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Donald Trump has been heavily criticised after appearing to blame "our great African American President" for the violence in Baltimore.
The entrepreneur singles out President Barack Obama for the riots that started after Freddie Gray 's funeral.
Gray, 25, suffered a fatal spinal injury while in police custody and died on 19 April.
After Freddie Gray: Baltimore unrest in picturesShow all 22 1 /22After Freddie Gray: Baltimore unrest in pictures After Freddie Gray: Baltimore unrest in pictures Baltimore riots Police and firefighters respond in front of a building that caught fire as protests of the death of Freddie Gray continue in Baltimore
After Freddie Gray: Baltimore unrest in pictures Baltimore riots A Baltimore firefighter cuts his way into a burning convenience store with a saw to attack a fire set by rioters at East Biddle Street and Montford Avenue in Baltimore
After Freddie Gray: Baltimore unrest in pictures Baltimore riots A Baltimore firefighter climbs onto a rooftop to attack a fire set by rioters in a convenience store and residence at East Biddle Street and Montford Avenue
After Freddie Gray: Baltimore unrest in pictures Baltimore riots Baltimore firefighters attack a fire in a convenience store and residence during clashes after the funeral of Freddie Gray in Baltimore
After Freddie Gray: Baltimore unrest in pictures Baltimore riots Gloria Darden, mother of Freddie Gray, covers her face during a news conference after a day of unrest following the funeral of Gray
After Freddie Gray: Baltimore unrest in pictures Baltimore riots The family of Freddie Gray gather with clergy and pray during a news conference in Baltimore
After Freddie Gray: Baltimore unrest in pictures Baltimore riots Rioters burned police vehicles and pelted officers with stones
AP
After Freddie Gray: Baltimore unrest in pictures Baltimore riots A man has pepper spray cleaned from his eyes
Getty Images
After Freddie Gray: Baltimore unrest in pictures Baltimore riots Baltimore police officers form a line in front of protesters
Getty Images
After Freddie Gray: Baltimore unrest in pictures Baltimore riots Looters ransacked shops and torched police cars amid the unrest
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After Freddie Gray: Baltimore unrest in pictures Baltimore riots A CVS chemist outlet burns in Baltimore after it was set alight by rioters
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After Freddie Gray: Baltimore unrest in pictures Baltimore riots The Shaheed family assess the damage to their store in downtown Baltimore
David Usborne
After Freddie Gray: Baltimore unrest in pictures Baltimore riots The riots broke out just a few streets from the church where the funeral was held
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After Freddie Gray: Baltimore unrest in pictures Baltimore riots A protester is detained in Baltimore following the funeral of Freddie Gray earlier in the day
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After Freddie Gray: Baltimore unrest in pictures Baltimore riots Police in front of a building that caught fire after being looted
EPA
After Freddie Gray: Baltimore unrest in pictures Baltimore riots A youth washes out pepper spray from his eyes near a building that caught fire after being looted
EPA
After Freddie Gray: Baltimore unrest in pictures Baltimore riots People pose for photographs on the hood of a Baltimore Police car destroyed by demonstrators
GETTY
After Freddie Gray: Baltimore unrest in pictures Baltimore riots The riots broke out just a few streets from the church where the funeral was held for Freddie Gray
GETTY
After Freddie Gray: Baltimore unrest in pictures Baltimore riots Demonstrators threw rocks and other objects at police following the funeral of Freddie Gray
AP
After Freddie Gray: Baltimore unrest in pictures Baltimore riots Arrests have been made, with many of those involved appearing to be school children and students
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After Freddie Gray: Baltimore unrest in pictures Baltimore riots Protests over Freddie Gray's death turned violent
Reuters
After Freddie Gray: Baltimore unrest in pictures Baltimore riots The circumstances surrounding Freddie Gray's death in custody still remain unclear
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The case intensified the discussion around the way young black men are treated by some US police officers. Six officers have been suspended and a series of investigations have been ordered to try and determine what happened.
A state of emergency has been declared in Maryland since rioting broke out on Monday night.
However, none of the nuance or emotion of the case was processed by Donald Trump, who tweeted:
Most people were pretty appalled by the statement.
Trump also mourned the injury of 15 police officers and urged for stronger action.
Questions have been raised about how the Baltimore authorities have handled the spate of violence. At the weekend, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings said she wished to allow "those who wish to destroy space to do that as well" after Gray's funeral.
However, Rawlings has since said that her remark was misinterpreted, saying: "I did not instruct police to give space to protesters who were seeking to create violence or destruction of property."
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