>> he has the sole authority to invoke the insurrection act, and if necessary, he will do so to protect american citizens. >> reporter: this morning, the pentagon had ordered 200 troops in the d.c. area to go home. but after the meeting this afternoon, an abrupt reversal. the pentagon said the troops will remain in place. esper was part of the team that walked with the president from the white house to st. john's church for a photo op about 30 minutes after law enforcement forcibly removed hundreds of peaceful protesters to clear the way. the white house says that was done on orders from attorney general barr. secretary esper insists he knew nothing about it. >> i was not aware of law enforcement's plans for the park. i was not briefed on them. >> reporter: today, the president claimed he didn't know about the plan to force out the peaceful protesters, either. >> i didn't say, oh, move them out. i didn't know who was there. i figured i was going to walk