Nancy Pelosi joins protests over police killing of George Floyd

'Thank you, all! Thank you!' Ms Pelosi could be heard saying

Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined a protest against the death of George Floyd and police brutality on Wednesday in Washington, DC.

The House of Representatives’ leading Democrat was pictured stepping out near the Capitol Building to show support to the Black Lives Matter movement.

Wearing a face mask, Ms Pelosi greeted protesters giving a thumbs up to some and waving to others.

She also stopped to take a photograph with one group.

“Thank you, all! Thank you!” Ms Pelosi could be heard saying.

The visit was in stark contrast to Donald Trump’s reaction to the protest movement.

The president first retreated to a bunker and had the floodlights switched off at the White House, and then the following day walked to a nearby church for a photo opportunity after the clearance of a peaceful protest at Lafayette Park with tear gas, flashbangs, and rubber bullets.

Actress Alyssa Milano tweeted: “While Trump hides in a bunker and gasses protesters, Speaker Pelosi greets them.”

The president has also called for the use of military force to restore order in cities.

In an interview on Wednesday morning with MSNBC’s Morning Joe, Speaker Pelosi revealed that her daughter, a filmmaker and journalist, had been on the scene in Lafayette Park on Monday night and had described the events to her.

“She said: 'Mom, you wouldn't even believe it. These people were demonstrating peacefully. And all of a sudden, this barrage of security came through using clubs to beat people and these explosive scatter little bullets that explode into stuff that burns your eyes,’” the speaker said.

“What is this, a banana republic?” Ms Pelosi added.