Barr defends use of force at Monday's White House protest
Source: CNN
Updated 3:41 PM ET, Thu June 4, 2020
President Donald Trump departs after visiting outside St. John's Church across Lafayette Park from the White House Monday, June 1, 2020, in Washington.
(CNN)Attorney General William Barr defended the shocking use of force on peaceful protesters outside the White House Monday, saying at a news conference on Thursday that difficulties with relocating authorities earlier in the day had forced the clash.
Flanked by federal law enforcement leaders at the Justice Department in his first public remarks since the extraordinary episode, Barr maintained that his decision to disperse the crowd followed signs that the crowd was "becoming increasingly unruly" and had nothing to do with a photo-op staged by President Donald Trump at a nearby church that took place minutes later.
"There was no correlation between our tactical plan of moving the perimeter out by one block and the President's going over to the church," Barr said.
The explanation came after criticism had mounted over the situation, with lawmakers and public figures, including the President's first defense chief, Jim Mattis, decrying the violent spectacle. ............................
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https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/04/politics/william-barr-news-conference-george-floyd/index.html
He's channeling his inner John Mitchell.