Defense Secretary Says He Believed He Planned to Review Damage in Lafayette Park

Defense Secretary Mark Esper addresses criticism about his joining President Trump and other senior administration officials for a photo-op outside Saint John's Episcopal Church in Lafayette Square on Monday night. The secretary says he believed he was going to "review damage" in the park and at the church, but didn't know what the plans were once he got there. He also says he was planning to meet National Guard members on patrol there and around the city. The secretary also disputes reports that rubber bullets and tear gas were used by the National Guard that evening. And he defends General Milley's presence on the scene in "field uniform," saying it was the appropriate when meeting troops in the streets. Secretary Esper also says that he has asked for an investigation into why a National Guard helicopter was used over the streets of Washington, D.C. to disperse protesters. close