Senator John Barrasso, the top Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, has raised concerns over the Department of the Interior's handling of violent protests that occurred on National Park Service property outside the White House last week. Barrasso, who oversees the Interior Department through his committee, sent a letter to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland questioning the lack of arrests and potential political influence in the aftermath of the chaotic events.
The protests, which involved thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators, led to assaults on U.S. Park Police and a National Park Service ranger at Lafayette Park, just north of the White House. Vandalism, including slogans supporting Hamas, was reported on federal property during the demonstrations.
