“If you’re an American diplomat overseas, suddenly we look hypocritical,” said Nicholas Burns, former ambassador to Greece and NATO under the Clinton and Bush administrations.

The ongoing demonstrations against racial injustice and instances of police brutality in the U.S.

The largely peaceful protests have at times devolved into vandalism and looting, but images of law enforcement officers firing tear gas and flash grenades and using violent force to disperse peaceful protesters have prompted shock both at home and abroad.

Shapiro noted that the protests actually show instances of hope and inspiration, especially as young people join demonstrations to decry racial injustice and police brutality. .

Pompeo last addressed Floyd’s death and the protests in a May 31 interview with Maria BartiromoMaria Sara BartiromoRudy Giuliani calls on Cuomo to remove Bill de Blasio Lara Trump: Twitter no longer 'a platform for free speech' Trump lashes out at Fox News after poll shows him trailing Biden MORE of Fox Business News, expressing condolences for the family, calling the actions of the police officers “abhorrent” and speculating that “outsiders” turned peaceful protests violent.

Governments that take human rights seriously are transparent and welcome conversations about addressing concerns and making improvements,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson also addressed instances of police violence by saying, “Every day in the United States, tens of thousands of police officers respect, protect, and uphold the civil rights of individuals and communities across the country while carrying out the difficult and dangerous work of keeping our communities safe.”.

“Throughout American history, our people have gathered peacefully to protest injustice and to demand accountability from our leaders and to effect change.

While there are some who use the right to peaceful protest as a cover for destruction and criminal activity, many in the United States are peacefully exercising their right to peaceful protest to address the challenges our society faces,” the spokesperson added. .

“The [Chinese] media and the spokesperson seem to express sympathy to African Americans and denounce the police brutality — but it is not a new line,” said Ho-Fung Hung, professor in political economy at the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University.

protests, focusing on the violent images of looting as well as on systemic racism and police brutality, according to an analysis by the Alliance for Securing Democracy, a bipartisan, trans-Atlantic initiative tracking Russian and Chinese state-backed social media accounts.

Burns, who served as Under Secretary for Political Affairs during the Bush administration and is an unpaid foreign policy advisor for Joe BidenJoe BidenBiden formally clinches Democratic presidential nomination The Memo: Job numbers boost Trump and challenge Biden Chris Wallace: Jobs numbers show 'the political resilience of Donald Trump' MORE’s presidential campaign, said American diplomats need clear guidance from the top of the agency.