Pentagon Disarms National Guard In Washington DC

The Washington Post reports:

The Pentagon has told the District of Columbia National Guard and guardsmen from other states who have arrived in the nation’s capital as backup not to use firearms or ammunition, a sign of de-escalation in the federal response to protests in the city after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, according to officials familiar with the decision.

The Defense Department, led by Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper, appears to have made the decision without consulting the White House.

President Trump has ordered a militarized show of force on the streets of Washington since demonstrations in the city were punctured by an episode of looting Sunday. Trump specifically had encouraged the National Guard to be armed.

Read the full article.

BREAKING: The Pentagon has told the District of Columbia National Guard and guardsmen from other states to not use firearms or ammunition, a sign of de-escalation in the federal response https://t.co/1OJeAvvwxL w/ @PaulSonne @jdawsey1

— Fenit Nirappil (@FenitN) June 5, 2020