Today, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) led a letter to U.S. Department of the Interior Deb Haaland and National Park Service (NPS) Director Chuck Sams requesting they launch an immediate investigation into the destructive and violent protests on July 24 on the National Mall, Columbus Circle and other NPS property in the D.C. area. In part, the members wrote:

“The ANSWER Coalition and its event leaders were required to manage their demonstrators and ensure compliance. At its core, the Permit required that ‘[t]he area should be left in substantially the same condition as it was prior to the activities authorized herein.’ The ANSWER Coalition violated—and encouraged violation by others of—nearly every Permit provision. Unsurprisingly, demonstrators continued to violate the Permit’s provisions even after the Permit was revoked. In fact, ANSWER Coalition’s violations, including assault on federal officers, destruction of federal property, resisting arrest, and more were so extreme that the United States Park Police (USPP) contacted the Committee to alert them to the ongoing situation. USPP, Capitol Police (USCP), and the New York City Police Department (NYPD) became overwhelmed due to DOI’s inaction and had no choice but to use force in self-defense and to regain control of the demonstrators.

“Although all Americans have the right to engage in peaceful protests, violent demonstrations such as the one that took place on July 24, 2024, have no place in our Nation and must be condemned not only by words, but by action. The Permittee, its named event organizers, and the criminal demonstrators must be held liable to the full extent of the law.

“Accordingly, the Committee hereby requests that DOI and NPS immediately launch a full investigation of crimes that took place during the July 24 protests and refer charges to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for civil and criminal prosecution, as provided by federal law.”

Read the full letter here.

Read the committee’s initial letter following the destructive protests here.