"Do Not Support Activation of Riot Suppression Law" US Defense Secretary Opposes Trump (Comprehensive)

Esper Minister "Opposes Riot Control Law"
White House "Will Implement If Necessary"... Leaves Room for Dismissal
Trump Indicates Change of Position Saying "I Don't Think It Should Be Done"

Mark Esper, U.S. Secretary of Defense, is speaking with the National Guard stationed in Washington DC.
[Photo by Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Mark Esper, U.S. Secretary of Defense, openly defied President Donald Trump’s threat to deploy the military to suppress protests. He firmly stated that he does not support the enforcement of law through military deployment. The White House drew a line by expressing disagreement with the Defense Secretary’s remarks, raising the possibility of Esper’s dismissal.

On the 3rd (local time), during a briefing, Secretary Esper said, "The enforcement of law by deploying troops should only be used in the most urgent and serious situations," adding, "We are not in such a situation now. I do not support invoking the Insurrection Act for military deployment."

He went on to say that the death of George Floyd, a Black man, was a horrific crime and that every effort must be made to eradicate it. Regarding the low-altitude flight of a medical evacuation helicopter over protesters in Washington D.C. on the 1st, which threatened the demonstrators, he stated that a full investigation has been ordered to determine who gave the directive. This stance differed from President Trump, who labeled the protesters as rioters.

Esper’s remarks caused considerable ripples, given that he is known as a ‘loyalist’ who avoids conflict with President Trump. White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany drew a line during the briefing, saying, "If necessary, President Trump will use the Insurrection Act," distancing herself from Esper’s comments.

U.S. media are speculating about the possibility of Esper’s dismissal. CNN reported that President Trump showed displeasure with Esper’s remarks and recently expressed frustration with him in private.

Press Secretary McEnany also avoided directly answering when asked if President Trump trusts Secretary Esper, only stating, "As of now, Secretary Esper is still the Secretary."

However, Secretary Esper initially ordered 200 troops gathered near Washington D.C. from various parts of the U.S. to return to North Carolina, but after attending a White House meeting that day, he reversed his decision, showing a step back. President Trump also commented on military deployment in an interview with former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer on the internet media Newsmax the same day, saying, "It depends on the situation," and "I don’t think we need to do that."

Esper’s predecessor, former Secretary of Defense James Mattis, also harshly criticized President Trump that day. In a statement released through the newsweekly The Atlantic, he said, "President Trump is trying to divide us." He also condemned the dispersal of protesters for the President’s church visit as an abuse of power.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.