Republican Powell: Trump has emerged from the Constitution, his rhetoric dangerous to American democracy

Former US Secretary of State Colin Powell sharply criticised U.S. President Donald Trump for addressing anti-racism protests in the US.

Powell, Republican and former senior military officer, said Trump “has emerged from the constitution”.

“We have the constitution and we have to follow it, but the president has left it”, Powell told CNN television network.

Powell said that in the November presidential election in the US, he will vote on Trump's rival, Democrat candidate Joe Biden.

Trump reacted by saying Powell is “that is overrated”.

Powell, the only African who served as chief of the U.S. Army General Staff, has been added to a long list of officials who have condemned Trump's response to the protests.

The US, since the end of May, has been involved in protests against racism, due to the death of an African-American in the hands of police.

Trump has named the protesters <x0 ... professional robbers, robbers, criminals” and threatened to use the army against them.

Powell said the president's rhetoric is dangerous for American democracy.