[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 103 (Wednesday, June 3, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S2666]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                Protests

  Mr. President, in responding to a couple of things that were said a 
few minutes ago, we all know this is a really trying time for our 
Nation. I begin with the obvious, which is what happened to George 
Floyd was a crime. It was a horrible crime, and it has caused a 
groundswell of people joining together and standing against injustice 
and hate, not just for George Floyd but for so many others.
  Protests are meaningful and positive events--standing up for dignity 
and respect for all people. Protesting is a cherished part of our 
democratic society that is enshrined in the First Amendment. The rights 
of peaceful protest should be supported and celebrated, period. We 
understand that. Yet those protests are not the same as the dangerous, 
destructive activity we have seen in many of our cities just in the 
last couple of days. Emotions are high, and tensions are high, which is 
understandable. We need law and order if we are going to move forward, 
and I think every reasonable person agrees with that.
  We are trying to have tough conversations about inequality, but we 
are facing a lot of misinformation, especially when it comes to our 
military. If we let this misinformation spread, it will just make 
things worse. All of the people out there--I am talking about the 
``hate Trump'' people--are using this to try to lie to the American 
people. So I would like to correct the record, and I hope every 
American here understands and believes these words. This is very 
important. Here is what is happening.
  Right now, the National Guard has not been federalized for response. 
Right now, Active-Duty troops have not been sent into any city, 
including DC. I was here last night. I was visibly looking around and 
making sure that this was not the case, and it was not. There were no 
Active-Duty troops in spite of things you have heard to the contrary.
  Right now, local and State law enforcement are being supported by the 
National Guard but only when they are requested by their States. The 
Department of Defense believes that, and by and large, they are doing a 
fine job. I agree with that. Our military is prepared to step in if the 
situation deteriorates dramatically and only if our President finds he 
has to step in. To be crystal clear, the President hasn't done that 
yet.
  I ask my fellow Americans to slow down and understand what will 
happen if and only if the President does so. It doesn't mean that our 
streets will immediately be flooded with uniformed and armed troops. 
There is a process that has to be followed just as it was in 1992 with 
the LA riots, in 1998 after Hurricane Hugo, and at every other time 
before that.
  First, this is the process. What has to happen is the President must 
issue a proclamation ordering any insurgents to disperse within a set 
period of time. Now, that is really important because that is the 
warning shot. He says this is going to happen, but only you can keep 
this from happening. The President has to issue the proclamation 
ordering any insurgents to disperse within a set period of time. It 
will mean that our Nation's military and security leaders, including 
our Commander in Chief--the President--will have determined that the 
situation will have deteriorated in a way that local officials will not 
have managed on their own. In virtually every case, local officials 
have agreed with that.
  We are not there now. We are not there at all, and I hope we don't 
get there. This will only be as a last resort. If we do, I am confident 
this decision will be made with the advice of the top civilian and 
military officials who have all been confirmed with wide bipartisan 
support and margins