Just now, on a @TheJusticeDept phone press conference AG Barr says: "We are also seeing foreign actors playing all sides to exacerbate the violence"
FBI has made 51 arrests for federal crimes related to ##GeorgeFloydProtests, according to Barr
FBI has made 51 arrests for federal crimes related to ##GeorgeFloydProtests, according to Barr
"We can’t do our jobs without the trust of the American people" - @FBI Director Chris Wray
Wray says they have "200 JTTF assisting law enforcement apprehending violent agitators who are hijacking peaceful protests." He names “Antifa and other agitators” without reference to specific investigation, intel etc why Antifa is ID'd particularly above the rest
There has been damage to 21 Federal courthouses located in 15 states and DC, per U.S. Marshals Director Donald W. Washington #GeorgeFloydProtests
US Marshals are investigating "gang activity that incites violence or terrorism" says Director Washington. He doesn't give any details or rationale.
.@ATFHQ Acting Director Regina Lombardo says their agents are "responding to shootings, burglaries, arson, bombings, especially destructive devices such as a molotov cocktail"
.@ATFHQ has responded to +847 arsons, 76+ explosive incidents "...working day and night to make those arrests" — Acting Director Lombardo
About those nameless police standing guard in DC yesterday with "Corrections" on their shields: "the Attorney General has asked BOP to assist in maintaining order and peace" in the DC area - per BOP Director Michael Carvajal
DEA has deployed 150 Special Agents in DC working alongside local police & National Guard & has 11 mobile SRT units for "high-risk situations", per DEA Acting Administrator Timothy Shea
AG Barr says there have been 140 injuries to law enforcement, 22 hospitalization for mostly "serious head injuries or concussions" incurred near @WhiteHouse, "the lion's share" over the weekend
AG Barr: "We're dealing with a witch's brew of a lot of extremist groups" linked to #GeorgeFloydProtests but said he's not going to get into details
.@FBI Director Wray: "Exactly who these people are, who’s driving them, what’s driving them...varies city to city, night to night.”
"We’re about the violence, we’re not about the ideology."
"We’re about the violence, we’re not about the ideology."
Fox News just asked AG Barr whether he believes he's being too political in handling law enforcement response to #GeorgeFloydProtests
Barr: "The President is the head of the executive branch...he should be able to walk outside the White House. It's something he should be able to do." He says there was no correlation between moving the perimeter and the President's walk over to the Church
Asked about foreign actors, AG Barr specifically ID's hackers, doesn't name any countries but doubles down on groups "associated with foreign governments"
"No one was specifically told to my knowledge not to identify themselves," head of BOP and says he probably should have done better, that usually they are within institutions where they don't need the same kind of ID badges
Asked on "the willful use of excessive force" by police, whether it's a systematic problem, AG Barr says:
"Those that engage in that kind of activity are a distinct minority. I think the majority of police officers try conscientiously to use appropriate and reasonable force.”
"Those that engage in that kind of activity are a distinct minority. I think the majority of police officers try conscientiously to use appropriate and reasonable force.”
You can listen to everything they said in context:
