Dem Calls for Investigation into Barr Over Reports He Ordered Protesters Pushed Back

A Democratic congressman is calling for a special prosecutor to investigate Attorney General Bill Barr after reports that Barr ordered peaceful protesters gathered near the White House to be dispersed with tear gas.

Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) posted his letter to Barr on Twitter, saying, “Today, I’m calling for the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate the Attorney General for ordering Monday night’s attack on peaceful protesters outside the White House.”

In his letter to Barr, Cicilline references the police action on protesters near the White House, “Two nights ago, I watched as police officers used flashbangs, tear gas, and rubber munitions against a peaceful protest across the street from the White House. Hundreds of law-abiding American citizens had gathered to protest the murder of George Floyd, an unarmed African American who died last week in Minneapolis under the knee of a police officer.”

He continued, “I could not understand why such aggressive tactics were being used – a whole 30 minutes before the District of Columbia’s curfew was set to go into effect.” He went on to mention the president’s photo-op trip to a church across the street.

Cicilline added, “The use of these measures for such a contemptuous purpose would be reason for condemnation on its own. However, the Washington Post reported yesterday that you yourself were responsible for this reprehensible display.”

The decision to clear Lafayette Park near the White House just before Trump’s trip across the street has been criticized even by some Republicans.

Among those critics was Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) who said, “If your question is, should you use tear gas to clear a path so the president can go have a photo-op, the answer is no.”

Barr was seen in Lafayette Park, surveying protesters just before police used some sort of gas to disperse protesters.