There is a continuing allegation from politicians, protesters, and pundits has been that the Park was cleared for the purpose of the widely criticized photo op held by Trump in front of St. John’s Church. AG Barr just plowed into that claim on CBS... jonathanturley.org/2020/06/07/bar…
...That allegation continues to be repeated on the Internet despite various media reports debunking it. Barr gave details on the plan coming from the Park Police on Sunday night and how it was approved on Monday morning. Yet, this allegation continues to rage in the media...
...There may also have been a lost in translation moment. Brennan suggests that Barr misrepresented the position of Defense Sec. Esper on the Insurrection Act. However, Esper and Barr stated that it should be used as a “last resort” but its use was not warranted or needed.
Despite the debunking of the photo op claim, most stories remain uncorrected. For example, NPR's story still declares "Peaceful Protesters Tear-Gassed To Clear Way For Trump Church Photo-Op." (btw, on a lesser point, pepper spray not tear gas was used ). npr.org/2020/06/01/867…
Even if one does not accept the recent reporting or Barr's detailed representations, the story is clearly based on highly contested and dubious factual assertions. It was appears a story that was simply "too good to check" and remains too good to correct. jonathanturley.org/2020/06/07/bar…
AG Barr just told Fox that he was not aware of the plan to go to the church and that it was not part of the earlier plan to expand the perimeter. He added that projectiles were being thrown, including some at him. I still disagree with the decision to clear the park at that time.
