White House Press Secretary Marlin Fitzwater held a news briefing for reporters in the White House to update them on the rioting in Los Angeles, CA. The rioting had started two days earlier after four white police officers were acquitted of beating a black suspect during an arrest that was videotaped by a Los Angeles resident. Press Secretary Fitzwater said the rioting was generally under control, and the president had been in touch with the governor of California and the mayor of Los Angeles. The president sent 1,000 law enforcement officials to Los Angeles, and ordered the preparation of 1,000 U.S. military troops to be moved into the city if necessary.