U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper Says The U.S. Will Not Invoke The Insurrection Act To Quell Civil Unrest

Reuters: U.S. shouldn't invoke Insurrection Act, defense secretary says

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Wednesday he does not support invoking the Insurrection Act to deploy active duty forces to quell civil unrest, a move President Donald Trump threatened to take to stem protests that have roiled the nation.

Trump this week said he could use military forces in states that fail to crack down on sometimes violent protests over the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, at the hands of a white police officer in Minneapolis.

“The option to use active duty forces in a law enforcement role should only be used as a matter of last resort and only in the most urgent and dire of situations. We are not in one of those situations now,” Esper told a news briefing.

“I do not support invoking the Insurrection Act.”

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WNU Editor: In the above video U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper is very clear. Circumstances do not exist for the US government to invoke the Insurrection Act. To me that is a big relief. But the media coverage of this announcement is a different narrative. They are saying that he has has broke with the White House on this issue?!?!?! That is not the impression that I got from the above video. The impression that I got is that the issue was examined, and the decision was made (most likely by the President and his military advisers) that current circumstances do not justify the Insurrection Act.

Update: U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper has also pointed out that this widely reported story is 100% wrong .... Esper on Trump church photo-op: I thought we were going to 'talk to the troops' (NBC). According to the above Mark Esper video. Everyone knew they were going to the church.

More News On The Media Saying That The U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper Is "Opposed" To The Insurrection Act

Esper opposes using Insurrection Act for law enforcement -- AP
Defense chief breaks with Trump on response to protests -- CNN
Defense Secretary Breaks With Trump, 'Does Not Support' Invoking Insurrection Act -- Zero Hedge

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