Civil rights demonstrator Kishon McDonald answers a question at a U.S. House Natural Resources Committee hearing examining Park Police response to Lafayette Square protests on June 29, 2020 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Bonnie Cash-Pool/Getty Images)

When U.S. Park Police forcefully pushed peaceful protesters away from the White House and Lafayette Square on June 1, they performed a “violent and senseless operation,” said Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva, D-Ariz, chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, during a Congressional hearing about the incident on Monday.

Around 6:30 p.m. — a half-hour before Washington D.C.’s curfew — videos show U.S. Park Police using projectiles, batons, and gas to move protesters away from the park.

Among the hearing’s witnesses was Washington D.C. resident Kishon McDonald, who is a plaintiff in an ACLU lawsuit over the force used to move Lafayette Square protesters.

Civil rights demonstrator Kishon McDonald testifies at a U.S. House Natural Resources Committee hearing examining Park Police response to Lafayette Square protests on June 29, 2020 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Michael Reynolds-Pool/Getty Images)

READ MORE: Protesters sue Trump over tear-gassing at Lafayette Park

Referring to the use of tear gas and flashbangs, McDonald compared the force to a boot camp drill.

Seven News Australia correspondent Amelia Brace testifies at a U.S. House Natural Resources Committee hearing examining Park Police response to Lafayette Square protests on June 29, 2020 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Michael Reynolds-Pool/Getty Images)

In contrast to testimony from the witnesses, House Republicans echoed the June 2 statement by the U.S. Park Police, referring to protesters as “violent” and alluding to “the destruction of public property.”

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