House Judiciary Committee Chairs Demand Answers on Trump Administration's Use of Force Against Peaceful Protesters

Strategic Insights -

House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), along with Chairs of the Natural Resources, Armed Services, and Homeland Security committees, have sent a letter to Attorney General William Barr, Defense Secretary Mark Esper, Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, and Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad Wolf, seeking answers on the Trump Administration's use of tear gas, pepper spray, smoke canisters, stun grenades, and rubber bullets to forcibly remove peaceful protesters gathered in Lafayette Square. The letter follows reports that President Trump has called for an interagency effort to coordinate the response to protestors in Washington, D.C. The Chairs express concern that the use of federal personnel to prevent American citizens from exercising their Constitutional right to peaceably assemble represents a direct threat to democracy.

Key Takeaways:

  • The letter, sent on June 3, 2020, was signed by Chairs Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Raul M. Grijalva (D-AZ), Adam Smith (D-WA), and Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS).
  • The Chairs requested answers on the Trump Administration's use of force against peaceful protesters, including who gave the order to clear protesters, which federal agencies were involved, and what crowd dispersal measures and devices were authorized for use.
  • The Chairs expressed concern that the use of federal personnel to prevent peaceful assembly represents a threat to democracy, and that the First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and assembly are core to what it means to be an American.
  • The letter was sparked by reports of the President's call for an interagency effort to coordinate the response to protestors in Washington, D.C.
  • Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has expressed her alarm and outrage at the events, stating that the actions were conducted by "federal police" and that the Metropolitan Police Department was not involved.

Statistics:

  • June 1, 2020: The date of the incident in which federal officers used tear gas, pepper spray, smoke canisters, stun grenades, and rubber bullets to forcibly remove peaceful protesters from Lafayette Square.
  • 6:31 pm: The time at which the confrontation occurred, despite a 7:00 pm curfew in Washington D.C.
  • Thousands: The number of heavily armed soldiers, military personnel, and law enforcement officers that President Trump had pledged to dispatch to cities across the country to quell protests.
  • 1 June 2020: The date on which President Trump staged a photo op at St. John's Church, after the incident.

Sources:

  • [Letter to Attorney General Barr, Defense Secretary Esper, Interior Secretary Bernhardt, and Homeland Security Acting Secretary Wolf, June 3, 2020]
  • [Statement by Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, June 3, 2020]
  • [Reports of the President's call for an interagency effort to coordinate the response to protestors in Washington, D.C.]