Joint Chiefs Chairman Confirms Soldiers Were Issued Bayonets For DC Protests

[babylonsister]

Joint Chiefs Chairman Confirms Soldiers Were Issued Bayonets For DC Protests
By Sarah Blake Morgan and James Laporta
July 2, 2020 4:42 p.m.


CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has confirmed a report by The Associated Press that some of the service members who were mobilized to Washington, D.C., last month in response to civil unrest over the killing of George Floyd were issued bayonets. Defense documents obtained by the AP show some were not trained in riot response.

Members of the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, which is based in D.C. and typically guards the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, were mobilized last month to respond to massive protests over the treatment of Black Americans and systemic issues of police brutality. But they were never actually sent to the protests after they arrived.

The soldiers were issued bayonets for their June 2 deployment — but told they were to remain in their scabbards and not attached to their service rifles, Joint Chiefs Chairman Army Gen. Mark A. Milley wrote to two U.S. representatives in a letter that was obtained by the AP. The soldiers were also told no weapons were to enter the capital without clear orders and only after nonlethal options were first reviewed, he said.

Milley said the order to mobilize the troops came from Major Army Gen. Omar Jones, who serves as commander of the military district of Washington. His letter, dated June 26, was sent to two Democratic Congressmen, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois, and Rep. Ted Lieu of California, who asked him for an explanation after the AP first reported on the use of bayonets on June 2.

Roughly 700 members of the 82nd Airborne Division were sent to two military bases near the District Capitol Area. The soldiers were armed with live-rounds, bayonets, and riot gear. Bloomberg reported on June 11 that the Old Guard was also issued bayonets.

more...

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/joint-chiefs-chairman-confirms-soldiers-were-issued-bayonets-for-dc-protests

[Lucinda]

1. ...

[Cha]

2. WTAF!

[Nevilledog]

3. I just don't get the very idea of handing out bayonets.

Who thought the situation would come up where these soldiers were gonna start stabbing American citizens?

[Abnredleg]

6. We routinely drew bayonets from the armory

When drawing weapons. They were probably carrying them because they always carry them, not because they were planning to bayonet civilians.

[Nevilledog]

8. This sounded like they were kinda handed out as an afterthought.

It's just a chilling thought, but thank you for giving me more info.

[rusty quoin]

4. Jesus

[gratuitous]

5. So, what do folks think?

If the order had been given to fix bayonets, would the troops have complied and been prepared to start running citizens through?

[Abnredleg]

7. No

Lots of stories about the unease the soldiers felt.

[babylonsister]

9. Who knows? Kent State comes to mind.

Not bayonets, but just as deadly.

And bayonets, seriously? Ugh.

[MyOwnPeace]

10. This is SO sick!

First, I don't even want to CONSIDER whether the troops would have complied - that in itself is such a terrible position to be in. And for what?

A mass protest about police brutality towards Americans!

And how does the "government" respond?

By issuing weapons that would ramp up the degree of brutality!!!!!

W! T! F!!!!!!!!!!!!

When "they" are all gone, President Joe and Congress MUST have investigations regarding how close to anarchy we have come................

[dixiegrrrrl]

12. Isn't it still illegal to use the military against citizens in this country???

( Thumbs thru Wiki)

Ah, here we are:

The Posse Comitatus Act prohibits the use of active duty personnel to "execute the laws"; however, there is disagreement over whether this language may apply to troops used in an advisory, support, disaster response, or other homeland defense role, as opposed to domestic law enforcement.

So not legal. Another lawsuit to add to the pile.

[Faux pas]

11. Kickin' with disgust!