At 10AM ET, the acting chief of the US Park Police & a major from the DC Nat'l Guard who saw peaceful protesters forcibly removed from Lafayette Sq. on June 1 in D.C. will testify before Congress on "unanswered questions about the park police attack."
I will live-tweet. Join me
I will live-tweet. Join me
In his prepared opening remarks, acting chief of US Park Police Gregory Monahan will tell lawmakers that protesters in Washington injured multiple Park Police and their unit's escalation was a necessary defense. 
You can read Monahan's full testimony ahead of the hearing here:
documentcloud.org/documents/7008…
documentcloud.org/documents/7008…
Adam DeMarco, major in the D.C. National Guard, will say in his opening remarks today that he believes excessive force was used against protesters at Lafayette Sq. and that it was an "unnecessary escalation" by the gov't and one he wholeheartedly did not support.
You can read his entire opening statement here: documentcloud.org/documents/7008…
If you want to watch the live-stream of today's hearing, you can do so here:
While you wait for the hearing today, why not check out my photo thread of protest coverage from myself and my colleague @JackRodgersCNS in the days and weeks that followed the June 1 attack on protesters at Lafayette Square?
If you cant follow along with my live-tweeting today, fear not, I will have a full report for you later today.
Before today's hearing, very interestingly to me, the hosting committee is streaming Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata.
And away we go. The House Natural Resources Cmte hosts today's hearing (they have oversight on park police matters) and the chair is @RepRaulGrijalva. We begin with his opening remarks.
Stream:
Stream:
Grijalva: At a hearing before, witnesses told Congress law enforcement assaulted protesters and journalists. Clergy at St. John's Church were pushed off their own property for Trump's photo ops.
Who gave street clearing order and why?
Who gave street clearing order and why?
Who authorized police to gas non-violent protesters?
Was it pre-meditated by feds to 'dominate" the scene?
These are just some of the questions lawmakers have for Monahan and DeMarco today.
Was it pre-meditated by feds to 'dominate" the scene?
These are just some of the questions lawmakers have for Monahan and DeMarco today.
We have seen civilians abducted off the street without probable cause in Portland, Grijalva says, By officers without identifying insignia.
Trump says he will send paramilitary forces to cities run by Dem mayors. So, the question must be asked:
Trump says he will send paramilitary forces to cities run by Dem mayors. So, the question must be asked:
Grijalva: Was the assault on June 1 in D.C. motivated by partisan hostility directed by above toward those demanding justice for George Floyd and so many other black men, women and children?
Now, ranking member Rep. Jody Hice, R-GA calls the hearing title ludicrous - there were no attacks on peaceful protesters, he says. Federal law enforcement officers sustained injuries from protesters, he says.
Protesters were given opportunity to disperse, Hice says.
He says there is a "pre-determined narrative" around the events of Lafayette Park that "outlines law enforcement squashing rights but the reality of the case is much different."
He says there is a "pre-determined narrative" around the events of Lafayette Park that "outlines law enforcement squashing rights but the reality of the case is much different."
LEOs were "restoring peace" in Lafayette Sq. on 6/1.
The vandals and rioters hijacked an important national conversation to push their agenda of violence and disorder, Hice said. "If we're looking to lay blame, those are the individuals we should cast as villains in this plot"
The vandals and rioters hijacked an important national conversation to push their agenda of violence and disorder, Hice said. "If we're looking to lay blame, those are the individuals we should cast as villains in this plot"
This undermined peaceful protesters, @CongressmanHice says.
"I do not believe this is the closing act of this political drama, perhaps this is the story line's plot twist where this committee focuses on facts instead of political points."
"I do not believe this is the closing act of this political drama, perhaps this is the story line's plot twist where this committee focuses on facts instead of political points."
Gregory Monahan, acting chief of the U.S. Park Police National Park Police is now delivering his opening remarks.
In the days after George Floyd's death, protesters were concentrated around Lafayette. Park Police are accustomed to handling spontaneous, unruly events in this and surrounding areas, Monahan says.
documentcloud.org/documents/7008…
documentcloud.org/documents/7008…
Monahan notes "violent demonstrations" between May 29-June 1, incl. bricks, rocks and caustic substances, frozen water bottles, lit flares, fireworks and 2x4 sections of lumber being thrown at LEOs.
50 officers from Park Police injured, 11 were transported to area hospitals, 3 admitted.
This prompted secure fencing to be installed around Lafayette.
This prompted secure fencing to be installed around Lafayette.
Park Police faced significant criticism after June 1, but the no scale fence installed after June 1 "served to greatly deescalate" tensions in D.C., Monahan says.
These witnesses today are broken up over two panels. So we only hear from Monahan first.
Rep Jared Huffman asks Monahan whether he's suggesting that the "sustained violence" towards police occurred on June 1.
Monahan says yes.
Rep Jared Huffman asks Monahan whether he's suggesting that the "sustained violence" towards police occurred on June 1.
Monahan says yes.
Huffman says, can you provide direct evidence of that because we have records showing the exact opposite of that.
He asks if the violence officers were subjected to, what he claims, did it happen before 6:35PM on June 1?
He asks if the violence officers were subjected to, what he claims, did it happen before 6:35PM on June 1?
Monahan says yes, they can. He has brought none today, and will provide it later.
Huffman notes to Monahan that LEOs must warn sufficiently, but arresting officers positioned in rear of the crowd are required to give a verbal/physical altercation to officers in front.
Huffman notes to Monahan that LEOs must warn sufficiently, but arresting officers positioned in rear of the crowd are required to give a verbal/physical altercation to officers in front.
So this ensures everyone can be heard giving warnings.
Monahan says every procedure was followed.
Huffman plays a video where the warning is coming from but it is only from one direction and it was drowned out.
Monahan says every procedure was followed.
Huffman plays a video where the warning is coming from but it is only from one direction and it was drowned out.
Monahan says he can hear the warning in the clip played back, where protesters turned to each other, clearly confused and didn't appear to be told they were about to be advanced on or were in violation of a specific law.
Monahan says you can see protesters leaving who heard the warning, and this indicates the LEOs notification to protesters that they were to disperse
Rep. Huffman says, perhaps they wanted the crowd to be confused so law enforcement could go in with max. force and "perhaps appease a president who just hours earlier urged officers to act just that way."
Rep Bruce Westerman R-Ark effectively calls today's hearing a political stunt by Democrats. He asks Monahan to describe the injury to 50 of the Park Police.
He describes 11 officers who experienced blunt trauma to the head, upper and lower body. One injury via brick to the head. Monahan has a helmet on the table with dents and scratches. The officer who wore it has still not returned to work and is injured, Monahan says.
Mark Meadows, Secy Bernhardt, no one at White House ordered a clearing of Lafayette Sq., Monahan testifies.
Did Park Police communicate over radio during dispersal? Monahan says yes and it is standard procedure to have a record of any radio transmissions.
In Sept. 2018, Park Police were using an analog radio system at the time, prepping to transition to a digital format.
When radio techs were conducting transference, only the main radio channel was configured to record, Monahan says.
When radio techs were conducting transference, only the main radio channel was configured to record, Monahan says.
The system that would be used to record in a special demonstration was not used on June 1.
"When we transitioned to digital radio systems, the radio techs only set up our main dispatch channel to record, they did not, in error, set up our administrative channel to record"
"When we transitioned to digital radio systems, the radio techs only set up our main dispatch channel to record, they did not, in error, set up our administrative channel to record"
All of this to say, they don't have the audio recordings of June 1 because of a supposed mistake in how transmission logs were set up in 2018. Written records are available, Monahan notes.
They didn't know this was an issue, he says, until they attempted to pull the radio records from June 1 on June 10.
Quick break in live-tweeting. Will pick up in a moment.
I'm back. Apologies.
There's a series of questions that have unfolded about the timeline around the erecting of the fence. We'll get into that in my report.
But in a line of questioning, Rep. Gallego discusses the June 1 - one injury on LEO during the clearing
But in a line of questioning, Rep. Gallego discusses the June 1 - one injury on LEO during the clearing
Rep Gallego notes, but you decided there would be violence and initiated a curfew.
Monahan says they saw violence throughout in days prior.
Gallego says when he was in marine corps, they reacted to what was happening that day, even if they had been shot at it days before.
Monahan says they saw violence throughout in days prior.
Gallego says when he was in marine corps, they reacted to what was happening that day, even if they had been shot at it days before.
On that day, June 1, protesters were peaceful. Park Police should have reacted to that day, not violence from days prior.
Monahan says all of their decisions on June 1 were based on what protesters did that day.
Gallego, again, on June 1, no injuries to police UNTIL sq. clearing
Monahan says all of their decisions on June 1 were based on what protesters did that day.
Gallego, again, on June 1, no injuries to police UNTIL sq. clearing
Who were the people assaulting and pushing fwd protesters? Were they all park police?
Monahan says, no.
Gallego: So you cleared protesters with officers who have different standards for clearing. Did you know what standards and procedures other elements were used to or using?
Monahan says, no.
Gallego: So you cleared protesters with officers who have different standards for clearing. Did you know what standards and procedures other elements were used to or using?
Monahan says same training was issued to all officers that were on the ground on June 1 and he offers to provide Gallego with written documentation of this.
Rep. TJ Cox asks Monahan: if you and your officers are asked to violate the First Amendment of peaceful protesters, would you?
Monahan says between first and third warning, everyone was required to vacate. When they cleared H Street, they gave avenues of exit.
Monahan says between first and third warning, everyone was required to vacate. When they cleared H Street, they gave avenues of exit.
But DeMarco, the DC national guard major, will have testimony saying something quite different later.
Did the park need to be cleared in order for POTUS to take his photo op? Cox grilling him.
Monahan - Our goal that day--
Cox cuts him off.
Did the park need to be cleared in order for POTUS to take his photo op? Cox grilling him.
Monahan - Our goal that day--
Cox cuts him off.
Cox: Did that area need to be vacated by any other citizens for POTUS to take his photo?
Monahan: We did not clear the park -
Cox again, cuts in: No, did that area need to be cleared for him to take a photo in front of St. John's Sq
Monahan says: I'm not the person to answer that
Monahan: We did not clear the park -
Cox again, cuts in: No, did that area need to be cleared for him to take a photo in front of St. John's Sq
Monahan says: I'm not the person to answer that
Cox presses again, hard, says the fencing had to go up because contractors were waiting, making overtime. Then, to Monahan, so you are testifying, there was no correlation or direction to clear the square for POTUS photo op?
Monahan says "there is 100% zero correlation between our operation and the president's visit to the church. "
If the square hadn't have been cleared, would POTUS go out there?
Monahan: I have no idea.
If the square hadn't have been cleared, would POTUS go out there?
Monahan: I have no idea.
DeMarco will testify later that he was asked to contravene his oath to the Constitution, Cox notes.
Did Monahan's officers get any training on how to deal with a situation where they get an order they feel they can't abide by?
Did Monahan's officers get any training on how to deal with a situation where they get an order they feel they can't abide by?
Monahan says, I believe every action taken by Park Police...
Cox cuts him off again and says no, no, do you provide training for those in an untenable situation like DeMarco's.
Monahan responds by saying he wouldn't qualify the situation as untenable.
Cox cuts him off again and says no, no, do you provide training for those in an untenable situation like DeMarco's.
Monahan responds by saying he wouldn't qualify the situation as untenable.
Rep. Mike Levin shows clips of a surge against protesters a half hour before the curfew went into effect.
The clip shows a charge of law enforcement marching towards protesters as they fled with hands up, many of them. Clip of an officer striking an Australian cameraman shown
The clip shows a charge of law enforcement marching towards protesters as they fled with hands up, many of them. Clip of an officer striking an Australian cameraman shown
Another reporter is hit with a baton.
Levin asks Monahan, YES OR NO, was the clip he just watched depicting a journalist being assaulted? And protesters being assaulted?
Monahan says the clip shows "a moment in a time" and won't comment on clip of Australian journo beaten
Levin asks Monahan, YES OR NO, was the clip he just watched depicting a journalist being assaulted? And protesters being assaulted?
Monahan says the clip shows "a moment in a time" and won't comment on clip of Australian journo beaten
Did he see protesters shove officers with their shields?
Monahan: I saw the video you showed and it showed officers clearing H Street.
Levin: Did you see officers attack reporters even as they tried to get away? Yes or no?
Monahan: I won't comment on an ongoing investigation.
Monahan: I saw the video you showed and it showed officers clearing H Street.
Levin: Did you see officers attack reporters even as they tried to get away? Yes or no?
Monahan: I won't comment on an ongoing investigation.
Levin: Well, it's on the video.
Then, did he see officers throw chemical munitions into the crowd?
Monahan: Yes, I did.
Levin: Did officers throw flashbangs or stinger balls?
Monahan: Yes. Our rules of engagement dictated we only use force if we were met w/violent resistance
Then, did he see officers throw chemical munitions into the crowd?
Monahan: Yes, I did.
Levin: Did officers throw flashbangs or stinger balls?
Monahan: Yes. Our rules of engagement dictated we only use force if we were met w/violent resistance
Levin: Did we see that violent resistance in that video? Yes or no?
Monahan: No, not in the context of the video you showed.
Levin: So are you saying the force those officers used was not excessive?
Monahan: No, not in the context of the video you showed.
Levin: So are you saying the force those officers used was not excessive?
Monahan: The use of force by park police was in line with our policies and procedures.
Levin notes earlier how Monahan called Park Police action on June 1 one of "tremendous restraint.
Does he stand by that today?
Monahan: Yes sir I do.
Levin notes earlier how Monahan called Park Police action on June 1 one of "tremendous restraint.
Does he stand by that today?
Monahan: Yes sir I do.
Rep. Jesus Garcia, D-IL asks Monahan if is he aware that tear gas is a chemical weapon banned in war?
Monahan: "No, I was not aware of that."
Good, I'm glad we're having this conversation, Garcia says. It should never be used against protesters and esp. not during a pandemic.
Monahan: "No, I was not aware of that."
Good, I'm glad we're having this conversation, Garcia says. It should never be used against protesters and esp. not during a pandemic.
Garcia asks Monahan: Do you believe in the 1A? Do you believe people are reasonably upset about the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Black lives taken by other police officers?
Monahan says he does and individuals have the right to peaceably demonstrate and assemble.
Then, Monahan says no tear gas was used on protesters. Just pepper balls and flash bangs, smoke.
Then, Monahan says no tear gas was used on protesters. Just pepper balls and flash bangs, smoke.
There was evidence tear gas was used and we will get into that later with Major DeMarco's testimony.
Also, for context: Park Police first claimed LEOs didn't use tear gas. Then later, said, "chemical irritants" were deployed.
Also, for context: Park Police first claimed LEOs didn't use tear gas. Then later, said, "chemical irritants" were deployed.
Rep Nydia Velazquez asks Monahan why Park Police would use any respiratory chemical irritants, knowing full well there is a pandemic going on.
Monahan says it was a defense against violence that day.
Velazquez notes how reports were widespread that DC was peaceful that day.
Monahan says it was a defense against violence that day.
Velazquez notes how reports were widespread that DC was peaceful that day.
Another short break in live-tweeting.
Back momentarily.
Live stream here:
Back momentarily.
Live stream here:
Questions exchanged on video of AG Barr seen talking to a park official just before June 1 surge on protesters.
A man approaches Barr in clip and it is, Monahan confirms, Capt. Russell Fennelly. He was not the incident commander that day.
A man approaches Barr in clip and it is, Monahan confirms, Capt. Russell Fennelly. He was not the incident commander that day.
Fennelly was telling Barr, Monahan says, that officials were too near an area where projectiles were being thrown. But why did Fennelly drop his head in the video and why did one of Barr’s detail pat Fennelly on the back?
Monahan says the purpose of that exchange was to tell Barr and other Trump officials to move away to a safer location, in potential danger.
He says Barr said nothing to Fennelly in the exchange.
He says Barr said nothing to Fennelly in the exchange.
.@RepGarretGraves launches into a line of Q's to Monahan on what he describes as unprecedented unrest unfolding in D.C. before June 1 prompting an "absolutely extraordinary" effort by LEOs to quell it.
Garret rails on hearing as "absolutely ridiculous" as global pandemic rages, while there is record unemployment. He defends Pres. Trump, saying D's claim Trump was advancing his own campaign on June 1. Dems do that now, calls that "hypocrisy" "absolutely disgusting."
Chairman @RepRaulGrijalva shoots back, in a nutshell, when Graves ends his remarks, if you could pass that message to the president about the pandemic, that would be helpful.
.@RubenGallego is on fire today.
By "on fire" I mean he is pushing hard with questions to Monahan about the timing of an attack on a police officer that day and whether the response that followed was proportionate.
At 6:10, meeting with Fennelly and Barr.
What time does the incident commander give the order to push?
Monahan says warning #1 came at 6:23PM.
They moved on protesters at 6:35PM.
What time does the incident commander give the order to push?
Monahan says warning #1 came at 6:23PM.
They moved on protesters at 6:35PM.
At 6:43 on June 1, Gallego reads statement from Trump where Trump says "as we speak" he's ordering forces to "stop the rioting"
Gallego says 6:10 first meeting, 6:23, first warning, 6:35, first push on protesters, 6:45, potus "rah-rah" speech, no video coms recording anything. Monahan claims they are meeting violent resistance but Monahan has already admitted the violence came AFTER their first push
Monahan says they were subjected to projectiles throughout the day like water bottles.
Gallego says, of course you were, you were using pepper balls on protesters before that.
Gallego says, of course you were, you were using pepper balls on protesters before that.
Monahan says people jumped police lines.
Gallego: So this was all one big coincidence, that you had to do it, probably 7 minutes before the POTUS began his speech. You couldn't do it at 7PM when people may be retreating because of the curfew?
Gallego: So this was all one big coincidence, that you had to do it, probably 7 minutes before the POTUS began his speech. You couldn't do it at 7PM when people may be retreating because of the curfew?
Monahan says first in response, Park Police have a written record but the decision was an on the ground decision based on their assessment of violence against police officers earlier that day.
@RubenGallego: "Well, your assessment was completely off."
@RubenGallego: "Well, your assessment was completely off."
Monahan has said repeatedly that police were engaging at their level of force on June 1 because they were on high alert due to previous days' violence.
In this intense exchange w/Gallego however he relies almost exclusively on argument that it was June 1 that was the trigger
In this intense exchange w/Gallego however he relies almost exclusively on argument that it was June 1 that was the trigger
.@RepDonBeyer in his remarks notes how Arlington County Police were tapped by Park Police to push back protesters on June 1.
He says this further destroyed whatever trust was left between Arlington Police and local NoVa community after the shooting death of Bijan Ghaisar.
Ghaisar was killed by Park Police in 2017 after a car chase on GW Parkway.
Ghaisar was killed by Park Police in 2017 after a car chase on GW Parkway.
More on Mr. Ghaisar:
wtop.com/local/2020/07/…
wtop.com/local/2020/07/…
Grijalva: When did you know POTUS was coming to St. Johns and how did you learn about it?
Monahan: "We were notified earlier in the day POTUS was going to Lafayette Park to conduct, uh, to view the damage done to the park in preceding days."
No time provided for when POTUS there
Monahan: "We were notified earlier in the day POTUS was going to Lafayette Park to conduct, uh, to view the damage done to the park in preceding days."
No time provided for when POTUS there
Grijalva: Who had tactical command? Who authorized Park Police to use weapons, munitions, devices, in particular chemical irritants? Did lawyers OK it?
That lies with the incident commander Maj. Mark Adamchik, Monahan says.
That lies with the incident commander Maj. Mark Adamchik, Monahan says.
So Grijalva went over the chain of command in that exchange.
For an incident on June 1 Monahan says they went under a command system model. The Incident commander was Adamchik. Under unified command, he had a counterpart on the Secret Service side. Doesn't name him/her.
For an incident on June 1 Monahan says they went under a command system model. The Incident commander was Adamchik. Under unified command, he had a counterpart on the Secret Service side. Doesn't name him/her.
The order to move the crowd at 6:30 was given over a long-range acoustic device, Monahan says. First of 3 warnings began at 6:23PM.
Prior to that, he says Adamchik gave a briefing to all commander who were going to be involved so they understood what the operation was, Mon. says
Prior to that, he says Adamchik gave a briefing to all commander who were going to be involved so they understood what the operation was, Mon. says
Grijalva then, later, says part of the Q the cmte has today is whether the gov't even understands the difference between a violent unruly mob and those exercising 1a rights.
We're seeing the admin continuing to expand this authoritarian approach
We're seeing the admin continuing to expand this authoritarian approach
For clarity, the last comment on seeing this expansion, was by the Rep.
This is not me offering an opinion.
This is not me offering an opinion.
We have moved onto the next witness DC National Guard Major Adam D. Marco.
He says he could feel irritation in his eyes and nose and based on his previous exposure to this, it was consistent with the effects of CS gas/tear gas. He also found spent containers nearby.
He says he could feel irritation in his eyes and nose and based on his previous exposure to this, it was consistent with the effects of CS gas/tear gas. He also found spent containers nearby.
He witnessed demonstrators fleeing and being shot with pepper balls as they did so.
He took up a position near St. John's Church and at 7:05 PM on June 1 he saw POTUS walking toward St. John's. It was a "complete surprise" because they had not been briefed on this.
He took up a position near St. John's Church and at 7:05 PM on June 1 he saw POTUS walking toward St. John's. It was a "complete surprise" because they had not been briefed on this.
The use of force against demonstrators in the clearing operation was unnecessary, DeMarco says.
Protesters were engaged in a peaceful demonstration of their rights. They were subjected to attacks, he adds.
Protesters were engaged in a peaceful demonstration of their rights. They were subjected to attacks, he adds.
DeMarco quotes the late John Lewis "When you see something that is not right, not just, not fair, you have a moral obligation to do something" and that is why, he says, he is here today.
You can read DeMarco's full opening statement here: documentcloud.org/documents/7008…
DeMarco was on the front lines on June 1. Could he hear the warning Monahan says was offered to protesters? Was every element of compliance met, Rep. Huffman asks.
DeMarco on the ground said he was not aware of a long-range device being in position for proclamation to disperse.
DeMarco on the ground said he was not aware of a long-range device being in position for proclamation to disperse.
What about a standard megaphone?
That was it, DeMarco says. Sitting on a bench, with a handheld device.
Then DeMarco says: "I could barely understand the message being delivered."
That was it, DeMarco says. Sitting on a bench, with a handheld device.
Then DeMarco says: "I could barely understand the message being delivered."
Rep Deb Haaland asks Major DeMarco to explain how June 1 impacted him.
He was sleeping very little. He tried to figure out what the next steps were. He confided in other officers, friends and advisers in active duty.
He was sleeping very little. He tried to figure out what the next steps were. He confided in other officers, friends and advisers in active duty.
He wrote his own sworn statement on his own volition and read it in front of another officer.
"I knew something was wrong but I didn't know what. It was shortly thereafter that I reached out to see what could be done because I truly felt compelled because I had to say something"
"I knew something was wrong but I didn't know what. It was shortly thereafter that I reached out to see what could be done because I truly felt compelled because I had to say something"
He spoke to other soldiers in his unit. Including those he supervises. They expressed the same consternation and concerns.
Major DeMarco: "It wasn't just me who felt there was something morally and legally wrong. I am in a position as a major in the National Guard where I can do something"
DeMarco also says, without identifying the person, that a fellow guardsman/woman who is an immigrant told him he was disturbed by what he/she witnessed because it reminded them of what unfolds in autocracies.
.@RubenGallego now asks DeMarco to go over the timeline.
DeMarco got on site by 5:30PM on June 1.
How would he describe them when he arrived?
"It was drastically different than the night before, I would describe them as peacefully assembled."
DeMarco got on site by 5:30PM on June 1.
How would he describe them when he arrived?
"It was drastically different than the night before, I would describe them as peacefully assembled."
On May 31 he observed a riot based on army training classification.
Based on that same army training classification, DeMarco says he would not describe what he saw on June 1 as a riot.
Based on that same army training classification, DeMarco says he would not describe what he saw on June 1 as a riot.
Did DeMarco get an assessment report when he arrived.
No, they were just arriving. He first linked with his park liaison who he met the previous night. Met another park officer who gave him the "task and purpose."
Gallego asks: How did park police describe the day to him?
No, they were just arriving. He first linked with his park liaison who he met the previous night. Met another park officer who gave him the "task and purpose."
Gallego asks: How did park police describe the day to him?
He can't remember specifically what he was told, but he says that generally it was expressed to him that June 1 was "much different than the day before."
Guards were instructed around 5:45pm to form the wall around protesters in the park.
Guards were instructed around 5:45pm to form the wall around protesters in the park.
Gallego asks was there anything that indicated there was a sense of timing or a rush to surge?
DeMarco asks: when does this commence? He heard back as soon as possible. He also heard that they were expected there much earlier in the evening.
DeMarco asks: when does this commence? He heard back as soon as possible. He also heard that they were expected there much earlier in the evening.
So when they get the order to push back, the DC National Guard orders were to maintain a static perimeter around 18th street, then reinforce park police on the border.
So as protesters are pushed out, they form a wall so no one can sneak out, Gallego notes.
DeM.: Yes.
So as protesters are pushed out, they form a wall so no one can sneak out, Gallego notes.
DeM.: Yes.
This method of clearing tends to create chaos, Gallego says.
DeMarco agrees and says he felt it was an ineffective way to de-escalate given his experience and given the priority to allow protesters to lawfully exercise rights.
DeMarco agrees and says he felt it was an ineffective way to de-escalate given his experience and given the priority to allow protesters to lawfully exercise rights.
DeMarco said fencing didn't arrive on scene until 9pm
Monahan said materials arrived earlier in afternoon
Rep. Louie Gohmert asks if he thinks Monahan is lying.
DeMarco says he can only speak to his account and as a fact witness, the times he's presented are accurate.
Monahan said materials arrived earlier in afternoon
Rep. Louie Gohmert asks if he thinks Monahan is lying.
DeMarco says he can only speak to his account and as a fact witness, the times he's presented are accurate.
Gohmert grills him: is there a chance he is mistaken?
DeMarco says again, as a fact witness, he saw the materials brought later.
Gohmert broadsides the major, sarcastically remarks that DeMarco's MBA must make him qualified to discuss matters of constitutionality
DeMarco says again, as a fact witness, he saw the materials brought later.
Gohmert broadsides the major, sarcastically remarks that DeMarco's MBA must make him qualified to discuss matters of constitutionality
Rep Levin asks Maj. DeMarco to explain what a "graduated response process" is, in effect.
Soldiers must be taught to understand that they use the minimum force necessary.
Should events of prior days be used as a pretext to immediately use force?
Major DeMarco says no.
Soldiers must be taught to understand that they use the minimum force necessary.
Should events of prior days be used as a pretext to immediately use force?
Major DeMarco says no.
Major DeMarco has served in combat zones.
In regard to Lafayette Sq, at no time did he feel threatened or assessed protesters to be violent.
It was his observation that use of force on June 1 was excessive and not measured and did not recognize that more force could antagonize
In regard to Lafayette Sq, at no time did he feel threatened or assessed protesters to be violent.
It was his observation that use of force on June 1 was excessive and not measured and did not recognize that more force could antagonize
Rep Levin asks for insight here from the major.
In an actual war zone, where violence is ubiquitous, but on one particular day, protests are peaceful, would there be a pretext to use riot agents like tear gas against those in the war zone?
In an actual war zone, where violence is ubiquitous, but on one particular day, protests are peaceful, would there be a pretext to use riot agents like tear gas against those in the war zone?
Simply, if events on June 1 in Lafayette Sq. happened in Iraq, would they have handled it the same way?
Major DeMarco: Negative sir.
Based on chem weapon convention rules, they would not use riot agents to disperse.
Major DeMarco: Negative sir.
Based on chem weapon convention rules, they would not use riot agents to disperse.
Rep Don Beyer: when is the best time to set up a new perimeter or install a fence?
The early morning hours would be best, before the general public would be awake, DeMarco says.
The early morning hours would be best, before the general public would be awake, DeMarco says.
(This is what happened when park police took down steel fencing around the WH weeks later and then put it back up. Barricades went up before sunrise.)
AG Barr was talking with park police shortly before the surge.
Does he believe he has something to do with clearing of protesters?
DeMarco: I can't offer you my opinion, only the facts.
Does he believe he has something to do with clearing of protesters?
DeMarco: I can't offer you my opinion, only the facts.
Can DeMarco remember any other time with the multiple demonstrations - and massive ones - that occurred in D.C., like the Women's March in 2017 - where helicopters were used to disperse protesters?
No sir, DeMarco says.
And he is right.
No sir, DeMarco says.
And he is right.
AG Barr has said June 1 was "ordinary planning" to extend the perimeter line and had nothing to do with giving Trump his photo opp at the church.
Based on what DeMarco witnessed, is this satisfactory to him?
DeMarco: Respectfully, I'm not here to hypothesize or the correlation.
Based on what DeMarco witnessed, is this satisfactory to him?
DeMarco: Respectfully, I'm not here to hypothesize or the correlation.
Rep Grijalva asks about his testimony that no national guardsmen had lethal or non lethal munitions. Were any materials ready for use?
One June 1, only munitions were transfer of weapons from Ft. Belvoir to the DC Armory,
They were M4 carbines, a light duty version of the M16
One June 1, only munitions were transfer of weapons from Ft. Belvoir to the DC Armory,
They were M4 carbines, a light duty version of the M16
DeMarco says he does not know why they were transferred, only that they were.
The hearing is over and I will have the report for you soon.
STORY: President Donald Trump’s photo op at St. John’s Church was not the reason protesters were forcibly removed from a public square near the White House last month, the chief of U.S. Park Police told Congress on Tuesday.
courthousenews.com/parks-official…
courthousenews.com/parks-official…
