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PARK POLICE DENY TEAR GAS REPORTS: The head of the U.S. Park Police (USPP) on Tuesday said police used pepper balls to move crowds demonstrating near the White House on Monday night, and took issue with reports that tear gas was used.
Acting USPP Chief Gregory Monahan said in a statement that smoke canisters and pepper balls were used to combat “violent” protesters.
“As many of the protestors became more combative, continued to throw projectiles, and attempted to grab officers’ weapons, officers then employed the use of smoke canisters and pepper balls,” Monahan said.
“No tear gas was used by USPP officers or other assisting law enforcement partners to close the area at Lafayette Park,” he said.
The National Guard and other police also took part in clearing the space on Monday.
Reporters push back: A number of reporters took issue with Monahan’s statement.
Reporters on the scene of the Monday night protest from The Hill and other news organizations reported seeing projectiles thrown by police, and experienced and interviewed people who experienced eye irritation.
A number of reporters also pushed back at Monahan’s description of the protests.
After the space was cleared, President Trump
Donald John TrumpSessions accepts ‘Fox News Sunday’ invitation to debate, Tuberville declines Priest among those police cleared from St. John’s Church patio for Trump visit Trump criticizes CNN on split-screen audio of Rose Garden address, protesters clashing with police MORE walked through the park and was photographed in front of the nearby St. John’s Church.
And House Democrats want more information on the incident…
Democrats on the House Natural Resources Committee are requesting a briefing from the U.S. Park Police (USPP) after they and other law enforcement dispersed crowds protesting against police brutality outside the White House.
House Natural Resources Committee Committee Chairman Raúl Grijalva (Ariz.) and Rep. Deb Haaland
Debra HaalandDemocrats blast CDC report on minorities and COVID-19 Elizabeth Warren calls for look into coronavirus impact on Native American rights Minority lawmakers gain unprecedented clout amid pandemic MORE (D-N.M.), who leads the panel’s Natural Parks subcommittee, asked that USPP staff contact panel staff “to arrange a briefing, to be conducted remotely, for members of the committee to examine the role of the U.S. Park Police during the June 1 incident.”
“We require further information about alarming reports indicating that U.S. Park Police were among the law enforcement officers who launched a violent attack on peaceful protesters in Lafayette Park to clear the way for President Trump’s photo opportunity at St. John’s Episcopal Church,” the lawmakers wrote in their letter to the head of the USPP. “Officers are credibly accused of launching flash bangs, tear gas, and shooting rubber pellets at unarmed, nonviolent protesters.”
Read more about the Park Police statement here.
FULL STEAM AHEAD-QUARTERS: The Energy Department’s Washington, D.C., headquarters, closed over the coronavirus pandemic, will reopen for some employees next week.
Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette told employees in an email shared with The Hill that a group of “Phase 1” employees will return on Monday.
The department’s reopening plan identifies Phase 1 employees as those who are “mission-critical personnel whose work is best performed onsite … including those who are needed to support limited facility operations.”
Brouillette’s email also stated that those who self-identify as “members of certain categories” will be able to continue teleworking. The reopening plan states that those who say they are medically at-risk or who live with or care for vulnerable people are allowed to remain home for the first two reopening phases.
Vulnerable people are allowed to return to the office if they choose to, however.
Approximately 7,000 people work in the department’s D.C. headquarters. Brouillette told employees that roughly 0.3 percent of them, or about 21 people, have been confirmed as having COVID-19. The department was one of many government agencies that instituted teleworking as the pandemic ravaged communities.
In recent weeks, many parts of the country have started phased reopening plans, though the U.S. death toll from the virus has reached over 100,000.
The Energy secretary’s email said that employees who return will receive information and can get virtual training that includes information safety precautions being taken such as “sanitization, screening criteria, hand sanitizer, signage, and other preparations that have occurred at our HQ buildings.”
Trump official leading COVID-19 testing to return to regular duties
New Jersey will allow outdoor dining, nonessential retail to open…
The news comes as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is also moving to reopen soon. A memo obtained by E&E News said that the agency would be reopening offices in Georgia, Kansas and Washington state.
Read more about the return to work here.
(ALMOST) ALL IN: Twenty-three conversative-leaning states are seeking to intervene in a lawsuit filed by 17 left-leaning ones that challenges a Trump administration rule rolling back Obama-era waterway protections.
President Trump’s Navigable Waters Protection Rule limits federal protections for a number of smaller waterways, which many scientists say risks pesticides and pollution reaching larger ones.
“This rule opens the door to new, and worse industry pollution that endangers our wildlife, it dirties our drinking water and increases the risk of harmful contamination of our nation’s waterways. In short, it risks the health and safety of Americans around the nation,” California Attorney General Xavier Becerra
Xavier BecerraOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Trump official violated ethics rules in seeking EPA job for relative, watchdog finds| Trump administration aims to buy uranium for reserve ‘as soon as possible,’ official says| 18 states fight conservative think tank effort to freeze fue 18 states fight conservative think tank effort to freeze fuel efficiency standards OVERNIGHT ENERGY: States, green groups sue Trump over rollback of Obama fuel efficiency regulations | Oil lobby says low prices still hurting industry | Conservative group wants Trump to go further in rolling back key environmental law MORE (D) said in a call with reporters announcing the suit in May.
But Tuesday’s filing from the other states said the rule provided a better balance between state and federal regulation, leaving the protection of smaller waterbodies with the states.
“The 2020 rule’s approach also preserves the longstanding role of the states as primary
regulators of intrastate lands and waters by allowing for federal jurisdiction over only relatively
permanent bodies of water, and leaving within state control those areas that benefit the most from regulation,” they wrote.
OUTSIDE THE BELTWAY:
Florida judge rejects children’s climate change lawsuit, citing ‘political’ issue, the Tampa Bay Times reports
U.S. Ruling Could Mean a Flood of New Claims Against Volkswagen, The New York Times reports
Animal rights activists uncover the locations of thousands of factory farms, The Intercept reports
Big Oil Wanted Changes To Worker Safety Rule. Emails Show Top Trump Official ‘Agreed,’ HuffPost reports
Bid to halt Nevada oil drilling in sage grouse habitat, the Associated Press reports
ICYMI: Stories from Tuesday…
Energy Department headquarters to reopen next week
Trump administration reverses course, will allow impurities in hand sanitizers temporarily
Park Police chief insists tear gas wasn’t used despite reports
