Military Forces Deployed Around U.S. Capital

The United States has deployed approximately 1,600 soldiers to military bases around Washington. They will provide support to security forces if needed in dealing with protests. Trump had threatened to mobilize troops against protesters.

Units of military police and infantry forces from the United States have been deployed around Washington to provide support to security forces if necessary in potential clashes with protesters.

The spokesman for the U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon) announced on Tuesday evening (June 2) that these units have been sent to the capital on the orders of Mark Esper, the Secretary of Defense.

According to the Associated Press, military units “fully armed” have been transferred from various bases to the Washington area.

Donald Trump, the President, threatened on Monday (June 1) that if protests continue, he would “summon thousands of heavily armed soldiers” from the military to suppress the unrest.

According to experts, the use of military forces by the President against citizen protests is a legal measure, but it intensifies the tense atmosphere and worsens the situation.

Continuation of Protests and Clashes

In many American cities, protests against racial discrimination have continued following the death of George Floyd, an African American citizen. On Tuesday evening, military helicopters flew at low altitude over the protesters.

In some areas, protests escalated into violent confrontations with police forces. The largest gatherings occurred in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Atlanta, New York, and Washington.

As night fell and darkness set in, despite curfew announcements in many cities, protests became more violent and in some cases escalated into clashes, looting, and rioting.

Some protesters looted luxury and expensive stores on Fifth Avenue in New York, and a group of young people set a shopping center on fire in Los Angeles.