thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-03--Washington Post Editorial Issues Dire Warning To Trump Aides 'Enabling His Incitement'

The Washington Post editorial board on Tuesday warned Donald Trump ’ s top aides that the president ’ s threat to unleash the military on protesters demonstrating against the death of George Floyd could seriously backfire .
Instead , it may plunge the United States further into chaos and unrest , the newspaper wrote in an editorial headlined : “ Trump ’ s threats to deploy troops move America closer to anarchy.
” The board suggested Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Gen. Mark Milley , chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , must “ surely know ” that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be “ counterproductive ” and unsustainable .
“ Yet they allowed themselves to be used as props in Mr. Trump ’ s march across Lafayette Square , ” the editorial said , referencing how the men joined the president Monday posing outside a historic church after police had violently cleared peaceful protesters from the area using tear gas , stun grenades and rubber bullets .
Esper has since claimed he “ didn ’ t know ” where he was going on leaving the White House with Trump .
The editorial also noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday in which the president demanded that governors use the National Guard to suppress protests.
” President Donald Trump pictured walking Attorney General William Barr , Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley from the White House to visit St. John 's Church after the area was cleared of people protesting the death of George Floyd .
“ In enabling his incitement , Mr. Trump ’ s aides are helping him to push the country closer not to order but to anarchy , ” the editorial @ @

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The Washington Post editorial board on Tuesday warned Donald Trump’s top aides that the president’s threat to unleash the military on protesters demonstrating against the death of George Floyd could seriously backfire.
Instead, it may plunge the United States further into chaos and unrest, the newspaper wrote in an editorial headlined: “Trump’s threats to deploy troops move America closer to anarchy.”
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The board suggested Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, must “surely know” that the deployment of military forces in American cities would be “counterproductive” and unsustainable.
“Yet they allowed themselves to be used as props in Mr. Trump’s march across Lafayette Square,” the editorial said, referencing how the men joined the president Monday posing outside a historic church after police had violently cleared peaceful protesters from the area using tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets.
Esper has since claimed he “didn’t know” where he was going on leaving the White House with Trump.
The editorial also noted their participation “in a phone call Monday in which the president demanded that governors use the National Guard to suppress protests.”
President Donald Trump pictured walking Attorney General William Barr, Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley from the White House to visit St. John's Church after the area was cleared of people protesting the death of George Floyd. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI via Getty Images
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-03--3 More Former Cops Charged In The Killing Of George Floyd

Three more former Minnesota police officers have been charged in the killing of George Floyd , a 46-year-old Black man who died after an officer kneeled on his neck during an arrest .
The Hennepin County prosecutor had already arrested Derek Chauvin , the former police officer seen kneeling on Floyd ’ s neck , last week , charging him with third-degree murder and manslaughter .
Ellison ’ s office is also upgrading the charges against Chauvin to include second-degree murder without intent , in addition to the existing charges .
Chauvin ’ s bail , which was previously set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 million .
“ But what I do not believe is that one successful prosecution can rectify the hurt and loss that so many people feel , ” he added .
“ The solution to that pain will be slow and difficult work of constructing justice and fairness in our society.
” As of Wednesday afternoon , the state had arrested one of the three former officers and was in the process of arresting the other two , Drew Evans , Minnesota ’ s superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why the state chose to upgrade Chauvin ’ s charge to second-degree murder , rather than first-degree murder as Floyd ’ s family had requested , Ellison said the state felt that the killing did not meet the standard for “ pre-meditation and deliberation ” required to charge someone with first-degree murder .
The state is instead accusing Chauvin of committing felony assault and , in the process , killing Floyd without prior intention to do so .
Ellison , a lawyer who represented needy defendants in criminal cases prior to winning elected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office with prosecutorial experience would be trying the case on behalf of the state of Minnesota .
“ The reason thoroughness is important is because every single link in the prosecutorial chain must be strong , ” he said .
“ It needs to be strong because trying this case will not be an easy thing .
Winning a conviction will be hard.
” Minnesota Gov .
Tim Walz ( D ) tapped Ellison , a former progressive congressman and civil rights attorney , on Sunday to take over the case from Hennepin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he made the decision to put Ellison in charge after consulting with Floyd ’ s family .
Floyd was killed on May 25 after the officers arrested him for allegedly attempting to make a purchase at a store with a fraudulent $ 20 bill .
As seen in video of Floyd ’ s arrest , Chauvin used his knee to hold Floyd down by the neck even as Floyd pleads , “ Please , man , I can ’ t breathe.
” Chauvin kept his knee on Floyd , who was apparently in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and moving .
He remained there as onlookers shouted at other officers to attend to Floyd .
“ I do not believe this incident should be allowed to define our profession or the Minneapolis Police Department , but there is no doubt that this incident has diminished the trust and respect our communities have for the men and women of law enforcement , ” Fraternal Order of Police President Patrick Yoes said in a statement .
“ Based on the by-stander ’ s video from this incident , we witnessed a man in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ The fact that he was a suspect in custody is immaterial—police officers should at all times render aid to those who need it .
Police officers need to treat all of our citizens with respect and understanding and should be held to the very highest standards for their conduct .
”

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Three more former Minnesota police officers have been charged in the killing of George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man who died after an officer kneeled on his neck during an arrest.
The office of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison charged Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng on Wednesday with aiding and abetting Floyd’s murder.
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The Hennepin County prosecutor had already arrested Derek Chauvin, the former police officer seen kneeling on Floyd’s neck, last week, charging him with third-degree murder and manslaughter. Ellison’s office is also upgrading the charges against Chauvin to include second-degree murder without intent, in addition to the existing charges. Chauvin’s bail, which was previously set at $500,000, is now $1 million.
At a press conference announcing the charges in St. Paul on Wednesday, Ellison, who is Black, addressed the pain of Minneapolis residents reeling from Floyd’s death and the overall pattern of racist policing practices.
“George Floyd mattered. He was loved. His family was important. His life mattered,” Ellison said. “And we will seek justice for him and for you.”
“But what I do not believe is that one successful prosecution can rectify the hurt and loss that so many people feel,” he added. “The solution to that pain will be slow and difficult work of constructing justice and fairness in our society.”
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As of Wednesday afternoon, the state had arrested one of the three former officers and was in the process of arresting the other two, Drew Evans, Minnesota’s superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said at a the press conference.
Ellison did not discuss the evidence the state had used to determine whether to bring charges and which charges to press.
Asked why the state chose to upgrade Chauvin’s charge to second-degree murder, rather than first-degree murder as Floyd’s family had requested, Ellison said the state felt that the killing did not meet the standard for “pre-meditation and deliberation” required to charge someone with first-degree murder. The state is instead accusing Chauvin of committing felony assault and, in the process, killing Floyd without prior intention to do so.
Ellison, a lawyer who represented needy defendants in criminal cases prior to winning elected office, said that attorneys in his office with prosecutorial experience would be trying the case on behalf of the state of Minnesota.
“The reason thoroughness is important is because every single link in the prosecutorial chain must be strong,” he said. “It needs to be strong because trying this case will not be an easy thing. Winning a conviction will be hard.”
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Ben Crump, an attorney for Floyd’s family, applauded the announcement in a statement.
“This is a significant step forward on the road to justice, and we are gratified that this important action was brought before George Floyd’s body was laid to rest,” Crump said.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) tapped Ellison, a former progressive congressman and civil rights attorney, on Sunday to take over the case from Hennepin County prosecutor Mike Freeman. Walz said he made the decision to put Ellison in charge after consulting with Floyd’s family.
Floyd was killed on May 25 after the officers arrested him for allegedly attempting to make a purchase at a store with a fraudulent $20 bill. As seen in video of Floyd’s arrest, Chauvin used his knee to hold Floyd down by the neck even as Floyd pleads, “Please, man, I can’t breathe.”
Chauvin kept his knee on Floyd, who was apparently in handcuffs, even after he stopped speaking and moving. He remained there as onlookers shouted at other officers to attend to Floyd.
In another video, three other officers can be seen crowding around Floyd, who is on the floor, during the arrest.
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According to the Minneapolis Police Department, Floyd was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at a hospital.
Floyd’s death, like other police killings of Black men, has sparked days of protests and public outcry in Minneapolis and across the country.
Chauvin, Thao, Lane and Keung were fired from the police department, but protesters and community leaders demanded that the officers be arrested and charged with murder.
The Minneapolis Police Department initially claimed that Floyd was physically resisting arrest. However, surveillance footage obtained by CNN, which captured a portion of the arrest, does not support that claim.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), a former Hennepin County prosecutor, hailed the decision on Twitter as “another important step for justice.”
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Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is increasing charges against Derek Chauvin to 2nd degree in George Floyd’s murder and also charging other 3 officers. This is another important step for justice. — Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) June 3, 2020
The Fraternal Order of Police denounced Floyd’s arrest and killing in an official statement last week.
“I do not believe this incident should be allowed to define our profession or the Minneapolis Police Department, but there is no doubt that this incident has diminished the trust and respect our communities have for the men and women of law enforcement,” Fraternal Order of Police President Patrick Yoes said in a statement.
“Based on the by-stander’s video from this incident, we witnessed a man in distress pleading for help,” Yoes said. “The fact that he was a suspect in custody is immaterial—police officers should at all times render aid to those who need it. Police officers need to treat all of our citizens with respect and understanding and should be held to the very highest standards for their conduct.”
During an interview with CNN last week, Floyd’s brother, Philonise Floyd, called for the protests to remain peaceful but he also said demonstrators were “torn and hurt because they’re tired of seeing Black men die. Constantly, over and over again.”
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“These officers, they need to be arrested right now. They need to be arrested and held accountable about everything because these people want justice right now,” Philonise Floyd told CNN, calling for the death penalty.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-03--Trump Brutally Mocked For Saying He Went To Bunker Just To Inspect It

A lot of Twitter users apparently think President Donald Trump ’ s explanation for his Friday bunker visit was , well , bunk .
The Secret Service rushed the president and his family to an underground bunker during anti-racist protests in Washington , D.C. , last Friday night .
Although the Trump family was reportedly rattled by the incident , the president offered a different spin to Brian Kilmeade during a Fox News Radio interview on Wednesday .
“ I was there for a tiny little short period of time , ” Trump said , adding that “ it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president claimed that he ’ s visited the bunker two or three times “ all for inspection.
” He added , “ Someday you may need it .
...
I went down , I looked at it.
” But many Twitter users were skeptical of Trump ’ s excuse , especially considering the timing .
... .at like , 11:00 pm .
As one does .
Yep .
Does he not realize that this makes him look so much weaker than a bunker ever would ?
— Lanaaaaa ( @ LAnatra_ ) June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up at the White House fence .
Trump : “ Unrelated to this situation , I heard there ’ s a bunker here .
Let ’ s take some executive time to go tour it , like right now , right now , right now now now now !
Go !
Run !
Every man for yourself !
Forget Eric !
” — Mike Dorsey 😷 ( @ DorseyFilm ) June 3 , 2020 He ’ s had 3.5 years and decides at that moment to kill the lights and sneak down to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Just because Donald ’ s that stupid doesn ’ t mean the General public is .
This is embarrassing even for Fox .
— Batman Barr Labels Us Terrorists - ( fan ) ( @ DarkMoneyDt ) June 3 , 2020 sure it was for `` inspection '' Trump ca n't think on his feet .
Would n't it be far better to tell the truth that Secret Service told him he must do this ?
Instead he makes up stupid lies .
— Barbara Tepper ( @ softlikewater ) June 3 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... maybe I 'll just mosey on down to the bunker and make sure we have enough gummy bears and diet coke for the apocalypse . ''
— Coconut Actual ( @ VirtualMittens ) June 3 , 2020 Many people used analogies to illustrate why the bunker explanation just might be what is colloquially called “ B.S.
” Just as people used to read Playboy for the articles , and dogs on July 4th are n't hiding under the bed because of fireworks , but because they thought they definitely heard a rabbit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michael Marshall Smith ( @ ememess ) June 3 , 2020 Like that time my husband and his buddies went to a strip club , they were only there for an inspection .
# BunkerTrump https : //t.co/agw3YguJJj — Iva Rogers ( @ IvaARogers ) June 3 , 2020 Next time your spouse catches you cheating , you can just say : '' I may have been between someone else 's legs , but it was 'more for an inspection ' and ' I was there for a tiny , short little period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( @ NotATweeter16 ) June 3 , 2020 Other people suggested the president may want to figure out his priorities .
Dear Donald , @ realDonaldTrump “ Inspecting ” the bunker is below your pay grade .
“ Inspecting ” the burned-out toilet facility in Lafayette Park is below Secretary @ EsperDoD ‘ s pay grade .
If those of you with stewardship of our government have nothing better to do , RESIGN .
— mollyswordmcdonough 🏡 ( @ mollysmcdonough ) June 3 , 2020 Right , because bunker inspection was at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global pandemic and civil unrest .
https : //t.co/jSgOpnfErc — Eric Conrad would like you to back up a few feet ( @ EricConradFL ) June 3 , 2020 Why would he need to inspect it ?
What expertise does he have in `` bunker knowing ? ''
— Beth Hansen ( @ Erdos_4 ) June 3 , 2020 I 'm sure he does all his own bunker inspections .
Inspecting it for what ?
Bunkeriness ?
Hideability ?
— Adam Barone ( @ APBarone ) June 3 , 2020 One person did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most likely to be affected by this incident in the long term .

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A lot of Twitter users apparently think President Donald Trump’s explanation for his Friday bunker visit was, well, bunk.
The Secret Service rushed the president and his family to an underground bunker during anti-racist protests in Washington, D.C., last Friday night.
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Although the Trump family was reportedly rattled by the incident, the president offered a different spin to Brian Kilmeade during a Fox News Radio interview on Wednesday.
“I was there for a tiny little short period of time,” Trump said, adding that “it was much more for an inspection.”
The president claimed that he’s visited the bunker two or three times “all for inspection.” He added, “Someday you may need it. ... I went down, I looked at it.”
But many Twitter users were skeptical of Trump’s excuse, especially considering the timing.
....at like, 11:00 pm. As one does. Yep.
Does he not realize that this makes him look so much weaker than a bunker ever would? — Lanaaaaa (@LAnatra_) June 3, 2020
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Civil rights protesters show up at the White House fence.
Trump: “Unrelated to this situation, I heard there’s a bunker here. Let’s take some executive time to go tour it, like right now, right now, right now now now now! Go! Run! Every man for yourself! Forget Eric!” — Mike Dorsey 😷 (@DorseyFilm) June 3, 2020
He’s had 3.5 years and decides at that moment to kill the lights and sneak down to the bunker to check it out?
Just because Donald’s that stupid doesn’t mean the General public is. This is embarrassing even for Fox. — Batman Barr Labels Us Terrorists - (fan) (@DarkMoneyDt) June 3, 2020
sure it was for "inspection" Trump can't think on his feet. Wouldn't it be far better to tell the truth that Secret Service told him he must do this? Instead he makes up stupid lies. — Barbara Tepper (@softlikewater) June 3, 2020
"Lots of angry people outside...maybe I'll just mosey on down to the bunker and make sure we have enough gummy bears and diet coke for the apocalypse." — Coconut Actual (@VirtualMittens) June 3, 2020
Many people used analogies to illustrate why the bunker explanation just might be what is colloquially called “B.S.”
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Just as people used to read Playboy for the articles, and dogs on July 4th aren't hiding under the bed because of fireworks, but because they thought they definitely heard a rabbit under there. https://t.co/1qr3fw6JUt — Michael Marshall Smith (@ememess) June 3, 2020
Like that time my husband and his buddies went to a strip club, they were only there for an inspection. #BunkerTrump https://t.co/agw3YguJJj — Iva Rogers (@IvaARogers) June 3, 2020
LOL Yeah, he just wanted to check out the art work. https://t.co/C3EPxSQP5c — John Aravosis 🇺🇸🇬🇷🏳🌈 (@aravosis) June 3, 2020
Next time your spouse catches you cheating, you can just say:
"I may have been between someone else's legs, but it was 'more for an inspection' and 'I was there for a tiny, short little period of time.'" — NotATweeter16 (@NotATweeter16) June 3, 2020
Other people suggested the president may want to figure out his priorities.
Dear Donald, @realDonaldTrump
“Inspecting” the bunker is below your pay grade.
“Inspecting” the burned-out toilet facility in Lafayette Park is below Secretary @EsperDoD ‘s pay grade.
If those of you with stewardship of our government have nothing better to do, RESIGN. — mollyswordmcdonough 🏡 (@mollysmcdonough) June 3, 2020
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Right, because bunker inspection was at the top of his to-do list during a global pandemic and civil unrest. https://t.co/jSgOpnfErc — Eric Conrad would like you to back up a few feet (@EricConradFL) June 3, 2020
Some people had nagging questions.
Why would he need to inspect it? What expertise does he have in "bunker knowing?" — Beth Hansen (@Erdos_4) June 3, 2020
I'm sure he does all his own bunker inspections. Inspecting it for what? Bunkeriness? Hideability? — Adam Barone (@APBarone) June 3, 2020
If it remains unused why does it need so many inspections? 🤔 — Abolish the GOP (@RageInNY) June 3, 2020
One person did suggest we show empathy for the individual most likely to be affected by this incident in the long term.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-03--Trump Claims He Went To White House Bunker During Protests 'For An Inspection'

President Donald Trump on Wednesday denied that he was rushed to a White House bunker during anti-racism protests last week out of concern for his safety , claiming he had merely dropped by the underground shelter to inspect it .
“ I was there for a tiny , little short period of time , ” Trump said during a radio interview with Fox News ’ Brian Kilmeade .
“ And it was much more for an inspection.
” He continued : “ I ’ ve gone down two or three times ― all for inspection .
And you go there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
...
I went down , I looked at it.
” Secret Service reportedly rushed Trump to the bunker , known as the Presidential Emergency Operations Center , on Friday night as hundreds of protesters gathered outside the White House during nationwide demonstrations sparked by George Floyd ’ s death in Minneapolis .
Trump spent nearly an hour in the bunker , which was designed for use in emergencies like terrorist attacks , a Republican close to the White House told The Associated Press .
Then-President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks .
The structure has been reinforced to withstand the force of a passenger jet crashing into the executive mansion above .
Kilmeade asked Trump about whether he was brought to the bunker on Sunday .
It ’ s unclear whether Kilmeade meant to ask about Friday , which is when Trump was reported to have been escorted to the bunker .
“ It was during the day , ” he told Kilmeade .
“ It was not a problem .
... We never had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us a problem.
” “ They didn ’ t tell me that at all , ” the president said .
“ But they said it would be a good time to go down , take a look because maybe sometime you ’ re going to need it.
” Protests outside the White House intensified over the weekend , with some demonstrators throwing rocks and trying to break through barricades .
In a dramatic speech Monday from the White House Rose Garden , Trump vowed a violent crackdown by the military on civil unrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He then walked with a group of aides to nearby St. John ’ s Episcopal Church for a photo-op .
Trump wanted to be seen outside , in part , because he was angered by coverage that depicted him as hiding in a bunker during the protests , CNN reported .

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President Donald Trump on Wednesday denied that he was rushed to a White House bunker during anti-racism protests last week out of concern for his safety, claiming he had merely dropped by the underground shelter to inspect it.
“I was there for a tiny, little short period of time,” Trump said during a radio interview with Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade. “And it was much more for an inspection.”
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He continued: “I’ve gone down two or three times ― all for inspection. And you go there, some day you may need it. ... I went down, I looked at it.”
Secret Service reportedly rushed Trump to the bunker, known as the Presidential Emergency Operations Center, on Friday night as hundreds of protesters gathered outside the White House during nationwide demonstrations sparked by George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis.
Trump spent nearly an hour in the bunker, which was designed for use in emergencies like terrorist attacks, a Republican close to the White House told The Associated Press.
Then-President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney were brought to the bunker in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The structure has been reinforced to withstand the force of a passenger jet crashing into the executive mansion above.
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Trump and his family were rattled by their experience Friday night, The New York Times reported, citing multiple advisers.
Kilmeade asked Trump about whether he was brought to the bunker on Sunday. It’s unclear whether Kilmeade meant to ask about Friday, which is when Trump was reported to have been escorted to the bunker.
Either way, Trump denied going there at any time during the night.
“It was during the day,” he told Kilmeade. “It was not a problem. ... We never had a problem. Nobody came close to giving us a problem.”
Asked if Secret Service wanted to bring him down there for safety reasons, Trump said no.
“They didn’t tell me that at all,” the president said. “But they said it would be a good time to go down, take a look because maybe sometime you’re going to need it.”
Protests outside the White House intensified over the weekend, with some demonstrators throwing rocks and trying to break through barricades.
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In a dramatic speech Monday from the White House Rose Garden, Trump vowed a violent crackdown by the military on civil unrest in U.S. cities amid the anti-racism protests. He then walked with a group of aides to nearby St. John’s Episcopal Church for a photo-op.
Moments earlier, federal law enforcers sprayed tear gas and fired rubber bullets to disperse a crowd of peaceful protesters in front of the White House.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-03--Obama Steps Out As Nation Confronts Confluence Of Crises

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — Former President Barack Obama is taking on an increasingly public role as the nation confronts a confluence of historic crises that has exposed deep racial and socioeconomic inequalities in America and reshaped the November election .
In doing so , Obama is signaling a willingness to sharply critique his successor , President Donald Trump , and fill what many Democrats see as a national leadership void .
On Wednesday , he ’ ll hold a virtual town hall event with young people to discuss policing and the civil unrest that has followed the death of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama will call for turning the protests over Floyd ’ s death into policy change and will urge specific reforms to ensure safer policing and increased trust between communities and law enforcement .
“ We ’ re in a political season , but our country is also at an inflection point , ” said Valerie Jarrett , a longtime friend and adviser to Obama .
“ President Obama is not going to shy away from that dialogue simply because he ’ s not in office anymore.
” Obama was already beginning to emerge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Democratic presidential bid when the coronavirus pandemic swept across the U.S. , killing more than 100,000 people , and the economy began to crater .
The crises scrambled the Biden campaign ’ s plans for how to begin deploying Obama as their chief surrogate ahead of the November election , but also gave the former president a clear opening to start publicly arguing what he has signaled to friends and associates privately for the past three years : that he does not believe Trump is up for the job .
Addressing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last month , Obama said the pandemic had “ fully , finally torn back the curtain on the idea that so many of the folks in charge know what they ’ re doing.
” And in a nationally televised broadcast celebrating graduating high school seniors , Obama said many “ so-called grown-ups , including some with fancy titles and important jobs , ” do only what ’ s convenient and feels good .
Floyd ’ s death , however , has drawn a more visceral and personal reaction from the nation ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black man , died after a white police officer pressed his knee into Floyd ’ s neck for several minutes even after he stopped moving and pleading for air .
In a lengthy written statement last week , Obama said that while he understood that millions of Americans were eager to “ just get back to normal ” when the pandemic abates , it shouldn ’ t be forgotten that normal life for people of color in the U.S. involves being treated differently on account of their race .
Tensions across the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the former president ’ s statement .
His town hall on Wednesday will mark his first in-person comments since law enforcement officers aggressively cleared peaceful protesters from a park outside the White House so Trump could walk across for a photo opportunity at a nearby church .
Trump has cheered harsh crackdowns on the protests , some of which have turned violent , and threatened to deploy active-duty military to the states if local officials could not get the demonstrations under control .
He appeared to be backing down from that position this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Wednesday that he did not believe such action was warranted .
“ President Obama ’ s voice is a reminder that we used to have a president who sought to bridge our divides , and we can have one again if we elect Joe Biden , ” said TJ Ducklo , a campaign spokesman .
Obama grappled with police brutality against minorities as president , including in Ferguson , Missouri , where clashes broke out after the death of Michael Brown , a black 18-year-old .
After Brown ’ s death , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enact broad policing reforms , though most were halted under the Trump administration .
Biden , who served as Obama ’ s vice president , called this week for restoring some of the previous administration ’ s actions in the wake of Floyd ’ s death and the killing of other black Americans .
Biden also called for Congress to take immediate steps , including outlawing chokeholds .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Barack Obama is taking on an increasingly public role as the nation confronts a confluence of historic crises that has exposed deep racial and socioeconomic inequalities in America and reshaped the November election.
In doing so, Obama is signaling a willingness to sharply critique his successor, President Donald Trump, and fill what many Democrats see as a national leadership void. On Wednesday, he’ll hold a virtual town hall event with young people to discuss policing and the civil unrest that has followed the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
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Aides said Obama will call for turning the protests over Floyd’s death into policy change and will urge specific reforms to ensure safer policing and increased trust between communities and law enforcement.
“We’re in a political season, but our country is also at an inflection point,” said Valerie Jarrett, a longtime friend and adviser to Obama. “President Obama is not going to shy away from that dialogue simply because he’s not in office anymore.”
Obama was already beginning to emerge from political hibernation to endorse Joe Biden’s Democratic presidential bid when the coronavirus pandemic swept across the U.S., killing more than 100,000 people, and the economy began to crater. The crises scrambled the Biden campaign’s plans for how to begin deploying Obama as their chief surrogate ahead of the November election, but also gave the former president a clear opening to start publicly arguing what he has signaled to friends and associates privately for the past three years: that he does not believe Trump is up for the job.
Addressing graduates of historically black colleges and universities last month, Obama said the pandemic had “fully, finally torn back the curtain on the idea that so many of the folks in charge know what they’re doing.” And in a nationally televised broadcast celebrating graduating high school seniors, Obama said many “so-called grown-ups, including some with fancy titles and important jobs,” do only what’s convenient and feels good.
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Floyd’s death, however, has drawn a more visceral and personal reaction from the nation’s first black president. Floyd, a black man, died after a white police officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for several minutes even after he stopped moving and pleading for air.
In a lengthy written statement last week, Obama said that while he understood that millions of Americans were eager to “just get back to normal” when the pandemic abates, it shouldn’t be forgotten that normal life for people of color in the U.S. involves being treated differently on account of their race.
“This shouldn’t be ‘normal’ in 2020 America. It can’t be ‘normal,’” Obama wrote.
Tensions across the country have escalated further in the days since the former president’s statement. His town hall on Wednesday will mark his first in-person comments since law enforcement officers aggressively cleared peaceful protesters from a park outside the White House so Trump could walk across for a photo opportunity at a nearby church.
Trump has cheered harsh crackdowns on the protests, some of which have turned violent, and threatened to deploy active-duty military to the states if local officials could not get the demonstrations under control. He appeared to be backing down from that position this week, and Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Wednesday that he did not believe such action was warranted.
Biden’s campaign welcomed Obama stepping forward during this moment.
“President Obama’s voice is a reminder that we used to have a president who sought to bridge our divides, and we can have one again if we elect Joe Biden,” said TJ Ducklo, a campaign spokesman.
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Obama grappled with police brutality against minorities as president, including in Ferguson, Missouri, where clashes broke out after the death of Michael Brown, a black 18-year-old. After Brown’s death, Obama’s Justice Department moved to enact broad policing reforms, though most were halted under the Trump administration.
Biden, who served as Obama’s vice president, called this week for restoring some of the previous administration’s actions in the wake of Floyd’s death and the killing of other black Americans. Biden also called for Congress to take immediate steps, including outlawing chokeholds.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-03--Defense Secretary Mark Esper: 'I Do Not Support Invoking The Insurrection Act'

Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Wednesday he doesn ’ t support invoking the Insurrection Act , an 1807 law that would allow President Donald Trump to send U.S. armed forces into states for the purpose of domestic law enforcement .
“ I do not support invoking the Insurrection Act , ” Esper said at a news conference at the Pentagon .
“ The option to use active-duty forces in a law enforcement role should only be used as a matter of last resort and only in the most ... dire of situations .
We are not in one of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always believed , and continue to believe , that the National Guard is best suited for performing domestic support to civil authorities in these situations in support of local law enforcement , ” he added .
Trump has repeatedly threatened to use the Insurrection Act to quell nationwide protests that erupted last week in response to the death of George Floyd , a Black man who died in Minneapolis after a white police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes .
Should Trump follow through on the threat , he could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the governments have requested them , or to states where the government is incapable of protecting its citizens .
The rarely invoked law was last used amid the 1992 Los Angeles uprising over acquittals in the Rodney King beating , at the request of Republican Gov .
Pete Wilson .
At a televised address from the Rose Garden on Monday ― Trump ’ s first since Floyd ’ s death one week prior ― the president urged state governors to deploy the National Guard “ in sufficient numbers that we dominate the streets.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers ” to police the streets of Washington , D.C .
He then left the White House to pose for a photo at a nearby church , after federal police cleared the way by releasing tear gas and flash-bang grenades on peaceful protesters in the area .

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Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Wednesday he doesn’t support invoking the Insurrection Act, an 1807 law that would allow President Donald Trump to send U.S. armed forces into states for the purpose of domestic law enforcement.
“I do not support invoking the Insurrection Act,” Esper said at a news conference at the Pentagon. “The option to use active-duty forces in a law enforcement role should only be used as a matter of last resort and only in the most ... dire of situations. We are not in one of those situations now.”
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“I’ve always believed, and continue to believe, that the National Guard is best suited for performing domestic support to civil authorities in these situations in support of local law enforcement,” he added.
Trump has repeatedly threatened to use the Insurrection Act to quell nationwide protests that erupted last week in response to the death of George Floyd, a Black man who died in Minneapolis after a white police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.
Should Trump follow through on the threat, he could only deploy federal troops to states where the governments have requested them, or to states where the government is incapable of protecting its citizens. The rarely invoked law was last used amid the 1992 Los Angeles uprising over acquittals in the Rodney King beating, at the request of Republican Gov. Pete Wilson.
At a televised address from the Rose Garden on Monday ― Trump’s first since Floyd’s death one week prior ― the president urged state governors to deploy the National Guard “in sufficient numbers that we dominate the streets.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-03--Pentagon Adviser Resigns, Slams Defense Secretary Mark Esper Over Trump Photo-Op

A member of the Pentagon ’ s science advisory board resigned Tuesday over Defense Secretary Mark Esper ’ s failure to speak out against the forcible dispersal of protesters near a church where President Donald Trump staged a photo-op a day earlier .
James N. Miller , who served as the under secretary of defense for policy from 2012 to 2014 , announced his departure from the Defense Science Board in a fiery letter of resignation addressed to Esper and published in The Washington Post .
Miller accused Esper of violating his oath of office by appearing to support the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to clear a crowd of peaceful anti-racism protesters near the White House so Trump could pose for a photo holding a Bible outside St. John ’ s Episcopal Church .
“ You may not have been able to stop President Trump from directing this appalling use of force , but you could have chosen to oppose it , ” wrote Miller , who joined the science board in 2014 .
“ Instead , you visibly supported it.
” “ Anyone who takes the oath of office must decide where he or she will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things that they will refuse to do ?
” he added .
“ I must now ask : If last night ’ s blatant violations do not cross the line for you , what will ?
” Trump ’ s photo-op and his administration ’ s decision to use aggressive tactics to clear protesters ― all before the city ’ s curfew went into effect that night ― drew outrage from Democratic lawmakers and the bishops in charge of St. John ’ s Church .
At the photo-op , Esper stood beside Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been vandalized during the protests a day earlier , along with Attorney General William Barr , national security adviser Robert O ’ Brien , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows .
President Donald Trump stands outside St. John 's Church across Lafayette Park by the White House on Monday , June 1 , in Washington , D.C. Part of the church was set on fire during protests Sunday night .
Standing with Trump are Defense Secretary Mark Esper , from left , Attorney General @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adviser Robert O'Brien , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows .
( AP Photo/Patrick Semansky ) The Pentagon has since tried to distance itself from the incident .
Esper said Tuesday that he “ didn ’ t know ” where he was going when he left the White House with Trump that night .
“ I thought I was going to do two things : to see some damage and to talk to the troops , ” he told NBC News , adding : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was going .
I wanted to see how much damage actually happened.
” Esper said he had “ no idea ” at the time about plans to disperse the crowd .
He said he thought the excursion would be a chance to thank National Guard troops who had been called in to help respond to the protests .
In his resignation letter , Miller condemned Esper for sending an “ extremely dangerous signal ” by suggesting that governors should “ dominate the battlespace ” when handling the nationwide protests sparked by the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ You have made life-and-death decisions in combat overseas ; soon you may be asked to make life-and-death decisions about using the military on American streets and against Americans , ” Miller wrote .
“ Where will you draw the line , and when will you draw it ?
”

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A member of the Pentagon’s science advisory board resigned Tuesday over Defense Secretary Mark Esper’s failure to speak out against the forcible dispersal of protesters near a church where President Donald Trump staged a photo-op a day earlier.
James N. Miller, who served as the under secretary of defense for policy from 2012 to 2014, announced his departure from the Defense Science Board in a fiery letter of resignation addressed to Esper and published in The Washington Post.
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Miller accused Esper of violating his oath of office by appearing to support the use of tear gas and rubber bullets to clear a crowd of peaceful anti-racism protesters near the White House so Trump could pose for a photo holding a Bible outside St. John’s Episcopal Church.
“You may not have been able to stop President Trump from directing this appalling use of force, but you could have chosen to oppose it,” wrote Miller, who joined the science board in 2014. “Instead, you visibly supported it.”
“Anyone who takes the oath of office must decide where he or she will draw the line: What are the things that they will refuse to do?” he added. “I must now ask: If last night’s blatant violations do not cross the line for you, what will?”
Trump’s photo-op and his administration’s decision to use aggressive tactics to clear protesters ― all before the city’s curfew went into effect that night ― drew outrage from Democratic lawmakers and the bishops in charge of St. John’s Church.
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At the photo-op, Esper stood beside Trump in front of the church, which had been vandalized during the protests a day earlier, along with Attorney General William Barr, national security adviser Robert O’Brien, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows.
President Donald Trump stands outside St. John's Church across Lafayette Park by the White House on Monday, June 1, in Washington, D.C. Part of the church was set on fire during protests Sunday night. Standing with Trump are Defense Secretary Mark Esper, from left, Attorney General William Barr, White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Pentagon has since tried to distance itself from the incident. Esper said Tuesday that he “didn’t know” where he was going when he left the White House with Trump that night.
“I thought I was going to do two things: to see some damage and to talk to the troops,” he told NBC News, adding: “I didn’t know where I was going. I wanted to see how much damage actually happened.”
Esper said he had “no idea” at the time about plans to disperse the crowd. He said he thought the excursion would be a chance to thank National Guard troops who had been called in to help respond to the protests.
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In his resignation letter, Miller condemned Esper for sending an “extremely dangerous signal” by suggesting that governors should “dominate the battlespace” when handling the nationwide protests sparked by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-03--NFL QB Drew Brees: 'I Will Never Agree With Anybody Disrespecting The Flag'

“ I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America or our country .
Let me just tell what I see or what I feel when the national anthem is played and when I look at the flag of the United States .
“ I envision my two grandfathers , who fought for this country during World War II , one in the Army and one in the Marine Corp .
Both risking their lives to protect our country and to try to make our country and this world a better place .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand over my heart looking at that flag and singing the national anthem , that ’ s what I think about .
And in many cases , that brings me to tears , thinking about all that has been sacrificed .
Not just those in the military , but for that matter , those throughout the civil rights movements of the ’ 60s , and all that has been endured by so many people up until this point .
And is everything right with our country right now ?
No , it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long way to go .
But I think what you do by standing there and showing respect to the flag with your hand over your heart , is it shows unity .
It shows that we are all in this together , we can all do better and that we are all part of the solution .
”

“I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America or our country. Let me just tell what I see or what I feel when the national anthem is played and when I look at the flag of the United States.
“I envision my two grandfathers, who fought for this country during World War II, one in the Army and one in the Marine Corp. Both risking their lives to protect our country and to try to make our country and this world a better place.
“So every time I stand with my hand over my heart looking at that flag and singing the national anthem, that’s what I think about. And in many cases, that brings me to tears, thinking about all that has been sacrificed. Not just those in the military, but for that matter, those throughout the civil rights movements of the ’60s, and all that has been endured by so many people up until this point. And is everything right with our country right now? No, it is not.
“We still have a long way to go. But I think what you do by standing there and showing respect to the flag with your hand over your heart, is it shows unity. It shows that we are all in this together, we can all do better and that we are all part of the solution.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-03--D.C. National Guard To Investigate Helicopter's 'Show Of Force' Against Protesters

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — The National Guard of the District of Columbia is investigating the use of one of its helicopters to make a “ show of force ” against protesters near the White House , while President Donald Trump is encouraging authorities to get tougher to quell the unrest over George Floyd ’ s death .
The helicopter , normally designated for use in medical evacuations , hovered low enough to create a deafening noise and spray protesters with rotor wash on Monday .
The commanding general of the D.C. Guard , Maj. Gen. William Walker , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the investigation , and officials The investigation comes as the federal government has promised to maximize its law enforcement presence in the nation ’ s capital .
Scores of heavily-armed federal officers in tactical gear have been on the district ’ s streets for days , after demonstrators set fires , broke store windows and stole items from the shelves and left police officers injured .
The Trump administration has made an effort to show a use of force in Washington .
Hours before a 7 p.m. curfew on Tuesday , cars were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a cavalry of armored military vehicles could be seen driving through the district .
Mayor Muriel Bowser said the administration had floated the idea of taking over the Metropolitan Police Department , a proposal she strongly rejected .
She threatened to take legal action if the federal government attempted to do so .
Two Defense Department officials said the administration had ordered military aircraft to fly above Washington on Monday night as a “ show of force ” against demonstrators .
They were protesting the death of Floyd , a black man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes even after Floyd stopped moving and pleading for air .
Police made over 300 arrests , mainly for violating the district ’ s curfew .
After participating in the show of force , Arlington County in Virginia pulled out its officers , saying they were used “ for a purpose not worthy of our mutual aid obligations.
” County officials said in a statement their officers never wielded their batons and did not fire rubber bullets or tear gas .
After watching the scene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief ordered all the officers to return to Virginia .
Officials said they were reevaluating the mutual aid agreements to ensure officers “ are never again put in a situation where they are asked to take action that is inconsistent with our values.
” The U.S. Park Police said it gave three warnings over a loudspeaker before clearing the area of protesters , some of whom authorities said were becoming violent , throwing projectiles and trying to grab weapons .
The agency said it used smoke canisters and pepper balls to disperse the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement to clear the park and push back the perimeter around the White House when he arrived there Monday evening , before the president ’ s remarks , and that led to police using force to disperse protesters , a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press .
Officials had decided the perimeter had to be moved by at least one full block , after fires were set in the park the night before , the person said .
When Barr arrived , he was surprised it hadn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken , according to the person , who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity .
In a Monday call with governors , Trump and Barr encouraged more aggressive action against those who cause violence during protests .
Trump said he was “ taking immediate presidential action to stop the violence and restore security and safety in America.
” The president urged governors to deploy the National Guard , which he credited with helping calm the situation Sunday night in Minneapolis , and demanded that similarly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also experienced spasms of violence , including New York , Philadelphia and Los Angeles .
Between the protests and the response to the coronavirus pandemic , the National Guard has been deployed at its highest level in recent history , surpassing the number of troops sent to the Gulf Coast during Hurricane Katrina in 2005 .
More than 66,700 soldiers and airmen have been activated — 45,000 to assist with the pandemic and more than 17,000 to help with the protests .
The Park Police and Secret Service have had dozens of officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last few nights , in addition to the Metropolitan Police Department .
U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other Homeland Security agencies were also dispatched .
Most of the protesters have been peaceful and tried to discourage violence .
Trump , Barr and others have tried to blame some of the civil unrest on left-wing extremist groups , including antifa , and other “ anarchists.
” Short for anti-fascists , antifa is an umbrella term for far-left-leaning militant groups that resist neo-Nazis and white supremacists at demonstrations .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Guard of the District of Columbia is investigating the use of one of its helicopters to make a “show of force” against protesters near the White House, while President Donald Trump is encouraging authorities to get tougher to quell the unrest over George Floyd’s death.
The helicopter, normally designated for use in medical evacuations, hovered low enough to create a deafening noise and spray protesters with rotor wash on Monday. The commanding general of the D.C. Guard, Maj. Gen. William Walker, said in a statement Wednesday that he directed the investigation, and officials
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The investigation comes as the federal government has promised to maximize its law enforcement presence in the nation’s capital. Scores of heavily-armed federal officers in tactical gear have been on the district’s streets for days, after demonstrators set fires, broke store windows and stole items from the shelves and left police officers injured.
Military helicopters trying to disperse protesters here in DC pic.twitter.com/md6hYVqE7u — Katie Hill (@KatieHill4CA) June 2, 2020
The Trump administration has made an effort to show a use of force in Washington. Hours before a 7 p.m. curfew on Tuesday, cars were being stopped at military checkpoints downtown, and a cavalry of armored military vehicles could be seen driving through the district.
Mayor Muriel Bowser said the administration had floated the idea of taking over the Metropolitan Police Department, a proposal she strongly rejected. She threatened to take legal action if the federal government attempted to do so.
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Two Defense Department officials said the administration had ordered military aircraft to fly above Washington on Monday night as a “show of force” against demonstrators. They were protesting the death of Floyd, a black man who died after a white Minneapolis policeman pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes even after Floyd stopped moving and pleading for air. Police made over 300 arrests, mainly for violating the district’s curfew.
Earlier Monday evening, law enforcement officers on foot and horseback moved aggressively to clear protesters away from Lafayette Park near the White House before President Donald Trump walked to a nearby church for a photo opportunity.
After participating in the show of force, Arlington County in Virginia pulled out its officers, saying they were used “for a purpose not worthy of our mutual aid obligations.” County officials said in a statement their officers never wielded their batons and did not fire rubber bullets or tear gas.
After watching the scene unfold on live television, the police chief ordered all the officers to return to Virginia. Officials said they were reevaluating the mutual aid agreements to ensure officers “are never again put in a situation where they are asked to take action that is inconsistent with our values.”
The U.S. Park Police said it gave three warnings over a loudspeaker before clearing the area of protesters, some of whom authorities said were becoming violent, throwing projectiles and trying to grab weapons. The agency said it used smoke canisters and pepper balls to disperse the crowd.
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Attorney General William Barr ordered law enforcement to clear the park and push back the perimeter around the White House when he arrived there Monday evening, before the president’s remarks, and that led to police using force to disperse protesters, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press.
Officials had decided the perimeter had to be moved by at least one full block, after fires were set in the park the night before, the person said. When Barr arrived, he was surprised it hadn’t been done and directed action to be taken, according to the person, who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
In a Monday call with governors, Trump and Barr encouraged more aggressive action against those who cause violence during protests. Trump said he was “taking immediate presidential action to stop the violence and restore security and safety in America.”
The president urged governors to deploy the National Guard, which he credited with helping calm the situation Sunday night in Minneapolis, and demanded that similarly tough measures be taken in cities that also experienced spasms of violence, including New York, Philadelphia and Los Angeles.
Between the protests and the response to the coronavirus pandemic, the National Guard has been deployed at its highest level in recent history, surpassing the number of troops sent to the Gulf Coast during Hurricane Katrina in 2005. More than 66,700 soldiers and airmen have been activated — 45,000 to assist with the pandemic and more than 17,000 to help with the protests.
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The Justice Department had deployed agents from every one of its agencies, including the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team, an elite tactical unit, and riot teams from the Bureau of Prisons.
The Park Police and Secret Service have had dozens of officers out in riot gear in Washington for the last few nights, in addition to the Metropolitan Police Department. U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other Homeland Security agencies were also dispatched.
Most of the protesters have been peaceful and tried to discourage violence. Trump, Barr and others have tried to blame some of the civil unrest on left-wing extremist groups, including antifa, and other “anarchists.” Short for anti-fascists, antifa is an umbrella term for far-left-leaning militant groups that resist neo-Nazis and white supremacists at demonstrations.
___
Associated Press writers Zeke Miller, Lolita C. Baldor and Ashraf Khalil in Washington; James LaPorta in Delray Beach, Florida; and Sarah Blake Morgan in West Jefferson, North Carolina, contributed to this report.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-03--George Floyd's 6-Year-Old Daughter In Viral Video: 'Daddy Changed The World'

“ That ’ s right GiGi , ‘ Daddy changed the world , ’ ” Jackson wrote in the caption .
“ George Floyd , the name of change.
” “ Love to all who have love for all , ” he continued , adding multiple raised-fist emojis in different skin tones .
Gianna ’ s father was killed by police last month when Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes during an arrest over an allegedly counterfeit $ 20 bill .
Chauvin has since been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter while the three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet to be charged .
Floyd ’ s death has sparked nationwide daily protests against police brutality and racism that have drawn a violent response from law enforcement , which has attacked peaceful demonstrators with tear gas , rubber bullets and even vehicles , citing looters and rioters as justification .
The Trump administration also deployed military police this week in a show of excessive force .
The video of Gianna on Jackson ’ s shoulders was reposted on Twitter on Tuesday and immediately went viral .
Jackson , who called Floyd his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , spoke at Minneapolis City Hall in a press conference on Tuesday .
Alongside him were Gianna and Gianna ’ s mother , Roxie Washington , who said she wanted everyone to know “ what those officers took.
” “ At the end of the day , they get to go home and be with their families .
Gianna does not have a father , ” said Washington .
“ He will never see her grow up , graduate , he will never walk her down the aisle .
If there ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she needs her dad , she does not have that anymore.
” In response to Washington ’ s emotional statement , Jackson said : “ There ’ s a lot of stuff you said that he ’ s gon na miss — that I ’ m gon na be there for.
” “ I ’ m gon na walk her down the aisle .
I ’ m gon na be there for her .
I ’ m gon na be here to wipe your tears .
I ’ m gon na be here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be here , but I ’ m here for her , I ’ m here to get justice , and we ’ re gon na get justice for my brother , ” he said .

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George Floyd’s 6-year-old daughter, Gianna, has a message for everyone: “Daddy changed the world!”
The video, shared on Instagram Tuesday by NBA veteran Stephen Jackson, a longtime friend of the late Floyd, shows Gianna sitting on Jackson’s shoulders.
“That’s right GiGi, ‘Daddy changed the world,’” Jackson wrote in the caption. “George Floyd, the name of change.”
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“Love to all who have love for all,” he continued, adding multiple raised-fist emojis in different skin tones.
Gianna’s father was killed by police last month when Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes during an arrest over an allegedly counterfeit $20 bill. Chauvin has since been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter while the three other officers present during the incident have yet to be charged.
Floyd’s death has sparked nationwide daily protests against police brutality and racism that have drawn a violent response from law enforcement, which has attacked peaceful demonstrators with tear gas, rubber bullets and even vehicles, citing looters and rioters as justification. The Trump administration also deployed military police this week in a show of excessive force.
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The video of Gianna on Jackson’s shoulders was reposted on Twitter on Tuesday and immediately went viral.
George Floyd’s daughter saying “DADDY CHANGED THE WORLD” is the sweetest heartbreaking thing on the internet. 💔💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/sIwUFxpcSV — Vada_Fly (@Vada_Fly) June 2, 2020
Jackson, who called Floyd his “twin” in another Instagram post, spoke at Minneapolis City Hall in a press conference on Tuesday. Alongside him were Gianna and Gianna’s mother, Roxie Washington, who said she wanted everyone to know “what those officers took.”
“At the end of the day, they get to go home and be with their families. Gianna does not have a father,” said Washington. “He will never see her grow up, graduate, he will never walk her down the aisle. If there’s a problem she’s having and she needs her dad, she does not have that anymore.”
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In response to Washington’s emotional statement, Jackson said: “There’s a lot of stuff you said that he’s gonna miss — that I’m gonna be there for.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-03--Tammy Duckworth: Trump's Use Of Military Against Protesters Is 'Disgusting'

ASSOCIATED PRESS “ He is perverting , at best , the role of the military .
And he ’ s destroying what they stand for and the honor with which they serve .
It is disgusting to me , '' Sen. Tammy Duckworth said of President Donald Trump .
WASHINGTON ― Sen. Tammy Duckworth flew Black Hawk helicopters to fight al Qaeda in Iraq and nearly lost her life doing so .
Now , President Donald Trump is using military helicopters ― along with tear gas , rubber bullets and flash-bang grenades ― to intimidate Americans protesting racism and police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The military is not to be used against Americans , ” the Illinois Democrat said in an interview Tuesday .
“ He is perverting , at best , the role of the military .
And he ’ s destroying what they stand for and the honor with which they serve .
It is disgusting to me.
” Trump had military helicopters fly over protesters this week from as low as 100 feet above the ground .
He also had protesters tear-gassed in Lafayette Park so he could walk out of the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in front of a church .
( The White House has disputed that the tear gas was tear gas , but it was tear gas . )
Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley , in military fatigues , joined the president in that photo-op .
“ What were they doing there ?
” she asked .
“ For a photo-op in front of a church that has nothing to do with the military ?
Where people are talking about excessive use of police force , what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After taking heat for the photo-op , and after one Pentagon adviser resigned over it in disgust , Esper said Wednesday that he didn ’ t know he was going to a photo-op .
Milley hasn ’ t said anything about it , though a senior Defense official said Wednesday he also didn ’ t intend to participate in a photo-op .
Even if they didn ’ t intend to take part in a completely inappropriate photo-op , could they have said no ?
Trump is , of course , the commander-in-chief .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Duckworth , who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee .
“ This is when you stand up .
...
Both of those men promised me [ during their confirmation hearings ] that they would resign before they executed unlawful orders.
” Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley walk with Donald Trump to his photo-op at St. John 's Church , right after the president had the police clear peaceful protesters in the area with tear gas .
The Illinois senator also took aim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say no to Trump when he abruptly announced last month that he would be speaking at the military academy ’ s graduation ceremony , which hadn ’ t even been scheduled .
The president ’ s appearance required bringing nearly 1,000 cadets back to campus for the ceremony , now set for June 13 , testing them for the coronavirus and then isolating them for 14 days in rooms with masks .
At least 16 cadets have tested positive for the virus since coming back to school .
USA Today reported that 14 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meaning they had already had the virus and recovered from it .
Even if the number of infected cadets is incredibly low , it ’ s still not acceptable that West Point is moving ahead with its ceremony , said Duckworth .
“ Even if you don ’ t care about the troops , what about all of the people supporting them ?
” she said .
“ They do not have to put 1,000 cadets into a single space in order to listen to Trump give a speech .
You could have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bring people back , where you ’ re only exposing a fraction of the student body at a time so that they can pick up their gear and report to their next duty station.
” “ He could say no , and then he would probably have to resign his post , ” Duckworth said .
“ The commandant at West Point , not a single one of these guys are doing it.
” She added , “ At a certain point , you ’ re the big boys wearing the four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re the big boy sitting in that Secretary ’ s office .
You ’ ve got to be able to stand up and say , ‘ This is not right .
’ ”

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WASHINGTON ― Sen. Tammy Duckworth flew Black Hawk helicopters to fight al Qaeda in Iraq and nearly lost her life doing so. Now, President Donald Trump is using military helicopters ― along with tear gas, rubber bullets and flash-bang grenades ― to intimidate Americans protesting racism and police brutality outside the White House.
Duckworth is livid.
“The military is not to be used against Americans,” the Illinois Democrat said in an interview Tuesday. “He is perverting, at best, the role of the military. And he’s destroying what they stand for and the honor with which they serve. It is disgusting to me.”
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Trump had military helicopters fly over protesters this week from as low as 100 feet above the ground. He also had protesters tear-gassed in Lafayette Park so he could walk out of the White House and do a photo-op holding a Bible in front of a church. (The White House has disputed that the tear gas was tear gas, but it was tear gas.) Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley, in military fatigues, joined the president in that photo-op.
That was profoundly disappointing for Duckworth.
“What were they doing there?” she asked. “For a photo-op in front of a church that has nothing to do with the military? Where people are talking about excessive use of police force, what were military leaders doing there?”
“He is perverting, at best, the role of the military. And he’s destroying what they stand for and the honor with which they serve. It is disgusting to me," Sen. Tammy Duckworth said of President Donald Trump. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Duckworth had more choice words for Esper and Milley at a Senate press event earlier Tuesday: They were “walking along like lap dogs behind a draft-dodging wannabe tinpot dictator. ... How dare you politicize our military.”
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After taking heat for the photo-op, and after one Pentagon adviser resigned over it in disgust, Esper said Wednesday that he didn’t know he was going to a photo-op. Milley hasn’t said anything about it, though a senior Defense official said Wednesday he also didn’t intend to participate in a photo-op.
Even if they didn’t intend to take part in a completely inappropriate photo-op, could they have said no? Trump is, of course, the commander-in-chief.
“They can say no,” said Duckworth, who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee. “This is when you stand up. ... Both of those men promised me [during their confirmation hearings] that they would resign before they executed unlawful orders.”
Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley walk with Donald Trump to his photo-op at St. John's Church, right after the president had the police clear peaceful protesters in the area with tear gas. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI via Getty Images
The Illinois senator also took aim at West Point officials who did not say no to Trump when he abruptly announced last month that he would be speaking at the military academy’s graduation ceremony, which hadn’t even been scheduled. The president’s appearance required bringing nearly 1,000 cadets back to campus for the ceremony, now set for June 13, testing them for the coronavirus and then isolating them for 14 days in rooms with masks.
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At least 16 cadets have tested positive for the virus since coming back to school. USA Today reported that 14 of them tested positive for antibodies, meaning they had already had the virus and recovered from it. Even if the number of infected cadets is incredibly low, it’s still not acceptable that West Point is moving ahead with its ceremony, said Duckworth.
“Even if you don’t care about the troops, what about all of the people supporting them?” she said. “They do not have to put 1,000 cadets into a single space in order to listen to Trump give a speech. You could have done this in a very responsible way to bring people back, where you’re only exposing a fraction of the student body at a time so that they can pick up their gear and report to their next duty station.”
Can the commandant at West Point really say no to the president, though?
“He could say no, and then he would probably have to resign his post,” Duckworth said. “The commandant at West Point, not a single one of these guys are doing it.”
She added, “At a certain point, you’re the big boys wearing the four stars on your shoulders. You’re the big boy sitting in that Secretary’s office. You’ve got to be able to stand up and say, ‘This is not right.’”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-03--Trump Defends Church Photo Op: ‘I Think It Was Very Symbolic’

President Donald Trump is standing by his decision to pose with a Bible outside St. John ’ s Church in Washington on Monday ― a stunt that drew swift and harsh rebukes from two of the city ’ s top prelates .
Trump pointed specifically to the support he ’ s received from evangelist Franklin Graham and Robert Jeffress , a Dallas pastor , for posing in front of the historic Episcopal church , which was damaged during Sunday protests against police brutality toward Black Americans .
Trump also tried to distance himself from the aggressive maneuvers used by police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a park near St. John ’ s Church , to allow Trump passage to the photo op .
The president insisted that officers didn ’ t use tear gas on the protesters , although they did , at least according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ’ s definition of tear gas and other riot control agents .
“ They didn ’ t use tear gas .
They didn ’ t use ― they moved them out , ” Trump said .
“ Now when I went , I didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t know who was there.
” In a Facebook post that avoided any mention of the force used on protesters , Graham said that he was “ not at all ” offended by Trump ’ s actions .
Graham said Trump demonstrated that the “ burning , looting , and vandalism of the nation ’ s capital — including this historic house of worship—mattered , and that the lawlessness had to end.
” Graham added that he found it “ unbelievable ” that members of the clergy have been some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They “ should be thanking him rather than criticizing him !
” Graham wrote .
Trump said “ many other people ” thought his display at St. John ’ s was great .
“ It ’ s only the other side that didn ’ t like it , ” Trump said .
“ You know , the opposing ― the opposition party , as the expression goes.
” Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde told HuffPost on Monday that although she was upset about the parish building ’ s being damaged , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systemic pattern of racism that the protesters are trying to highlight .
The Rev .
Gini Gerbasi , an Episcopal priest , told HuffPost that she was in the crowd of people that was tear-gassed and driven away by police .
She called what happened “ grotesque and offensive and sacrilegious.
” Perkins praised Trump for “ sending a message that he ’ s not going to be intimidated , that our government is not in hiding , ” according to the Associated Press .
The only thing Perkins said he would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiracial group of pastors to offer a prayer for the nation .
John Fea , a historian of American evangelicalism at Messiah College , said he thinks Trump ’ s closest advisers are looking at his actions through the lens of Romans 13 , a Bible passage that exhorts Christians to submit to authority .
These verses have been cited in the past by Trump ’ s close evangelical allies , whom Fea has nicknamed the “ court evangelicals , ” to justify support for policies that appear to contradict Jesus ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conservative evangelicals have a tendency to believe that culture war issues and the goal of winning souls through evangelism are more important than questions of social justice , Fea said .
“ Court evangelicals will always place abortion , religious liberty and conservative Supreme Court justices over care and concern for the poor , the marginalized , the stranger ( immigrants ) and those who are the victim of systemic racism , ” Fea said .
“ They will condemn individual acts of racism , but they do not believe in systemic or @ @ @ @

LOADING ERROR LOADING
President Donald Trump is standing by his decision to pose with a Bible outside St. John’s Church in Washington on Monday ― a stunt that drew swift and harsh rebukes from two of the city’s top prelates.
“Most religious leaders loved it,” Trump insisted in a Fox News radio interview about a photo shoot that took place after law enforcement officers forcefully dispersed a peaceful demonstration against the police killing of George Floyd.
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“I think it was very symbolic. I did hold up a Bible. I think that’s a good thing, not a bad thing, and many religious leaders loved it,” Trump told the show’s host, Fox anchor Brian Kilmeade, on Wednesday.
“Why wouldn’t they love it? I’m standing in front of a church that went through trauma ― to put it mildly,” Trump said.
Trump pointed specifically to the support he’s received from evangelist Franklin Graham and Robert Jeffress, a Dallas pastor, for posing in front of the historic Episcopal church, which was damaged during Sunday protests against police brutality toward Black Americans.
Trump also tried to distance himself from the aggressive maneuvers used by police to clear protesters from Lafayette Square, a park near St. John’s Church, to allow Trump passage to the photo op. The president insisted that officers didn’t use tear gas on the protesters, although they did, at least according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s definition of tear gas and other riot control agents.
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“They didn’t use tear gas. They didn’t use ― they moved them out,” Trump said. “Now when I went, I didn’t say move them out. I didn’t know who was there.”
President Donald Trump holds a Bible while visiting St. John's Church on Monday. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI via Getty Images
In a Facebook post that avoided any mention of the force used on protesters, Graham said that he was “not at all” offended by Trump’s actions. Graham said Trump demonstrated that the “burning, looting, and vandalism of the nation’s capital — including this historic house of worship—mattered, and that the lawlessness had to end.”
Graham added that he found it “unbelievable” that members of the clergy have been some of the president’s harshest critics. They “should be thanking him rather than criticizing him!” Graham wrote.
Trump said “many other people” thought his display at St. John’s was great. “It’s only the other side that didn’t like it,” Trump said. “You know, the opposing ― the opposition party, as the expression goes.”
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Both the Episcopal and Roman Catholic prelates of Washington put out scorching statements opposing Trump’s photo op.
Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde told HuffPost on Monday that although she was upset about the parish building’s being damaged, it’s much more important to focus on the systemic pattern of racism that the protesters are trying to highlight.
The Rev. Gini Gerbasi, an Episcopal priest, told HuffPost that she was in the crowd of people that was tear-gassed and driven away by police. She called what happened “grotesque and offensive and sacrilegious.”
Tear gas floats in the air as a line of police moves demonstrators away from St. John's Church on Monday. AP Photo/Alex Brandon
But the president’s closest evangelical allies ― Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, Latino evangelical leader the Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, evangelical public relations consultant the Rev. Johnnie Moore ― have rallied around him.
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Perkins praised Trump for “sending a message that he’s not going to be intimidated, that our government is not in hiding,” according to the Associated Press. The only thing Perkins said he would have personally done differently is to ask a multiracial group of pastors to offer a prayer for the nation.
John Fea, a historian of American evangelicalism at Messiah College, said he thinks Trump’s closest advisers are looking at his actions through the lens of Romans 13, a Bible passage that exhorts Christians to submit to authority. These verses have been cited in the past by Trump’s close evangelical allies, whom Fea has nicknamed the “court evangelicals,” to justify support for policies that appear to contradict Jesus’s teachings about compassion.
Protesters lie down in front of Lafayette Square and St. John's Episcopal Church on Tuesday. DANIEL SLIM via Getty Images
In addition, conservative evangelicals have a tendency to believe that culture war issues and the goal of winning souls through evangelism are more important than questions of social justice, Fea said.
“Court evangelicals will always place abortion, religious liberty and conservative Supreme Court justices over care and concern for the poor, the marginalized, the stranger (immigrants) and those who are the victim of systemic racism,” Fea said. “They will condemn individual acts of racism, but they do not believe in systemic or structural racism.”
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More broadly, even though some rank-and-file white evangelicals are disgusted by what Trump did at St. John’s Church, that won’t change how they vote, Fea said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-03--George Floyd's Son Visits Site Where Father Was Killed: 'We Want Justice'

Quincy Mason Floyd , George Floyd ’ s son , paid an emotional visit to the location where his father died at the hands of a police officer in Minneapolis , telling the crowd that he wants “ justice for what ’ s going on right now ” and that “ no man or woman should be without their father.
” “ This is so emotional , ” said a visibly distraught Quincy , who thanked the protesters around the country for demonstrating against police brutality and for reform on behalf of his father .
At the same spot on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporters and reporters that he and his family want “ justice for what ’ s going on right now.
” He was joined by civil rights attorney Ben Crump , who pleaded with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison to provide justice and charge all of the officers present at the time of Floyd ’ s death .
“ Change is going to come in the tragic killing of George Floyd , and I proclaim with his son as my witness , that change starts today , ” Crump told the crowd .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ellison is working feverishly to do the right thing.
” Chauvin , who was fired from the Minneapolis police department , was arrested last week and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter .
His fellow officers — Thomas Lane , Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng , who were all present during the incident ― have yet to be charged .
Ellison ’ s office is expected to make an important announcement regarding additional charges , if any , later on Wednesday .
Quincy ’ s visit to the site of his father @ @ @ @ @ @ @ autopsy commissioned by Floyd ’ s family found that Floyd ’ s death was a “ homicide caused by asphyxia due to neck and back compression that led to a lack of blood flow to the brain.
” That finding contradicted a preliminary report from the Hennepin County Medical Examiner ’ s Office , which said in the criminal complaint against officer Derek Chauvin that “ no physical findings ” supported “ a diagnosis of traumatic asphyxia or strangulation.
” Cup Foods is owned by Mahmoud Abumayyaleh , who has been outspoken about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s death .
A clerk at his store called the police after Floyd allegedly paid them with a counterfeit $ 20 bill .
In a lengthy note on Facebook , Abumayyaleh said that he is “ deeply saddened for our part of this tragedy ” and supports the protests over Floyd ’ s death .
“ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 vowed not to involve the police in future “ incidents like this one .
”

Quincy Mason Floyd, George Floyd’s son, paid an emotional visit to the location where his father died at the hands of a police officer in Minneapolis, telling the crowd that he wants “justice for what’s going on right now” and that “no man or woman should be without their father.”
“This is so emotional,” said a visibly distraught Quincy, who thanked the protesters around the country for demonstrating against police brutality and for reform on behalf of his father.
Quincy Mason Floyd, George Floyd's son, speaks at the site of his father’s death. pic.twitter.com/d5MbLVwV1E — MSNBC (@MSNBC) June 3, 2020
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George Floyd, a Black man, died last month after a white police officer, Derek Chauvin, knelt on his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds outside of convenience store Cup Foods.
At the same spot on Wedensday, Quincy told a crowd of supporters and reporters that he and his family want “justice for what’s going on right now.” He was joined by civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who pleaded with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison to provide justice and charge all of the officers present at the time of Floyd’s death.
“Change is going to come in the tragic killing of George Floyd, and I proclaim with his son as my witness, that change starts today,” Crump told the crowd. “We are confident that Attorney General Keith Ellison is working feverishly to do the right thing.”
Chauvin, who was fired from the Minneapolis police department, was arrested last week and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter. His fellow officers — Thomas Lane, Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng, who were all present during the incident ― have yet to be charged. Ellison’s office is expected to make an important announcement regarding additional charges, if any, later on Wednesday.
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“They’re complicit,” Crump said outside Cup Foods. He added: “They all participated.”
Crump also encouraged the crowd to chant, “All the world is watching.”
People fill the intersection in front Cup Foods, where George Floyd was killed while in police custody. Jason Armond via Getty Images
Quincy’s visit to the site of his father’s death comes after an independent autopsy commissioned by Floyd’s family found that Floyd’s death was a “homicide caused by asphyxia due to neck and back compression that led to a lack of blood flow to the brain.”
That finding contradicted a preliminary report from the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office, which said in the criminal complaint against officer Derek Chauvin that “no physical findings” supported “a diagnosis of traumatic asphyxia or strangulation.”
Cup Foods is owned by Mahmoud Abumayyaleh, who has been outspoken about his store’s role in Floyd’s death. A clerk at his store called the police after Floyd allegedly paid them with a counterfeit $20 bill. In a lengthy note on Facebook, Abumayyaleh said that he is “deeply saddened for our part of this tragedy” and supports the protests over Floyd’s death.
“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.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-03--Democrats Demand Answers After Protesters Cleared From Park For Trump Stunt

On Monday , we watched in horror as federal officers , mounted on horseback and clad in riot gear , used tear gas , pepper spray , smoke cannisters , stun grenades , and rubber bullets to forcibly remove peaceful protestors from public space adjacent to the White House .
We want to be clear : the use of federal personnel to prevent American citizens from exercising their Constitutional right to peaceably assemble represents a direct threat to our democracy .
The details of the scene are not in serious dispute .
On June 1 , 2020 , Americans protesting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ north of the White House in Lafayette Square .
As the President spoke from the Rose Garden—where he described himself as the “ President of law and order and an ally of all peaceful protesters ” — federal law enforcement personnel violently confronted the protestors .
Officers in riot gear advanced on the protestors , using tear gas , pepper spray , smoke cannisters , stun grenades , and rubber bullets , to clear a path to neighboring St. John ’ s Church .
Shortly after President Trump promised to dispatch “ thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military personnel , and law enforcement officers ” to cities across the country , he staged a photo op at the historic religious venue .
Although the nation ’ s capital was under a 7:00 pm curfew , the confrontation occurred at 6:31 pm .
Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has since expressed her alarm and outrage at the events : “ [ We ] were very shocked , and quite frankly outraged , that people who were not violating the curfew and who did not seem to have provoked attack were attacked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials to clear the way for the president.
” She has made clear that the Metropolitan Police Department was not involved , as Lafayette Square falls under federal jurisdiction , and the actions were conducted by “ federal police.
” Although the Trump campaign and some federal law enforcement agencies later denied that tear gas and other crowd-clearing devices were used to disperse the protestors at Lafayette Square , video evidence and eyewitness accounts clearly paint a different picture .
Although no notice has been provided to Congress , we have seen reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort , led by the Department of Justice , to coordinate the response to protestors in Washington , D.C. Attorney General Barr is reported to have given the order to clear the protestors from Lafayette Square.Elements from the United States Secret Service , the United States Marshals Service , the Drug Enforcement Administration , and the United States Park Police were reported to have been present during the incident .
Additional federal law enforcement personnel and the National Guard have also been deployed in the streets of Washington .
As America grapples with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racism , we must each do our part to defend the rights guaranteed to us under the Constitution .
The First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and assembly are core to what it means to be an American .
The protestors at Lafayette Square complied with the curfew set forth by local officials .
They were exercising their rights under the First Amendment .
They were assembled peacefully and posed no obvious threat .
A wide range of federal law enforcement officials were identified at Lafayette Park on June 1 , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authority .
As the Chairmen of the committees of jurisdiction , we write to ask the following questions relating to the events at Lafayette Square on June 1 , 2020 : • None Who gave the order to clear protestors and under what authority ?
• None Which federal agencies had a physical presence at Lafayette Square ?
• None Which federal agencies were involved or tasked with removing protestors from Lafayette Park or securing the President ’ s path to St. John ’ s Church ?
• None What were the specific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement units involved in clearing the protestors or securing the President ’ s path to St. John ’ s Church ?
• None What crowd dispersal measures were authorized for use by the agencies present ?
• None What crowd dispersal devices were authorized for use by the agencies present ?
• None When was the authorization to use force given to the respective agencies and under what authority ?
How were those orders communicated down the chain of command ?
• None Were the agencies present authorized or advised to use de-escalation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was that information communicated down the chain of command ?
• None When was the interagency effort established and under what authority ?
We request a full response to each of these questions as soon as possible , but no later than June 10 , 2020 .
We also request you arrange a briefing with our respective staff .

Dear Attorney General Barr, Secretary Esper, Secretary Bernhardt, and Acting Secretary Wolf:
On Monday, we watched in horror as federal officers, mounted on horseback and clad in riot gear, used tear gas, pepper spray, smoke cannisters, stun grenades, and rubber bullets to forcibly remove peaceful protestors from public space adjacent to the White House. We want to be clear: the use of federal personnel to prevent American citizens from exercising their Constitutional right to peaceably assemble represents a direct threat to our democracy.
The details of the scene are not in serious dispute. On June 1, 2020, Americans protesting police brutality and systemic racism were gathered north of the White House in Lafayette Square. As the President spoke from the Rose Garden—where he described himself as the “President of law and order and an ally of all peaceful protesters”— federal law enforcement personnel violently confronted the protestors. Officers in riot gear advanced on the protestors, using tear gas, pepper spray, smoke cannisters, stun grenades, and rubber bullets, to clear a path to neighboring St. John’s Church. Shortly after President Trump promised to dispatch “thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers, military personnel, and law enforcement officers” to cities across the country, he staged a photo op at the historic religious venue.
Although the nation’s capital was under a 7:00 pm curfew, the confrontation occurred at 6:31 pm. Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has since expressed her alarm and outrage at the events: “[We] were very shocked, and quite frankly outraged, that people who were not violating the curfew and who did not seem to have provoked attack were attacked and moved out by federal law enforcement officials to clear the way for the president.” She has made clear that the Metropolitan Police Department was not involved, as Lafayette Square falls under federal jurisdiction, and the actions were conducted by “federal police.” Although the Trump campaign and some federal law enforcement agencies later denied that tear gas and other crowd-clearing devices were used to disperse the protestors at Lafayette Square, video evidence and eyewitness accounts clearly paint a different picture.
Although no notice has been provided to Congress, we have seen reports that the President has directed an interagency effort, led by the Department of Justice, to coordinate the response to protestors in Washington, D.C. Attorney General Barr is reported to have given the order to clear the protestors from Lafayette Square.Elements from the United States Secret Service, the United States Marshals Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the United States Park Police were reported to have been present during the incident. Additional federal law enforcement personnel and the National Guard have also been deployed in the streets of Washington.
As America grapples with police brutality, systemic oppression, and racism, we must each do our part to defend the rights guaranteed to us under the Constitution. The First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and assembly are core to what it means to be an American. The protestors at Lafayette Square complied with the curfew set forth by local officials. They were exercising their rights under the First Amendment. They were assembled peacefully and posed no obvious threat.
A wide range of federal law enforcement officials were identified at Lafayette Park on June 1, 2020 including personnel from component agencies under your authority. As the Chairmen of the committees of jurisdiction, we write to ask the following questions relating to the events at Lafayette Square on June 1, 2020:
Who gave the order to clear protestors and under what authority? Which federal agencies had a physical presence at Lafayette Square? Which federal agencies were involved or tasked with removing protestors from Lafayette Park or securing the President’s path to St. John’s Church? What were the specific roles of the respective agencies and law enforcement units involved in clearing the protestors or securing the President’s path to St. John’s Church? What crowd dispersal measures were authorized for use by the agencies present? What crowd dispersal devices were authorized for use by the agencies present? When was the authorization to use force given to the respective agencies and under what authority? How were those orders communicated down the chain of command? Were the agencies present authorized or advised to use de-escalation tactics when removing the protestors? How was that information communicated down the chain of command? When was the interagency effort established and under what authority?
We request a full response to each of these questions as soon as possible, but no later than June 10, 2020. We also request you arrange a briefing with our respective staff.