George Floyd Protests: Lafayette Square Clearing, Militarized Response, Threat to Invoke Insurrection Act

Overview

The Attorney General of the United States stood in Lafayette Square and watched federal agents use chemical agents and batons on peaceful protesters — 30 minutes before the curfew that would have given legal basis for the clearing — so the President could walk across the square to hold a Bible in front of a church for photographers.

The Inspector General subsequently confirmed that the clearing was conducted for the purpose of enabling the photo.

The Governors Call

Earlier that day, Trump had been on the phone with the nation's governors. He told them they were weak. He told them to dominate. He told them if they didn't dominate, they'd look like jerks.

The statement was a governing philosophy expressed in the clearest possible terms: the way to respond to protests about police violence was force.

The Clearing

The protesters in Lafayette Square were peaceful. The Inspector General report confirmed this. No dispersal order was given before the agents moved. Chemical agents were deployed without warning. People were pushed, struck, and dispersed.

Thirty minutes before the curfew that would have made the protesters' presence illegal. Thirty minutes.

The purpose was documented: Trump wanted to walk through the cleared square.

The Church

Bishop Budde had not been consulted. The church had not been consulted. When Trump stood outside St. John's Episcopal Church holding a Bible, he was using a building as a political prop without the knowledge or consent of the people responsible for it.

The presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church issued a public disavowal. Bishop Budde said she was outraged. Trump did not enter the church, speak to any clergy, or pray.

The Military's Discomfort

General Milley apologized. Secretary Esper publicly opposed invoking the Insurrection Act. The 82nd Airborne was staged near Washington but military officials raised concerns about posse comitatus and ultimately the active-duty forces were not deployed within the city.

The distance the military's senior leadership put between themselves and the Lafayette Square action was unusual and documented. They were present for the walk. They regretted it publicly.