After all the outrage over protesters being removed from Lafayette Square with tear gas and Trump being blamed, it turns out that it was AG Barr who ordered the protesters be moved out of Lafayette Square. And he ordered it in response to the Treasury Department and St. John’s Church being vandalized the night before:
FOX NEWS – Attorney General Bill Barr ordered law enforcement officials to extend the perimeter of Lafayette Square before President Trump ventured outside the White House on Monday to visit sites vandalized during violent protests, administration officials tell Fox News.
According to one senior administration official, the plan had been made to extend the perimeter of the park — which is across the street from the White House — by one block. Both peaceful and violent protests have taken place at Lafayette Square in recent days.
The order was executed Monday afternoon just minutes before the president gave a public address on the nationwide unrest following the death of George Floyd. The act — which came shortly before a city curfew went into effect — has ignited outrage from critics who claim protesters were moved so the president could participate in a photo opportunity.
But a senior Justice Department official told Fox News the decision was made early Monday morning after the Treasury Department and St. John’s Church — which are both in the area — were vandalized the night before.
On Monday afternoon, according to an official, Barr went to survey the scene. But after arriving, the source said, he was upset to find out the perimeter had not been widened like it was supposed to be earlier in the day. Barr, who was surrounded by his security detail, toured the police line keeping the protestors at bay while demonstrators shouted at him. The night before, fires were started and buildings were vandalized in the area.
Someone threw a bottle at Barr when he was there, the official said. He gave the order to move people out before the president arrived. Shortly after, police mounted on horses used smoke to move protesters demonstrating against police brutality.
it is true that Barr was out on the DC streets last night with the Secretary of Defense. Here’s video:
BREAKING: Attorney General Barr & Defense Secretary Esper are on the ground in D.C. @apimientaDC
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) June 2, 2020
Fox News notes that some protesters had become violent in the Square, which isn’t hard to believe since one of them threw a bottle at Barr:
But a local news outlet in D.C. reported Tuesday that sources at the U.S. Park Police told them the park was cleared because some protesters were attacking police officers.
And while many critics claimed tear gas was used, the Park Police told WTOP it was smoke canisters that were deployed.
Later Tuesday, the Park Police went on the record to deny that tear gas was used, while also saying “violent protestors” began throwing projectiles including “bricks, frozen water bottles and caustic liquids” before officers dispersed the crowd.
“No tear gas was used by USPP officers or other assisting law enforcement partners to close the area at Lafayette Park,” United States Park Police acting Chief Gregory T. Monahan said.
I’m sure the garbage media won’t report this. They’ll want to continue with their anti-Trump narrative that the president had the park cleared of peaceful protesters with tear gas so he could do his little photo op. And if they do by chance report it, they’ll claim Barr is trying to cover for the president, like they always do.