The Guardian Live reports:

Trump is predictably painting a picture of violent protests, focusing on “professional anarchists” and “Antifa”.

He says “we are ending the riots and lawlessness” and “innocent people have been savagely beaten”.

The president has threatened to send in military if governors don’t act. He said he also encouraged governors to bring in the National Guard, which many states have already done.

He’s not allowed to send in the military…unless he invokes the Insurrection Act. We don’t want him doing that.

While he was threatening martial law –

In a startling scene, police are using teargas to disperse crowds of protesters near the White House while Trump is speaking in the Rose Garden.

Here’s the exact language of Trump’s threat from the brief press conference:

I have strongly recommended to every governor to deploy the National Guard in sufficient numbers that we dominate the streets. Mayors and governors must establish an overwhelming law enforcement presence until the violence has been quelled. If a city or state refuses to take the actions that are 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.

Again: he can’t.

Trump’s extraordinary remarks have sparked widespread concern, with some noting that he is threatening to deploy the US military against citizens of this country. His speech took place as police were simultaneously teargassing protesters outside the White House. In his remarks, Trump also said the 7pm curfew in DC would be “strictly enforced”. The teargassing began prior.

This is an absolute fucking horror show.

He says (1:50) “as we speak” he’s “sending thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers and military personnel” – which, again, presidents are explicitly barred from doing.

This is baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad.