Trump: Police chokeholds may sometimes be needed

AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): US President Donald Trump has described the concept of chokeholds as "so innocent" and said the controversial method used by American police may be needed in dangerous situations.

"If a police officer is in a bad scuffle and he's got somebody... you have to be careful," Trump said in an interview with Fox News on Friday.

He said "the concept of chokeholds sounds so innocent, so perfect."

Trump said he doesn't like chokeholds but went on to defend the controversial practice in certain situations against "tough" and "bad" people, though he acknowledged that the practice should be ended in most cases.

"The chokehold thing is good… to talk about," Trump said

"But if you’re thinking about it, then you realize maybe there is a bad fight and the officer gets somebody in a position that’s a very tough position," he added.

Trump said he might make "very strong recommendations" regarding this to local authorities.

In the wake of unarmed African American George Floyd's death in police custody last month, banning chokeholds has become a key issue for American lawmakers. Floyd died after a police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.

Floyd's death ignited a new wave of protests across the United States against police brutality against people of color.

Chokeholds have come under scrutiny repeatedly in the wake of police involved killings in recent years, including in the case of Eric Garner.

Garner, a 43-year-old African American, died after being placed in the chokehold by Daniel Pantaleo on Staten Island on July 17, 2014.

Garner died on a sidewalk during his arrest by four policemen who pulled him to the ground while he gasped his final words “I can’t breathe”.

His death, which was caught on bystander video, played a key role in the rise of the movement decrying excessive use of force by police officers against black men and teens in the United States.

....................................
End/ 257