Former Donald Trump was reportedly interested in the deployment of the National Guard to “protect” the demonstrators, former Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller told lawmakers on Wednesday.
Miller’s revelation came when Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) questioned him about his discussion with Trump on January 3rd.
Donalds: “Did you tell the president about the mayor’s requests or did President Trump ask if there were requests?”
Miller: “He asked if there were requests.”
Donalds: “What was the president’s response to you with regard to the requests made to you by Mayor [Muriel] Bowser?”
Miller: “Fill it and do whatever is necessary to protect the demonstrators, ya, uh, and, uh, that were executing their constitutionally protected rights.”
Watch portion of the exchange below:
Well, this is new.
Trump told his acting Secretary of Defense to use military force for what purpose?
Miller: Trump said "do whatever was necessary to protect the demonstrators that were executing their constitutionally protected rights."
Occurs in their Jan. 3 meeting. pic.twitter.com/jnEDYVUzsK
— Ryan Goodman (@rgoodlaw) May 12, 2021
