Despite Evidence, Park Police Chief Says ‘Tremendous Restraint’ Was Used in Lafayette Clash

WASHINGTON — Confronted by lawmakers multiple times with videos of Park Police officers advancing on protesters and beating reporters in Lafayette Square last month, Gregory T. Monahan, the force’s acting chief, refused on Tuesday to acknowledge the violent clashes and testified that his officers acted with “tremendous restraint.”

Mr. Monahan and the Park Police are being scrutinized for their role in the June 1 crackdown on protests in front of the White House, during which mounted police officers and officers in riot gear advanced on demonstrators with flash grenades and tear gas just before President Trump marched across the area to stage a photo op.

An Army National Guard officer who also testified on Tuesday as part of the House Natural Resources Committee’s investigation of the clash said the Park Police subjected protesters to “excessive use of force.”

Mr. Monahan told lawmakers that his officers were met with “severe violence from a large group of bad actors” and that the response “centered around public safety.” But pressed repeatedly to square his remarks with evidence captured during the demonstrations that his officers attacked protesters, Mr. Monahan demurred.