Once 'America's Mayor,' Giuliani emerges as divisive figure

NEW YORK (AP) — Rudolph Giuliani, who earned the nickname "America's Mayor" for his leadership in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks, has emerged as a far more divisive figure during this tumultuous American summer, advising Donald Trump and scolding activists railing against police violence.

A former federal prosecutor and a Republican who served eight years leading deeply liberal New York City, Giuliani has long linked himself to law enforcement.

Though many public figures followed up with pleas for unity, Giuliani fiercely criticized the Black Lives Matter movement, saying it encouraged violence against police.

Giuliani doubled down the next day, touting the aggressive policing tactics he championed while mayor, ones that drove down crime but also inflamed racial tensions.

The vice president acknowledged that while there were some militant elements of the Black Lives Matter movement, he accused Giuliani of using "a very broad statement."

Always outspoken, Giuliani's transformation from moderate Republican mayor of an overwhelmingly Democratic city to right-wing hero came in the years after the attacks, as he shifted right on a number of issues — including gun control and public funding of abortions — during his failed run for president in 2008.