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In a rare joint post, U.S. Army Joint Chiefs of Staff on Tuesday besieged riots last week at the U.S. Capitol – which left five dead, including a Capitol Police officer – as an attack against the country’s constitutional process.
The post marked the first public comments on the riot by Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley.
“The violent riot in Washington DC on January 6, 2021 was a direct attack on the US Congress, the Capitol building and our constitutional process,” reads an internal troop memo obtained by Reuters.
A member of the military stands guard outside Russell’s Senate building on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, Jan.8, 2021, in response to supporters of President Donald Trump who stormed the U.S. Capitol.
(AP)
The note reminded the troops that freedom of expression and assembly “does not give anyone the right to resort to violence, sedition and insurrection”.
Milley made headlines last summer when he expressed regret for accompanying President Donald Trump to a photoshoot in Lafayette Square amid the protests, calling the decision a “mistake.”
The incident came at the height of nationwide protests against police and law enforcement, sparked by the police murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Tuesday’s memo from senior military officials comes amid fears of renewed violence on inauguration day. Signed by all members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the memo reminded the military that Joe Biden has been duly elected as the next president and will be sworn in on January 20.
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It also occurs when law enforcement agencies attempt to determine the extent of criminal activity on Capitol Hill and find out the extent of involvement of current or past military personnel.
Some military veterans participated in the riots, but the extent of any active duty involvement has not been established. Senator Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq War veteran, wrote to the Defense Department on Monday asking them to cooperate with the FBI and the United States Capitol Police to investigate whether current and retired members of the military were doing part of a “seditious plot” against the government.
The joint chiefs memo did not directly refer to the issue of military participation.
“We have witnessed actions inside the Capitol building that were incompatible with the rule of law,” the memo reads. “The rights to freedom of expression and assembly do not give anyone the right to resort to violence, sedition and insurrection.
“As soldiers, we must embody the values and ideals of the nation. We support and defend the Constitution. Any act aimed at disrupting the constitutional process is not only contrary to our traditions, our values and our oath; it is against the law.
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Ahead of next week’s inauguration and the departure of President Donald Trump, the National Guard is preparing to provide support to law enforcement. There are no plans to use active forces in security operations.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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