The judge did allow claims against the Metropolitan Police Department and the Arlington Police Department, whose officers fired smoke bombs and pepper balls on protesters at Lafayette Square last summer, to proceed.

The acting chief of the Park Police refused to appear before a House committee to answer questions about the use of tear gas against peaceful protesters.

Interior Department inspector general Mark Greenblatt has been assigned to investigate law enforcement actions in Lafayette Park.

Joe Biden’s campaign said the tear-gassing of peaceful protesters to enable a Trump photo-op ‘reflected profound weakness.’