Former President Trump condemned the beating of Tyre Nichols by five Memphis police officers in a new interview.
During an interview with the Associated Press on Saturday Trump said that the incident in Memphis, Tenn., was truly “horrible” and that it “never have happened.” He added that Nichols was “in such trouble” during the attack.
Nichols, 29, was beaten by five police officers during a traffic stop in January. Following the beating, he was hospitalized and died three days later. The five Memphis police officers were dismissed from the body and are currently facing charges of second-degree murder.
On Friday the footage from Nichols’s beating was released by the police force. Many public figures and officials have been outraged and have condemned the attack on the young man.
Trump, following the death of George Floyd in May 2020, had said it was a “grave tragedy” but still tried to calm down the demonstrations and protests, with his administration failing to acknowledge the racial bias that minorities have to face when dealing with the police.
His interview with The Associated Press took place while he was campaigning in South Carolina, for one of the first events in his 2024 presidential campaign. Earlier that day he had also visited New Hampshire for a different event.
During the weekend Trump also criticized other Republicans who are considering launching a presidential campaign. Specifically, he said that if Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) decides to run it would be “a great act of disloyalty.”
