thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-31--FBI's Top Lawyer Leaving Bureau Amid Conservative Criticism Over Russia Probe

Pool via Getty Images Dana Boente , then-acting U.S. attorney general , listens during a county sheriff listening session with President Donald Trump , not pictured , in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on February 7 , 2017 in Washington , DC .
( Photo by Andrew Harrer - Pool/Getty Images ) WASHINGTON ( AP ) — The FBI ’ s top lawyer , Dana Boente , who has spent nearly 40 years with the Justice Department but has been targeted for criticism over the last year by some conservative commentators and supporters of President Donald Trump for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is leaving the bureau .
Boente has most recently served as the FBI ’ s general counsel but has held a variety of roles in his 38-year Justice Department career , including acting attorney general in the early days of the Trump administration , a United States attorney in Virginia and the acting head of the department ’ s national security division .
The FBI said that Boente had given notice on Friday that he intended to retire effective June 30 , the bureau said .
“ Throughout his long and distinguished career @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstrated a selfless determination to ensure that justice is always served on behalf of our citizens , ” FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement announcing Boente ’ s departure .
“ We should all be grateful for his dedication to the Department of Justice , the FBI , and the American people.
” Boente became acting attorney general in early 2017 after Sally Yates , a holdover from the Obama administration , was fired after refusing to defend the president ’ s travel ban , and remained in that role until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top Justice Department official , he approved one of three applications to renew secret surveillance warrants targeting former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page .
A Justice Department inspector general report from December said those applications to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court had significant errors and omissions that cut against the FBI ’ s premise that Page , who was never charged with any wrongdoing , was an agent of a foreign power .
The report said that Boente and other Justice Department officials “ did not have accurate and complete information ” from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
Even so , Boente has nonetheless been criticized by conservative figures for his involvement in the Russia probe .
A Facebook post in February from the conservative group Judicial Watch announced that its president , Tom Fitton , would appear on Fox Business News with host Lou Dobbs to discuss topics including “ the discovery that the FBI ’ s Chief Legal Counsel , Dana Boente , participated in fraudulent FISA warrants on Carter Page.
” In April , Dobbs himself alleged that Boente and Wray were blocking the disclosure of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national security adviser Michael Flynn .
The FBI and Justice Department denied that that was the case .
NBC News first reported Boente ’ s departure and said he had been asked to resign by the Justice Department .
Wray ’ s statement made no mention of that .
The Justice Department declined to comment Saturday .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI’s top lawyer, Dana Boente, who has spent nearly 40 years with the Justice Department but has been targeted for criticism over the last year by some conservative commentators and supporters of President Donald Trump for his role in the Russia investigation, is leaving the bureau.
Boente has most recently served as the FBI’s general counsel but has held a variety of roles in his 38-year Justice Department career, including acting attorney general in the early days of the Trump administration, a United States attorney in Virginia and the acting head of the department’s national security division.
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The FBI said that Boente had given notice on Friday that he intended to retire effective June 30, the bureau said.
Dana Boente, then-acting U.S. attorney general, listens during a county sheriff listening session with President Donald Trump, not pictured, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on February 7, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Andrew Harrer - Pool/Getty Images) Pool via Getty Images
“Throughout his long and distinguished career as a public servant, Dana has demonstrated a selfless determination to ensure that justice is always served on behalf of our citizens,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement announcing Boente’s departure. “We should all be grateful for his dedication to the Department of Justice, the FBI, and the American people.”
Boente became acting attorney general in early 2017 after Sally Yates, a holdover from the Obama administration, was fired after refusing to defend the president’s travel ban, and remained in that role until Jeff Sessions was installed.
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As a top Justice Department official, he approved one of three applications to renew secret surveillance warrants targeting former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page. A Justice Department inspector general report from December said those applications to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court had significant errors and omissions that cut against the FBI’s premise that Page, who was never charged with any wrongdoing, was an agent of a foreign power.
The report said that Boente and other Justice Department officials “did not have accurate and complete information” from the FBI at the time they approved them.
Even so, Boente has nonetheless been criticized by conservative figures for his involvement in the Russia probe.
A Facebook post in February from the conservative group Judicial Watch announced that its president, Tom Fitton, would appear on Fox Business News with host Lou Dobbs to discuss topics including “the discovery that the FBI’s Chief Legal Counsel, Dana Boente, participated in fraudulent FISA warrants on Carter Page.”
In April, Dobbs himself alleged that Boente and Wray were blocking the disclosure of “exculpatory” information about former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn. The FBI and Justice Department denied that that was the case.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-31--Democrats, Republicans Urge Trump To Stop His Incendiary Rhetoric As Protests Rage

As civil unrest over the death of George Floyd and other Black victims of police brutality continued to rock cities across the U.S. , lawmakers and leaders implored President Donald Trump on Sunday to cease his inflammatory commentary .
“ I think to take his bait time and time again is just a gift to him because he always wants to divert attention from what the cause of the response was , ” she said .
“ I ’ m not paying too much attention to what the president says , ” Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Trump tweets .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and time again is just a gift to him because he always wants to divert attention from what the cause of the response was.
” https : //t.co/sVerbxGgdM pic.twitter.com/i6302lt9Yd — This Week ( @ ThisWeekABC ) May 31 , 2020 “ When the looting starts , the shooting starts , ” the president wrote , invoking a racist phrase originally coined by an aggressive Miami police chief at the peak of the 1960s civil rights protests .
Trump later attempted to walk back his use of the phrase .
And on Saturday morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside the White House with “ vicious dogs ” and “ ominous weapons ” if they were to breach the fence .
He has also repeatedly lashed out at Democratic leaders as they attempt to control the violence in their cities .
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms ( D ) drew comparisons between Trump ’ s rhetoric now and at the deadly white nationalist rally in Charlottesville , Virginia , in 2017 , where he claimed there were some “ very fine people ” on both sides .
Those remarks drew bipartisan backlash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump is “ making it worse.
” “ This is not about using military force .
This is about where we are in America .
We are beyond a tipping point in this country , and his rhetoric only inflames that , and he should sometimes just stop talking , ” she said .
“ That ’ s not helpful .
It ’ s not lowering the temperature , ” he said on CNN ’ s “ State of the Union ” when discussing Trump ’ s tweets .
“ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I think it ’ s just the opposite of the message that should have been coming out of the White House.
” Washington , D.C. , Mayor Muriel Bowser , whom Trump targeted a day earlier , told MSNBC ’ s Chuck Todd on Sunday that Trump should start efforts to calm the nation by “ not sending divisive tweets that are meant to hearken to the segregationist past of our country.
” “ And he can start by doing that right now , we certainly urge him to do that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the West Wing , ABC News and CNN reported that there ’ s a divide within the White House over whether Trump should formally address the nation to call for calm , given his so-far bumpy message and tendency for escalation .
On CNN ’ s “ State of the Union , ” Sen. Cory Booker ( D-N.J. ) , recalled Trump ’ s “ inability to condemn Nazis ” in the wake of the Charlottesville rally and other past racist comments , saying Trump “ no longer has the capacity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s comments about the unrest unfolding in her city and around the country , Rep. Ilhan Omar ( D-Minn. ) said the president had “ failed in really understanding the kind of pain and anguish many of his citizens are feeling.
” “ When you have a president who really is glorifying violence , was talking about the kind of vicious dogs and weapons that could be unleashed on citizens , it is quite appalling and disturbing , ” she said .

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As civil unrest over the death of George Floyd and other Black victims of police brutality continued to rock cities across the U.S., lawmakers and leaders implored President Donald Trump on Sunday to cease his inflammatory commentary.
Democrats and some Republicans expressed concern over Trump’s rhetoric, with some saying his comments were fueling violence and exacerbating the tense situation.
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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told ABC’s “This Week” that she is largely ignoring Trump’s statements, which she said serve as “bait” to divert from the root issues that prompted the protests.
“I think to take his bait time and time again is just a gift to him because he always wants to divert attention from what the cause of the response was,” she said.
“I’m not paying too much attention to what the president says,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Trump tweets.
“I think to take his bait time and time again is just a gift to him because he always wants to divert attention from what the cause of the response was.” https://t.co/sVerbxGgdM pic.twitter.com/i6302lt9Yd — This Week (@ThisWeekABC) May 31, 2020
Early Friday morning, as demonstrations in Minneapolis again boiled over into violent clashes with police after days of unrest, Trump tweeted calling protesters “THUGS.”
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“When the looting starts, the shooting starts,” the president wrote, invoking a racist phrase originally coined by an aggressive Miami police chief at the peak of the 1960s civil rights protests. Trump later attempted to walk back his use of the phrase.
And on Saturday morning, Trump threatened protesters who had rallied outside the White House with “vicious dogs” and “ominous weapons” if they were to breach the fence. He has also repeatedly lashed out at Democratic leaders as they attempt to control the violence in their cities.
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) drew comparisons between Trump’s rhetoric now and at the deadly white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, where he claimed there were some “very fine people” on both sides. Those remarks drew bipartisan backlash. Bottoms said on CNN Sunday that Trump is “making it worse.”
“This is not about using military force. This is about where we are in America. We are beyond a tipping point in this country, and his rhetoric only inflames that, and he should sometimes just stop talking,” she said.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, also said Trump’s message is intensifying the situation.
“That’s not helpful. It’s not lowering the temperature,” he said on CNN’s “State of the Union” when discussing Trump’s tweets. “It’s sort of continuing to escalate the rhetoric. I think it’s just the opposite of the message that should have been coming out of the White House.”
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Republican Governor Larry Hogan of Maryland says President Trump's comments on the events of the week are "continuing to escalate the rhetoric."
"I think it's just the opposite of the message that should have been coming out of the White House" #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/Qk9rgpn3yZ — State of the Union (@CNNSotu) May 31, 2020
Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), too, spoke out against Trump’s tweets. “Those are not constructive tweets, without any question,” he said on “Fox News Sunday.”
Scott said that he’d spoken with the president and advised him that it’s “helpful when you lead with compassion.”
Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser, whom Trump targeted a day earlier, told MSNBC’s Chuck Todd on Sunday that Trump should start efforts to calm the nation by “not sending divisive tweets that are meant to hearken to the segregationist past of our country.”
“And he can start by doing that right now, we certainly urge him to do that,” she said.
Citing top aides in the West Wing, ABC News and CNN reported that there’s a divide within the White House over whether Trump should formally address the nation to call for calm, given his so-far bumpy message and tendency for escalation.
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Washington, D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser: "I think that the President has a responsibility to help calm the nation, and he can start by not sending divisive tweets that are meant to hearken to the segregationist past of our country." pic.twitter.com/z5y40G0Wj1 — Talking Points Memo (@TPM) May 31, 2020
On CNN’s “State of the Union,” Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), recalled Trump’s “inability to condemn Nazis” in the wake of the Charlottesville rally and other past racist comments, saying Trump “no longer has the capacity to break my heart.”
Donald Trump is not a leader that anyone should be looking to in these troubled times. He is a divisive president who has failed our country. We must stay focused on the people—and on unraveling institutional racism with the urgency it deserves. pic.twitter.com/zdKaMmM97d — Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) May 31, 2020
In response to Trump’s comments about the unrest unfolding in her city and around the country, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) said the president had “failed in really understanding the kind of pain and anguish many of his citizens are feeling.”
“When you have a president who really is glorifying violence, was talking about the kind of vicious dogs and weapons that could be unleashed on citizens, it is quite appalling and disturbing,” she said.
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During a speech Saturday afternoon, Trump offered a more composed tone, urging that “healing, not hatred, justice, not chaos are the mission at hand” and said “the memory of George Floyd is being dishonored by rioters, looters, and anarchists.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-31--Tanker Truck Barrels Toward Crowd Of Thousands Of Protesters In Minneapolis

A tanker truck sped toward thousands of protesters in Minneapolis on Sunday in a shocking moment as demonstrations over the death of George Floyd continue to spread around the nation .
Local news outlets were broadcasting live from the protest on Minneapolis ’ I-35 highway , the sixth day of demonstrations following the man ’ s death in police custody .
In the footage , large crowds gathered on a bridge suddenly begin to part before a truck is seen barreling toward the group .
It speeds through the crowd before coming to a stop on the highway .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicle and apparently pulled the driver from the cab of the truck .
A tanker truck drives into thousands of protesters marching on 35W north bound highway during a protest against the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd , in Minneapolis , Minnesota , U.S. May 31 , 2020 .
REUTERS/Eric Miller The Minnesota Department of Public Safety said it was disturbed by the footage and said the driver , who has not been identified , was arrested and taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries .
The agency said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been hit by the truck .
“ Very disturbing actions by a truck driver on I-35W , inciting a crowd of peaceful demonstrators , ” the department wrote on Twitter .
“ The truck driver was injured & taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries .
He is under arrest .
It doesn ’ t appear any protesters were hit by the truck.
” Officials said they were investigating how the truck was able to get on the highway , which is currently closed .
It ’ s unclear what the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The New York Times notes local police said the person was “ inciting ” peaceful protestors .
Minnesota Gov .
Tim Walz said the footage was “ horrifying ” in a news briefing later Sunday , saying it was amazing many people hadn ’ t died during the incident .
“ I don ’ t know the motives of the driver at this time , but at this point in time , to not have tragedy and many deaths is simply an amazing thing , ” Walz said .
Authorities later urged demonstrators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may use tear gas to disperse those gathered if they don ’ t go home before curfews set in .
The protest was the city ’ s latest demonstration following Floyd ’ s death while in police custody .
The man died after Officer Derek Chauvin arrested him and pressed his knee into Floyd ’ s neck for nearly nine minutes .
A shocking video of Floyd ’ s arrest rocked the nation , leading to protests in cities around the U.S. and calls for dramatic police reform .

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A tanker truck sped toward thousands of protesters in Minneapolis on Sunday in a shocking moment as demonstrations over the death of George Floyd continue to spread around the nation.
Local news outlets were broadcasting live from the protest on Minneapolis’ I-35 highway, the sixth day of demonstrations following the man’s death in police custody. In the footage, large crowds gathered on a bridge suddenly begin to part before a truck is seen barreling toward the group. It speeds through the crowd before coming to a stop on the highway.
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The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported demonstrators then swarmed the vehicle and apparently pulled the driver from the cab of the truck.
The footage below may be disturbing to some readers.
BREAKING- Truck moves at full speed into a crowd of thousands of demonstrators #GeorgeFloyd #Minnesota @KSTP pic.twitter.com/pUscK8JgFB — Brett Hoffland (@BrettHoffland) May 31, 2020
A tanker truck drives into thousands of protesters marching on 35W north bound highway during a protest against the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. May 31, 2020. REUTERS/Eric Miller Eric Miller / Reuters
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety said it was disturbed by the footage and said the driver, who has not been identified, was arrested and taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The agency said it didn’t appear any protesters had been hit by the truck.
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“Very disturbing actions by a truck driver on I-35W, inciting a crowd of peaceful demonstrators,” the department wrote on Twitter. “The truck driver was injured & taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries. He is under arrest. It doesn’t appear any protesters were hit by the truck.”
Officials said no one appeared to be injured following the incident. REUTERS/Eric Miller Eric Miller / Reuters
Officials said they were investigating how the truck was able to get on the highway, which is currently closed. It’s unclear what the driver’s motives were, although The New York Times notes local police said the person was “inciting” peaceful protestors.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said the footage was “horrifying” in a news briefing later Sunday, saying it was amazing many people hadn’t died during the incident.
“I don’t know the motives of the driver at this time, but at this point in time, to not have tragedy and many deaths is simply an amazing thing,” Walz said.
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Authorities later urged demonstrators to clear the bridge, warning police may use tear gas to disperse those gathered if they don’t go home before curfews set in.
ATTENTION: Please clear the area near the I-35W bridge btwn. University & Washington avenues. People are being given the lawful order to clear the area. If that order is refused, police may use tear gas as a dispersal mechanism. #MACCMN — MnDPS_DPS (@MnDPS_DPS) June 1, 2020
The protest was the city’s latest demonstration following Floyd’s death while in police custody. The man died after Officer Derek Chauvin arrested him and pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes. A shocking video of Floyd’s arrest rocked the nation, leading to protests in cities around the U.S. and calls for dramatic police reform.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-01--Trump Was Reportedly Rushed To Underground Bunker For Protection During D.C. Protests

As anti-racist protests continued for a fourth night in Washington , D.C. , the Secret Service rushed President Donald Trump to an underground bunker , according to a number of media reports .
Trump and his family were never in any real danger on Friday when they were relocated but the incident rattled them , sources told The New York Times , which was the first news outlet to report the extraordinary safety measure .
Trump spent about an hour in the Presidential Emergency Operations Center , as the bunker is known , The Associated Press reported .
The facility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as terrorist attacks .
First lady Melania Trump and their son , Barron , accompanied the president to the bunker , per CNN .
Trump flew to Florida on Saturday to view the SpaceX launch and was back in the White House Sunday , but he remained out of sight as demonstrators again gathered in cities across the nation to protest the death of George Floyd .
Late Sunday , Washington , D.C. , police began using tear gas on protesters who were allegedly setting fires and vandalizing buildings , NBC News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bunker was a radically different image than the one he presented on Twitter .
Early Saturday , he boasted about watching the action from the windows of the White House the previous night : Great job last night at the White House by the U.S. @ SecretService .
They were not only totally professional , but very cool .
I was inside , watched every move , and couldn ’ t have felt more safe .
They let the “ protesters ” scream & rant as much as they wanted , but whenever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( @ realDonaldTrump ) May 30 , 2020 ... .got too frisky or out of line , they would quickly come down on them , hard - didn ’ t know what hit them .
The front line was replaced with fresh agents , like magic .
Big crowd , professionally organized , but nobody came close to breaching the fence .
If they had they would ... .
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) May 30 , 2020 ... .have been greeted with the most vicious dogs , and most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That ’ s when people would have been really badly hurt , at least .
Many Secret Service agents just waiting for action .
“ We put the young ones on the front line , sir , they love it , and ... .
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) May 30 , 2020 ... .good practice.
” As you saw last night , they were very cool & very professional .
Never let it get out of hand .
Thank you !
On the bad side , the D.C. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always looking for money & help , wouldn ’ t let the D.C. Police get involved .
“ Not their job.
” Nice !
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) May 30 , 2020 The Times reported that some aides had pressed Trump to do a national address about the protests on Sunday , but he decided to share his thoughts on Twitter instead : Get tough Democrat Mayors and Governors .
These people are ANARCHISTS .
Call in our National Guard NOW .
The World is watching and laughing at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what America wants ?
NO !
!
!
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) May 31 , 2020

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As anti-racist protests continued for a fourth night in Washington, D.C., the Secret Service rushed President Donald Trump to an underground bunker, according to a number of media reports.
Trump and his family were never in any real danger on Friday when they were relocated but the incident rattled them, sources told The New York Times, which was the first news outlet to report the extraordinary safety measure.
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Trump spent about an hour in the Presidential Emergency Operations Center, as the bunker is known, The Associated Press reported. The facility was established to protect presidents during emergencies such as terrorist attacks. First lady Melania Trump and their son, Barron, accompanied the president to the bunker, per CNN.
Trump flew to Florida on Saturday to view the SpaceX launch and was back in the White House Sunday, but he remained out of sight as demonstrators again gathered in cities across the nation to protest the death of George Floyd.
Late Sunday, Washington, D.C., police began using tear gas on protesters who were allegedly setting fires and vandalizing buildings, NBC News reported.
Trump hunkered down in a bunker was a radically different image than the one he presented on Twitter. Early Saturday, he boasted about watching the action from the windows of the White House the previous night:
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Great job last night at the White House by the U.S. @SecretService. They were not only totally professional, but very cool. I was inside, watched every move, and couldn’t have felt more safe. They let the “protesters” scream & rant as much as they wanted, but whenever someone.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2020
....got too frisky or out of line, they would quickly come down on them, hard - didn’t know what hit them. The front line was replaced with fresh agents, like magic. Big crowd, professionally organized, but nobody came close to breaching the fence. If they had they would.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2020
....have been greeted with the most vicious dogs, and most ominous weapons, I have ever seen. That’s when people would have been really badly hurt, at least. Many Secret Service agents just waiting for action. “We put the young ones on the front line, sir, they love it, and.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2020
....good practice.” As you saw last night, they were very cool & very professional. Never let it get out of hand. Thank you! On the bad side, the D.C. Mayor, @MurielBowser, who is always looking for money & help, wouldn’t let the D.C. Police get involved. “Not their job.” Nice! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2020
The Times reported that some aides had pressed Trump to do a national address about the protests on Sunday, but he decided to share his thoughts on Twitter instead:
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FAKE NEWS! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 1, 2020
LAW & ORDER! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 31, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-01--Police Caught On Camera Pressing Knee Into Neck During Seattle Arrest

A police officer in Seattle was caught on video pressing a knee into the necks of white looting suspects who @ @ @ @ @ .
Floyd ’ s death kicked off a wave of unrest around the nation , @ @ @ @ @ , where the unidentified officer used a similar technique on two men who were accused @ @ @ @ @ case , a protester could be heard shouting “ get your fucking knee off his @ @ @ @ @ then shoved the first officer ’ s knee off of the suspect ’ s neck @ @ @ @ @ footage captured by Crosscut journalist Matt McKnight : A longer clip by McKnight showed the @ @ @ @ @ knee on the neck of another white looting suspect minutes earlier .
Then , he @ @ @ @ @ the second suspect , where he uses his knee again :

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A police officer in Seattle was caught on video pressing a knee into the necks of white looting suspects who were arrested on Saturday night.
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Floyd’s death kicked off a wave of unrest around the nation, including the demonstration in Seattle, where the unidentified officer used a similar technique on two men who were accused of looting.
In one case, a protester could be heard shouting “get your fucking knee off his neck.” A second officer then shoved the first officer’s knee off of the suspect’s neck and onto his back in footage captured by Crosscut journalist Matt McKnight:
A longer clip by McKnight showed the same officer apparently using his knee on the neck of another white looting suspect minutes earlier. Then, he runs to help officers catch the second suspect, where he uses his knee again:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-31--'We're Witnessing The Collapse Of The Legitimacy Of Leadership,' Warns Cornel West

Black activist and prominent social critic Cornel West on Sunday linked the ongoing protests in America to anger over the “ vicious legacy of white supremacy ” and the “ collapse of the legitimacy of leadership.
” “ The beautiful thing is we ’ re seeing citizens who are caring and concerned .
They ’ re hitting the streets , ” the Harvard Divinity School professor told Chris Wallace on “ Fox News Sunday.
” “ The problem is we have a system that ’ s not responding and seems to be unable to respond , ” he added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the death of George Floyd , a Black man who was killed last week during an arrest by white Minneapolis police officers , they ’ re also erupting against a decaying social order , West indicated .
“ What we ’ re seeing here is the ways in which the vicious legacy of white supremacy manifests in organized hatred , greed and corruption , ” West said .
“ We ’ re dealing with moral meltdown ... We ’ re witnessing the collapse of the legitimacy of leadership , the political class , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That ’ s the deeper crisis.
” He acknowledged that there has been progress against racism , especially for the middle class .
But West also cited Malcolm X in reminding Wallace that “ you don ’ t stab folk in the back nine inches , pull it out three inches and say you ’ re making progress.
” Asked about the violence and looting in some of the protests , West emphasized that “ most of my fellow citizens , God bless them , that are in the streets are there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He added : “ Looting is wrong , but legalized looting is wrong , too ...
I look at the wickedness in high places first and then keep track of the least of these.
” “ If we ’ re more concerned about the property and spillover than the poverty , decrepit school systems , dilapidated housing , massive unemployment and underemployment , ” West warned , “ we ’ re going to be doing this every five , every 10 , every 20 years.
” Check out what West had to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begins at 19:30 .

Black activist and prominent social critic Cornel West on Sunday linked the ongoing protests in America to anger over the “vicious legacy of white supremacy” and the “collapse of the legitimacy of leadership.”
“The beautiful thing is we’re seeing citizens who are caring and concerned. They’re hitting the streets,” the Harvard Divinity School professor told Chris Wallace on “Fox News Sunday.”
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“The problem is we have a system that’s not responding and seems to be unable to respond,” he added.
While demonstrators across the nation are protesting the death of George Floyd, a Black man who was killed last week during an arrest by white Minneapolis police officers, they’re also erupting against a decaying social order, West indicated.
“What we’re seeing here is the ways in which the vicious legacy of white supremacy manifests in organized hatred, greed and corruption,” West said. “We’re dealing with moral meltdown ... We’re witnessing the collapse of the legitimacy of leadership, the political class, the economic class, the professional class. That’s the deeper crisis.”
He acknowledged that there has been progress against racism, especially for the middle class. But West also cited Malcolm X in reminding Wallace that “you don’t stab folk in the back nine inches, pull it out three inches and say you’re making progress.”
Asked about the violence and looting in some of the protests, West emphasized that “most of my fellow citizens, God bless them, that are in the streets are there peaceful, or are there marching.”
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He added: “Looting is wrong, but legalized looting is wrong, too ... I look at the wickedness in high places first and then keep track of the least of these.”
“If we’re more concerned about the property and spillover than the poverty, decrepit school systems, dilapidated housing, massive unemployment and underemployment,” West warned, “we’re going to be doing this every five, every 10, every 20 years.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-01--Republican Group Rips Trump Supporters' Use Of Confederate 'Treason' Flag

A Republican group of critics of President Donald Trump released a new video on Sunday slamming his supporters ’ use of the Confederate flag .
“ The men who followed this flag 150 years ago knew what it meant , ” a voiceover in the spot from the Lincoln Project states .
“ Treason against their country .
Death of the United States.
” Yet the flag keeps turning up at Trump events .
The ad also highlights Trump ’ s 2017 comments that there were “ very fine people ” on both sides of the violent protests in Charlottesville @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neo-Nazis and others on the far right .
“ What does it say that they ’ re all in for Trump ?
” the voice in the ad asks : The Lincoln Project will spend $ 500,000 running the ad in the battleground states of Florida , Wisconsin and Michigan and in the nation ’ s capital , CNN reported .
A different video by the group set Trump off last month .
That spot , titled “ Mourning in America , ” claimed Trump ’ s failures to deal with the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sicker and poorer.
” After it aired , Trump repeatedly attacked the organization ’ s founders , including conservative attorney George Conway , husband of counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway , who he derided as “ Moonface ” and her “ deranged loser of a husband.
” The group raised $ 1.4 million in the three days after the ad aired on TV , The New York Times reported last week .
Another one of the group ’ s founders , longtime GOP strategist Rick Wilson , mocked Trump for losing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Mourning ” video .
“ We expected this ad to hit , ” Wilson added .
“ We did not expect him to behave in the completely maniacally way he behaved all day today , but here we are .
”

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A Republican group of critics of President Donald Trump released a new video on Sunday slamming his supporters’ use of the Confederate flag.
“The men who followed this flag 150 years ago knew what it meant,” a voiceover in the spot from the Lincoln Project states. “Treason against their country. Death of the United States.”
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Yet the flag keeps turning up at Trump events.
The ad also highlights Trump’s 2017 comments that there were “very fine people” on both sides of the violent protests in Charlottesville, Virginia organized by white supremacists, neo-Nazis and others on the far right.
“What does it say that they’re all in for Trump?” the voice in the ad asks:
The Lincoln Project will spend $500,000 running the ad in the battleground states of Florida, Wisconsin and Michigan and in the nation’s capital, CNN reported.
A different video by the group set Trump off last month. That spot, titled “Mourning in America,” claimed Trump’s failures to deal with the coronavirus pandemic had left the nation “weaker and sicker and poorer.”
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After it aired, Trump repeatedly attacked the organization’s founders, including conservative attorney George Conway, husband of counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway, who he derided as “Moonface” and her “deranged loser of a husband.”
The group raised $1.4 million in the three days after the ad aired on TV, The New York Times reported last week.
Another one of the group’s founders, longtime GOP strategist Rick Wilson, mocked Trump for losing “his damn mind” over the “Mourning” video.
“We expected this ad to hit,” Wilson added. “We did not expect him to behave in the completely maniacally way he behaved all day today, but here we are.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-01--During Ferguson Protests, Trump Blamed The Guy In The White House

Can you imagine what Putin and all of our friends and enemies throughout the world are saying about the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ riot

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thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-01--Buildings Set On Fire Near White House As George Floyd Protests Continue

Buildings near the White House were set ablaze Sunday night during the third day in a row of protests in Washington D.C. over the death of George Floyd .
Police said a fire was set in the basement of the historic St. John ’ s Episcopal Church as some protesters began to clash with police .
Part of the building was vandalized and graffiti reading , “ The Devil is across [ the ] street , ” was painted on the church .
The blaze was later extinguished and authorities said it didn ’ t appear to do much damage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the AFL-CIO , the nation ’ s largest federation of unions , was vandalized and a fire set in the building ’ s lobby .
One reporter said the lobby appeared “ engulfed ” and that it was “ filled with smoke ” after the windows were broken and graffiti spray-painted across the exterior .
Another structure near Lafayette Square was also on fire and other blazes were set in the area , fire officials said .
Demonstrators hold their fist in the air while a fire burns inside the office building of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued , exterior lights surrounding the White House were shut off , plunging the grounds in darkness .
Police gathered outside fired tear gas toward demonstrators as an 11 p.m. curfew set in , with some protesters throwing water bottles toward officers or setting off fireworks as the night went on .
A spokesperson for the Justice Department said later Sunday agents with the U.S .
Marshals and the Drug Enforcement Administration had been deployed throughout the city to bolster police .
The demonstrations add to a growing chorus of rage around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Black man in Minneapolis who died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes .
The officer has since been arrested and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter .
But the charges have done little to assuage growing crowds who have largely protested peacefully around the U.S. even as police have used aggressive tactics .
President Donald Trump has not made many public appeals to angry protesters this weekend , instead wielding his Twitter account to attack Democrats and castigate demonstrators as “ thugs ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Secret Service rushed him to a secure bunker beneath the White House that has been used during terrorist attacks , according to reports from The New York Times and Associated Press .

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Buildings near the White House were set ablaze Sunday night during the third day in a row of protests in Washington, D.C., over the death of George Floyd.
Police said a fire was set in the basement of the historic St. John’s Episcopal Church as some protesters began to clash with police. Part of the building was vandalized and graffiti reading, “The Devil is across [the] street,” was painted on the church. The blaze was later extinguished and authorities said it didn’t appear to do much damage.
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“I guess God was on its side,” Vito Maggiolo, a spokesman for the D.C. Fire Department, told The Washington Post.
Next door, the headquarters of the AFL-CIO, the nation’s largest federation of unions, was vandalized and a fire set in the building’s lobby. One reporter said the lobby appeared “engulfed” and that it was “filled with smoke” after the windows were broken and graffiti spray-painted across the exterior.
Another structure near Lafayette Square was also on fire and other blazes were set in the area, fire officials said.
Demonstrators hold their fist in the air while a fire burns inside the AFL-CIO headquarters. ASSOCIATED PRESS
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A fire burns in a dumpster near the White House in Washington. ASSOCIATED PRESS
A firework explodes by a police line as demonstrators gather to protest the death of George Floyd. ASSOCIATED PRESS
As the protests continued, exterior lights surrounding the White House were shut off, plunging the grounds in darkness. Police gathered outside fired tear gas toward demonstrators as an 11 p.m. curfew set in, with some protesters throwing water bottles toward officers or setting off fireworks as the night went on.
Aerial footage showed smoke rising over the city with the Washington Monument shrouded in haze.
A spokesperson for the Justice Department said later Sunday that agents with the U.S. Marshals Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration had been deployed in the city to bolster police.
Smoke from multiple fires rising up in front of the Washington Monument #Chopper4 looking south from Maryland, White House center screen. #BreakingNews @nbcwashington #protests2020 #GeorgeFloydProtests pic.twitter.com/WNtPkgYCtD — Brad Freitas (@Chopper4Brad) June 1, 2020
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View from inside the Whote House grounds of the protests across the park. Orange glow of fire in the park. pic.twitter.com/HyBzUdRqvs — Kelly O'Donnell (@KellyO) June 1, 2020
The demonstrations add to a growing chorus of rage around the country over the death of Floyd, a Black man in Minneapolis who died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. The officer has since been arrested and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
But the charges have done little to assuage growing crowds who have largely protested peacefully around the U.S. even as police have used aggressive tactics.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-01--Barack Obama Writes Essay On Effecting Real Change After George Floyd's Killing

After releasing a statement on the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis , former President Barack Obama on Monday wrote a more lengthy statement on the role of protest in catalyzing political change .
“ The bottom line is this : if we want to bring about real change , then the choice isn ’ t between protest and politics , ” he wrote on Medium .
“ We have to do both .
We have to mobilize to raise awareness , and we have to organize and cast our ballots to make sure that we elect candidates who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoke out Friday , urging Americans “ to work together to create ‘ a new normal ’ in which the legacy of bigotry and unequal treatment no longer infects our institutions or our hearts.
” Over the weekend , protests grew in cities across the country , with police mobilizing and often violently intervening and arresting scores of protesters and journalists , spawning renewed calls for the demilitarization of and systemic reform of police .
“ The point of protest is to raise public awareness , to put a spotlight on injustice , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uncomfortable ; in fact , throughout American history , it ’ s only in response to protest that the political system has even paid attention to marginalized communities , ” Obama wrote Monday .
“ But eventually , aspirations have to be translated into specific laws and institutional practices — and in a democracy , that only happens when we elect government officials who are responsive to our demands.
” Obama , who began his career as a community organizer in Chicago , recommended that protesters and organizers calling for police reform make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold leaders accountable , and tailor those demands to local institutions .
“ The more specific we can make demands for criminal justice and police reform , the harder it will be for elected officials to just offer lip service to the cause and then fall back into business as usual once protests have gone away , ” he wrote .
He also emphasized voting not only on the national level but in state and local races where elected leaders are directly responsible for police policies , such as mayors , county executives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state ’ s attorneys , and in some communities , police review boards .
“ I recognize that these past few months have been hard and dispiriting — that the fear , sorrow , uncertainty , and hardship of a pandemic have been compounded by tragic reminders that prejudice and inequality still shape so much of American life , ” Obama wrote .
“ But watching the heightened activism of young people in recent weeks , of every race and every station , makes me hopeful .
If , going forward , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sustained , and effective action , then this moment can be a real turning point in our nation ’ s long journey to live up to our highest ideals .
”

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After releasing a statement on the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, former President Barack Obama on Monday wrote a more lengthy statement on the role of protest in catalyzing political change.
“The bottom line is this: if we want to bring about real change, then the choice isn’t between protest and politics,” he wrote on Medium. “We have to do both. We have to mobilize to raise awareness, and we have to organize and cast our ballots to make sure that we elect candidates who will act on reform.”
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Obama first spoke out Friday, urging Americans “to work together to create ‘a new normal’ in which the legacy of bigotry and unequal treatment no longer infects our institutions or our hearts.”
Over the weekend, protests grew in cities across the country, with police mobilizing and often violently intervening and arresting scores of protesters and journalists, spawning renewed calls for the demilitarization of and systemic reform of police.
“The point of protest is to raise public awareness, to put a spotlight on injustice, and to make the powers that be uncomfortable; in fact, throughout American history, it’s only in response to protest that the political system has even paid attention to marginalized communities,” Obama wrote Monday. “But eventually, aspirations have to be translated into specific laws and institutional practices — and in a democracy, that only happens when we elect government officials who are responsive to our demands.”
Obama, who began his career as a community organizer in Chicago, recommended that protesters and organizers calling for police reform make specific demands in order to more readily hold leaders accountable, and tailor those demands to local institutions.
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“The more specific we can make demands for criminal justice and police reform, the harder it will be for elected officials to just offer lip service to the cause and then fall back into business as usual once protests have gone away,” he wrote.
He also emphasized voting not only on the national level but in state and local races where elected leaders are directly responsible for police policies, such as mayors, county executives, state attorneys general, district and state’s attorneys, and in some communities, police review boards.
“I recognize that these past few months have been hard and dispiriting — that the fear, sorrow, uncertainty, and hardship of a pandemic have been compounded by tragic reminders that prejudice and inequality still shape so much of American life,” Obama wrote. “But watching the heightened activism of young people in recent weeks, of every race and every station, makes me hopeful. If, going forward, we can channel our justifiable anger into peaceful, sustained, and effective action, then this moment can be a real turning point in our nation’s long journey to live up to our highest ideals.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-01--Donald Trump Vows To Crack Down On Anti-Racist Protests In Surreal Rose Garden Speech

Speaking as police deployed tear gas on protesters just outside the White House , Trump vowed harsher action against protesters .
The president made no mention of violent actions taken by police in recent days against protesters , nor did he make any call for national unity .
Instead , he said he would mobilize “ all available federal resources , civilian and military , to stop the rioting and looting , to end the destruction and arson , and to protect the rights of law-abiding Americans , including your Second Amendment rights.
” He specifically called on governors across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and vowed to deploy the U.S. military if states refused to comply .
Activating the military would require Trump to invoke the Insurrection Act , an 1807 law that allows the president to deploy active-duty military on U.S. soil .
The statute was last used during the 1992 uprising in Los Angeles over the acquittals of police officers involved in the brutal beating of Rodney King , a Black motorist .
Protesters were peacefully gathered outside the White House even as Trump began speaking .
Authorities , however , fired tear gas and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them away from the area before the president ’ s address began .
The public areas around the White House , particularly Lafayette Square , have been host to demonstrations for four days .
On Sunday night , peaceful gatherings turned violent as police clashed with some protesters and several nearby buildings were vandalized or burned .
“ As we speak , I am dispatching thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers , military personnel and law enforcement officers to stop the rioting , looting , vandalism , assaults and the wanton destruction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As his remarks ended , Trump said he was leaving to go pay his respects “ to a very , very special place.
” He later walked through Lafayette Park , which had minutes earlier been filled with demonstrators , on his way to St. John ’ s Church , where he posed for a photo while holding up a Bible and then left .
The president ’ s remarks came amid nationwide protests following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week .
Tens of thousands have taken to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd and other Black victims of police brutality .
In many of those cities , police have deployed violent tactics to attempt to quell demonstrations , including firing rubber bullets and tear gas , pepper-spraying crowds and hitting people with batons .
Trump has been at odds with several governors as protests over Floyd ’ s death have spread across the nation .
In a call on Monday , he said state leaders were “ weak , ” urging them to arrest demonstrators and “ put them in jail for 10 years.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you don ’ t dominate , you ’ re wasting your time , ” the president said during the call .
“ They ’ re going to run over you .
You ’ re going to look like a bunch of jerks .
You have to dominate.
” In a widely criticized missive on Twitter , the president threatened violent intervention and said he would send in the National Guard should protests continue .
“ Any difficulty and we will assume control but , when the looting starts , the shooting starts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Minneapolis at the time .

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President Donald Trump announced a crackdown on nationwide anti-racism protests in a surreal speech Monday from the White House Rose Garden while police flash-bang explosions could be heard nearby.
Speaking as police deployed tear gas on protesters just outside the White House, Trump vowed harsher action against protesters. The president made no mention of violent actions taken by police in recent days against protesters, nor did he make any call for national unity. Instead, he said he would mobilize “all available federal resources, civilian and military, to stop the rioting and looting, to end the destruction and arson, and to protect the rights of law-abiding Americans, including your Second Amendment rights.”
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He specifically called on governors across the country to deploy the National Guard and vowed to deploy the U.S. military if states refused to comply.
“Mayors and governors must establish an overwhelming law enforcement presence until the violence has been quelled,” Trump said.
Activating the military would require Trump to invoke the Insurrection Act, an 1807 law that allows the president to deploy active-duty military on U.S. soil. The statute was last used during the 1992 uprising in Los Angeles over the acquittals of police officers involved in the brutal beating of Rodney King, a Black motorist.
Protesters were peacefully gathered outside the White House even as Trump began speaking. Authorities, however, fired tear gas and flash-bang grenades in an attempt to move them away from the area before the president’s address began.
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We can hear the explosions from the streets as Trump is speaking in the Rose Garden. pic.twitter.com/yRporcjN0T — Jim Acosta (@Acosta) June 1, 2020
Here's the moment where police fired teargas into a crowd of peaceful protesters in Lafayette Park, just minutes before Trump's address in the Rose Garden. pic.twitter.com/KPjxMKdDyx — Cameron Peters (@jcameronpeters) June 1, 2020
The public areas around the White House, particularly Lafayette Square, have been host to demonstrations for four days. On Sunday night, peaceful gatherings turned violent as police clashed with some protesters and several nearby buildings were vandalized or burned.
Calling himself “your law-and-order president,” Trump pledged to escalate efforts to clamp down on the protests in Washington.
“As we speak, I am dispatching thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers, military personnel and law enforcement officers to stop the rioting, looting, vandalism, assaults and the wanton destruction of property,” Trump said.
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As his remarks ended, Trump said he was leaving to go pay his respects “to a very, very special place.” He later walked through Lafayette Park, which had minutes earlier been filled with demonstrators, on his way to St. John’s Church, where he posed for a photo while holding up a Bible and then left.
Trump holds up a bible, literally shushes reporters trying to ask him about his threat to use the military against citizens, poses for a photo, and leaves. pic.twitter.com/w2lPWWjMKu — Peter Stevenson (@PeterStevenson) June 1, 2020
The president’s remarks came amid nationwide protests following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week. Tens of thousands have taken to the streets of American cities demanding justice for Floyd and other Black victims of police brutality. In many of those cities, police have deployed violent tactics to attempt to quell demonstrations, including firing rubber bullets and tear gas, pepper-spraying crowds and hitting people with batons.
Trump has been at odds with several governors as protests over Floyd’s death have spread across the nation. In a call on Monday, he said state leaders were “weak,” urging them to arrest demonstrators and “put them in jail for 10 years.”
“You have to dominate. If you don’t dominate, you’re wasting your time,” the president said during the call. “They’re going to run over you. You’re going to look like a bunch of jerks. You have to dominate.”
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The language built on Trump’s vocal denouncements of demonstrators as “thugs.”
In a widely criticized missive on Twitter, the president threatened violent intervention and said he would send in the National Guard should protests continue.
“Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts,” he said of the rising protests in Minneapolis at the time.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-01--Owner Whose Store Called 911 On George Floyd: 'I Wish The Police Were Never Called'

The owner of Cup Foods , the Minneapolis store where a clerk called 911 on George Floyd , says his business will no longer involve the police in certain incidents until law enforcement stops “ killing innocent people.
” On Sunday , Mahmoud Abumayyaleh posted a lengthy note on Facebook to say that he supports the protests over the death of Floyd , a Black man who died after a white officer knelt on his neck outside Cup Foods , and said his store is “ deeply saddened for our part of this tragedy.
” “ We have been a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three generations of our family and for 31 years have proudly served our neighborhood .
Since George ’ s untimely passing , Cup Foods has been in regular contact with Floyd ’ s family who flew in from Houston , ” Abumayyaleh wrote , adding that his store is “ standing together to demand accountability from the cops.
” Abumayyaleh also said that he ’ ll be “ donating to pay for George Floyd ’ s memorial service ” and pledged to change how his store handles “ incidents like this one .
@

The owner of Cup Foods, the Minneapolis store where a clerk called 911 on George Floyd, says his business will no longer involve the police in certain incidents until law enforcement stops “killing innocent people.”
On Sunday, Mahmoud Abumayyaleh posted a lengthy note on Facebook to say that he supports the protests over the death of Floyd, a Black man who died after a white officer knelt on his neck outside Cup Foods, and said his store is “deeply saddened for our part of this tragedy.”
“We have been a cornerstone and pillar of this community for three generations of our family and for 31 years have proudly served our neighborhood. Since George’s untimely passing, Cup Foods has been in regular contact with Floyd’s family who flew in from Houston,” Abumayyaleh wrote, adding that his store is “standing together to demand accountability from the cops.”
Abumayyaleh also said that he’ll be “donating to pay for George Floyd’s memorial service” and pledged to change how his store handles “incidents like this one.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-01--Trump Calls Governors ‘Weak,’ Urges Tougher Crackdown On Protests

“ You have to dominate , if you don ’ t dominate , you ’ re wasting your time .
They ’ re going to run over you , you ’ re going to look like a bunch of jerks .
You have to dominate , ” Trump said , according to audio of the call obtained by HuffPost .
( To listen , see the video above . )
Trump ’ s remarks came after days of protests prompted by the killing of George Floyd , a Black man who was pinned to the ground by a white Minneapolis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for much of that time , Floyd was unresponsive .
Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin , who along with three others was fired over the incident , was arrested Friday and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter .
Trump has responded to the protests with inflammatory rhetoric — at one point suggesting protesters should be shot , and at another point saying any protester who reached the White House grounds would be met with the “ most vicious dogs , and most ominous weapons ” — and has done almost nothing to suggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .
His comments on Monday fit his often-authoritarian worldview , and are the latest in his long history of demeaning protesters and praising crackdowns on dissent .
In a 1990 interview , Trump praised China ’ s leadership for its brutal and deadly suppression of protests in Tiananmen Square , claiming they had shown “ the power of strength.
” The president on Monday also said Minnesota had become a “ laughingstock all over the world , ” and specifically criticized the response in Philadelphia , Los Angeles and New York City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Guard in Minneapolis was “ domination ” and “ a beautiful thing to watch.
” “ You don ’ t have to be too careful , ” Trump said .
“ You have to do the prosecutions .
If you don ’ t do the prosecutions , they ’ re just going to be back .
… Somebody throwing a rock , that ’ s like shooting a gun .
You have to do retribution , you have to use your legal system.
” While the comments alarmed some of the people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushback from the nation ’ s governors .
Throughout the call , Trump suggested the riots and protests were not the result of anger at policing policies , but were instead the result of professional instigators and a supposedly organized movement .
The only governor to directly challenge Trump during the call was Illinois Gov .
J.B Pritzker ( D ) .
“ I ’ ve been extraordinarily concerned about the rhetoric that ’ s been used by you .
It ’ s been inflammatory and it ’ s not OK for that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Pritzker said .
“ We have to call for calm .
We have to have police reform.
” Trump shot back : “ I don ’ t like your rhetoric much either , ” before criticizing how Pritzker had handled the coronavirus pandemic and arguing that he had addressed police violence on Saturday in his brief remarks about Floyd ’ s death before watching the takeoff of a SpaceX rocket carrying two American astronauts .
“ The president ’ s dangerous comments should be gravely concerning to all Americans , because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration is determined to sow the seeds of hatred and division , which I fear will only lead to more violence and destruction , ” Whitmer said .
“ We must reject this way of thinking .
This is a moment that calls for empathy , humanity and unity .
”

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President Donald Trump called the nation’s governors “weak” during a call on Monday, urging a tougher crackdown on massive protests against police brutality and racist policing across the United States.
“You have to dominate, if you don’t dominate, you’re wasting your time. They’re going to run over you, you’re going to look like a bunch of jerks. You have to dominate,” Trump said, according to audio of the call obtained by HuffPost. (To listen, see the video above.)
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“Most of you are weak,” Trump told governors on a video call that also included law enforcement and national security officials. “You have to arrest people.”
Attorney General Bill Barr and Army Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, joined Trump on the call. Trump said he had placed Milley “in charge” and said he planned to “activate” Barr “very strongly.”
”And you can’t do the deal where they get one week in jail,” Trump continued. “These are terrorists. These are terrorists. And they’re looking to do bad things to our country.”
“You have to arrest people and you have to put them in jail for 10 years,” he said. “And you’ll never see this stuff again.”
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Trump’s remarks came after days of protests prompted by the killing of George Floyd, a Black man who was pinned to the ground by a white Minneapolis police officer for nearly nine minutes; for much of that time, Floyd was unresponsive. Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who along with three others was fired over the incident, was arrested Friday and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter.
While most demonstrators peacefully gathered, at points the protests turned violent, with some attendees vandalizing and stealing from businesses. Many states activated the National Guard to help with law enforcement, and many police responded to protesters with authoritarian tactics.
Trump has responded to the protests with inflammatory rhetoric — at one point suggesting protesters should be shot, and at another point saying any protester who reached the White House grounds would be met with the “most vicious dogs, and most ominous weapons” — and has done almost nothing to suggest he wants to ease tensions in the country.
His comments on Monday fit his often-authoritarian worldview, and are the latest in his long history of demeaning protesters and praising crackdowns on dissent. In a 1990 interview, Trump praised China’s leadership for its brutal and deadly suppression of protests in Tiananmen Square, claiming they had shown “the power of strength.”
The president on Monday also said Minnesota had become a “laughingstock all over the world,” and specifically criticized the response in Philadelphia, Los Angeles and New York City. He said the arrival of the National Guard in Minneapolis was “domination” and “a beautiful thing to watch.”
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At one point in the hour-long call, Trump told the governors they should aggressively prosecute protesters and pursue long prison terms for any crimes committed.
“You don’t have to be too careful,” Trump said. “You have to do the prosecutions. If you don’t do the prosecutions, they’re just going to be back. … Somebody throwing a rock, that’s like shooting a gun. You have to do retribution, you have to use your legal system.”
While the comments alarmed some of the people on the call, there was little pushback from the nation’s governors. Throughout the call, Trump suggested the riots and protests were not the result of anger at policing policies, but were instead the result of professional instigators and a supposedly organized movement.
“These are professional anarchists in many cases,” Trump said, adding of the protesters: “These are easily led people.”
Nearly every governor seemed to accept this frame. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican and frequent critic of the president, told the Trump that he “couldn’t agree more with what you said.”
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“Peace through strength,” Hogan said, citing his experience handling the 2015 protests following the death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore police custody.
“Everybody’s saying the same thing about these out-of-town agitators,” Hogan continued. “It seems to be very organized.”
Maine Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, a former attorney general, asked Trump and Barr for any “intelligence” they had “regarding the source of the protests and bad actors and professional instigators.”
“I’d like to be able to prepare for any professional instigators,” she said. “We haven’t seen that yet in my state.”
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) similarly asked for any intelligence the federal government might have about groups targeting Louisiana.
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The only governor to directly challenge Trump during the call was Illinois Gov. J.B Pritzker (D). “I’ve been extraordinarily concerned about the rhetoric that’s been used by you. It’s been inflammatory and it’s not OK for that officer to choke George Floyd to death,” Pritzker said. “We have to call for calm. We have to have police reform.”
Trump shot back: “I don’t like your rhetoric much either,” before criticizing how Pritzker had handled the coronavirus pandemic and arguing that he had addressed police violence on Saturday in his brief remarks about Floyd’s death before watching the takeoff of a SpaceX rocket carrying two American astronauts.
“Before I spoke about the rocket, I spoke as to what happened with respect to Mr. Floyd. I thought what happened was a disgrace,” Trump said.
After the call, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) released a statement criticizing the president for “viciously” attacking the governors.
“The president’s dangerous comments should be gravely concerning to all Americans, because they send a clear signal that this administration is determined to sow the seeds of hatred and division, which I fear will only lead to more violence and destruction,” Whitmer said. “We must reject this way of thinking. This is a moment that calls for empathy, humanity and unity.”
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While Barr outlined federal criminal charges protesters and rioters could possibly face, it was unclear what role Milley and Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, who was also on the call, might play in domestic law enforcement.
“I think the sooner that you mass and dominate the battle space, the quicker this dissipates and we can get back to the right normal,” Esper told the governors.
At another point, Mills expressed concern about the president’s scheduled trip to Maine later this week, saying, “Your presence may cause security problems for our state.”
“We’ll look into that. We have a tremendous crowd of people showing up, as you know,” Trump responded. “They like their president.”
At that point, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice — a Democrat-turned-Republican and Trump loyalist — interjected to invite the president to West Virginia instead.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-01--Florida Police Officer Suspended After Shoving A Kneeling Black Woman Amid Protest

A Florida police officer has been suspended after he was seen shoving a kneeling protester at an anti-racism demonstration on Sunday .
Videos captured by bystanders show the man , identified by authorities as Fort Lauderdale police officer Steven Pohorence , confronting protesters outside a parking garage .
As the officer , who appears to be white , is turning to walk away , he pushes to the ground a Black woman who is kneeling with her hands in the air .
A Black female police officer can be seen pulling Pohorence from the crowd and scolding him as other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Rick Maglione said during a Monday news conference that Pohorence and several of his colleagues entered the crowd to rescue one of his fellow officers who was surrounded and felt endangered .
Pohorence pushed the female protester , who has not been publicly identified , during that rescue mission , Maglione said .
The suspended officer ’ s actions will be investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement before an internal investigation is conducted , the chief said .
“ While it wasn ’ t resulting in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looked into , ” Maglione said .
“ If disciplinary action needs to be taken , it will .
And it will be swift and corrective in nature.
” “ She did what you are supposed to do , ” Maglione said .
“ When you see either adrenaline or emotion or some kind of interaction going south ... that is our job to do is intervene.
” Pohorence was hired in October 2016 and assigned to patrol duties , according to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department .
Previously , he worked for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought it was offensive , ” Trantalis said during the news conference .
“ I thought that never should have happened.
” Protests have erupted across the country since George Floyd ’ s death in Minneapolis on May 25 .
Floyd , who was unarmed , died after three police officers , including one who knelt on Floyd ’ s neck , held him down on the ground and ignored his repeated statements that he couldn ’ t breathe .

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A Florida police officer has been suspended after he was seen shoving a kneeling protester at an anti-racism demonstration on Sunday.
Videos captured by bystanders show the man, identified by authorities as Fort Lauderdale police officer Steven Pohorence, confronting protesters outside a parking garage. As the officer, who appears to be white, is turning to walk away, he pushes to the ground a Black woman who is kneeling with her hands in the air.
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A Black female police officer can be seen pulling Pohorence from the crowd and scolding him as other demonstrators scream in response to his actions.
Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Rick Maglione said during a Monday news conference that Pohorence and several of his colleagues entered the crowd to rescue one of his fellow officers who was surrounded and felt endangered.
Pohorence pushed the female protester, who has not been publicly identified, during that rescue mission, Maglione said.
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The suspended officer’s actions will be investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement before an internal investigation is conducted, the chief said.
“While it wasn’t resulting in injury, it obviously needs to be looked into,” Maglione said. “If disciplinary action needs to be taken, it will. And it will be swift and corrective in nature.”
He also commended the officer who grabbed Pohorence.
“She did what you are supposed to do,” Maglione said. “When you see either adrenaline or emotion or some kind of interaction going south ... that is our job to do is intervene.”
The agitator was actually @FLPD411 Fort Lauderdale Police Officer Steven Pohorence who was caught on live TV needlessly shoving a black female protestor who was kneeling on the ground with her hands up pic.twitter.com/Ms1mPKDutB — Billy Corben (@BillyCorben) June 1, 2020
Pohorence was hired in October 2016 and assigned to patrol duties, according to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. Previously, he worked for the Florida Highway Patrol.
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Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis said he agreed with the department’s decision to suspend Pohorence.
“I thought it was offensive,” Trantalis said during the news conference. “I thought that never should have happened.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-01--Tom Cotton Says Trump Should Deploy U.S. Military To Contain Protests

Sen. Tom Cotton ( R-Ark . )
says President Donald Trump should deploy the U.S. military to help contain the unrest in major American cities over the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd .
“ If local law enforcement is overwhelmed and needs backup , let ’ s see how tough these Antifa terrorists are when they ’ re facing off with the 101st Airborne Division .
We need to have zero tolerance for this destruction , ” Cotton wrote on Twitter .
Cotton , a U.S. Army veteran , said Trump should invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a state of emergency within the U.S .
The act was last used by President George H.W .
Bush in 1992 during the riots in Los Angeles that followed the acquittal of police officers in the Rodney King beating .
Pentagon officials told The Associated Press over the weekend there was no intent to deploy any federal forces to Minnesota unless its governor , Tim Walz , asked for help .
“ No one in the department is talking about invoking the Insurrection Act , ” a senior defense official told me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sought to provide what governors request .
Also have considered what active-duty might do short of the Insurrection Act .
https : //t.co/cTtDa6Lq9q — Dan Lamothe ( @ DanLamothe ) June 1 , 2020 Over 5,000 National Guard troops have been deployed in 15 states and in Washington , D.C. , in response to the demonstrations , some of which turned violent and resulted in the looting of many businesses .
The troops responded under the direction of state governors .
In most states , National Guard troops carry only defensive weapons like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are armed .
Sending active-duty military troops to U.S. cities in response to the protests would mark an escalation in the use of force by the government .
Law enforcement in several cities used batons , tear gas , rubber bullets , and other devices to disperse protesters .
One journalist was blinded in one eye after being shot by a rubber bullet ; others were arrested .
Sen. Brian Schatz ( D-Hawaii ) said he planned to introduce a measure to stop the transfer of military equipment to police departments .
Upon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions his predecessor imposed on what surplus military equipment Pentagon can provide to federal , state , and local law enforcement agencies .
“ I will be introducing an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act to discontinue the program that transfers military weaponry to local police departments , ” Schatz tweeted on Sunday .
“ The small minority of folks who ’ ve resorted to violence in various forms , whether out of genuine anger or mere opportunism , are putting innocent people at risk , compounding the destruction of neighborhoods that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investment and detracting from the larger cause , ” Obama wrote on Medium .

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Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) says President Donald Trump should deploy the U.S. military to help contain the unrest in major American cities over the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd.
“If local law enforcement is overwhelmed and needs backup, let’s see how tough these Antifa terrorists are when they’re facing off with the 101st Airborne Division. We need to have zero tolerance for this destruction,” Cotton wrote on Twitter.
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Cotton, a U.S. Army veteran, said Trump should invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807, which governs the authority of federal troops during a state of emergency within the U.S. The act was last used by President George H.W. Bush in 1992 during the riots in Los Angeles that followed the acquittal of police officers in the Rodney King beating.
“If necessary, the 10th Mountain, 82nd Airborne, 1st Cav, 3rd Infantry—whatever it takes to restore order. No quarter for insurrectionists, anarchists, rioters, and looters,” Cotton wrote.
Pentagon officials told The Associated Press over the weekend there was no intent to deploy any federal forces to Minnesota unless its governor, Tim Walz, asked for help.
“No one in the department is talking about invoking the Insurrection Act,” a senior defense official told me on Saturday morning.
The Pentagon has sought to provide what governors request. Also have considered what active-duty might do short of the Insurrection Act. https://t.co/cTtDa6Lq9q — Dan Lamothe (@DanLamothe) June 1, 2020
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Over 5,000 National Guard troops have been deployed in 15 states and in Washington, D.C., in response to the demonstrations, some of which turned violent and resulted in the looting of many businesses. The troops responded under the direction of state governors. In most states, National Guard troops carry only defensive weapons like batons, but in others the soldiers are armed.
Sending active-duty military troops to U.S. cities in response to the protests would mark an escalation in the use of force by the government. Law enforcement in several cities used batons, tear gas, rubber bullets, and other devices to disperse protesters. One journalist was blinded in one eye after being shot by a rubber bullet; others were arrested.
On Sunday, Amnesty International issued a statement against the use of “excessive force” against U.S. demonstrators protesting police brutality.
Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) said he planned to introduce a measure to stop the transfer of military equipment to police departments. Upon taking office in 2017, Trump reversed restrictions his predecessor imposed on what surplus military equipment Pentagon can provide to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
“I will be introducing an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act to discontinue the program that transfers military weaponry to local police departments,” Schatz tweeted on Sunday.
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Former President Barack Obama also spoke out Monday in response to the protests, urging protesters to demonstrate peacefully.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-01--Trump’s History Of Racism Catches Up To Him In Nation’s Worst Racial Crisis In Decades

ROBERTO SCHMIDT via Getty Images Smoke rises around a protester holding up their hands in front of a row of police officers during a demonstration against the killing of George Floyd at a park near the White House on May 31 in Washington , D.C. ( Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images ) “ Most of you are weak , ” Trump berated the nation ’ s governors on a video conference Monday , blaming them for not using violent enough tactics against protesters .
“ You have to dominate or you ’ ll look like a bunch of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try people.
” Afterward , he walked across Lafayette Park ― which law enforcement had cleared of peaceful protesters by using aggressive tactics and tear gas ― for a photo opportunity in which he held up a Bible for the cameras , even though it was after a 7 p.m. curfew had begun .
That curfew was imposed after three straight nights of demonstrations just beyond the fence surrounding the White House complex , with massive crowds of protesters intermixed with violent agitators while police responded with at times violent crowd control actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by shutting off the lights that normally keep the official residence illuminated at night .
The White House defended Trump ’ s handling of the protests , arguing that he had already addressed the topic as part of his speech following a rocket launch in Florida on Saturday .
On Monday , press secretary Kayleigh McEnany told Fox News there was no need for a dedicated formal speech from the White House .
The first time Trump ’ s hometown paper of record mentioned his name was in 1973 , when then-President Richard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ father and him of refusing to rent apartments to Black people .
A decade and a half later , Trump crusaded for the death penalty for the Central Park Five following the rape of a jogger in Central Park , and he continued to do so even after they were exonerated .
He rose to prominence within the GOP by becoming the loudest voice pushing the racist conspiracy theory that Obama was not born in the United States and was therefore an illegitimate president .
“ He ’ s wily enough to know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once in a while about African Americans but also never abandons his true base and his true nature , ” said Rick Wilson , a GOP consultant who now works with The Lincoln Project , a group that released a television ad Sunday tying Trump to supporters of the Confederate flag .
In 2015 , Obama spoke at a service for Black worshippers killed by white supremacist Dylann Roof at their church in South Carolina .
In 1992 , George H.W .
Bush visited Los Angeles in the aftermath of protests against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Rodney King .
In 1970 , even Richard Nixon — whose 1968 “ Southern Strategy ” campaign served as the blueprint for Republican candidate for the coming decades — met with demonstrators at the Lincoln Memorial .
And in the last few days , Biden has essentially taken over the leadership role that Trump has ceded .
He visited a protest site in his hometown of Wilmington , Delaware , on Sunday and met with community leaders at a church there on Monday before convening a video conference call with mayors around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any empathy or the capacity to reach out and do what other presidents do as a matter of course , if he had gone on national television with the kind of address that Bush or Obama would give , reflecting an understanding of the outrage and pain but calling for calm , it would have been as effective as it would be for any of the others , ” Ornstein said .
“ The problem is inherent to him.
” “ Sleepy Joe Biden ’ s people are so Radical Left that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of jail , and probably more .
Joe doesn ’ t know anything about it , he is clueless , but they will be the real power , not Joe .
They will be calling the shots !
Big tax increases for all , Plus !
” he tweeted Monday morning .
The strategy is familiar for Trump .
In 2016 , with crime rates at a record low , Trump nevertheless claimed that violent crime was rampant and would surge further if Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton were to win .
In 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the House of Representatives would open the floodgates to undocumented immigration and turn the United States into Venezuela .

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WASHINGTON ― After decades of cultivating racists, President Donald Trump continued his struggles trying to deal with the worst crisis in race relations in decades as he remained ― outside of a brief, tear-gas-enforced photo opportunity Monday at a damaged church ― bunkered in the White House.
“Most of you are weak,” Trump berated the nation’s governors on a video conference Monday, blaming them for not using violent enough tactics against protesters. “You have to dominate or you’ll look like a bunch of jerks. You have to arrest and try people.”
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Monday evening, Trump finally addressed the situation with seven minutes of remarks from the Rose Garden ― of which exactly 17 seconds spoke of George Floyd, the Black man whose killing by a white police officer in Minneapolis has sparked the unrest across the country.
The rest of the speech featured promises to use “thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers” to end the nationwide protests. “I am your president of law and order,” he said, reading from teleprompters.
Afterward, he walked across Lafayette Park ― which law enforcement had cleared of peaceful protesters by using aggressive tactics and tear gas ― for a photo opportunity in which he held up a Bible for the cameras, even though it was after a 7 p.m. curfew had begun.
That curfew was imposed after three straight nights of demonstrations just beyond the fence surrounding the White House complex, with massive crowds of protesters intermixed with violent agitators while police responded with at times violent crowd control actions. White House staff responded Sunday evening by shutting off the lights that normally keep the official residence illuminated at night.
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“Perfect symbolism. If ever the country needed the occupant of that building to shed light, and not heat, it is now,” said David Axelrod, a former top aide to Trump’s predecessor, Barack Obama. “Sadly, that is not to be.”
The White House defended Trump’s handling of the protests, arguing that he had already addressed the topic as part of his speech following a rocket launch in Florida on Saturday. On Monday, press secretary Kayleigh McEnany told Fox News there was no need for a dedicated formal speech from the White House.
“A national Oval Office address is not going to stop antifa,” she said, referring to the loose collection of anarchists who frequently use protests as cover for vandalism and assault.
Given Trump’s track record both before and after becoming president, however, it is unclear what message of reconciliation he could credibly offer.
The first time Trump’s hometown paper of record mentioned his name was in 1973, when then-President Richard Nixon’s Justice Department accused his father and him of refusing to rent apartments to Black people. A decade and a half later, Trump crusaded for the death penalty for the Central Park Five following the rape of a jogger in Central Park, and he continued to do so even after they were exonerated. He rose to prominence within the GOP by becoming the loudest voice pushing the racist conspiracy theory that Obama was not born in the United States and was therefore an illegitimate president.
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“He’s wily enough to know he needs to say the right words once in a while about African Americans but also never abandons his true base and his true nature.” - Rick Wilson, Republican strategist
Since his election, Trump has referred to sub-Saharan African nations as “shithole” countries, hired so-called “alt-right” writers from Breitbart News to work at the White House and, most famously, declared that the torch-wielding marchers chanting racist and anti-Semitic slurs in Charlottesville, Virginia, included “very fine people.”
“He’s wily enough to know he needs to say the right words once in a while about African Americans but also never abandons his true base and his true nature,” said Rick Wilson, a GOP consultant who now works with The Lincoln Project, a group that released a television ad Sunday tying Trump to supporters of the Confederate flag.
Trump’s bunker mentality contrasted vividly with those of presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden as well as previous presidents, both Democratic and Republican.
In 2015, Obama spoke at a service for Black worshippers killed by white supremacist Dylann Roof at their church in South Carolina. In 1992, George H.W. Bush visited Los Angeles in the aftermath of protests against the acquittals of police officers in the beating of Rodney King. In 1970, even Richard Nixon — whose 1968 “Southern Strategy” campaign served as the blueprint for Republican candidate for the coming decades — met with demonstrators at the Lincoln Memorial.
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And in the last few days, Biden has essentially taken over the leadership role that Trump has ceded. He visited a protest site in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, on Sunday and met with community leaders at a church there on Monday before convening a video conference call with mayors around the country.
Norman Ornstein, a scholar at the conservative-leaning American Enterprise Institute, said the real problem is not Trump’s racist history, but something lacking in his psyche.
“If he had any empathy or the capacity to reach out and do what other presidents do as a matter of course, if he had gone on national television with the kind of address that Bush or Obama would give, reflecting an understanding of the outrage and pain but calling for calm, it would have been as effective as it would be for any of the others,” Ornstein said. “The problem is inherent to him.”
In any event, Trump seemed content with blaming antifa for the protests and tying Biden to the group.
“Sleepy Joe Biden’s people are so Radical Left that they are working to get the Anarchists out of jail, and probably more. Joe doesn’t know anything about it, he is clueless, but they will be the real power, not Joe. They will be calling the shots! Big tax increases for all, Plus!” he tweeted Monday morning.
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The strategy is familiar for Trump. In 2016, with crime rates at a record low, Trump nevertheless claimed that violent crime was rampant and would surge further if Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton were to win. In 2018, he warned that a Democratic takeover of the House of Representatives would open the floodgates to undocumented immigration and turn the United States into Venezuela.
Trump’s campaign did not respond to HuffPost’s requests for comment. Biden’s campaign said Trump could learn a lesson or two from Obama’s former vice president.
“He’s not hiding with the lights off or rage-tweeting smears. He’s calling out injustice and condemning violence. He’s joining his neighbors on the streets and convening faith leaders in his own community. He’s hosting mayors on the front lines,” press secretary TJ Ducklo said. “This is what presidents do. It’s making Donald Trump feel insecure and threatened. And it should.”
After the initial publication of this article, a representative for Breitbart News contacted HuffPost to insist that neither it nor any of its former writers were alt-right.