BREAKING: Extraordinary. Senior Defense Official distances @EsperDoD @thejointstaff Milley from @realDonaldTrump photo op outside St. Johns. “Their understanding was they were walking out of the White House to walk through Lafayette Park to review efforts to quell the protests”
MORE: "They were not aware that the park police and law enforcement had made a decision to clear the square... Once they walked out, they continued with him."
MORE: "As that meeting concluded, the President indicated an interest in viewing the troops that were outside and the Secretary and the Chairman went with him to do so.
That’s the extent of what’s taken place. And they were part of the group who continued through Lafayette Park."
That’s the extent of what’s taken place. And they were part of the group who continued through Lafayette Park."
Despite President Trump’s rhetoric, a senior defense official said there is no desire to deploy active duty military. “We really would like all of this to stay a National Guard response… We don’t want to see Title X forces. That’s not what we want to do.”
Senior defense official defended @Esper reference to American protests being a “battlespace”: “The use of the term battlespace is a term that we use to discuss… the area we are operating… Nothing should be read into the use of that term."
And now @EsperDoD has put this on the record. Tells @ckubeNBC @carolelee: "I didn't know where I was going," Esper said. "I wanted to see how much damage actually happened." nbcnews.com/politics/white…
And tonight @EsperDoD released a letter to the force that includes this sentence: "I ask that you remember at all times our commitment as a Department and as public servants to stay apolitical in these turbulent days." 
