1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:07,910 --> 00:00:09,743 Well , good morning , everyone . 3 00:00:11,940 --> 00:00:13,940 Over the past couple days , there's 4 00:00:13,940 --> 00:00:15,940 been a fair share of reporting some 5 00:00:15,940 --> 00:00:17,620 good , some bad about what is 6 00:00:17,620 --> 00:00:19,731 transferring transpiring in our great 7 00:00:19,731 --> 00:00:22,310 nation and the role department defense 8 00:00:22,450 --> 00:00:24,740 and its leaders . I want to take a few 9 00:00:24,740 --> 00:00:26,684 minutes to address these issues in 10 00:00:26,684 --> 00:00:28,851 person to make their the fax and offer 11 00:00:28,851 --> 00:00:32,700 my views . First , let me say , up 12 00:00:32,700 --> 00:00:36,300 front the killing of George Floyd by 13 00:00:36,300 --> 00:00:38,710 Minneapolis police men is a horrible 14 00:00:38,720 --> 00:00:41,820 crime . The officers on the scene that 15 00:00:41,820 --> 00:00:43,987 day should be held accountable for his 16 00:00:43,987 --> 00:00:46,410 murder . It is a tragedy that we have 17 00:00:46,410 --> 00:00:50,180 seen repeat itself too many times with 18 00:00:50,190 --> 00:00:53,950 great sympathy . I want to extend the 19 00:00:53,950 --> 00:00:56,570 deepest of condolences the family and 20 00:00:56,570 --> 00:01:00,450 friends of George Floyd from me and the 21 00:01:00,450 --> 00:01:03,990 department . Racism is real in 22 00:01:03,990 --> 00:01:06,380 America , and we must all do our very 23 00:01:06,380 --> 00:01:09,130 best to recognize it , to confront it 24 00:01:09,540 --> 00:01:12,230 and to eradicate it . I've always been 25 00:01:12,230 --> 00:01:14,508 proud to be a member of an institution , 26 00:01:14,508 --> 00:01:16,410 the United States military that 27 00:01:16,410 --> 00:01:20,220 embraces diversity and inclusion and 28 00:01:20,220 --> 00:01:23,230 prohibits hate and discrimination at 29 00:01:23,230 --> 00:01:26,650 all forms . More often than not , we 30 00:01:26,650 --> 00:01:28,930 have lead on these issues , and while 31 00:01:28,930 --> 00:01:31,208 we still have much to do on this front , 32 00:01:31,600 --> 00:01:33,544 leaders across D . O . D . And the 33 00:01:33,544 --> 00:01:35,433 services take this responsibility 34 00:01:35,433 --> 00:01:37,610 seriously , and we are determined to 35 00:01:37,610 --> 00:01:40,760 make a difference . Every member of 36 00:01:40,760 --> 00:01:42,816 this department has sworn an oath to 37 00:01:42,816 --> 00:01:44,927 uphold and defend the Constitution of 38 00:01:44,927 --> 00:01:47,560 the United States of America . I've 39 00:01:47,560 --> 00:01:50,650 taken this oath many times , beginning 40 00:01:50,650 --> 00:01:52,706 at the age of 18 when I entered West 41 00:01:52,706 --> 00:01:55,280 Point . The rights that are embedded in 42 00:01:55,280 --> 00:01:57,224 this great document begin with the 43 00:01:57,224 --> 00:01:59,391 First Amendment , which guarantees the 44 00:01:59,391 --> 00:02:01,650 five freedoms of speech , religion , 45 00:02:02,120 --> 00:02:04,670 press , assembly and the right to 46 00:02:04,670 --> 00:02:07,790 petition the government . The United 47 00:02:07,790 --> 00:02:09,860 States military is sworn to defend 48 00:02:09,860 --> 00:02:12,500 these and all other rights , and we 49 00:02:12,500 --> 00:02:15,170 encourage Americans at all times to 50 00:02:15,180 --> 00:02:18,390 exercise them peacefully . It is these 51 00:02:18,390 --> 00:02:20,530 rights and freedoms that make our 52 00:02:20,530 --> 00:02:23,340 country so special , and it is these 53 00:02:23,340 --> 00:02:25,770 rights and freedoms that American 54 00:02:25,770 --> 00:02:28,080 service members are willing to fight 55 00:02:28,160 --> 00:02:32,120 and die for . At times , however , 56 00:02:32,510 --> 00:02:34,520 United States military is asked in 57 00:02:34,520 --> 00:02:36,131 support of governors and law 58 00:02:36,131 --> 00:02:38,187 enforcement to help maintain law and 59 00:02:38,187 --> 00:02:40,610 order so that other Americans can 60 00:02:40,610 --> 00:02:42,550 exercise their rights free from 61 00:02:42,550 --> 00:02:45,350 violence against themselves or their 62 00:02:45,350 --> 00:02:48,320 property . That is , what thousands of 63 00:02:48,320 --> 00:02:50,730 guardsmen are doing today in cities 64 00:02:50,740 --> 00:02:53,980 across America is not something we seek 65 00:02:53,980 --> 00:02:57,770 to dio but it is our duty , and we do 66 00:02:57,770 --> 00:02:59,381 it with the utmost skill and 67 00:02:59,381 --> 00:03:02,390 professionalism . I was reminded of 68 00:03:02,390 --> 00:03:04,980 that Monday as I visited our National 69 00:03:04,980 --> 00:03:07,440 Guardsmen , who were on duty Monday 70 00:03:07,440 --> 00:03:09,496 night . Protecting are most hallowed 71 00:03:09,496 --> 00:03:11,670 grounds and monuments . I'm very proud 72 00:03:11,670 --> 00:03:13,726 of the men and women of the National 73 00:03:13,726 --> 00:03:15,892 Guard who are out on the streets today 74 00:03:15,892 --> 00:03:18,003 performing this important task and in 75 00:03:18,003 --> 00:03:19,948 many ways at the risk of their own 76 00:03:19,948 --> 00:03:22,560 welfare . I've always believed and 77 00:03:22,560 --> 00:03:24,671 continue to believe that the National 78 00:03:24,671 --> 00:03:26,671 Guard is best suited for performing 79 00:03:26,671 --> 00:03:28,893 domestic support , civil authorities in 80 00:03:28,893 --> 00:03:32,720 these situations in support of local 81 00:03:32,720 --> 00:03:35,460 law enforcement . I say this not only a 82 00:03:35,460 --> 00:03:37,970 secretary defense but also as a former 83 00:03:37,970 --> 00:03:40,320 soldier and a former member of the 84 00:03:40,320 --> 00:03:43,310 National Guard . The option to use 85 00:03:43,310 --> 00:03:45,532 active duty forces in a law enforcement 86 00:03:45,532 --> 00:03:47,754 role should only be used as a matter of 87 00:03:47,754 --> 00:03:49,977 last resort and only in the most urgent 88 00:03:49,977 --> 00:03:53,100 and dire of situations . We are not in 89 00:03:53,100 --> 00:03:55,920 one of those situations now . I do not 90 00:03:55,920 --> 00:03:58,142 support invoking the Insurrection Act . 91 00:03:59,300 --> 00:04:01,760 Last night , a story came out based on 92 00:04:01,760 --> 00:04:03,982 a background interview I did earlier in 93 00:04:03,982 --> 00:04:06,530 the day . It focused on the events last 94 00:04:06,530 --> 00:04:08,750 Monday evening in Lafayette Park , and 95 00:04:08,750 --> 00:04:11,028 I thought it to be inaccurate in parts . 96 00:04:11,240 --> 00:04:13,620 So I want to state very clearly for all 97 00:04:13,620 --> 00:04:16,150 to hear my account of what happened 98 00:04:16,610 --> 00:04:19,750 that Monday afternoon . I did know 99 00:04:21,130 --> 00:04:23,297 that following the president's remarks 100 00:04:23,297 --> 00:04:25,463 on Monday evening that many of us were 101 00:04:25,463 --> 00:04:27,352 going to join President Trump and 102 00:04:27,352 --> 00:04:29,574 review the damage in Lafayette Park and 103 00:04:29,574 --> 00:04:32,160 at ST John's Episcopal Church . What I 104 00:04:32,160 --> 00:04:34,104 was not aware of was exactly where 105 00:04:34,104 --> 00:04:36,380 we're going when we when we arrived at 106 00:04:36,380 --> 00:04:38,602 the church and what the plans were once 107 00:04:38,602 --> 00:04:41,760 we got there . It was also my aim and 108 00:04:41,760 --> 00:04:43,982 General Millie's to meet with and thank 109 00:04:43,982 --> 00:04:46,093 the members of the National Guard who 110 00:04:46,093 --> 00:04:48,316 were on duty that evening in the park . 111 00:04:48,316 --> 00:04:50,482 It is something the president likes to 112 00:04:50,482 --> 00:04:52,680 do as well . The path we took to and 113 00:04:52,680 --> 00:04:54,680 from the church didn't afford a set 114 00:04:54,680 --> 00:04:56,902 opportunity , but I was able to spend a 115 00:04:56,902 --> 00:04:58,958 considerable amount of time with our 116 00:04:58,958 --> 00:05:01,180 guardsmen later that evening as I moved 117 00:05:01,180 --> 00:05:03,291 around the city to many the locations 118 00:05:03,291 --> 00:05:05,513 at which they were posted . I also want 119 00:05:05,513 --> 00:05:07,513 to address a few other matters that 120 00:05:07,513 --> 00:05:09,624 have been raised about that evening . 121 00:05:09,624 --> 00:05:11,624 First National Guard forces did not 122 00:05:11,624 --> 00:05:13,680 fire rubber bullets or tear gas into 123 00:05:13,680 --> 00:05:16,420 the crowd . As reported , Second 124 00:05:16,770 --> 00:05:18,659 Guardsmen were instructed to wear 125 00:05:18,659 --> 00:05:20,437 helmets and personal protective 126 00:05:20,437 --> 00:05:22,492 equipment for their own protection , 127 00:05:22,492 --> 00:05:24,048 not to service some form of 128 00:05:24,048 --> 00:05:27,220 intimidation . Third , military leaders , 129 00:05:27,230 --> 00:05:29,397 including the chairman of Joint Chiefs 130 00:05:29,397 --> 00:05:31,619 of Staff , were wearing filled uniforms 131 00:05:31,619 --> 00:05:33,619 because that is appropriate uniform 132 00:05:33,619 --> 00:05:35,674 when working in a command center and 133 00:05:35,674 --> 00:05:35,020 meeting with troops in the streets . 134 00:05:35,980 --> 00:05:38,100 Fourth , it wasn't until yesterday 135 00:05:38,100 --> 00:05:40,211 afternoon that we determined it was a 136 00:05:40,211 --> 00:05:42,378 National Guard helicopter that hovered 137 00:05:42,378 --> 00:05:45,360 low over a city block in D . C . Within 138 00:05:45,360 --> 00:05:47,490 an hour or so of learning of this , I 139 00:05:47,490 --> 00:05:49,601 directed the secretary of the Army to 140 00:05:49,601 --> 00:05:51,657 conduct an inquiry to determine what 141 00:05:51,657 --> 00:05:53,768 happened and why , and report back to 142 00:05:53,768 --> 00:05:56,740 me now . You have been very generous 143 00:05:56,740 --> 00:05:58,851 with your time , So let me wrap up by 144 00:05:58,851 --> 00:06:00,962 standing again how very proud I am of 145 00:06:00,962 --> 00:06:02,907 our men and women in uniform . The 146 00:06:02,907 --> 00:06:05,129 National Guard , over the short span of 147 00:06:05,129 --> 00:06:07,351 several months , has gone from tackling 148 00:06:07,351 --> 00:06:09,351 natural disasters such as floods to 149 00:06:09,351 --> 00:06:11,462 combating the Corona virus across the 150 00:06:11,462 --> 00:06:13,351 country to now dealing with civil 151 00:06:13,351 --> 00:06:15,573 unrest in support of law enforcement on 152 00:06:15,573 --> 00:06:17,796 the streets of America , All while many 153 00:06:17,796 --> 00:06:19,962 of their fellow guardsmen are deployed 154 00:06:19,962 --> 00:06:22,018 abroad , defending against America's 155 00:06:22,018 --> 00:06:24,240 real adversaries . Most importantly , I 156 00:06:24,240 --> 00:06:26,129 want to assure all of you and all 157 00:06:26,129 --> 00:06:28,351 Americans that the department defense , 158 00:06:28,460 --> 00:06:30,660 the armed services are uniformed 159 00:06:30,660 --> 00:06:33,170 leaders are civilian leaders . And I 160 00:06:33,840 --> 00:06:36,007 take seriously our oath to support and 161 00:06:36,007 --> 00:06:38,118 defend the Constitution of the United 162 00:06:38,118 --> 00:06:40,570 States and the safeguard those very 163 00:06:40,570 --> 00:06:43,030 rights contained in that document we 164 00:06:43,030 --> 00:06:46,170 cherish so dearly . This is a tough 165 00:06:46,170 --> 00:06:48,770 time for our great country these days , 166 00:06:49,320 --> 00:06:52,080 but we will get through it . My hope is 167 00:06:52,080 --> 00:06:54,080 that instead of the violence in the 168 00:06:54,080 --> 00:06:55,802 streets , we will see peaceful 169 00:06:55,802 --> 00:06:57,969 demonstrations that honor George Floyd 170 00:06:58,490 --> 00:07:00,601 that press for accountability for his 171 00:07:00,601 --> 00:07:03,100 murder that move us to reflect about 172 00:07:03,100 --> 00:07:05,900 racism in America and that serve as a 173 00:07:05,900 --> 00:07:08,770 call to action for us to come together 174 00:07:09,410 --> 00:07:11,640 and to address this problem once and 175 00:07:11,640 --> 00:07:14,920 for all . This is the America your 176 00:07:14,920 --> 00:07:17,890 military represents . This is the 177 00:07:17,890 --> 00:07:21,250 America we aspire to be . And this is 178 00:07:21,250 --> 00:07:23,520 the America that we're committed to 179 00:07:23,520 --> 00:07:26,150 defending with our lives . Thank you . 180 00:07:27,010 --> 00:07:29,066 We'll go to the phones . Bob Burns . 181 00:07:31,210 --> 00:07:34,360 Yeah . Thank you , Mr Secretary , uh , 182 00:07:34,660 --> 00:07:36,827 taking you back to your comments about 183 00:07:37,110 --> 00:07:39,300 Monday evening when you left the White 184 00:07:39,300 --> 00:07:41,820 House , Um , with the President and 185 00:07:41,830 --> 00:07:44,190 others . I think if I heard you 186 00:07:44,190 --> 00:07:46,246 correctly , you said you didn't know 187 00:07:46,246 --> 00:07:48,412 that you were going to be going to the 188 00:07:48,412 --> 00:07:50,579 ST John's Church . But you didn't know 189 00:07:50,579 --> 00:07:52,746 what would happen when you got there . 190 00:07:52,746 --> 00:07:54,746 And you've since been criticized by 191 00:07:54,746 --> 00:07:56,968 many for essentially participating at a 192 00:07:56,968 --> 00:07:59,134 presidential photo op . So my question 193 00:07:59,134 --> 00:08:01,412 is , do you regret having participated ? 194 00:08:02,810 --> 00:08:04,921 Well , I did know that we're going to 195 00:08:04,921 --> 00:08:06,921 the church . I was not aware of . A 196 00:08:06,921 --> 00:08:08,977 photo op was happening . Of course , 197 00:08:08,977 --> 00:08:11,143 the president drags a large press pool 198 00:08:11,143 --> 00:08:13,366 along with him . Look , I do everything 199 00:08:13,366 --> 00:08:15,532 I can to try , stay a political and to 200 00:08:15,532 --> 00:08:17,754 try and stay out of situations that may 201 00:08:17,754 --> 00:08:19,810 appear political , and sometimes I'm 202 00:08:19,810 --> 00:08:21,921 successful doing that . And sometimes 203 00:08:21,921 --> 00:08:24,143 I'm not a successful . But my aim is to 204 00:08:24,143 --> 00:08:26,254 keep the department out of politics , 205 00:08:26,254 --> 00:08:28,477 to stay a political . And that's what I 206 00:08:28,477 --> 00:08:30,532 continue to try and do as well as my 207 00:08:30,532 --> 00:08:32,588 leaders here in the department . All 208 00:08:32,588 --> 00:08:34,754 right , we'll goto uh , Phil Stewart . 209 00:08:37,740 --> 00:08:39,770 Yeah . Hi , Secretary . Could you 210 00:08:39,780 --> 00:08:42,460 address has been a lot of criticism of 211 00:08:42,460 --> 00:08:44,460 your use of the word battle space . 212 00:08:44,460 --> 00:08:46,793 Describe areas inside the United States . 213 00:08:46,793 --> 00:08:49,390 Were people are protesting you . Would 214 00:08:49,390 --> 00:08:52,650 you like to take that phrase back . And 215 00:08:52,660 --> 00:08:54,438 when you talk about keeping the 216 00:08:54,440 --> 00:08:57,870 military a political , how do you see 217 00:08:57,880 --> 00:09:00,940 uh , the department navigating this 218 00:09:00,950 --> 00:09:03,740 when the response to protest has become 219 00:09:04,070 --> 00:09:05,126 a partisan issue ? 220 00:09:07,840 --> 00:09:09,951 Well , I'll take your second question 221 00:09:09,951 --> 00:09:12,007 first . Feel that is the challenge , 222 00:09:12,007 --> 00:09:14,118 right ? It's Ah , it's Ah , there's a 223 00:09:14,118 --> 00:09:16,118 political tone to this . We're in a 224 00:09:16,118 --> 00:09:18,451 political season on election approaches , 225 00:09:18,451 --> 00:09:20,396 and this is always a challenge for 226 00:09:20,396 --> 00:09:20,310 every department defense in every 227 00:09:20,310 --> 00:09:22,032 election year . And so this is 228 00:09:22,032 --> 00:09:24,088 something we're going to continue to 229 00:09:24,088 --> 00:09:26,421 deal with as we creep closer and closer . 230 00:09:26,421 --> 00:09:28,310 Two . Election season . I've been 231 00:09:28,310 --> 00:09:27,980 speaking about the importance of 232 00:09:27,980 --> 00:09:30,147 staying out of politics by remaining a 233 00:09:30,147 --> 00:09:33,120 political to my leadership since since 234 00:09:33,120 --> 00:09:35,287 I took office . I reinforced it when I 235 00:09:35,287 --> 00:09:37,453 came in when we started the New Year , 236 00:09:37,453 --> 00:09:39,620 and I've talked about it several times 237 00:09:39,620 --> 00:09:41,509 since then . But this will be the 238 00:09:41,509 --> 00:09:43,620 ongoing challenge with regard to your 239 00:09:43,620 --> 00:09:45,564 first question is you rightly said 240 00:09:45,564 --> 00:09:45,470 earlier this week , I was quoted as 241 00:09:45,470 --> 00:09:47,600 saying the the best wheat way to get 242 00:09:47,600 --> 00:09:49,656 street violence under control was by 243 00:09:49,656 --> 00:09:51,433 dominating the battle space and 244 00:09:51,440 --> 00:09:53,329 probably all of you who cover the 245 00:09:53,329 --> 00:09:55,384 Pentagon , hear us use this phrase . 246 00:09:55,384 --> 00:09:57,551 Often it's something we use day in and 247 00:09:57,551 --> 00:09:59,718 day out . There are other phrases that 248 00:09:59,718 --> 00:10:01,607 we use day in day out that you'll 249 00:10:01,607 --> 00:10:01,150 understand that most people don't 250 00:10:01,150 --> 00:10:03,372 understand . It is part of our military 251 00:10:03,372 --> 00:10:05,730 lexicon that I grew up with , and it's 252 00:10:05,730 --> 00:10:07,897 what we return . We used to describe a 253 00:10:07,897 --> 00:10:10,870 bounded area of operations . It's not a 254 00:10:10,870 --> 00:10:12,940 phrase focused on people . Ah , and 255 00:10:12,940 --> 00:10:15,162 certainly not on our fellow Americans . 256 00:10:15,162 --> 00:10:17,051 Have , some have suggested , is a 257 00:10:17,051 --> 00:10:19,051 phrase I used over the weekend when 258 00:10:19,051 --> 00:10:21,329 speaking with Minnesota Governor Waltz . 259 00:10:21,329 --> 00:10:23,551 He and I spoke a couple times on Friday 260 00:10:23,551 --> 00:10:25,607 and Saturday as I spoke to him about 261 00:10:25,607 --> 00:10:27,551 the uh d o . D support to what was 262 00:10:27,551 --> 00:10:29,662 happening there . Keep in mind it was 263 00:10:29,662 --> 00:10:31,829 only a ah , a few short days ago where 264 00:10:31,829 --> 00:10:33,940 Minneapolis was the epicenter and all 265 00:10:33,940 --> 00:10:36,670 eyes were focused on on Minnesota . But 266 00:10:36,670 --> 00:10:38,559 Governor Wallace is also a former 267 00:10:38,559 --> 00:10:40,670 member . The National Guard and I was 268 00:10:40,670 --> 00:10:42,614 complimenting him on the call with 269 00:10:42,614 --> 00:10:44,726 governors about what he had done . It 270 00:10:44,726 --> 00:10:46,892 was his successful use of the guard in 271 00:10:46,892 --> 00:10:46,550 sufficient numbers that really wrested 272 00:10:46,550 --> 00:10:48,772 control of the streets from the looters 273 00:10:48,772 --> 00:10:50,939 and others breaking the law . And it's 274 00:10:50,939 --> 00:10:53,161 so I was given credit for that , and he 275 00:10:53,161 --> 00:10:53,020 was doing so so the peaceful 276 00:10:53,020 --> 00:10:55,076 demonstrations could be held so that 277 00:10:55,310 --> 00:10:57,254 peaceful demonstrators could share 278 00:10:57,254 --> 00:10:59,254 their frustration and their anger . 279 00:10:59,640 --> 00:11:01,660 That's what I was encouraging other 280 00:11:01,670 --> 00:11:04,020 governors to consider . In retrospect , 281 00:11:04,020 --> 00:11:06,242 I would use different wording so as not 282 00:11:06,242 --> 00:11:08,242 to distract from the more important 283 00:11:08,242 --> 00:11:10,076 matters at hand or allow some to 284 00:11:10,076 --> 00:11:12,076 suggest that we're militarizing the 285 00:11:12,076 --> 00:11:13,909 issue . All right , Uh , Louis , 286 00:11:13,909 --> 00:11:14,909 Martina , 287 00:11:17,440 --> 00:11:20,310 thank you much for doing this briefing 288 00:11:20,810 --> 00:11:22,921 some of the people that criticize you 289 00:11:22,921 --> 00:11:25,032 for the term of battle space for some 290 00:11:25,032 --> 00:11:26,977 of America's most respected former 291 00:11:26,977 --> 00:11:29,088 generals on . And they said that that 292 00:11:29,088 --> 00:11:31,199 was just inappropriate language . And 293 00:11:31,199 --> 00:11:33,350 if I could move on to what you knew 294 00:11:33,350 --> 00:11:36,010 about the situation at last , they get 295 00:11:36,010 --> 00:11:39,530 square . Were you aware that the police 296 00:11:39,540 --> 00:11:41,707 were going to use such strong measures 297 00:11:41,707 --> 00:11:44,960 and pushing back the protesters there ? 298 00:11:45,040 --> 00:11:47,151 And did you express any concerns that 299 00:11:47,151 --> 00:11:49,318 that may not be exactly what needed to 300 00:11:49,318 --> 00:11:52,350 happen to make that photo up possible ? 301 00:11:54,140 --> 00:11:56,640 Thanks for the question , Louise . I I 302 00:11:56,640 --> 00:11:59,110 was not aware of law enforcement's 303 00:11:59,110 --> 00:12:01,277 plans for the park . I was not briefed 304 00:12:01,277 --> 00:12:03,388 on them , nor should I expect to be . 305 00:12:03,388 --> 00:12:05,980 But they had taken . What actions ? I I 306 00:12:05,990 --> 00:12:08,250 assume they felt was necessary , given 307 00:12:08,250 --> 00:12:10,417 what they face . But I was not briefed 308 00:12:10,417 --> 00:12:12,583 on the plans and was not aware of what 309 00:12:12,583 --> 00:12:14,910 they were doing . All right , um , 310 00:12:14,920 --> 00:12:16,640 Dammam off , huh ? 311 00:12:19,940 --> 00:12:22,107 Uh , yes , Mr . Secretary , Thanks for 312 00:12:22,107 --> 00:12:24,273 your time . I realize you're trying to 313 00:12:24,273 --> 00:12:26,384 keep the department out of politics , 314 00:12:26,384 --> 00:12:28,607 but it's a deal week toe . Say anything 315 00:12:28,607 --> 00:12:30,829 along the lines of what you did . A top 316 00:12:30,829 --> 00:12:33,051 of this call . Ah , and you're strong , 317 00:12:33,051 --> 00:12:34,996 strong comments this morning about 318 00:12:34,996 --> 00:12:37,680 George Floyd in light of the more than 319 00:12:37,680 --> 00:12:39,840 200,000 black service members in 320 00:12:39,840 --> 00:12:41,673 uniforms and the pain across the 321 00:12:41,673 --> 00:12:43,673 country . Why did you take the long 322 00:12:43,673 --> 00:12:46,110 thanks ? Thanks . Thanks , Dan . It's a 323 00:12:46,110 --> 00:12:48,166 fair question . I think you may have 324 00:12:48,166 --> 00:12:50,221 written about this indirectly said . 325 00:12:50,500 --> 00:12:52,389 I've worked very hard to keep the 326 00:12:52,389 --> 00:12:54,556 Department of politics , which is very 327 00:12:54,556 --> 00:12:56,667 hard these days as we move closer and 328 00:12:56,667 --> 00:12:58,667 closer to an election . Remaining a 329 00:12:58,667 --> 00:13:00,889 political means that there are times to 330 00:13:00,889 --> 00:13:02,944 speak up and times not to . And as I 331 00:13:02,944 --> 00:13:04,833 started my earlier remarks , what 332 00:13:04,833 --> 00:13:06,889 happened to George Floyd happens way 333 00:13:06,889 --> 00:13:08,944 too often in this country , and most 334 00:13:08,944 --> 00:13:08,830 times we don't speak about these 335 00:13:08,830 --> 00:13:12,560 matters as a department . Um , but as 336 00:13:12,560 --> 00:13:14,727 events have unfolded over the past few 337 00:13:14,727 --> 00:13:16,838 days , it became very clear that this 338 00:13:16,838 --> 00:13:18,838 is becoming , ah , very combustible 339 00:13:18,838 --> 00:13:22,040 national issue and what I want to dio I 340 00:13:22,040 --> 00:13:24,096 had made the determination is events 341 00:13:24,096 --> 00:13:26,207 escalating the last 72 hours that the 342 00:13:26,207 --> 00:13:28,373 moment had had reached the point where 343 00:13:28,373 --> 00:13:30,540 it warranted . Ah , a clear message to 344 00:13:30,540 --> 00:13:33,760 the department about about her approach . 345 00:13:33,770 --> 00:13:35,992 And so , given the dynamics , I want to 346 00:13:35,992 --> 00:13:38,210 lead by crafting my own statement for 347 00:13:38,210 --> 00:13:40,099 the apartment first , which I did 348 00:13:40,099 --> 00:13:42,266 yesterday and you all should have seen 349 00:13:42,266 --> 00:13:44,321 it and got it went out this piece of 350 00:13:44,321 --> 00:13:47,110 paper , my message to the force , which 351 00:13:47,110 --> 00:13:49,410 said , I thought with these the proper 352 00:13:49,410 --> 00:13:52,060 tone for service members and deal diese 353 00:13:52,060 --> 00:13:54,260 veins and all , and giving my leaders 354 00:13:54,260 --> 00:13:56,093 the space toe also craft similar 355 00:13:56,093 --> 00:13:58,320 messages expressing our outrage . What 356 00:13:58,320 --> 00:14:00,542 happened ? Expressing our commitment to 357 00:14:00,542 --> 00:14:02,760 the Constitution , expressing our 358 00:14:02,760 --> 00:14:06,730 commitment as an institution to , um , 359 00:14:07,310 --> 00:14:10,680 Teoh end racism and hatred in all its 360 00:14:10,680 --> 00:14:13,160 forms and just a general expression 361 00:14:13,170 --> 00:14:15,281 with regard to what the department is 362 00:14:15,281 --> 00:14:17,750 about . So that that's the timeline , 363 00:14:17,750 --> 00:14:19,990 Dan , if you will . And that's why it 364 00:14:19,990 --> 00:14:22,157 did . And I do that with great council 365 00:14:22,157 --> 00:14:26,110 from the my advisors . We'll go one 366 00:14:26,110 --> 00:14:28,720 more time alone . She Several of the 367 00:14:28,730 --> 00:14:30,841 chiefs were interested in speaking up 368 00:14:30,841 --> 00:14:33,290 sooner . Sometimes when you say nothing 369 00:14:33,290 --> 00:14:36,350 that says something unto itself in 370 00:14:36,350 --> 00:14:38,350 retrospect , would you have done so 371 00:14:38,350 --> 00:14:40,683 more quickly ? Well , we did . You know , 372 00:14:40,683 --> 00:14:42,572 General Milley , we talked to the 373 00:14:42,572 --> 00:14:44,906 Chiefs . There was most the chiefs . Ah , 374 00:14:44,906 --> 00:14:47,380 wanted take the lead from me . And , uh 375 00:14:47,380 --> 00:14:49,491 and so what ? I told me I was through 376 00:14:49,491 --> 00:14:51,713 the chairman . I was gonna take a I was 377 00:14:51,713 --> 00:14:53,824 going to send the initial message out 378 00:14:53,824 --> 00:14:55,824 again to set the tone to express my 379 00:14:55,824 --> 00:14:57,991 views and then give them the space toe 380 00:14:57,991 --> 00:15:00,102 to share their views as well to do so 381 00:15:00,102 --> 00:15:03,050 And again , this is We are a week into 382 00:15:03,050 --> 00:15:05,300 this or so on . And when you look at 383 00:15:05,300 --> 00:15:07,522 what's escalated , its been a matter of 384 00:15:07,730 --> 00:15:11,410 72 hours , maybe 96 or so . 385 00:15:11,660 --> 00:15:14,300 So and we've been consumed with a lot 386 00:15:14,300 --> 00:15:16,467 of things between now and then . But I 387 00:15:16,467 --> 00:15:18,689 do think it's important to speak up and 388 00:15:18,689 --> 00:15:20,744 to speak out and to share what we've 389 00:15:20,744 --> 00:15:22,633 you again as an institution . The 390 00:15:22,633 --> 00:15:25,220 racism that exists in America and how 391 00:15:25,220 --> 00:15:27,680 we view it as an institution again . I 392 00:15:27,690 --> 00:15:30,220 think we've lead on these issues over 393 00:15:30,220 --> 00:15:32,387 the history United States military and 394 00:15:32,387 --> 00:15:34,590 will continue to do so Certainly while 395 00:15:34,590 --> 00:15:36,757 I'm at the helm . All right . One more 396 00:15:36,757 --> 00:15:38,423 from the phone . Tom Bowman . 397 00:15:43,090 --> 00:15:44,990 Not tongue than Nick Schifrin . 398 00:15:47,440 --> 00:15:49,662 It's a secretary . Thanks very much for 399 00:15:49,662 --> 00:15:51,773 doing this . If I could take you back 400 00:15:51,773 --> 00:15:55,180 Teoh the other night . I know you're 401 00:15:55,180 --> 00:15:57,270 saying that you didn't know exactly 402 00:15:57,270 --> 00:15:59,450 what the plans were , but with all due 403 00:15:59,450 --> 00:16:02,280 respect , those plans were designed by 404 00:16:02,290 --> 00:16:04,401 a commander in chief and also by Bill 405 00:16:04,401 --> 00:16:06,540 Bar Course fellow separate Cabinet 406 00:16:06,550 --> 00:16:09,760 secretary and someone who is in the 407 00:16:09,760 --> 00:16:12,410 command center with you . So how could 408 00:16:12,410 --> 00:16:14,466 you not know about those plans ? And 409 00:16:14,466 --> 00:16:16,577 what does it say about those plans to 410 00:16:16,577 --> 00:16:18,810 both clear the park and go to the 411 00:16:18,810 --> 00:16:21,530 church and do what President did on 412 00:16:21,530 --> 00:16:23,641 number two ? I know you're conducting 413 00:16:23,641 --> 00:16:25,974 an inquiry on the use of the helicopter . 414 00:16:25,974 --> 00:16:28,141 You may not want to say this , but you 415 00:16:28,141 --> 00:16:30,252 believe it was inappropriate to use a 416 00:16:30,252 --> 00:16:32,086 medevac helicopter to intimidate 417 00:16:32,086 --> 00:16:34,197 protesters . Thank you . On the first 418 00:16:34,197 --> 00:16:36,419 thing neck again . I think there's some 419 00:16:36,419 --> 00:16:38,419 speculation with regard to what you 420 00:16:38,419 --> 00:16:40,586 what ? You stated I'd encourage you to 421 00:16:40,586 --> 00:16:40,250 speak to Department of Justice as again , 422 00:16:40,250 --> 00:16:42,472 it was a law enforcement action . I had 423 00:16:42,472 --> 00:16:44,694 not yet arrived at the command post . I 424 00:16:44,694 --> 00:16:46,917 was in route to the command post when I 425 00:16:46,917 --> 00:16:49,083 was asked to return to the White House 426 00:16:49,083 --> 00:16:51,306 to update the president . I got back to 427 00:16:51,306 --> 00:16:53,417 the White House , and , uh , within a 428 00:16:53,417 --> 00:16:55,361 short period of time . We were the 429 00:16:55,361 --> 00:16:57,639 president went out to give his remarks , 430 00:16:57,639 --> 00:16:59,917 so there was no space in between there . 431 00:16:59,917 --> 00:17:01,750 There was no opportunity . Get a 432 00:17:01,750 --> 00:17:03,861 briefing and again , or what I expect 433 00:17:03,861 --> 00:17:03,780 to get a briefing on what the law 434 00:17:03,780 --> 00:17:06,002 enforcement community was playing to do 435 00:17:06,002 --> 00:17:08,002 with regard to the clearing of park 436 00:17:08,002 --> 00:17:09,780 again , that was not a military 437 00:17:09,780 --> 00:17:11,836 decision was not a military action . 438 00:17:11,836 --> 00:17:14,058 The National Guard was there in support 439 00:17:14,058 --> 00:17:16,224 of the in support of law enforcement . 440 00:17:16,224 --> 00:17:18,447 With regard to your second question , I 441 00:17:18,447 --> 00:17:18,300 would just say this much . I'm not 442 00:17:18,300 --> 00:17:20,411 gonna comment because I've asked that 443 00:17:20,411 --> 00:17:22,411 an inquiry be made . I want to make 444 00:17:22,411 --> 00:17:24,633 sure understand why what happened ? Who 445 00:17:24,633 --> 00:17:26,633 was involved ? What words were they 446 00:17:26,633 --> 00:17:29,280 given or not given was there Ah , a 447 00:17:29,280 --> 00:17:31,224 safety issue involved , right with 448 00:17:31,224 --> 00:17:33,580 aircraft having that low . So there's a 449 00:17:33,580 --> 00:17:35,413 lot of questions that need to be 450 00:17:35,413 --> 00:17:37,247 answered . I spoke toe Secretary 451 00:17:37,247 --> 00:17:39,469 McCarthy last night about he is digging 452 00:17:39,469 --> 00:17:41,469 into it and we will get the fax and 453 00:17:41,469 --> 00:17:43,636 we'll go back from there in the room . 454 00:17:44,310 --> 00:17:47,340 Mr Secretary . So you served in the D . 455 00:17:47,340 --> 00:17:50,050 C . National Guard . Follow on . Next 456 00:17:50,050 --> 00:17:52,700 question . Were you surprised that a 457 00:17:52,700 --> 00:17:54,700 medical helicopter from the D . C . 458 00:17:54,700 --> 00:17:56,811 National Guard was used to intimidate 459 00:17:56,811 --> 00:17:59,033 people who were peacefully assembling ? 460 00:17:59,033 --> 00:18:01,144 And then secondly , as this goes on , 461 00:18:01,144 --> 00:18:03,311 you've asked the secretary of the Army 462 00:18:03,311 --> 00:18:05,256 to look into this . Who tasked the 463 00:18:05,256 --> 00:18:07,367 helicopter was a helicopter under the 464 00:18:07,367 --> 00:18:09,644 authority of the Department of Justice ? 465 00:18:09,644 --> 00:18:11,478 Is that why there's this kind of 466 00:18:11,478 --> 00:18:13,644 murkiness about how the helicopter was 467 00:18:13,644 --> 00:18:15,811 test how a medical helicopter was used 468 00:18:15,811 --> 00:18:17,978 in an aggressive form ? Yes . So those 469 00:18:17,978 --> 00:18:17,240 are some of the details we have to 470 00:18:17,240 --> 00:18:19,270 tease out in terms of you know who 471 00:18:19,270 --> 00:18:21,381 directed it . What was request was at 472 00:18:21,381 --> 00:18:23,690 the request of law enforcement , you 473 00:18:23,690 --> 00:18:25,468 made a statement that it was to 474 00:18:25,468 --> 00:18:27,634 intimidate protesters . I got a report 475 00:18:27,634 --> 00:18:29,468 back that they were asked by law 476 00:18:29,468 --> 00:18:32,110 enforcement that t to look at a 477 00:18:32,120 --> 00:18:33,787 checkpoint , a National Guard 478 00:18:33,787 --> 00:18:35,564 checkpoint to see if there were 479 00:18:35,564 --> 00:18:37,287 protesters around . So there's 480 00:18:37,287 --> 00:18:39,398 conflicting reports . I don't want to 481 00:18:39,398 --> 00:18:39,170 add to that . I think we need to let 482 00:18:39,180 --> 00:18:41,236 the Army conduct its inquiry and get 483 00:18:41,236 --> 00:18:43,291 back and see what the facts actually 484 00:18:43,291 --> 00:18:45,569 are . But when you looked at the video , 485 00:18:45,569 --> 00:18:47,791 if you didn't see it , I look , I think 486 00:18:47,791 --> 00:18:49,791 when you're landing that loan , the 487 00:18:49,791 --> 00:18:51,958 city , it looks unsafe to me . Right ? 488 00:18:51,958 --> 00:18:53,902 But I need to find out . I need to 489 00:18:53,902 --> 00:18:56,013 learn more about what's going on . It 490 00:18:56,013 --> 00:18:55,520 would not be unsafe if they were 491 00:18:55,520 --> 00:18:57,576 medevac bird picking up somebody who 492 00:18:57,576 --> 00:18:59,798 was seriously injured or something like 493 00:18:59,798 --> 00:18:59,150 that , right would be a different 494 00:18:59,150 --> 00:19:01,261 circumstance . So we have to find out 495 00:19:01,261 --> 00:19:03,428 all the facts , take it all in and let 496 00:19:03,428 --> 00:19:05,650 the Army do its work and then come back 497 00:19:05,650 --> 00:19:07,817 with with what they discovered was not 498 00:19:07,817 --> 00:19:09,983 a medevac mission . That's right to my 499 00:19:09,983 --> 00:19:12,039 understanding , wasn't I need Teoh . 500 00:19:12,039 --> 00:19:14,261 I'm sorry , but I need to actually head 501 00:19:14,261 --> 00:19:16,428 to the White House . So I just want to 502 00:19:16,428 --> 00:19:18,372 wrap up by saying something to the 503 00:19:18,372 --> 00:19:18,050 directly to the men and women of 504 00:19:18,050 --> 00:19:20,050 department defense . And let me say 505 00:19:20,050 --> 00:19:22,106 this . As I said , my message to the 506 00:19:22,106 --> 00:19:24,272 department yesterday I appreciate your 507 00:19:24,272 --> 00:19:26,161 professionalism and dedication to 508 00:19:26,161 --> 00:19:28,106 defending the Constitution for all 509 00:19:28,106 --> 00:19:30,270 Americans . Moreover , I'm amazed by 510 00:19:30,270 --> 00:19:31,659 the countless remarkable 511 00:19:31,659 --> 00:19:33,492 accomplishments of the departing 512 00:19:33,492 --> 00:19:35,659 defense in today's trying times , from 513 00:19:35,659 --> 00:19:37,381 re pick trading and sheltering 514 00:19:37,381 --> 00:19:37,350 Americans who were evacuated from a 515 00:19:37,350 --> 00:19:39,350 foreign land to delivering food and 516 00:19:39,350 --> 00:19:41,572 medical supplies to communities in need 517 00:19:41,572 --> 00:19:43,406 and to protecting our cities and 518 00:19:43,406 --> 00:19:46,020 communities . In every challenge and 519 00:19:46,020 --> 00:19:47,853 across every mission , the U . S 520 00:19:47,853 --> 00:19:49,964 military has remained ready , capable 521 00:19:49,970 --> 00:19:52,180 and willing to serve . As I reminded 522 00:19:52,180 --> 00:19:54,124 you in February , I asked that you 523 00:19:54,124 --> 00:19:56,347 remember at all times our commitment as 524 00:19:56,347 --> 00:19:58,458 a department and as public service to 525 00:19:58,458 --> 00:20:00,458 stay a political in these turbulent 526 00:20:00,458 --> 00:20:02,513 days . For well over two centuries , 527 00:20:02,513 --> 00:20:04,624 United States military has earned the 528 00:20:04,624 --> 00:20:06,847 respect of the American people by being 529 00:20:06,847 --> 00:20:08,569 there to protect and serve all 530 00:20:08,569 --> 00:20:10,513 Americans . Through your steadfast 531 00:20:10,513 --> 00:20:12,680 dedication to the mission and our core 532 00:20:12,680 --> 00:20:14,902 values , and you're enduring support to 533 00:20:14,902 --> 00:20:16,680 your fellow Americans . We will 534 00:20:16,680 --> 00:20:18,680 safeguard the hard earned trust and 535 00:20:18,680 --> 00:20:20,458 confidence of the public as our 536 00:20:20,458 --> 00:20:22,569 nation's most respected institution . 537 00:20:22,569 --> 00:20:24,569 Thank you . Can you consider taking 538 00:20:24,569 --> 00:20:24,790 another question