It is a tragedy we have seen repeat itself too many times. With great sympathy, i want to extend the deepest of condolences to the family and friends of george floyd from me and the department. America, andl in we must do our very best to recognize it, to confront it, and to eradicate it. I have been proud to be a member of an institution, the United States military, that embraces diversity and inclusion. And prohibits hate and discrimination at and discrimination in all forms. We have led on these issues. While we still have much to do on this front, leaders across the dod and the services take this responsibility seriously, and we are determined to make a difference. Every member of this department has sworn an oath to uphold and defend the constitution of the United States of america. I have taken this oath many times, beginning at the age of 18 when i entered west point. The rights embedded in this great document begin with the first amendment, which guarantees the five free speed him would guarantees freedom of speech, press, assembly and the right to petition the government. The United States military is sworn to defend these and all other rights, and we encourage americans at all times to exercise them peacefully. Freedomsse rights and that make our country so special , and it is these rights and freedoms that American Service members are willing to fight and die for. At times, however, the united support oftary in governors to maintain law and order so that other americans can exercise their rights, free from violence against themselves or their property. That is what thousands of guardsmen are doing today in cities across america. It is not something we seek to do, but it is our duty, and we do it with the utmost skill and professionalism. I was reminded of that money as they visited our National Guardsmen who were on duty monday night, protecting our most hollowed grounds and monuments. I am very proud of the men and women of the National Guard, who are on the streets performing this important task, and in many ways, at the risk of their own welfare. I have always believed and continue to believe that the National Guard is best suited for performing Domestic Support in these situations. In support of local Law Enforcement. I say this not only a secretary of defense, but as a former soldier and a former member of the National Guard. The option to use active duty forces and a Law Enforcement role should only be used as a matter of last resort, and only in the most urgent and dire of situations. We are not in one of those situations now. I do not support invoking the insurrection act. Last night, a story came out based on a background interview i did earlier in the day. It focused on the events last monday evening in Lafayette Park and i found it to be inaccurate in some parts. I want to stay very clearly for all who are here, my account of what happened that monday afternoon. That following the president s remarks monday evening that many of us would join President Trump and review the damage in Lafayette Park and it st. Johns episcopal church. When i was not aware of was exactly where we were going when we arrived at the church, and what the plans were once begun there. Meet witho my aim to and thank the members of the National Guard, who were on duty that evening in the park. It is something the president likes to do as well. The path we took to and from the church did not afford us that opportunity, but i was able to spin a considerable amount of time with our guardsmen as i went around the city in many locations at which they were posted. I addressed i want to address a few other matters. First, National Guard forces did not fire rubber bullets or teargas into the crowd as reported. Second, guardsmen were instructed to wear helmets and personal protective equipment for their own protection, not to serve as some form of intimidation. Third, military leaders, including the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff were wearing field uniforms because that is the appropriate uniform when working in the command center and meeting with troops in the street. Fourth, it wasnt until yesterday afternoon that we determined it was a National Guard helicopter that hovered low over a city block in d. C. Within an hour or so of learning of this, i directed an inquiry to determine what happened and why, and report back to me. You have been generous with your time, so let me wrap up by stating how proud i am of our men and women in uniform. The National Guard, over the short span of several months, has gone from tackling natural disasters, such as floods, to combating the coronavirus across the country, to know dealing with civil unrest in support of Law Enforcement. All while many of their fellow guardsmen are deployed abroad defending against americas adversaries. Most informally, i want to assure all of you and all americans, that the department of defense of the Armed Services , our leaders and i take seriously our oath to support and defend the constitution of the United States, and to safeguard those very rights contained in that document we cherish so dearly. This is a tough time for our great country. But we will get through it. My hope is that instead of the violence in the streets, we will see Peaceful Demonstrations that honor george floyd. That press for accountability for his murder, that move us to reflect about racism in america, and that serve as a call to action for us to come together and to address this problem one sent for all. This to address this problem once and for all. This is the america we aspire to be, and this is the america that we are committed to defending with our lives. Thank you. We will go to the phones. Bob burns. Bob thank you, mr. Secretary. Taking it back to your comments about monday evening, when you left the white house with the president and others, i think if i heard you correctly, you said to did know you were going the st. Johns church, but you did not know what would happen when you got there, and you have been criticized for participating in a president ial photo op. Do you regret having participated . Did know we were going to the church, but i did not but i was not aware photo op was operating. I do everything i can to try to stay a political and stay out of situations that may appear political. Sometimes, im successful and sometimes im not successful, but my aim is to keep out of politics and that is what i continue to try to do. To fill stuart phil steward. The criticismress for your statement of cash [inaudible] would you take that phrase back . When you talk about keeping the military apolitical, how do you see the department navigating this when the response protests has become an issue . Take your second question first, phil. That is the challenge, right . There is a political tone to this. We are in a political season, and this is always a challenge for every department of defense in election year, so this is something we will continue to deal with as we creep closer to election season. I had been speaking about the importance of staying out of politics by staying apolitical to my leadership since i took office. I reinforced it when i came in we started the new year, and i talked about it several times since then, but this will be the ongoing challenge. With regard to your first question, earlier this become unescorted as saying the best way to get street violence under control was by dominating the battle space. We use this phrase often. It is something we use day in and day out. Is part of our military lexicon that i grew up with. To describe aused bounded area of operations. It is not a phrase focused on people. And certainly not on our fellow americans as some have suggested. It is a phrase in speaking with the minnesota governor. He and i spoke a couple of times on friday and saturday as i spoke to him about the dod support and what was happening there. Keep in mind, there was only a few short days ago where minneapolis was the epicenter and all eyes were focused on minnesota. Governor walt is a former member of the National Guard, and i was complementing his call with the governor as he had done. It was his numbers in the guard prevented people from breaking the law. He was doing so that Peaceful Demonstrations could be held, so peaceful demonstrators could share their frustration and anger. That is what i was encouraging other governors to consider. In retrospect, i would use different wording as to not to distract from the more important for those hand, or not suggest we were militarizing the issue. You for doing this briefing. Some of the people that criticized you for the term a battle space were some respected former generals, and they said that was an appropriate language. If i can move onto what you knew about the situation at lafayette square. That they would you strong measures and pushing back the protesters there . Did you express any concern that that might not be good to make the photo option the photo op happening . I was not aware of Law Enforcements plan and i was not briefed on them, or expect to be. That i felttions they thought were necessary but i was not aware what they were doing. Stan . Yes, mr. Secretary. Thanks for your time. I realize youre trying to keep the department out of politics, youre strong, says morning about george floyd. In light of the more than 200,000 black servicemembers in uniform across the country [inaudible] it is a fair question very you it is a fair question. I work very hard to keep the department out of politics, which is very hard these days as we move closer and closer to an election. Remaining apolitical means there are times to speak up in times not to. What happened to george floyd happens way too often in this country, and most times we dont speak about these matters as a department. But as admins have been unfolding, it became clear that this is becoming a very combustible, national issue, and what i wanted to do, i had made the determination as admins escalated in the last 72 hours that the moment had reached a point where he wanted a clear message to the department about our approach, and so, given the dynamics, i wanted to lead by crafting my own statement, which i did yesterday and you all should have seen it. Course, i thought was the proper tone for our service members, and giving my leaders the space to offer to also craft similar messages expressing our outrage, spritzing our commitment of the constitution, spritzing our tomitment as an institution, end racism and hatred and all of its forms, and just a general expression with regard to whether the department is about. That is the timeline, dan. I do that with Great Council from my advisors. We will have one more from the phones. Several of the chiefs were speaking up sooner. Sometimes when you say nothing, that says something onto itself. In retrospect, would you have done so more quickly . We talked to the chiefs. Most of the chiefs wanted to take the lead from me, and so, what i told them is i was going to take i was going to send the initial message to set the tone to express my views, and then, give them the space to share their views as well to do so. And again, we are a week into this or so, and when you look at what has escalated, it has been a matter of 72 hours, maybe 96 or so. We have been consumed with a lot of things between now and then, but i think it is important to speak up, and to speak out aiming to share what we do as an institution. The racism that exists in america, and how we do it as an institution, i think we have lead on these issues over the history of the United States military and will continue to do so, especially while i am at the helm. Tom bowman . Nick . Secretary, thank you for doing this. If i could take you back to the other night, i know you were saying you did not know exactly what the plans were, but with all due respect, those plans were designed by the commanderinchief and also by bill barr. The command center with you. How could you not know about those plans . What does it say about those plans to clear the park and go to the church to do with the president did . Number two, i know you arent conducting an inquiry on the helicopter. Do you believe it was inappropriate to use a medevac helicopter to intimidate protesters . Thank you. I i think their speculation in regard to what you stated. I would encourage you to speak to the department of justice. It was a Law Enforcement action. I had not arrived at the command post. I was in route to the command post when i was asked to return to the white house to update the president. I got back to the white house, and within a short period of time, the president went out to give his remarks. There wasin between there. There was no opportunity to get a briefing. Again, that was not a military decision to clear the park. The National Guard was there in support of Law Enforcement. With regard to your second question, i would say this much, i will not comment because i have asked that an inquiry be made. I want to understand what happened, who was involved, what words were they given are not given, was there a safety issue involved . There are a lot of questions that need to be answered. I spoke with secretary mccarthy last night about it, and we will get the facts, and we will go from there. Thank you. You served in the d. C. National guard. Question,up on nicks where you surprise a medical helicopter from the d. C. National guard to intimidate people peacefully assembling . Secondly, you asked the secretary of the army to look into this. Was a helicopter under the authority of the department of justice . Is that why there is this military if the helicopter was used in an aggressive form . The request along enforcement . You made a statement that was to intimidate protesters. I got a report back that they were asked by Law Enforcement to look at a checkpoint, a National Guard checkpoint, to see if there were protesters around. There are conflicting reports. I dont want to add to that. We need to see with the facts actually are. If you did not see the video the line when you are landing that low in the city, and looks unsafe to me would i need to find out that in to learn what is going on. It would not be unsafe if they were picking up someone seriously injured. We have to find out all the facts, take it all in any let all, and let the military do their work. But that was not a medevac mission. I want to wrap up and Say Something directly to the men and women to the department of defense. As i said in my message yesterday, i appreciate your professionalism and dedication to defending the constitution for all americans. I am amazed by the countless remarkable accomplishments of the department of defense in these trying times from repatriating and sheltering americans evacuated from a foreign land, to delivering applies to those in need, and to protecting our cities and across every mission, the u. S. Military has been remade ready, capable, and willing to serve. I ask you to remember our department and is Public Service to stay apolitical in these turbulent days. For well over two centuries, the military has owned the respect of the American People by being there, to protect and serve all americans. Through your dedication to the mission and our core values and your enduring support to your fellow americans, we will safeguard the hard earned trust and confidence of the public, as our most respected institution. Thank you. Would you consider taking another question from the womb . From the room . Coming up, former president barack obama takes part in a virtual townhome meeting on uas Race Relations and buys in americas criminal justice system. The event is hosted by my brothers keeper alliance, a program of the obama foundation. See it live here on cspan. Tonight, former Deputy Attorney general rod rosensteins testimony before the Senate Judiciary committee on the pfizer application process used during the fbi investigation into possible ties between the Trump Campaign manager russian officials. See that hearing at 8 00 p. M. Eastern on cspan. For the federal government at work in d. C. And throughout the country, use the congressional directory for members of congress, governors, and federal agencies. Order your copy online today at cspanstore. Org. Earlier today, new York Governor Andrew Cuomo held a briefing with reporters on the Coronavirus Response in his state, and recent protest and rise following the death of george floyd. From albany, this is about 25 minutes. Gov. Cuomo good morning. Pleasure to be with all of you. My left is the lieutenant my left is lieutenant governor