“The men kicked people lying on the ground and put a woman in a chokehold just a mile from the White House. They outnumbered the protesters nearly two to one.” That is one of the findings of The New York Times’ review of videos and photographs of the violent May 16 attack on protesters by Turkish bodyguards during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit.

The meticulous review makes clear how ridiculous it is for the Turkish government to double down on its claims that police were at fault for inadequate control of demonstrators. It makes one wonder what is taking U.S. authorities so long in bringing charges against the assailants, and whether the White House is ever going to speak out against this clear-cut attack on American citizens exercising their First Amendment rights.

Eleven people were injured in the melee outside the Turkish ambassador’s residence. The State Department condemned the events and summoned the Turkish ambassador, prompting Turkey’s Foreign Ministry to summon the American ambassador and lodge a formal protest over “aggressive” actions by U.S. personnel. Last week, the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed a resolution condemning the attack, and House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., demanded an apology.

Ryan shouldn’t hold his breath. The Turkish government has made clear it doesn’t care about facts as it tries to insist that ill-prepared police and aggressive protesters were to blame. Never mind the video showing otherwise.

The District of Columbia police investigation is continuing, with cooperation from the Secret Service and the State Department, said Chief Peter Newsham. We understand the need for careful review, but there also should be a sense of urgency in bringing to justice those responsible for this indefensible attack on peaceful protesters. Charges should be brought..

It is also important that President Trump make clear to Erdogan that such thuggery – while unfortunately unchecked in his home country – has no place here.

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