As published (CPSAN - June 3, 2020) - Defense Secretary Mark Esper held a briefing at the Pentagon. He responded to news reports about President Trump’s visit to St. John’s Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C., during the protests over George Floyd’s death while in custody of Minneapolis police officers. Secretary Esper said he was not aware of the president’s intentions to pose for photographs in front of the church, saying he knew only of plans to view damage at Lafayette Park and St. John’s. He clarified he was “not aware exactly where we were going when we arrived at the church and what the plans were once we got there.” Secretary Esper also stated he did not support invoking the Insurrection Act to use the U.S. military to manage protests across the United States.