Donald Trump says he has told George Floyd's grieving family that the "horrible" video of his arrest is "an insult to policemen".
The US President told reporters on Friday that he had spoken to Mr Floyd's relatives earlier that day.
The 46-year-old died in Minneapolis on Monday after police officer Derek Chauvin was filmed pushing his knee down on his neck, in spite of the victim's pleas that he could not breathe.
Speaking at a business roundtable on the coronavirus pandemic, Mr Trump said it was obvious that the father was in "tremendous pain" and added that his family were "entitled to justice".
Asked if he had been in touch, he responded: "I spoke to them today."
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"I expressed my sorrow. I've seen many bad things and that was a horrible thing to witness and to watch and it would certainly look like there is no excuse for that.
"I didn't like what I saw at all.
"I thought it was a terrible thing, a terrible picture.
"He was in tremendous pain obviously and it was very obvious to anyone who watched it.
"It was a very sad thing for me to watch that.
"Most policeman do a fantastic job but this was a terrible insult to policeman.
"But when you have something like this happen you look at it and say how does a thing like this happen?
"The justice department...they're also looking at it very strongly.
"The family of George is entitled to justice, and the people of Minnesota are entitled to live in safety."
Mr Floyd's death has sparked huge anger and protests, which have turned increasingly violent, across the US with calls for the officers involved to face murder charges.
The US President had previously shared a controversial tweet about protesters in Minneapolis, which branded rioters "thugs" and claimed that "when the looting starts, the shooting starts".
It led to Twitter hiding the message behind a disclaimer, after it deemed the tweet to have violated rules against "glorifying violence", and banning likes based on fears the president's threat could inspire further acts of violence.
Trump later went on to share the same tweet from the official White House account - only for the platform to swiftly block it again on the same grounds.
Mr Trump has defended his tweet, saying his statement is "fact".
Police officer Derek Chauvin has now been charged with third degree murder and manslaughter after he was pictured kneeling on Mr Floyd's neck.
The shamed cop was one of four officers fired following the horrifying incident.
Mr Floyd was filmed repeatedly saying he could not breathe as he was pinned to the ground by Chauvin, and died shortly afterwards.
Today, after four days of unrest, authorities finally confirmed Chauvin had been arrested and charged.
The city's mayor has previously said that if Mr Floyd was white, he would still be alive.
Witnesses have disputed the Minneapolis Police Department's claims that 46-year-old Mr Floyd - who was unarmed - was resisting arrest.
It is not yet clear what, if any, action will be taken against the three other officers - Thomas Lane, Tou Thao and J Alexander Kueng.
New footage which emerged today appears to show three officers kneeling on Mr Floyd.
Tragically he died in hospital a short time after the footage was taken.
