Defense Sec. Mark Esper doesn’t support invoking Insurrection Act

Joyce N. Boghosian/White House

Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Wednesday that he does not support invoking the 1807 Insurrection Act, parting from President Trump. He also stated that he was unaware of the intentions of going to St. John’s Episcopal Church.

"The option to use active-duty forces in a law enforcement role should only be used as a matter of last resort and only in the most urgent and dire situations. We are not in one of those situations right now," Esper said in his first public statement since the protests started.

"I do not support invoking the Insurrection Act," Esper said, referring to the president's ability to deploy active-duty troops to respond to protests.

Esper also condemned the killing of George Floyd by a police officer, saying it was a "horrible crime."

“With great sympathy, I want to extend the deepest of condolences to the family and friends of George Floyd, for me and the department," Esper said during a Pentagon briefing. "Racism is real in America, and we must all do our very best to recognize it, to confront it, and to eradicate it."

He also clarified his interview to NBC News, where he claimed he didn’t know where he was going when led out of the White House Monday.

Patrick Semansky/AP

“I did know we were going to the church," Esper said. "I did not know a photo op was happening. ... I do everything I can to try to stay apolitical and to try and stay out of situations that may appear political."