Dems 'insist' Esper, JCS appear

U.S. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) and 30 other Democrats say they will “insist” Defense Secretary (SECDEF) Mark Esper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley appear before the committee to testify about the use of U.S. military in quelling recent protests, which didn't happen. The committee says DoD’s top officials don't plan to appear next week. "This is unacceptable," according to a Democrat-released statement. "We insist that they appear before our committee.” Democrats also voiced concerns that Trump would send active military units to police protestors in Washington. SECDEF has since sent those soldiers home without deploying them. Democrats say the Pentagon should provide the committee with an “informal” briefing in the meantime, noting that one had been scheduled but canceled. (Source: Inside Defense 06/09/20)