The Inspector General of the Interior Department's Office is reportedly investigating the U.S. Park Police's removal of demonstrators from a park leading up to President Donald Trump walking from the White House to a church across the street, according to Washington Examiner.
A spokesperson for the agency told Washington Examiner the agency is probing an incident June 1, when Park Police used smoke canisters and pepper balls to push away protesters out of Lafayette Square, next to the White House.
"Given the significance of the events, we have already begun collecting and reviewing information," the spokesperson said. "After we make an initial determination of which agency had command and control of the law enforcement operations, we will conduct a review of Park Police actions accordingly."
This news arrives at the same time Reps. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., and Deb Haaland, D-N.M., and Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., have also requested an investigation into the same matter.
The event was a part of a wave of nationwide protests in response to the death of George Floyd, a black man who died when a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck.
The crowd was cleared and the Secret Service escorted President Donald Trump during his walk from the White House to St. John's Episcopal Church, which had its windows smashed and rooms set on fire earlier by some protesters. Once he arrived, the president was photographed holding a Bible in the air.
The church's bishop later criticized the president for using the moment as a photo-op, while Democrat lawmakers blamed Trump for ordering the Park Police to clear the crowd.
Acting Park Police Chief Gregory Monahan said demonstrators threw bricks, frozen water bottles and "caustic" liquids at Park Police during the protests.
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