Hogan Gidley: Mattis' 'Head in the Sand' Over Rioting

Former Defense Secretary James Mattis has his "head in the sand" when it comes to the dangerous situations going on in the nation's cities and towns with the violent incidents that have bent taking place during protests over the death of George Floyd, and that is "quite frankly appalling," White House Deputy Press Secretary Hogan Gidley said Thursday.

"James Mattis also has pointed to a few lawbreakers out there when in fact we see massive rates across the country, dangerous situations in our metropolitan cities and some of our small towns, it's egregious what's going on," Gidley said on Fox News' "America's Newsroom," while commenting on Mattis' scathing assessment of the president this week in The Atlantic.  

President Donald Trump has said he stands with peaceful protesters, but he won't allow lawlessness, said Gidley, and he wants justice done. 

"When someone like Jim Mattis makes the comment, it's a fundamental misunderstanding of what's occurring," said Gidley, noting that he's seen for himself the results of violence and looting. 

"The president said at the state level, you need to stand up," said Gidley. "All you mayors and governors, you need to protect your citizens and allow the police forces to do their jobs and if you don't, I will. That's where the president stands."

But Mattis "doesn't have a clue" about what's going on in America's cities, Gidley added. 

Meanwhile, it will be Trump's decision whether to invoke the Insurrection Act, said Gidley, even though current Defense Secretary Mark Esper publicly opposed deploying active-duty forces to confront protesters in U.S. cities. 

"What I've seen is in a lot of places police were not given the authority to arrest people who are breaking the law," said Gidley. "American citizens are not being protected and so the president made the point that all options are on the table because it's up to the federal government to protect people."

• Gen. Mattis: Trump 'Tries to Divide,' Makes 'Mockery' of Constitution
• WH Says Esper Still Defense Secy Despite Clash Over Military Role in Protests