Press Releases

Today, Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Chairman of the House Government Operations subcommittee, sent a letter to James Murray, Director of the United States Secret Service, demanding answers following last night’s unwarranted attack on peaceful demonstrators outside the White House.

“I write to request documents and information regarding disturbing reports that the United States Secret Service was involved in, and may have directed, the use of tear gas and rubber bullets against peaceful protesters outside of the White House for the purposes of facilitating a photo opportunity for President Donald Trump,” said Connolly.

“While the Secret Service is tasked with protecting the President of the United States, it is not a tool of fascism, and the conduct and operations of the Secret Service cannot be allowed to infringe upon the constitutional rights of the American people for the purposes of serving the President’s personal vanity,” Connolly added.

Connolly requested:

·         All documents or communications regarding the President’s trip to St. John’s Church on June 1, 2020.

·         All documents or communications regarding personnel who have objected to the targeting of peaceful protestors.

·         All documents related to the policies of the Secret Service governing the treatment of peaceful protesters.

·         All documents related to the policies of the Secret Service regarding orders given by the President of the United States that require the Secret Service to violate the constitutional rights of Americans.

The full letter follows and is available here.

June 2, 2020

James M. Murray

Director

United States Secret Service

950 H Street, N.W., Suite 7800

Washington, D.C. 20223

Dear Director Murray,

I write to request documents and information regarding disturbing reports that the United States Secret Service was involved in, and may have directed, the use of tear gas and rubber bullets against peaceful protesters outside of the White House for the purposes of facilitating a photo opportunity for President Donald Trump.

On the evening of June 1, 2020, protesters were gathered around Lafayette Square north of the White House exercising their constitutional right to peaceably assemble. According to reports, “The protesters were removed from the Lafayette Square area across from the White House, apparently to clear the way for the president to walk to St. John's Church, where he posed briefly for photographers, holding a Bible.”[1]

While the Secret Service is tasked with protecting the President of the United States, it is not a tool of fascism, and the conduct and operations of the Secret Service cannot be allowed to infringe upon the constitutional rights of the American people for the purposes of serving the President’s personal vanity.

It is my hope that the men and women of the Secret Service remain safe and are never put in the untenable position of needlessly targeting their fellow citizens with violence.

To better understand the role of the Secret Service in the events of June 1, 2020, please provide the following documents by June 15, 2020:

1. All documents or communications regarding the President’s trip to St. John’s Church on June 1, 2020.
2. All documents or communications regarding personnel who have objected to the targeting of peaceful protestors.
3. All documents related to the policies of the Secret Service governing the treatment of peaceful protesters.
4. All documents related to the policies of the Secret Service regarding orders given by the President of the United States that require the Secret Service to violate the constitutional rights of Americans.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this important request.