Many American cities have been engulfed in protests over the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man who died from asphyxiation after Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck. 

In response to nationwide demonstrations, Trump held an impromptu Rose Garden address in front of a church on Monday (June 1) where he implored state governors to “dominate their streets with National Guard deployments” to quell protests. If they didn't, he vowed to bring down the full might of the U.S. military on demonstrators. 

“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,” Trump said. He went on to add he was dispatching “thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers, military personnel and law enforcement officers to stop the rioting, looting, vandalism, and wanton destruction of property” in the nation’s capital according to The Hill.

His remarks came after law enforcement unleashed tear gas and flash grenades on peaceful protestors demonstrating near the White House. Reactions swiftly rolled in across social media as many people raised their voices to express condemnation and disbelief over Trump fanning the flames of discord instead of quelling escalating tensions.

RELATED: Joe Biden: George Floyd’s Death Is A ‘Wake Up Call For Our Country’

Alongside Cardi B, Diddy, and John Legend, a number of artists are raising their voices to speak against Trump’s dangerous rhetoric. See their responses below: 

BET has been covering every angle of George Floyd’s death in police custody, other social justice cases and the subsequent aftermath and protests. For our continuing coverage, click here.