Probe says Washington protest was not broken up because of Trump photo op

Donald Trump holding a Bible as he visited St John’s Church in Washington last summer. Picture: Patrick Semansky/AP

An investigation has determined the decision to forcibly clear racial justice protesters from an area in front of the White House last summer was not influenced by then-president Donald Trump’s plan to stage a photo opportunity at that spot.

The report, released by the Interior Department’s inspector general, concludes that the protesters were cleared by US Park Police last June 1 so that a contractor could start installing new fencing.