House to Question DOD Leaders on Response to White House Protest

June 2, 2020

The House Armed Services Committee has called Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley to testify Monday about the military’s role in responding to protests near the White House earlier this week, Military.com reported.

As President Trump spoke in the White House Rose Garden Monday evening, police and military police used tear gas and rubber bullets to break up an otherwise peaceful protest at a nearby park.

“I have serious concerns about using military forces to respond to protesters, and I remain gravely concerned about President Trump’s seemingly autocratic rule and how it affects the judgment of our military leadership,” Chairman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) said.

After the protest area was cleared, Trump, Esper, Milley and other White House officials walked through the area to pose for photos at the nearby St. John’s Episcopal Church. Milley was in uniform.

Military.com cites DOD officials who say Esper and Milley were not originally planning to take part in the photo but were “redirected” to the photo area.

“I worked with General Milley at the Pentagon,” said Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), a member of the committee. “I hope he’s thinking seriously about the moral and ethical issues surrounding his role in the coming days.”

More than 18,000 National Guard troops are activated to help respond to protests across the country, and some active-duty units are on standby.

June 2, 2020

Recent News

DCIP Now Accepting Project Proposals

DCIP Now Accepting Project Proposals

The DOD Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation is accepting proposals for the fiscal year 2024 Defense Community Infrastructure Program, according to a Thursday announcement. The full opportunity is listed on Grants.gov. DCIP is designed “to assist state and...

Report: Space Force Will Start Onboarding Reservists this Summer

Report: Space Force Will Start Onboarding Reservists this Summer

Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman told Guardians the Space Force will begin bringing full-time reservists into the force this summer, Military.com reported, citing an internal memo. Saltzman said the process will take time. “We want all reserve space...

Snap of the Week

Snap of the Week

Spectators tour a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 91st Air Refueling Squadron March 28 during the Tampa Bay AirFest practice show at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. Tampa Bay AirFest features a variety of aerial performance and static aircraft displays aimed at...

Three Leaders Named Defense Community National Champions

Three Leaders Named Defense Community National Champions

The Association of Defense Communities named three local leaders as national Defense Community Champions: Jana Evans, San Antonio Area Manager, Soldiers’ Angels, Alamo–San Antonio Region Elizabeth Hartman, Commander, American Legion Post 539, Eastern North Carolina...

Corvias Joins Certification Program for Healthy Homes

Corvias Joins Certification Program for Healthy Homes

Corvias is now the largest participant in a new certification program from the International WELL Building Institute that helps identify and measure ways that homes can support residents’ health and resilience, through factors such as air, water, light, thermal...

PAST STORIES