US President Donald Trump signed an executive order tying federal funding for local police departments to meeting new standards that include limited reforms for law enforcement unlikely to meet the demands of protesters.
Trump continued to pump himself as the leader of law-and-order, and defended law enforcement, saying only a "very tiny" percentage of officers are problematic.
"Americans want law and order. They demand law and order," Trump said. "Some of them don't even know that's what they want, but that's what they want." He pledged "very grave" penalties for arson and looting.
The new order empowers the Department of Justice to monitor training on de-escalation and the use of force. The standards for funding will include a ban on certain chokeholds, unless an officer's life is under threat, a large caveat.
Track police officers
The DoJ will also set up a database to track officers, so that abuses will be recorded and a problematic officer cannot migrate from one police department to another.
Trump said the federal government would provide more resources for social workers to help police in dealing with non-violent issues.
The order comes as Congress is drafting legislation on police reform, with Democrats seeking more far-ranging restructuring than Republicans, though neither party will likely satisfy segments of the protesters on the streets.
The country has been rocked by demonstrations over police abuse and racism for weeks, following the death of a black man in police custody in Minnesota. Prior to signing the order, Trump said he met with families of some people recently killed.
