Good afternoon, everybody. Thank you for joining us at this remote press conference. Constitution avenue entrance to this building is a latin inscription that translates, everything is created by law and order. That ancient principal still holds true. Our free Society Depends on the rule of law, the assurance ordinary citizens can go about their lives without being subject to arbitrary violence or fear. When the rule of law breaks down, the promise of america does also. Our nation is confronting two serious challenges to the rule of law. The first is a longstanding one that was recently crystallized and driven home by the killing of george floyd in minneapolis. The video of the Police Conduct in this episode, as i said before, is harrowing. When you watch it, and imagine that one of your own loved ones was being treated this way, and begging for their life, it is impossible for any normal human being not to be struck to the heart with horror. This matter is being pursued both the state and the federal government. The state has filed already seconddegree murder charges against one of the officers and aiding and abetting charges against the other three officers. As we typically do in cases such as this, the department of justice and the fbi is conducting a parallel and independent investigation into possible violations of federal civil rights laws. The president has directed me to spare no effort. Worke coordinating our with the attorney general of ofnesota and as a matter comedy, the department of justice typically lets the state go forward with its proceedings first. This afternoon, our United States attorney in minnesota and the fbi special agent in charge of our Minneapolis Field Office will attend a Memorial Service for mr. Floyd. Today is a day of mourning. And the day is coming soon, i am confident, when justice will be served. Thege floyds death was not first of its kind and exposes concerns that reach far beyond this particular case. While a vast majority of Police Officers do their job bravely and righteously, it is undeniable that many africanamericans lack the american criminal justice system. This must change. Our constitution mandates equal protections of the laws and nothing less is acceptable. As the nations leading federal Law Enforcement agency, the department of justice will do its part. And lawe Police Chiefs enforcement officials and leaders around the country are committed to ensuring that racism plays no part in Law Enforcement and that everyone receives equal protection of the laws. In october of 2019, the president established the First Commission on Law Enforcement since the 1960s, and i am meeting with him later this this with them later month and ive been talking with Law Enforcement leaders around the country. In the weeks and months ahead, we will be working with Community Leaders to find Constructive Solutions so that mr. Floyds death will not have been in vain. We will work hard to bring good out of bad. Unfortunately, the aftermath of George Floyds death has produced a second challenge to the rule of law. While many have peacefully expressed their anger and grief, others have hijacked protests to violentn lawlessness, rioting, arson, looting of businesses, and public property, assaults on Law Enforcement officers and innocent people, and even the murder of a federal agent. Such senseless acts of anarchy are not exercises of First Amendment rights. They are crimes designed to terrify fellow citizens and intimidate communities. The large preponderance of those who are protesting our peaceful demonstrators who are exercising their First Amendment rights. At some demonstrations, however, there are groups that exploit the opportunity to engage in such crimes as looting. Finally, at some demonstrations, there are extremist agitators who are hijacking the protests to pursue their own separate and violent agenda. We have evidence that antifa and other similar extremist groups as well as actors of a variety of different political persuasions have been involved in instigating and participating in the violent activity. We are also seeing foreign actors playing all sides to exacerbate the violence. The department of justice is working to restore order in the District Of Columbia and around the nation. Here in washington, we are police,with the local the citizen soldiers of the National Guard, and other federal agencies to provide safety and justice. We have deployed all the major Law Enforcement components of the department on this mission, dea,ding the fbi, atf, bureau of prisons, and the u. S. Marshals service u. S. Marshals service. Their leaders are here with me today and we will be talking shortly. I am pleased to say especially over the last two nights, the demonstrations, while large, have been peaceful. The Justice Department is also working closely with our state and local partners to address violent riots around the country. Our federal Law Enforcement efforts are focused on the violent instigators. Fbi,attorneys offices, component field offices and state and local enforcement, we are receiving realtime intelligence and we have deployed resources to quell outbreaks of violence in several places. I urge governors and mayors and other state and local leaders to work closely with the National Guard and with us. The federal government has thus far made 51 arrests for federal crimes in connection with violent rioting. We will continue to investigate, to make arrests, and to prosecute when warranted. Inn i was attorney general 1995 1992, riots broke out in los angeles following the acquittal by the state of Police Officers accused of beating rodney king. Ultimately, the department of justice at my direction filed federal civil rights charges against those officers. As president bush assured the then at that time, quote, violence will and, justice will be served, hope will return. The same is true today. The rule of law will prevail. I would like to traduce my colleague, chris wray, the director of introduce my colleague, chris wray, the director of the fbi. The fbi that i know and love that it really stood up here and performed magnificently, not only here in d. C. But around the country and in all their field offices. Functions, thent enforcement functions, intelligence functions are in full gear and with the fbis leadership, we are going to deal effectively with criminals involved in extremist violence. Chris. Thank you, general, for your leadership. Good morning, this is an incredibly challenging time for our country and for all the citizens we serve. I want to begin by expressing my deepest sympathies for george floyd and his family. Like most of you, i was appalled and profoundly troubled by the video images of the incident that ended with mr. Floyds tragic death. Within hours of his death on may 25, the fbi had opened a criminal investigation to determine whether the actions by the former Minneapolis PoliceDepartment Officers involved violated federal law. We are moving quickly in that investigation and we will follow the facts wherever they may lead in our pursuit of justice. Mr. Floyds family, like a lot of families who have lost loved ones in recent weeks, are suffering right now and trying to find a way forward. In fact, our entire country is trying to find a way forward. That is because this is not just about george floyd. This is about all of those over the years who have been unjustifiably killed or had their rights violated by people entrusted with their protection. When Law Enforcement fails to fulfill its most basic duty to protect and serve its citizens, particularly members of minority community, it not only tarnishes the badge we all wear but erodes the trust that so many of us in Law Enforcement have worked so hard to build. When people feel that we have not lived up to the trust they place in us, it is understandable they want to speak out and protest. The fbi holds sacred the rights of individuals to peacefully exercise their First Amendment freedoms. Nonviolent protests are signs of a healthy democracy, not an ailing one. The fbis mission is to protect the American People and uphold the constitution. That mission is dual and simultaneous. It is not contradictory. In engaging with our communities during these protests, we in Law Enforcement must balance the safety and security of our communities with our citizens rights. Tutional violence,days, the destruction of property, threats to life that we have seen in some parts of the country jeopardizes the rights and safety of all citizens, including peaceful demonstrators. And it has to stop. We are seeing people who are exploiting the situation to pursue violent extremist agendas. Oute individuals have set peoplediscord and a rather than pursue the righteous pursuit of righteous pursuit of justice. Our community and religious leaders, elected officials, Law Enforcement, and citizens alike. Many have suffered from the violence instigated to these radicals and extremists, including members of our own Law Enforcement family. Officers killed or gravely injured while just doing their jobs, fulfilling their duty to the public by trying to keep everyone safe. To be clear, we are not in any way trying to discourage peaceful protesters. To those citizens who are out there making your voices heard, through peaceful lawful protests, let me say this we in Law Enforcement here you. Hear your. Also committed to identifying, investigating, and stopping individuals who are inciting violence and engaging in criminal activity. At the fbi, we are focusing our efforts on supporting Law Enforcement partners maintaining Public Safety in the communities we are all sworn to protect. We are making sure we are tightly latched up with our state and local Law Enforcement partners across the country by standing up setting up 24 hour command posts. We have directed our 200 joint Terrorism Task forces to assist Law Enforcement with opera handing and charging violent agitators who are hijacking peaceful protests. On a national level, we are soliciting tips, leads, and Video Evidence of criminal activity through our National Threat operations center. Over the past few days, ive been speaking with Law Enforcement leaders in various parts of the country to ensure that we are providing the support they need to let them know that in every community, the fbi stands ready to assist wherever we can. The relationships we have built with our Law Enforcement and Community Partners are more important now than ever. The reality is, we cannot do our jobs without the trust of the American People. I want to close by reiterating the fbi will remain steadfast in its mission to protect the American People and uphold the constitution. Protecting Civil Liberties and civil rights has been part of our mission since the days of the civil rights movement. Those investigations are at the heart of what we do for the simple reason that Civil Liberties and civil rights are at the very heart of who we are as americans. Act ofthe civil rights 1964, the federal government largely led protection of civil rights twostate civil rights to state governments. Since then, we have been working hard to identify and prevent hate crimes and investigate abuses of power and authority. Our civil rights cases are among the most important work we do and that will never change. I haverepeat today what long believed about the men and women of Law Enforcement. It takes an incredibly special person to willingly put his or her life on the line for a complete stranger. To get up day after day after day and do that and it is extraordinary. In these turbulent times, we wont forget the bravery of our Law Enforcement members who have risked life and safety to protect the public and keep the peace. But the difficulty of that job does not diminish the role we play in society, which is to protect and serve all citizens no matter their race, creed, orientation, or station in life. When we lose sight of those solemn obligations to the citizens we serve, the protectors can quickly become the oppressors, particularly for communities of color. We are bound by a note to serve all members by an oath to serve all members of our community with compassion, dignity, and respect. The American People should expect nothing less from us. Thank you. Good morning. I am donald washington, director of the United States marshals service. Thank you, attorney general. Let me begin by noting that today marks the first of three days in which the family, friends, and loved ones will host memorials to honor the life of george floyd in minnesota, north carolina, and texas. On behalf of the men and women of the u. S. Marshals service, i extend my deepest sympathy and my heartfelt condolences to the family of george floyd. Peacefulted as protests in minnesota after the death of mr. Floyd has morphed into a national emergency, resulting in many injuries to many people, thousands of arrests, along with arson, theft, and vandalism to property in many cities. As of last night, u. S. Marshals report damage and vandalism to 21 federal courthouses located in 15 states and the District Of Columbia. There has been damage and vandalism. The u. S. Marshals service is assisting other agencies and efforts to address violent disturbances that have occurred in the District Of Columbia and in other cities around the United States. Peaceful protests are good for our country. This right should be respected by all persons in this right absolutely deserves the full protection of officers of the law. Theg our basic functions is absolute duty to protect people who are exercising Constitutional Rights. However, rioters, arsonists, thieves, looters, and their protagonists are criminals. They have undermined peaceful and lawful demonstrations and protests. These criminals threaten our basic Constitutional Rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and they must be brought to justice. Since the earliest days just after our nations birth, u. S. Marshals have worked to ensure the rule of law by making sure that the federal today sherry federal judiciary process operate unfettered. We have worked tirelessly over the years to bring thousands and thousands of fugitives to justice and today, one of our primary missions is to find and protect endangered children. In the last week, u. S. Marshals have coordinated with u. S. Attorneys and state and local partners to protect protesters and to address the criminal acts of others. Deputy u. S. Marshals are conducting criminal investigations required by the criminal act of persons instigating and causing violence against persons and property. Working with our local Law Enforcement partners, we are also securing federal properties threatened by criminal acts and protecting persons from the violent acts of others. I believe strongly that this special mission is important to our democracy. We will protect those who are engaged in lawful protests but we will arrest those who commit felonies in our presence. We are working Violent Crime warrants and investigating gang activities that incite riots or terrorism. We are assisting in partnering with federalist, state, and local authorities consistent with our broad federal jurisdiction. To our local governments and private sector leaders, we know we are stronger, much stronger, when we were together. We will achieve our collective goals of protecting lawful protesters and lawful protests while also enforcing the law. I do not pretend even for a moment to speak for the other leaders here but i am certain that we are we all want local leaders to have the confidence and the conviction to request and utilize all available resources to fight violence and to protect our communities. The u. S. Marshals service is your partner, too. In summary, the u. S. Marshals service will continue to perform our many daytoday missions and we will also assist our federal, state, and local partners during this emergency. We will work urgently to keep citizens and Law Enforcement safe. I think are concerned i think are concerned citizens for their patience and continuing good afternoon prayed my name is regina lombardo, the acting director of atf parted for many special agents, one of the proudest moments is when you raise your right hand to take the oath of office to support and defend the United States constitution. We take that oath seriously. Moment, we dont know exactly what will be faced with. What challenges we will have to overcome in order to uphold the oath we took. Today, we express our warmest sympathies to the family of george floyd and acknowledge the pain and suffering of his family. We also have sympathy for those who are suffering across the country. Ourrtunately, constitutionally protected right to peacefully assemble has resulted in criminal acts. Violence you like responding to shootings, burglaries, arsons, bombings, especially destructive devices such as a molotov cocktail. At the request of the attorney general, atf has provided every available resource. We have deployed a large number of special agents, our special Response Team here in our nations capital. We have supported the washington much apology Police Department, the United States secret service, and the United States park police to protect the public, property, and the National Landmarks that belong to each and everyone of you. Teams areal response here in washington dc in order to quickly respond to the emerging arson incidents. We are working with the d. C. Fire to investigate the seven incendiary fires in the d. C. Erik caused by criminals, including the arson at st. Thes church, the aflcio, National Park service building, and the d. C. Fire district four Police Department. The individual we believe was responsible for that fire at the district has been arrested and charged. Investigatorsfire , chemists, and engineers and specialists are working around the clock to support the ongoing safety of operations. Across the country, atf special agents, industry operation special investigators from all divisions are responding to shootings, arsons, bombings, and theft of federal firearms license dealers. We are providing investigative support and assistance to all of our local and state partners. Numerousesponded to shooting scenes at the disturbances of cities and is actively working with Law Enforcement and we are entering those shell casings into our National Integrated ballistic information network. Our National Tracing Center is running tracing on the firearms and we are collecting dna from shell casings and ballistic evidence. And Intelligence Centers are collecting valuable intelligence and sharing all of that information in a joint environment. Att a atf representatives are working with the fbi in multiple cities as well as our department of justice partners, the u. S. Marshals service, the dea, and the bureau of prisons. Allstate and local federal Law Enforcement working in partnership. Our special agents and certified fire investigators are tracking and assisting in 847 arsons. Over 76 explosive incidents, and providing valuable Technical Expertise and intelligence support. Two of our national Response Teams, the and rt, have been responding to minneapolis and st. Paul, minnesota. We have developed a efficient and effective strategies to triage and quickly assess the scenes even in an unstable environment. To 73s also responded federal firearms licensed dealers. Many suspectsfied and made arrests and recovered many firearms already. Assaultsesponded to and murders of our Law Enforcement partners. Our team of atf professionals at our National Correlation center, laboratories, and tracing center are working day and night to make those arrests. We are on the street making cases and protecting the American Public from violent criminals. You do not have to be in Law Enforcement to know that this is dangerous work. Atf has answered the call. As the attorney general stated, the most basic function of government is to provide security for the people who live their lives and exercise their rights. We will meet that responsibility. This is our mission and we deeply are committed to that mission to protect and serve. Thank you. Good morning. I am the director of the federal bureau of prisons. Ourbureau of prisons staff, Law Enforcement officers who are often called upon to assist during crisis situations within our communities. The attorney general asked the p tob. To assist bo assist in giving peace in the District Of Columbia. We are highly trained to deal with emergency situations including crowd control. They are experienced in confrontational avoidance and conflict resolution. In the aftermath of the tragic death of george floyd, it is unfortunate that the services are necessary. And his, if the bop extend arson for these to the family for the loss. We respect the rights of the public to express their frustration and grief. Sure what make happened during his death will not happen again. It is a shame that the voices of those who speak out or drowned out by those inciting violence. Everyroud of our staff day and i am honored that they were called upon to assist our communities. Thank you. I am the acting administrator of the Drug Enforcement administration and i am honored to represent the brave men and women of the dea and to share with you the important work our special agents have been performing the last few days. First, i would like to join the attorney general and take a moment to express my sincere condolences on behalf of myself and the men and women of the dea to the family and friends of george floyd. As well as to all those who mourn his passing. It was a tragedy for us in Law Enforcement. Is to protection the American People. Everyone of our special agents takes an oath to uphold the constitution and the rule of law. That is exactly what they are doing this week. The case with other significant events, our agents have been authorized to respond as needed to violations of federal law. I am proud of what our agency has done to assist our state and local partners. To ensure that those who wish to peacefully protest may do so in a safety and without fear of violence. While these events have been largely peaceful, agitators continue to attempt to sow chaos. Recovered weapons, we have had rocks thrown at our vehicles, our agents along with other Law Enforcement partners have endured the continued verbal assaults. During that time, our agents have acted professionally and admirably under these difficult conditions. Dea special agents are providing security, conducting threat assessments, sharing that information on potential violations of federal law in realtime. , the dea continues to investigate drug related crimes including the theft of controlled substances from loaded pharmacies which is happening here in the District Of Columbia and around the country. 150 deaately or over special agents have partnered with the metropolitan Police Department at the request and the National Guard to enforce security posts and maintain a secure perimeter and designated areas. The dea has provided over 11 mobile Response Teams who are respond to high risk situations and other request for assistance including medical services. Success inch of its enforcing our drug laws to the assistance provided by the very federal, state, and local partners that need our help now. Every dea agent on the street helps to free up one of our local Law Enforcement out theirts to carry policing functions and protect the public. The dea is committed to providing that support as long as it is needed, requested, and authorized. Founded uponas basic principles and rights. Chief among them is the right of free speech and the right to assemble peacefully. We are supporting those rights and the peaceful demonstrators by enduring by ensuring their voices can be heard and that those seeking to exploit this situation are held to account. Thank you. With that, i will open it up to questions. Reporter mr. Attorney general, washington, d c has experience in dealing with large events and dealing with protests. Why did you think it was necessary for you to take command of this and where to set Authority Come from . Atty. Gen. Barr i think the onting rioting got going friday, may 29 and got worse and worse over the weekend. It culminated or came to a crescendo over the weekend on sunday evening around the white on the northreet side of Lafayette Park. It was very serious rioting. , treasuryry Annex Department annex was broken into. A Historical Building on Lafayette Park which is federal property was burned down. There was a fire set at the historical st. Johns church across from the white house. A church that goes back to the 18th century and is referred to as the church of president s. Used crowbars to dig pavers atpers Lafayette Park and use them as reject aisles throwing them at secret service and other federal agents. There were numerous head injuries among the federal personnel whose responsibility is to protect the white house. ,ust to give you an indication and saturday until today the lions share of these injuries came over the weekend, there were 114 injuries to Law Enforcement. Most of those to federal agents and most of those inflicted around the white house. ,here were 22 hospitalizations and most of those were serious head injuries or concussions that required monitoring and treatment. On monday, the president asked variousordinate the federal Law Enforcement agencies, not only the multiple department of justice agencies, but also other agencies such as the department of homeland security. We had a coordinated response and worked with the national with the also washington, d. C. Police. Decided that we needed more of a buffer to protect the white house and to protect our agents and secret could beersonnel who reached by project out from h street. I made the decision that we would try to move our perimeter northward by one block to provide this additional protection. Later at 2 00 on monday, i met with the various Law Enforcement agencies and we set our tactical plan and that plan involved moving our perimeter one block street. I it was our hope to do that relatively quickly, before many demonstrators appeared that day. Unfortunately, because of the difficulty in getting appropriate forces and units into place, by the time they were able to move our perimeter i street, a to number of demonstrators were on h street. Projectiles were thrown and the group was becoming increasingly unruly. Operation, they were asked three times if they would move back one block. They refused. To move our printer street. It is true that the metropolitan police have a lot of experience in dealing with demonstrations. We have a lot of this is a federal city. It is the seat of the federal government. Many of the buildings, as you know, and facilities here and the monuments are the responsibility of the federal government. Processes ofgs and the federal government take place here. When you have a largescale civil disturbance that is damaging federal property, threatening federal property, threatening federal Law Enforcement officers threatening the officials for the government and their offices and our great monuments, it is the responsibility of the federal government to render that protection and we do so in close coordination with a metropolitan Police Department. Fortunately, later that evening on monday, after we established a buffer zone, we were able to finish that date without further significant violence from the demonstrators. Then, in the following two days they were peaceful. The assemblies and the protests were peaceful. We are pleased with that. We are working closely with the metropolitan police to plan out the remainder of the week. Next question. Reporter good afternoon, attorney general. A couple of questions for you. Yesterday, the department charged three members of the group or associated with the group but the loop, farright extremists. Your remarksnt in and thoughts to point out all of the different groups that are involved in this type of violent activity . Yousecond question is, do have any concerns that Law Enforcement could have been more surgical and how they operated on monday . Many of the people who were moved forcefully were peaceful protesters. I think itsrr important to point out the witches brew that we have of extremist individuals and groups that are involved. That is why in my prepared statement, i specifically said in addition to antifa and other groups like them, there were a and a varietyups of ideological persuasions. I did make that point. I am not going to get too specific. The intelligence being collected by our u. S. Attorneys office particularly integrated by the fbi from multiple different sources is building up. There are specific cases against are antifa, some related. Some of the extremist are involved in egging on violence and participating in violence, providing the means of violence. We are pursuing those cases. At the same time, there is a lot of disinformation out there. People posing as members of different groups. You sometimes have to dig deeper to determine what exactly is going on. Groups that dont have a particular ideology other than anarchy. There are some groups that want to bring about a civil war. One group has been on the margin of this as well trying to exacerbate the violence. We are dealing with a witches of organizations. Maybe chris would have something to add to that. As i have said for quite some time, including my , the fbi hasths had a number of ongoing investigations of violent anarchist extremists including those motivated by antifa ideology. Where actively pursuing them through our joint Terrorism Task forces. With regard to the current unrest, while the majority of the protesters are peaceful, there are certainly instigators, agitators, and opportunist seeking to exploit these demonstrations to commit violence or writing. Rioting. Who they are, what tactics they use varies widely from city to city and night tonight. We are working with all of our Law Enforcement partners together as much information as we can about that topic and to bring federal charges where appropriate. Are about the violence, not the ideology. It doesnt matter what your ideology is. If you commit violence or rioting or ask that we would consider terrorism, we are going to pursue it. The second part of your question, one of the difficulties is that while there are peaceful demonstrators and participants in these protests, the instigators, those committed to violence basically shield themselves by going among them and carrying out acts of violence. I saw the projectiles on monday when i went to Lafayette Park to look at the situation. As one of the officials said, he pointed out various groups of people where the projectiles were coming from and there was a lot of demonstrators. To know exactly where they are coming from. Frequently, these things are thrown from the rear of the demonstration. We could not continue to protect federal property involved and protect the safety of our agents with such a tight perimeter. So our object was to move it out by one block. Next question please. Reporter hello. Yesterday, your colleague at the department of defense, secretary esper, expressed regret in the way things were handled at Lafayette Park, lafayette square, posing in a richer with president trump. He wants to stay posing in a picture with president. He wants to stay out of things. You saw this during the rodney king riots. What do you think about politics . Do you think you are being too political by standing with the president in front of the church . What do you think about what secretary esper said . Atty. Gen. Barr i dont know what he was conveying their. I am interested in carrying out the Law Enforcement functions of the federal government and to protect federal facilities and federal addressl and also to interferingthat was with the governments function. That was what we were doing. Is the the president head of the executive branch and the chief executive of the nation and should be able to walk outside the white house and walk across the street to the church of president s. I dont necessarily view that as a political act. I think it was entirely appropriate for him to do. I did not know that he was going to do that until later in the day after our plans were well underway to move the perimeter. Betweens no correlation our tactical plan of moving the perimeter out by one block and the president going over to the church. The president asked members of his cabinet to go over there with him. I think it was appropriate for us to go over with him. Question. Can you expand on your ments before and after working to exploit [indiscernible] identified which countries are identified responsible for that . May i ask if he cares to provide more detail . Im not sure how much we want to get into. People might think that countries that are hostile to the United States, that there efforts to influence or weaken the u. S. Or so discord in the u. S. Comes and goes with the election cycle. It is constant. Trying toonstantly sow discord among our people. There is a lot of disinformation that circulates that way. Evidence that we have that some of the foreign hackers and groups that are associated with foreign governments are focusing in on this particular situation we have here and trying to exacerbate it in every way they can. Unless chris has something to add. Dir. Wray not a whole lot i can say here other than to say that it is unfortunately not unusual for foreign actors to choose to try to amplify events and this country to sow divisiveness and discord. Particularly through the use of state associated media from some of those countries. Also, social media provides an amplifier to gin up more controversy where controversy may exist. And to try to generate a people in that regard. Those foreign actors should know that we are watching it extremely closely and are prepared to act if necessary. . What is your question reporter can you address some bop,rns about the specifically that some around washington d c were told not to tell people they work for the federal government. Lets not, we learned that an inmate had died after officers used pepper spray on him after he barricaded himself. Do you hold concern there that force resulted in someones death . Thank you for the question. Let me clarify this. I am not aware of any specific bureau of prisons personnel being told not to identify themselves. What i attribute that to is the fact that we normally operate within the confines of our institution and we dont need to identify ourselves. Most of our identification is institution specific and probably would not mean a whole lot to people and washington, d. C. I probably should have done a better job of marking them as the agency. The point is well taken. I assure you that no one was told to my knowledge not to identify themselves. About the facility in brooklyn, we did a press release with the information. It was an incident involving a destructive individual in his cell. The officers did utilize pepper spray. Afterward, the individual died unfortunately. Wet i will tell you is that immediately referred the case to the fbi and the office of the Inspector General. I was notified this morning that the office of the Inspector General is going to take the case. That is about all i can, and, because the matter is under investigation. That the bureau of are usedeams frequently for Emergency Response and emergency for either a civil disturbances or hurricanes or things like that. They are highly trained units. In the department of justice, we ofnot have large numbers units that are trained to deal with civil disturbances. I know a lot of people may be looking back on history thinking we can call on hundreds of u. S. Marshals and that is simply not the case. Our marshals Response Force is approximately 100 u. S. Marshals. Historically, when there have been emergencies were we have to respond with people who do have experience in these types of emergencies, they are highly trained people, we used Response Teams from the bureau of prisons. In the federal system, we dont wear badges with their names and stuff like that which many nonfederal Police Agencies do. I could understand why some of these individuals simply would not want to talk to people about who they are. If that in fact was the case. I will take the next question. Can you hear me . I am hoping you can understand how we coordinate the National Guard to plummet and movement in and around washington with those of various federal Law Enforcement agencies. Is it you who communicates the orders to them . How does that work . Atty. Gen. Barr it largely pence you they are supporting at that time. On who they are supporting. Supporting there metropolitan Police Department. They were beyond the white house permit desperate better working with the expos implicit apartment. They would be tactically attached their. We asked the National Guard to protect federal a lot ofmonuments so the units were dispersed around the city to protect federal monuments or particular federal facilities. That were within the white house area and were part of protecting the white house and Lafayette Park area were under the direction of the Tactical Commanders in that area. In terms of requesting the resources and asking for their assistance, that was ultimately my responsibility of ensuring that the National Guard that we needed to support Law Enforcement and the district were brought to bear. Next question. Reporter thank you so much for doing this press conference. I have two questions. I would like to ask you about your thoughts on police abuse of power. Last year, you said that such abuse reflected bad apples more than systemic breakdowns. Today, you said George Floyds death is not the first of its thatwhile it is undeniable many africanamericans lack confidence in the justice system. Ift is your thinking about were looking at a systemic issue are not shifted over time . Have gen. Barr my views not shifted and what you quoted is consistent. You are addressing the use of excess force . Is that correct . Reporter yes. Atty. Gen. Barr i do think that those who engage in excessive remembert involves, federal civil rights laws address willful use of excessive force. Those that engage in that kind of activity i think are a distinct minority. I think the overwhelming minority majority of police toicers try conscientiously use appropriate and reasonable force. My second question was, it seems that we are ratcheting up in the district the tools and the power of the federal response, giving the dea and the lp power to make arrests. Giving the bop the power to make arrests. There is no curfew tonight because there is confidence that we have returned to order. Atty. Gen. Barr after assessing the situation last night toward the end of the evening or early in the morning, i felt that we could afford to collapse our and eliminate collapse our perimeter and eliminate and take a more lowprofile footprint for a couple of reasons. Seen a sharpe have reduction in violent episodes and peaceful demonstrations. Our hope and expectation is that this will continue. Hand because we have on sufficient resources to deal if theat contingency violence increases. Think that over the weekend and the beginning of this week, we had a phenomenon around the country with a number of cities getting extremely violent. A lot of officers have been hurt around the country. A lot of victims, a lot of property damage. As i said, on sunday it was the peak of violence in washington, d. C. On monday, we were still facing very large and instructions that were belligerent and throwing projectiles although the evening ultimately ended more peaceably. As i told the governors on monday, it is very important to use sufficient forces of Law Enforcement to establish law and order in a city when you have rights running. If you use insufficient resources, it is dangerous for everybody. It is dangerous for the officers. It is dangerous for the protesters. It is dangerous for the population, because things can get out of control and you lose control of events. Thats what rights are. Thats what riots are. It is important to make sure the resources are there and understand the resources are there to deal with the kind of violence. Once that occurred, it provided an environment where things could quiet down and they did quiet down and hopefully they will stay quiet down. I think that was it. I appreciate everyones attendance. Again, i want to appreciate the hard work done by all of the men and women in the department of justice and the Justice Department components and their leaders. Thank you. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] unfilteredas coverage of congress, the white house, the supreme court, and the policy events. You can watch all of these bands Public Affairs programming on television, online, or listen on the free radio app and be part of the National Condom conversation through the washington journal programs or through our social media feeds. Cspan. Created as a Public Service and brought to you today by your television provider. This afternoon, a Memorial Service will be held for george floyd who died last week while in Police Custody in minneapolis. We will have live coverage of the service held at North Central university in minneapolis beginning at 2 00 p. M. Eastern here on cspan. Sunday night on q a, peggy oflace kennedy, daughter George Wallace talks about her fathers controversial career and what inspired her to write her recent book. Back in 1996, we took our young son who was nine at the time to the Martin Luther king Museum Historical site in atlanta. We went to his church and to his grave and over to the museum. It was being newly constructed at that time. We were going to the exhibits and we came to the alabama exhibit. It showed the bridge, the bombed out 16 straight baptist church, fire hoses and dogs in birmingham and George Wallace standing. Said,ked up at me and he he was so sad, why did he do those things to other people . Heart. E my me why henever told did those things to other people. But i know he was wrong. Maybe it will have to be up to you and me to help make things right. Watched sunday night at 8 p. M. Eastern on q a. Virginia forhmond, a briefing with Governor Ralph Northam from earlier today. The governor spoke about the death of george floyd. Good morning, everyone. Ladies and