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Pentagon disarms guardsmen in D.C., in signal of de-escalation
The Telegraph ^ | June 5, 2020 | Paul Sonne, Fenit Nirappil and Josh Dawsey

Posted on 06/05/2020 12:33:13 PM PDT by Scarpetta

WASHINGTON - 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 to not use firearms or ammunition, a sign of de-escalation in the federal response to protests in the city after the killing of George Floyd, according to officials familiar with the decision.

The Department of Defense, led by Defense Secretary Mark Esper, appears to have made the decision without consulting the White House, where President Trump has ordered a militarized show of force on the streets of Washington D.C. since demonstrations in the city were punctured by an episode of looting on Sunday. Trump specifically had encouraged the National Guard to be armed.

Initially, a small group of the guardsmen deployed in the city had been carrying guns while standing outside monuments, but the bulk of the forces, such as those working with federal park police at Lafayette Square in front of the White House, didn't carry firearms out of caution. Now, all of the roughly 5,000 guardsmen who have been deployed or are deploying to Washington, D.C., have been told not to use weaponry or ammunition, according to four officials familiar with the order.

"The whole purpose behind that was a purposeful show of de-escalation," said one U.S. defense official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss an order that hasn't been made public yet. "We're here, but we're walking things down."

The White House has not been involved in the decision, a senior administration official said. Trump has encouraged the National Guard to be armed, and wanted them to be as a show of force.

(Excerpt) Read more at thetelegraph.com ...


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
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To: Scarpetta

So the media thinks


21 posted on 06/05/2020 12:38:52 PM PDT by silverleaf (Great Things Never Come from Comfort Zones)
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To: thesharkboy

I want these weasels to die penniless and alone.


22 posted on 06/05/2020 12:39:04 PM PDT by Scarpetta (I)
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To: Scarpetta

I need more info on that. Not sure if I believe Trump wasn’t in on the call.

As I understand it, Trump and Barr have mobilized the SWAT teams from a host of DOJ and other federal agencies to pick up the slack.


23 posted on 06/05/2020 12:39:08 PM PDT by Nothingburger
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To: Scarpetta

Fire his behind right now.


24 posted on 06/05/2020 12:39:43 PM PDT by ealgeone
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To: spacejunkie2001

Havent even seen Pence, have we?


25 posted on 06/05/2020 12:39:56 PM PDT by silverleaf (Great Things Never Come from Comfort Zones)
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To: spacejunkie2001

Agreed. Kushner cannot be part of Trump’s second term.


26 posted on 06/05/2020 12:40:22 PM PDT by Scarpetta (I)
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To: Nothingburger

I need more info on that. Not sure if I believe Trump wasn’t in on the call.


This is a leak from the Pentagon designed to undermine and weaken POTUS during a National Emergency. The info would be coming directly from the WH if that is what Trump wanted.


27 posted on 06/05/2020 12:40:41 PM PDT by lodi90
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To: Tai_Chung

BINGO!!

Ironic that it links to, “The TELEGRAPH.”
They’ve TELEGRAPHED their strategy to the enemy.


28 posted on 06/05/2020 12:41:11 PM PDT by RandallFlagg (Fact: Gun control laws kill innocents.)
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To: lodi90

Dear Lord, place a protective cloak around Donald J. Trump and grant him wisdom and resolve. Amen.


29 posted on 06/05/2020 12:41:34 PM PDT by Scarpetta (I)
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To: BipolarBob

“So they’re with no protection if Antifa fires on them? They didn’t even bring a knife to a gunfight?”

There is going to be quite a lot of video being taken this weekend. Hopefully we can pick out the Antifa leaders who will be leading the riot and cull them from the herd.


30 posted on 06/05/2020 12:41:42 PM PDT by EQAndyBuzz (Cloward-Piven is finally upon us.)
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To: Scarpetta

“YEEEEEEEEEAAAA” shout the rioters “Theres gonna be a hot time in the big town tonight !!!”


31 posted on 06/05/2020 12:41:50 PM PDT by Tennessee Nana
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To: Tai_Chung

If true, the order should never have been made public. This is inviting someone to attack the National Guard.


Apparently, Lap Dog Mattis left some partisan traitors in the Pentagon.


32 posted on 06/05/2020 12:42:00 PM PDT by lodi90
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To: Hulka

Exactly. Acting like one of the participants in the coup. Were I Trump, he would be escorted to the jail as the former Secretary of Defense and charged with treason.


33 posted on 06/05/2020 12:42:49 PM PDT by RatRipper ( Democrats and socialists are vile liars, thieves and murderers - enemies of good and America.)
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To: RandallFlagg

Storied linked from the Telegraph but written by the WaPo.


34 posted on 06/05/2020 12:43:03 PM PDT by Scarpetta (I)
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To: pnz1
“The whole purpose behind that was a purposeful show of de-escalation,” said one U.S. defense official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss an order that hasn’t been made public yet. “We’re here, but we’re walking things down.”

Surrendering, you mean. Just issue them kneepads with order to kneel and get it over with.

35 posted on 06/05/2020 12:43:39 PM PDT by pepsi_junkie (Often wrong, but never in doubt!)
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To: Scarpetta

This better not lead to another Lion of Lucerne style monument.


36 posted on 06/05/2020 12:44:45 PM PDT by Bayard
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To: Scarpetta
It's getting to look like a full blown mutiny in the DoD.

Besides that, who would send troops into a hellhole unarmed and incapable of defending themselves.

37 posted on 06/05/2020 12:45:02 PM PDT by pfflier
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To: Scarpetta
Defense Secretary Mark Esper, appears to have made the decision without consulting the White House,

Well Bye.

38 posted on 06/05/2020 12:45:03 PM PDT by McGruff
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To: mylife
Dewine has always been a sniveling douchebag. Ohio is a deep-state controlled pivotal state. Last time we got the choice of voting for Dbag Dewine the communist Strickland.
39 posted on 06/05/2020 12:45:03 PM PDT by suijuris (Once a man learns to see he finds himself alone in the world with nothing but folly.)
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To: mylife

Not to mention former gang members...

We can all play that game. Translated for the thinking
impaired, racists of another flavor.

If they are serving the nation, I respect them.


40 posted on 06/05/2020 12:45:06 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (Some of the folks around these parts have been sniffing super flu.)
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