#AG William Barr defends use of force against DC protesters

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AG William Barr testifies before the House Judiciary Committee today.
Chip Somodevilla/Pool via AP

Attorney General William Barr defended his decision to use force to disperse protesters in Lafayette Park in Washington, DC, ahead of a President Trump photo op nearby on June 1, telling lawmakers there was “unprecedented” and “very violent” rioting just outside the White House.

Barr has faced intense scrutiny over the decision to fire chemical irritants into the crowd, but on Tuesday quickly refuted cries from liberals that demonstrators were peaceful.

“St. John’s Church was set on fire; bricks were thrown at the police repeatedly, they took crowbars and pried up the pavers at Lafayette Park and threw those at the police; balloons of caustic liquid were thrown,” he said, adding that some 90 officers were injured.