US Secret Service makes big u-turn, now admits it used pepper spray for Trump's photo-op

US Secret Service on Saturday mitted that an ncy employee used pepper spray on anti-racism protesters on June 1 to clear Lafayette Square ahe of President Donald Trump's controversial photo-op at a local church.

" ncy h concluded that ncy personnel used tear gas or capsicum spray during efforts to secure area near Lafayette Park on Monday, June 1, based on records and information available at time. ncy has learned that one ncy employee used capsicum spray (i.e., pepper spray) during that effort," statement released by Secret Service said.

employee is said to have used oleoresin capsicum spray, or pepper spray, in response to an ‘assaultive’ individual.

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Trump faces criticism

Donald Trump h faced widespre criticism after protestors demonstrating peacefully were cleared using tear gas and flash grenes, allowing President to walk through park and pose with a Bible (held upside-down) at St John church in Washington. In video foot, peaceful protesters can be seen fleeing as flash grenes ignite, and tear gas fills street before Trump heed to church.  

Civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton mocked President Trump's widely criticized photo-op in Washington DC. Speaking at memorial service for George Floyd, who died in custody of Minneapolis police on May 25 triggering protests across America, Sharpton said, "We cant use Bibles as a prop".

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 Army Gen. says he was wrong to accompany Trump

 Army Gen. Mark Milley, nation's top military officer, also said he was wrong to have accompanied President Donald Trump on a walk to a church where he was photographed in his combat uniform with presidential entour.

statement by Joint Chiefs chairman risked wrath of a President sensitive to anything hinting of criticism of events he has std.  Milley said his presence and photographs compromised his commitment to a military divorced from politics.

last couple of weeks has witnessed worldwide protests demanding justice for George Floyd, a 46-year-old African-American, who died shortly after a White police officer knelt on his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds.

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(With inputs from ANI)