30 May, 2017
The United States said it summoned Turkey's ambassador to the State Department, where the No. 2-ranked USA diplomat raised concerns about the security detail for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Washington, after they were captured on video violently breaking up a protest.
Asked by "Morning Joe" co-host Joe Scarborough what the White House and Senate should do to condemn the attack by "thugs linked directly to Erdogan", McCain reiterated his initial point that he'd "throw the ambassador out". "We look forward to having very strong and solid discussions".
In an interview with Turkish NTV channel, Mevlut Cavusoglu said the Trump administration should change McGurk as he openly supports the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) affiliated PYD. Video shows Erdogan supporters and bodyguards flooding through the police line and beating protesters on American soil.
In the video, D.C. police officers can be seen struggling to protect the small group of protestors who had gathered to speak out against Erdogan's authoritarian policies.
Some of the protesters were knocked down and kicked repeatedly in the head.
Nauert said in her statement that the United States respects Turkey's concerns about its approach, and will continue regular consultations on the issue. "We call upon the Turkish government to apologize immediately for the involvement of any officials", said the statement.
In return, Trump may have had to give Erdogan assurances that Gulen will be closely monitored while the USA courts examine an extradition request and pledge that Washington will eventually endorse a Turkish offensive against PKK bases in Sinjar, northern Iraq.
A day after protests at the Turkish Embassy in Washington, D.C., turned violent, the State Department is criticizing Turkey's government.
In September 2011, a brawl erupted between members of then Prime Minister Erdogan's security detail and United Nations security officers in the halls of the United Nations General Assembly in NY.
Washington and Ankara are bitterly at odds over U.S. support for the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in Syria, which Turkey considers a front for outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) rebels.
Sen. John McCain also chimed in, calling for the Turkish ambassador to be removed from the U.S.
He said Brett McGurk, the USA envoy to the coalition against so-called Islamic State, was "definitely" supporting the YPG in Syria and the separatist PKK.
Both sides accuse each other of provoking the brawl which left more than 10 people injured.
"These people are a risk and we need to be careful", Cavusoglu said.
"We can not lift the rule of emergency unless everything reaches peace and welfare", Erdogan told a meeting of business leaders in Istanbul.
