This raises a crucial question. Was this Park Police-led assault on June 1 motivated by partisan hostility directed from above?

Today, we continue examining the June 1 decision by the U.S. Park Police and its partners to violently remove peaceful protesters from the area around Lafayette Square.

Yet, what we know should be enough to focus people of good faith on both the need for further inquiry and possible reforms.

President Trump openly says he's sending paramilitary forces to these cities because they are run by Democratic mayors.

For 8 minutes and 46 seconds, this officer slowly and painfully murdered Mr. Floyd--a father, brother, and son--depriving him of his life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.

It is our duty--as Members of Congress, as Americans, and as HUMAN BEINGS--to ensure that others fighting for basic fairness do not suffer the same brutality Mr. Lewis suffered.

If we are to effectively address those issues, we need to speak frankly about the record as it stands today.

I believe it is our duty in Congress, as Americans, and as human beings, to ensure that others fighting for basic fairness do not suffer the same brutality.

As the events have shown, Lafayette Square was a test run for what is an illegal and ongoing crackdown by the Trump administration.

The Trump administration is still scrambling to explain how this happened, often contradicting itself, ample video evidence, and the accounts of people at the scene.

Thousands of Americans have taken to the streets to offer a fervent declaration that is really a plea for basic humanity: BLACK LIVES MATTER.