Trump doesn’t comment on Taylor case, instead praises Kentucky AG as ‘a star’

President Trump on Wednesday reacted to a grand jury’s findings in the killing of Breonna Taylor by praising Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron (R) as “a star” and touting his political accomplishments for the Black community.

The president did not comment on the merits of the case or discuss Taylor’s death itself when asked twice about the outcome. He initially told reporters that he was not familiar with the grand jury’s findings. Asked about it again later, he focused on the need for law and order.

Trump read from a statement Cameron gave in which he said justice “does not fit the mold of public opinion and it does not conform to shifting standards it answers only to the facts and the law. If we simply act on emotion or outrage, there’s no justice. Mob justice is not justice.”

“I heard that. I said, ‘Write that down for me,'” Trump said at an evening news conference. “He’s handling it very well.”

Trump said he would speak to Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) after the news conference and praised the governor’s decision to activate the National Guard to handle expected protests. 

“It’ll all work out,” Trump said.

Trump left the briefing room a short time later, ignoring a reporter shouting to ask what he thought of those upset by the Taylor case.

A Kentucky grand jury on Wednesday afternoon did not bring any charges against police officers in the killing of Taylor and instead announced three lesser counts of wanton endangerment against former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison. Those three counts were not related to Taylor’s death but were tied to shots fired into neighboring apartments.

Taylor was killed in her apartment on March 13 after officers executed a “no-knock” warrant. Her death has spurred national outrage and calls for the arrests of the officers involved. Taylor was one of multiple Black Americans killed by police this year, along with George Floyd and Rayshard Brooks.

Trump was asked shortly after the decision was announced about the case and told reporters he was not familiar with the details but would offer further comment later.

Asked for his message to the Black community upset by the grand jury decision, Trump said, “My message is that I love the Black community, and I’ve done more for the Black community than any other president, and I say with the possible exception of Abraham Lincoln.”

He cited funding for historically Black colleges and universities and support for opportunity zones, which encourage investment in low-income neighborhoods.

Trump has largely sided with law enforcement amid nationwide unrest and calls for policing reform and efforts to address racial injustice. He has questioned why individuals such as Brooks resisted officers, and he has rejected the idea that there is systemic racism in law enforcement.