U.S. lawmakers have called for a federal investigation into the death of Mr. George Floyd, echoing the President’s orders to the Department of Justice and FBI. Many lawmakers made public statements condemning the brutal death of Floyd and called on the DOJ to investigate the exact circumstances.
Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) said that public outrage should fuel justice and bring about an end to racism.
“It must be stopped, and those—whatever their profession, whatever their motivation—must be held accountable for actions unjustified by circumstances or fact. What happened to George Floyd in Minneapolis on Monday recalls the tragic deaths of so, so many others before. I call on the U.S. Department of Justice to open an investigation of Mr. Floyd’s killing immediately,” Hoyer said Wednesday.
The same day, one Minnesota Congressman praised the Minneapolis Police Chief for firing the police officers involved in the death of Floyd but he said an investigation must lead to rooting out the inequities in the criminal justice system.
Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Betty McCollum (D-Minn.) along with Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) sent a letter to U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald and Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman calling for accountability for George Floyd’s death.
The congresswomen said while local investigations were in process, they wanted to see an “independent oversight of law enforcement at all levels.”
“We urge you to ensure that all evidence is quickly secured, including all video footage, and to aggressively pursue justice,” the lawmakers wrote.
Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), on Wednesday, called for the arrest of police officers involved in the killing of Floyd. Saying, “Firing the officers that killed #GeorgeFloyd was the right first move. The second? Arrest them. #icantbreathe.”
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he has ordered the DOJ and FBI to expedite an investigation into the death of George Floyd.
“I have asked for this investigation to be expedited and greatly appreciate all of the work done by local law enforcement,” he said. “My heart goes out to George’s family and friends. Justice will be served!”