President Trump tells Governors they are 'weak' on riots

A frustrated President Donald Trump told many of the nation's Governors in a phone call on Monday that they are failing in their efforts to quell street violence around the nation, criticizing them as weak, and police efforts as 'terrible.'

"You have to dominate, if you don’t dominate you’re wasting your time," President Trump told Governors about taking on protesters.

"Their cities are ransacked, and they're a disgrace all over the world," the President said, berating the Governor's in a call which was swiftly leaked to the press.

"New York is going to have to toughen up," Mr. Trump said at one point. "What's going on in New York is terrible. It's terrible."

"What went on last night in Los Angeles with the stores and the store fronts is terrible," the President added.

A few hours later, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany reiterated the blunt message.

"Governors across the country must act," McEnany said at a briefing, as President Trump stayed away from TV cameras for a second straight day.

"The President has made clear that what we are seeing on America's streets is unacceptable," McEnany added.

The call for action by the White House came amid GOP calls for the President to send in U.S. Army troops to restore order.

In the nation's capital, the Mayor of Wasihngton expanded a curfew, starting it at 7 pm on Monday evening, and extending it for at least two nights.

"Smashed windows and looting are becoming a bigger story," Mayor Muriel Bowser said, as damage has occured not only around the White House, but also in other areas of the city far from Pennsylvania Avenue.

Cox Media Group