Calls for President Donald Trump to deliver an Oval Office address are coming from Fox News as the nation grapples with protests and riots stemming from the George Floyd killing a week ago — though the White House quickly quashed the idea.
The morning after dozens of Secret Service agents were injured near the White House and violent riots took place across the country, "Fox and Friends" co-host Brian Kilmeade said Trump needs to speak out and try to unite the country.
"The president will regret the rest of his presidency, whether it's four more years or five more months, if he does not get together with his best tactical minds, his best legal minds, and his best speechwriters and give an address tonight," Kilmeade said.
There has never been a more compelling argument for a presidential address, because the nation "has been so diversely affected by one thing," he continued.
"We can't quite figure out who the enemy is. We know we want to be together. We know they want to tear us apart. The president has to bring the country together, and in that speech can't be anything about a Democrat and nothing about a Republican. It's got to be about an American."
Dan Bongino, a former Secret Service agent who protected Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, was on during the segment and said he agreed with Kilmeade.
"I think the president understands what's going on right now. I think if there was ever a time in the history of the U.S. presidency for an Oval Office address to bring the country together, it's unquestionably right now," he said.
"Now is the time to get a lid on this. Right now."
Later on the show, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany was on and said a Trump speech "is not going to stop Antifa," the group believed to be behind some of the violent riots.
"He has addressed the absolutely horrific video of George Floyd. He's routinely addressed in his remarks less than 48 hours ago the issue of law and order in our streets and issued several statements," McEnany said.
"A national Oval Office address is not going to stop Antifa. What's going to stop it is action. … He's got several meetings today, and that's his focus — acting and keeping our streets safe."
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