Seeking Information on Individuals Inciting Violence During First Amendment-Protected Peaceful Demonstrations

The FBI respects the rights of individuals to peacefully exercise their First Amendment rights. Our mission of protecting the American people and upholding the Constitution is dual and simultaneous, not contradictory.

Accordingly, we are committed to apprehending and charging violent instigators who are exploiting legitimate, peaceful protests and engaging in violations of federal law. The continued violence, potential threat to life, and destruction of property across the United States interferes with the rights and safety of First Amendment-protected peaceful demonstrators, as well as all other citizens.

To help us identify actors who are actively instigating violence in the wake of Mr. George Floyd’s death, the FBI is accepting tips and digital media depicting violent encounters surrounding the civil unrest that is happening throughout the country.

If you witness or have witnessed unlawful violent actions, we urge you to submit any information, photos, or videos that could be relevant to the case at fbi.gov/violence.

You may also call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) to verbally report tips and/or information related to this investigation.

https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/seeking-information-on-individuals-inciting-violence-during-first-amendment-protected-peaceful-demonstrations

Pentagon Orders Active-Duty Military Police Unit to DC Region Amid Protests

The Pentagon has ordered an active-duty battalion of military police soldiers from Fort Bragg, North Carolina to deploy to the Washington, D.C. area as the city braces for more violent demonstrations.

CNN was among the first to report the deployment order for between 200 and 250 MPs from Bragg. A Pentagon official confirmed to Military.com that the MPs are from the XVIII Airborne Corps.

The official did not specify what orders the MPs had been given. ABC reported, citing a Defense official, that the troops were being sent into the D.C. region but only on standby capacity, in the event that they are needed.

The move comes after the Pentagon on Friday put active-duty MP units from Bragg, Fort Drum, New York; Fort Carson, Colorado; and Fort Riley, Kansas on alert to deploy on short notice to reinforce police dealing with civil unrest in the wake of the death of George Floyd, a unarmed black man who died in police custody May 25.

Demonstrators protesting police brutality have clashed with law enforcement in major cities which led to the deployment of thousands of National Guard troops over the weekend.

Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Mark Milley joined President Donald Trump on a Monday call with governors that was leaked to news outlets. In the call, Trump urged governors to "get much tougher" on protestors. The call followed days of sometimes-violent clashes between protestors and police.

Trump called the protesters "anarchists" who needed to be arrested and tried. He also told the governors, "most of you are weak."

"They're going to run over and you're going to look like jerks," Trump said.

Esper added that "we need to dominate the battlespace."

"I stand ready, the chairman stands ready, the head of the National Guard stands ready to fully support you in terms of how they mobilize the Guard at doing what they need to do," the defense secretary said.

Trump said Milley was put in charge of the military's response, though he didn't elaborate what role the chairman would play. Kayleigh McEnany, the White House press secretary, later told reporters Milley will oversee a command center, but declined to provide additional details, saying, "I'm not going to get ahead of any actions that will be announced."

The president also on Monday tweeted support for Republican Sen. Tom Cotton's call to send active-duty soldiers to respond to protests.

The boldness of protestors prompted Cotton to call for the deployment of active-duty combat units such as the 101st Airborne Division, 10th Mountain Division, 82nd Airborne Division, 1st Cavalry Division and 3rd Infantry Division to do "whatever it takes to restore order."

Meanwhile the National Guard has presented a less aggressive message in talking about the 17,000 Guard troops deployed in 23 states.

"We are here to protect life and property, and preserve peace, order, and public safety," Gen. Joseph Lengyel, chief of the National Guard Bureau, said in a statement released today.

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/06/01/pentagon-orders-active-duty-military-police-unit-dc-region-amid-protests.html

Army Vet Lawmaker: Invoke Insurrection Act, Deploy Active-Duty Troops to Riots

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, called on President Donald Trump on Monday to invoke the Insurrection Act, then deploy active-duty combat units to "show no quarter" in putting down violence and looting in major cities, which he charged have been instigated by left-wing extremists.

State governors thus far have not asked for the help of active-duty troops. But Cotton said a massive show of force by the 101st Airborne Division, 10th Mountain Division, 82nd Airborne Division, 1st Cavalry Division and 3rd Infantry Division "whatever it takes to restore order" might be necessary.

"We always respect the rights of peaceful protesters," said Cotton, a former Army captain and Iraq and Afghanistan veteran, but "we have zero tolerance for anarchy, rioting and looting."

In a series of tweets and an appearance on the "Fox & Friends" program, Cotton echoed others in the Trump administration, including Attorney General William Barr, in blaming the violence on leftist extremists such as the antifa movement. He appeared to challenge antifa, the far-left militant group, to a fight.

"If local law enforcement is overwhelmed and needs backup, let's see how tough these Antifa terrorists are when they're facing off with the 101st Airborne Division," Cotton said on Twitter. "We need to have zero tolerance for this destruction."

Under the federal Posse Comitatus Act, the use of active-duty troops for domestic law enforcement is generally banned, but there are exceptions that require the specific request of state governors.

Cotton urged Trump to invoke the Insurrection Act, which would allow for the deployment of active-duty units in law enforcement roles if requested by a governor or state legislature.

The Insurrection Act was invoked in 1992, when President George H.W. Bush sent active-duty troops to California at the request of Gov. Pete Wilson, following unrest in the aftermath of the arrest and beating of Rodney King by police.

Cotton's calls for more aggressive action by active-duty troops contrasted with early signs that the crisis might be abating.

In Minnesota, Gov. Tim Walz ordered the partial deactivation of Minnesota National Guard troops called up to assist local law enforcement following relatively peaceful protests in Minneapolis and St. Paul on Saturday and Sunday, and shortened the hours of curfew in effect for Monday and Tuesday nights.

However, other governors and mayors extended curfews in an effort to quell violence.

"We are keeping the curfew [from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.] in place tonight to protect everyone's safety and help our first responders keep the peace," Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said in a statement.

In Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser extended curfews for Monday and Tuesday nights from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/06/01/army-vet-lawmaker-invoke-insurrection-act-deploy-active-duty-troops-riots.html

https://twitter.com/KristinFisher/status/1267593490650849282

I almost can’t believe what I’m seeing. POTUS just walked out the front door of the White House and into Lafayette Square - the epicenter of the DC protests - to visit historic St. John’s Church, which was set on fire last night.

https://twitter.com/BDesigns6/status/1267494340777127936

Trump Leaves White House on Foot as Military Police Clash With Protesters in Nearby Park

US President Donald Trump was seen standing in front of St. John's Episcopal Church in Washington, DC, on Monday evening amid the beginning of the city's scheduled curfew.

A Sputnik correspondent in the area detailed that police rode in on horseback and deployed both tear gas and flash-bang grenades in a "very sudden, very violent" move against peaceful demonstrators who were kneeling in protest for five minutes.

US Secret Service agents were seen guarding the US president as he walked from the White House to the historic Greek Revival Episcopal church, which was damaged in recent days.

CBS News journalist Weijia Jiang reported that the US president "held up a bible for several minutes and took pictures with staff" while near the church.

https://sputniknews.com/us/202006011079492190-trump-leaves-white-house-on-foot-as-military-police-clash-with-protesters-in-nearby-park/

Trump To Deploy "1000s Of Heavily-Armed Soldiers" If States, Cities Fail To Act

Update (19000ET): President Trump announced from the White House Rose Garden Monday evening that he planned to mobilize "all available federal resources, civilian and military" to put an end to violent protests across the country, while blaming the outbursts on "professional anarchists, looters, criminals, antifa" whom he described as "domestic terrorists" bringing widespread harm to the nation.

As expected following remarks from Press Sec McEnany earlier, President Trump insisted during a brief speech that he would send in military personnel to quell violence and looting if governors failed to act. He also insisted that his administration was committed to justice for Floyd and his family, and that Trump's administration is "an ally" of peaceful protesters.

"I am dispatching thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers,” Trump said Monday at the White House, clearly seeking to reassure terrified business owners and members of the community in areas hard-hit by the coronavirus and the riots that he would uphold his duty to maintain order.

Trump insisted his heavy handed response had nothing to do with suppressing the right to peacefully protest.

"We cannot allow an 'angry mob" drown out peaceful protesters," Trump said, describing the looting and attacks on journalists and bystanders as "acts of domestic terrorism".

In an implicit reference to New York, Trump said he would send in federal troops if cities failed to deal with any violent uprisings. "If cities refuse…I will deploy the united states military and quickly solve the problem for them," Trump said.

"We are ending the riots and lawlessness, that has spread throughout our country. We will end it now," Trump said.

He finished his remarks just before a 7pmET curfew took effect in the capital city.

According to the FT, insiders said Trump aides had debated whether the president should address the nation. Some argued that he needed to try to bring the country together, while others said he would achieve little and would end up looking weak if the violence continued - meaning that Trump likely means what he says. After all, in his mind, his reelection prospects might depend on how "tough" he looks this week.

More

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/6-killed-thousands-arrested-26-states-called-national-guard-quell-3rd-night-chaos

Taiwan Eyeing US-Made Anti-Ship Missiles for Coastal Defense, Despite Beijing’s Disapproval

As tensions between Washington and Beijing persist, Taipei is maintaining its autonomy and has expressed interest in securing a deal for new Harpoon anti-ship missiles from US-based defense contractor Boeing.

The National Defense Ministry of the Republic of China revealed on May 28 that the democratically-ruled island intends to proceed in procuring Harpoon missiles from the United States, despite recent warnings from China and the already contentious relations between Washington and Beijing.

Deputy Defense Minister Chang Che Ping confirmed the future US-Taiwan arms deal while answering questions in parliament on Thursday, according to Reuters. He highlighted that the Harpoon missiles would be the island’s coastal defense cruise missile.

This came eight days after the White House briefed Congress on a possible $180 million deal for “up to 18 MK-48 Mod6 Advanced Technology Heavy Weight Torpedoes” and “related equipment.”

Neither deal has been finalized as of this article’s publication, but Chang claimed the current timeline estimate would result in a 2023 delivery of the anti-ship missiles from Boeing.

https://sputniknews.com/asia/202006011079492027-taiwan-eyeing-us-made-anti-ship-missiles-for-coastal-defense-despite-beijings-disapproval-/