“Do not compare to Trump and America. The United States is a nation governed by the rule of law, where the judiciary plays a crucial role. I am confident that discussions surrounding mask usage will also take place there,” Levan Sanikidze, a member of the United National Movement, stated.

According to Sanikidze, “Donald Trump was a democratically elected president of the most democratic country in the world, whereas Irakli Kobakhidze is a self-proclaimed prime minister.”

“In America, have you seen masked individuals without identification numbers or badges, beating journalists? That’s precisely the double standard at play. The masks were initially used by police or security personnel—sometimes by unidentified individuals. Why haven’t we seen special forces in masks? They’re used in many countries, right? But when misconduct occurs, it’s essential that individuals are identifiable—so the state can determine who they are and hold them accountable.
If gangs were to commit violence, wouldn’t the Georgian Dream have a problem with masks?

You know what these masks are—everyone at rallies has seen them. We’re talking about 30-, 25-, even 18-year-old students in colorful masks. Yet, isn’t it a problem when a gang is playing football with a human head on Rustaveli Avenue and their faces are not identifiable?

Now, let’s not compare to Trump and America. The United States is a nation governed by the rule of law, where courts matter. I am sure these issues will be addressed there as well. Donald Trump is a democratically elected leader of a highly democratic state, unlike Irakli Kobakhidze, who is a self-proclaimed prime minister. Can you see the difference?

It’s the people in masks, on behalf of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, who are a threat. No one knows if they are official officers, private security, or street hooligans—God knows. They pose the greatest danger, yet none have been held accountable. I will say it again and again: regardless of who supports the Georgian Dream, even its most ardent supporter of Ivanishvili, has not a single police officer committed any wrongdoing over these months? Just one police officer—has there been even one? What are we really talking about? Who is creating the threat? It’s obvious,” said Levan Sanikidze.

Recall that on June 8, U.S. President Donald Trump posted on social media: “These Radical Left protests, by instigators and often paid troublemakers, will not be tolerated. Also, from now on, masks will not be allowed to be worn at protests.” Trump responded to the Los Angeles events via Truth Social, calling on law enforcement to arrest protesters wearing masks.