Washington | Donald Trump invoked a 213-year-old "insurrection" law to deploy the US military and "dominate" streets as riots erupted across America for a seventh straight night.

"We will end it now," Mr Trump said of the riots and protests that have gripped the nation as he vowed to send the National Guard into states regardless of whether or not local leaders wanted them.

The scene triggered widespread outrage after it became clear that police and military authorities used tear gas and rubber bullets to forceably clear the square and surrounding areas of peaceful protesters to enable the President to stage the scene.

Mr Trump said his "first and highest duty as President is to defend our great country and the American people".

Mr Trump vowed to use the US military if state officials failed to contain riots.

Donald Trump invoked a 213-year-old "insurrection" law to deploy the US military and "dominate" streets as riots erupted across America for a seventh-straight night.

During a live address from the White House, Donald Trump said he would mobilise all available federal resources, civilian and military, to stop the rioting and looting