FILE – In this April 1, 2020, file photo, Defense Secretary Mark Esper speaks about the coronavirus in the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 1:35 PM PT — Wednesday, June 3, 2020
Defense Secretary Mark Esper has voiced his opposition to invoking the Insurrection Act, which would enable him to send military troops to calm down protests nationwide. During Wednesday’s press briefing, Esper stated active duty forces should only be used in a law enforcement role as a matter of last resort and only in the most dire situations.
The defense official reaffirmed the country is not in one of those situations right now and added he does not support using the act.
Secretary @EsperDoD: “I do not support invoking the Insurrection Act.”
Secretary Esper also addresses news reports regarding his knowledge of events on Monday evening while accompanying President Trump to St. John’s Church.
Full video here: https://t.co/Qpy2CUTnF2 pic.twitter.com/jLktV53alu
— CSPAN (@cspan) June 3, 2020
He went on to express confidence in the National Guard’s ability to help law enforcement handle the protests.
“I’ve always believed, and continue to believe, that the National Guard is best suited for performing domestic support to civil authorities and these situations, in support of local law enforcement,” stated Esper. “I say this not only as Secretary of Defense, but also as a former soldier and a former member of the National Guard.”
He also confirmed he had directed a probe into the use of National Guard helicopters during Monday’s protests in Washington, D.C.
