William Barr Schools CBS on American History, Refutes Fake News on Insurrection Act

June 7, 2020 (EIRNS)—-This morning, on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” Attorney General William Barr was interviewed by Margaret Brennan, who opened with: “A senior administration official told our CBS’s David Martin, that in a meeting at the White House on Monday morning [June 1], the President demanded that 10,000 active-duty troops be ordered into American streets. Is that accurate?” To which Barr responded, “No, that’s completely false ... the President did not demand that.”

Brennan continued to press him on the subject, to which Barr calmly responded, describing what had actually happened: that the 82nd Airborne military police were brought into the area, on standby, but were not deployed. He emphasized that they would only be deployed as a last resort, and that everyone was in agreement on that point.

He also clarified that the media have refused to report the truth—that the demonstrations were not peaceful—there was a riot in Lafayette Park the previous evening and an historical building was set on fire by the rioters. He refuted the claim of “peaceful protesters,” that they had injured 750 officers with bricks and other projectiles

The operation by the Park Police was not against that particular crowd in Lafayette Park, he said, but to move the safety perimeter around the White House one block over. The crowd wasn’t compliant; the police gave three warnings and began to move slowly against them.

Brennan demanded: “What part of that conversation [with Trump, Barr and others], as it’s been relayed to CBS and to other news organizations, is false?” And, again, Barr repeated, as if speaking to a simpleton, “Well, your question to me just a moment ago was did he demand them on the streets, did he demand them in D.C.? No, we had them on standby in case they were needed.”

The interview continued as follows:

Brennan: I think a number of people would be surprised to hear—and it’s been reported—that you opposed sending in active-duty troops on principle. You’re saying you would support it?

Barr: As a last resort.

Brennan: What is the last resort?

Barr: To restore law and order in a situation that is out of control, and where life and property is endangered. And that’s been done since the earliest days of the republic. General Washington, the President who led the army into the field to suppress rebellion and insurrection in Pennsylvania in the very first term of his administration. So it’s been done periodically. When I was Attorney General last time, we did it twice. We did it in the Virgin Islands. The governor opposed us at that point, but there was a complete breakdown of law and order. Lives were in danger, and we sent in 82nd Airborne military police, along with U.S. Marshals and FBI agents, and then subsequently we did it in California. I would also point out, it was done during the civil rights era in places like Selma, Alabama, and other places to integrate schools. The governors stood in the doorway. The governors did not approve the use of federal troops to enforce civil rights in the South.

Brennan: So in this Monday meeting with the President, when the Defense Secretary, who has now publicly said that he opposed using the Insurrection Act, you said what to the President?

Barr: I don’t think the Secretary of Defense said he opposed it. I think he said that it was a last resort and he didn’t think it was necessary. I think we all agree that it’s a last resort, but it’s ultimately the President’s decision. The reporting is completely false on this.