The Pentagon’s top two leaders are set to face pointed questions from lawmakers today in their first public testimony about the use of the military to respond to protests and other recent controversies involving the American military.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Mark Milley will speak before the House Armed Services Committee as part of a hearing on the use of the military in law enforcement.
The two Pentagon leaders will likely face questions about President Donald Trump’s administration’s use of National Guard troops to respond to large protests against police brutality and racial discrimination in Washington, D.C., and Trump’s threats to use active-duty soldiers to respond to the protests.
The clearing of protesters at Lafayette Square, near the White House, ahead of Trump’s walk to St. John’s Church drew criticism and apologies from current and former military leaders.
Law enforcement agents used pepper spray and other chemical irritants to clear protesters from the square and street ahead of Trump’s walk to the church. The Army has launched an investigation into possible abuse of National Guard helicopters, which flew low over protesters in Washington, D.C. in what appeared to be attempts to scatter them.
Former Trump Defense Secretary Jim Mattis called the event a “bizarre photo op” in a scathing statement. Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley said it was a “mistake” to participate in the walk to the church.
Esper has said he regretted referring to streets in American cities as “battle space” that must be dominated.
Since the clash in Washington, Pentagon officials have edged away from positions staked by the White House. Milley, in a commencement address at the National Defense University, advised graduates that everything they do will be closely watched and said, “I am not immune.” The photograph of him in Lafayette Square in combat fatigues “sparked a national debate about the role of the military in civil society.”
“I should not have been there,” Milley said.
On Wednesday, a senior Defense Department official said Esper had signed off this week on the promotion list that included Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the aide to the National Security Council who testified against Trump during his impeachment. Trump had called on the Pentagon to investigate Vindman, but military officials did not launch a probe of him. Vindman announced his retirement Wednesday, citing intimidation from Trump.
MSN
