Posted on 06/05/2020 12:33:13 PM PDT by Scarpetta
WASHINGTON - The Pentagon has told the District of Columbia National Guard and guardsmen from other states who have arrived in the nation's capital as backup to not use firearms or ammunition, a sign of de-escalation in the federal response to protests in the city after the killing of George Floyd, according to officials familiar with the decision.
The Department of Defense, led by Defense Secretary Mark Esper, appears to have made the decision without consulting the White House, where President Trump has ordered a militarized show of force on the streets of Washington D.C. since demonstrations in the city were punctured by an episode of looting on Sunday. Trump specifically had encouraged the National Guard to be armed.
Initially, a small group of the guardsmen deployed in the city had been carrying guns while standing outside monuments, but the bulk of the forces, such as those working with federal park police at Lafayette Square in front of the White House, didn't carry firearms out of caution. Now, all of the roughly 5,000 guardsmen who have been deployed or are deploying to Washington, D.C., have been told not to use weaponry or ammunition, according to four officials familiar with the order.
"The whole purpose behind that was a purposeful show of de-escalation," said one U.S. defense official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss an order that hasn't been made public yet. "We're here, but we're walking things down."
The White House has not been involved in the decision, a senior administration official said. Trump has encouraged the National Guard to be armed, and wanted them to be as a show of force.
(Excerpt) Read more at thetelegraph.com ...
Twitter doesn’t support my ancient browser any longer.
Calling Ric Grennell.
What a jerk.
If Esper had any honor he would resign. A military coup by a bunch of Generals who haven't won a war since World War II is an ugly thing.
What a jerk.
If Esper had any honor he would resign. A military coup by a bunch of Generals who haven't won a war since World War II is an ugly thing.
Maybe Esper and the old brass should go over and give 'speeches' to the House of Saud... half a million or so should take the edge off their high horse bullshit.
“Havent even seen Pence, have we?”
Not much. For 2024 my present bet is on Desantis, FL gov. who’s done a great job so far.
I want Grenell a tougher than nails gay guy who would have thought!!
Disarmed soldier= target. Called it.
Come on.....it’s the Telegraph.
Fake News. Besides Trump didn’t want some trigger happy Guardsman to start a Kent State.
Stop believing this crap....now.
“Lots of trolls here on FR.”
And you’re one of them from your posting history.
How’d that China Virus “we’re all gonna die” shit work out for you?
“Lots of trolls here on FR.”
And you’re one of them from your posting history.
How’d that China Virus “we’re all gonna die” shit work out for you?
I see live shots of DC now and the crowd is huge.
How’d that China Virus “we’re all gonna die” shit work out for you?
LOLLLL. Wrong. I am card carrying Flu Bro in good standing.
America’s enemies are taking note.
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