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 ...
this guy is a TOTAL POS
So they’re with no protection if Antifa fires on them? They didn’t even bring a knife to a gunfight?
If true, the order should never have been made public. This is inviting someone to attack the National Guard.
“You’re fired!”
They want DC destroyed.
Tuileries
True. Why can’t Trump find someone who is not?
I don’t believe it.
This guy won’t last the weekend.
President Trump must fire Esper. When I went into the voting booth, I don't recall the name Esper on the ballot. Keep firing people until you find the ones who will follow your orders.
What could go wrong with a million angry people on the way?
Or maybe they know more about exactly where that incoming asteroid is headed than they've told us... :-D /tinfoil>
I think he gets alot of counsel from the wrong people. I think Pence is one of them. Kushner another...for two.
Ever heard the term “sitting ducks”? And to further broadcast this is literally a show of disrespect for the men nd women deployed.
Gov Mike Dewine just interuppted Rush again to let us know they found an Ohio National Guard soldier deployed to DC they think is a white supremacist! Really Mike? ?Really? why are you investigating the guard and not ANTIFA!!!?
I’m hoping once this wave of rioting is back under control, Trump gets rid of Esper. To do it now, would be too much of a distraction. The president may even need to wait till during the Dem Convention to clean house. That Dem Convention is not until August 17th thru 20th.
Esper made order without consulting Trump
He has no fear of oversight supportive of POTUS and a public keel hauling by the GOP controlled Senate. POTUS is riding solo in the swamp.
“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.”
Who’s leaking this crap and why are they still there?
Why not? The Swamp has never let up on their plans to take down the president.
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