US protests: Volcano of violence forced Donald Trump into bunker

Secret Service agents rushed Donald Trump to a bunker as hundreds of protesters gathered outside the White House.

Police charge a protest line outside the White House in Monday AEST. Picture: AFP

Secret Service agents rushed President Donald Trump to a White House bunker as hundreds of protesters gathered outside the executive mansion, some of them throwing rocks and tugging at police barricades.

Mr Trump spent nearly an hour on Friday night (Saturday AEST) in the bunker, which was designed for use in emergencies such as ­terrorist attacks, according to a Republican close to the White House.

The account was confirmed by an administration official.

The abrupt decision by the agents underscored the rattled mood inside the White House, where chants from protesters in Lafayette Park could be heard all weekend and Secret Service agents and police officers struggled to contain crowds.

Friday’s protests were triggered by the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after he was pinned at the neck by a white Minneapolis policeman.

The demonstrations in Washington turned violent and appeared to catch officers by surprise. They sparked one of the highest alerts on the White House complex since the September 11 ­attacks in 2001.

“The White House does not comment on security protocols and decisions,” said White House spokesman Judd Deere.

Mr Trump and his family have been shaken by the size and venom of the crowds, according to the Republican. It was not clear whether first lady Melania Trump and the couple’s 14-year-old son, Barron, joined the President in the bunker. Secret Service protocol would have called for all those under the agency’s protection to be in the underground shelter.

Mr Trump has told advisers he worries about his safety, while both privately and publicly praising the work of the Secret Service.

The President travelled to Florida on Saturday to view the first manned space launch from the US in nearly a decade. He returned to a White House under virtual siege, with protesters — some violent — gathered just a few hundred metres away for much of the night.

Demonstrators returned on Sunday afternoon, facing off against police at Lafayette Park into the evening. As cities burned night after night and images of violence dominated TV coverage, Mr Trump’s advisers discussed the prospect of an Oval Office address in an attempt to ease tensions. The notion was scrapped for lack of policy proposals. Mr Trump did not appear in public on Sunday.

Security at the White House has been reinforced by the National Guard and extra personnel from the Secret Service and the US Park Police. On Sunday, the Justice Department deployed US marshals and agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration to supplement National Guard troops outside the White House.

AP