policies and commit to reforms.

Addressing black Americans directly, Mr Obama said, “I want you to know that you matter, I want you to know that your lives matter, that your dreams matter," Mr Obama said.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on Wednesday announced that Derek Chauvin, the former police officer who was arrested in the killing of George Floyd, is now charged with second-degree murder.

The charge was increased from third-degree murder last Friday.

Mr Chauvin knelt on Floyd's neck for more than eight minutes.

Three other former Minneapolis police officers – Tou Thao, Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane, who were with Mr Chauvin at the time of the killing – were charged on Wednesday for aiding and abetting murder.