Today, we’re tackling a claim that’s been circulating around the Biden campaign, involving former President Donald Trump and a contentious event in Lafayette Square. The claim is that Trump ordered the tear-gassing of peaceful protesters for a photo-op. However, this has been thoroughly debunked, and the details tell a different story. Let’s dive into the facts.
On June 1, 2020, President Trump walked from the White House to St. John’s Episcopal Church, a move that spurred allegations that peaceful protesters were tear-gassed to clear his path. Fast forward to June 2021, the inspector general of the U.S. Department of Interior released a report exonerating Trump from these claims. The report concluded that the U.S. Park Police (USPP) and the Secret Service did not clear Lafayette Park for Trump’s photo-op but rather to install antiscale fencing after a series of violent protests.
Protests in Lafayette Park began on May 29, 2020, and quickly turned violent. By May 31, numerous USPP officers were injured, and federal property was vandalized. On June 1, as tensions remained high, the USPP and Secret Service decided to clear the park to allow for the installation of secure fencing. The operation commenced at 6:23 p.m., and President Trump walked through the park at 7:01 p.m., well after the park had been cleared.
The inspector general’s report explicitly states, “We did not obtain evidence suggesting that the USPP cleared Lafayette Park so the President could visit St. John’s Church.” Instead, the decision to clear the park was made to ensure the safety of workers setting up the fence.
Despite this, the Biden campaign recently revived the claim, stating on X that “Trump tear-gassed peaceful protesters outside the White House.” This statement contradicts the inspector general’s findings and other evidence that shows no tear gas was used by USPP officers. The Metropolitan Police Department, under Mayor Muriel Bowser, did use tear gas, but this was separate from the actions of the USPP and related agencies.
Four years ago today, Trump tear gassed peaceful protestors outside the White House pic.twitter.com/jryy1st48P
— Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) June 2, 2024
Breitbart News Editor-in-Chief Alex Marlow highlighted how the media misrepresented the law enforcement response in his book Breaking the News: Exposing the Establishment Media’s Hidden Deals and Secret Corruption. Prominent figures such as Elizabeth Warren, Joe Biden, and Hillary Clinton perpetuated the false narrative, claiming Trump used tear gas on peaceful protesters, despite the Park Police’s clarification that they used smoke canisters and pepper balls, not tear gas.
The media frenzy around this event also ignored the violence that occurred during the protests. Reporters, including those from Breitbart News, were assaulted by the crowd, further contradicting the portrayal of the protests as entirely peaceful.
Despite these debunked claims, the narrative persists in political discourse. In recent statements, Biden referenced the tear gas claim again, using it to criticize Trump’s response to protests and to highlight his own position on peaceful assembly.
The truth, as detailed by multiple reports and investigations, shows a more complex situation than the narrative presented by some political figures and media outlets. As always, looking at the full context and facts is crucial when evaluating such claims. Stay informed and critical of the information presented to you, as the real story often lies beneath the surface.
