Attorney General William Barr said at a Thursday press conference that their is evidence that shows Antifa and other extremist groups are hijacking the George Floyd protests to engage in violence and lawbreaking.
Speaking to reporters alongside FBI Director Christopher Wray, U.S. Marshals Director Donald W. Washington, BOP Director Michael Carvajal, ATF Acting Director Regina Lombardo, and DEA Acting Administrator Timothy Shea, Barr spoke on the civil unrest following Floyd's death and the riots that have ensued.
Barr said, "Unfortunately, the aftermath of George Floyd’s death has produced a second challenge to the rule of law, while many have peacefully expressed their anger and grief. Others have hijacked protest to engage in lawlessness. Violent rioting, arson, looting of businesses and public property. Assaults on law enforcement officers and innocent people. And even the murder of a federal agent. Such senseless acts of anarchy are not exercises of First Amendment rights. They are crimes designed to terrify fellow citizens and intimidate communities."
He continued, "We have evidence that Antifa and other similar extremist groups, as well as actors of a variety of different political persuasions have been involved in instigating and participating in the violent activity. And we are also seeing foreign actors playing all sides to exacerbate the violence."