Tucker Carlson Calls Protests Over Police Killing A ‘Form Of Tyranny’ And ‘Oppression’

Fox News host Tucker Carlson on Wednesday warned his viewers that the protests that have broken out in Minneapolis following the killing of George Floyd by police are a “form of tyranny” and “oppression.”

As riot gear-clad police cracked down on the protesters with tear gas and rubber bullets, Carlson devoted most of his attention to the actions of a minority of demonstrators who had turned to violence.

“So we know that George Floyd died in police custody, and when an investigation is done we will do a lot more,” Tucker said. “It’s possible that at least one police officer will be charged in the case. So as of tonight, those are the facts. Here’s another fact: What happened last night in Minneapolis was not a political protest—it was a riot.”

Carlson played footage of some demonstrators breaking windows before telling viewers that this is “what rioting looks like,” insisting he wasn’t trying to defend the behavior of the police officers involved in Floyd’s death.

“We are defending society itself,” he said. “Rioting is one thing you don’t want. Ugly opinions, police brutality, officious birdwatchers, rude entitled ladies walking their dogs in big city parks—all of that is bad, but none of it is nearly as bad as what you just saw.”

“The indiscriminate use of violence by mobs is a threat to every American of all colors and backgrounds and political beliefs,” Carlson continued. “Democracy cannot exist when people are rioting. Rioting is a form of tyranny. The strong and the violent oppress the weak and the unarmed. It is oppression.”

At 11:15am, protesters blocked the 38th and Chicago intersection, chanting “Whose streets? Our streets.” #wcco pic.twitter.com/Y1QJukCtgc

— Christiane Cordero (@ChristianeWCCO) May 27, 2020

Happening Now: A protester in Minneapolis demanding justice for George Floyd was just shot in the face with a rubber bullet as police unload tear gas and flash grenades into the crowd for the 2nd day. This is Trump's America.#JusticeForGeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/vEMUhySBr4

— poetnews (@poetnews1) May 27, 2020

The power this holds pic.twitter.com/iixbyaU0rX

— sunbeam (@rayofsunlight) May 27, 2020

The Daily Beast notes:

Tucker accused CNN and other media outlets of trying to fan racial flames, complaining that CNN labeled the demonstrators as “protesters” rather than “rioters.”

While Carlson said that these recent demonstrations against police brutality are riots and not political protests, the Fox News host—who said last summer that white supremacy is a “hoax”—was singing a different tune during the anti-lockdown protests staged by armed, largely white, right-wingers storming the Michigan capitol.

“This is America,” Carlson said at the time. “We’re allowed to disagree with what our leaders do however we like, and we’re allowed to express that disagreement in public.”

Tucker Carlson on Michigan protesters last month: "This is America. We're allowed to disagree with what our leaders do, however we like, and we're allowed to express that disagreement in public.

Tucker Carlson on Minneapolis protesters tonight: "That's what rioting looks like." https://t.co/cenv8p2WWH

— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) May 28, 2020