thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-09--William Barr Flatly Contradicts Trump's Story That He Was In His Bunker For 'Inspection'

“ Things were so bad that the Secret Service recommended the president go down to the bunker , ” Barr told Bret Baier on Fox News .
Barr revealed the news angrily , insisting that the president was in danger .
“ We can ’ t have that in our country , ” he added , apparently forgetting he had just contradicted his boss .
Baier : If you had to do Monday over again , would you do something different ?
Barr : Based on what I know now , no ...
Things were so bad , the secret @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bunker .
We can ’ t have that in our country .
pic.twitter.com/2p64yP9G0s — Acyn Torabi ( @ Acyn ) June 8 , 2020 “ I was there for a tiny , little short period of time , ” Trump said in a radio interview with Fox News ’ Brian Kilmeade last Wednesday .
“ And it was much more for an inspection.
” He added : “ I ’ ve gone down two or three times ― all for inspection .
And you go there , some day you may need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I looked at it.
” Trump was reportedly rushed by the Secret Service to the underground Presidential Emergency Operations Center on May 29 as hundreds of protesters gathered outside the White House during nationwide demonstrations triggered by the May 25 police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Trump spent nearly an hour in the bunker , which was designed for use in emergencies , such as terrorist attacks .
The bunker stay leaked to the media two days later , and Trump came up with an alternative story for his visit to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was so incensed that news coverage characterized him as being holed up in his bunker during protests that he wanted to be seen outside the White House gates .
The day after the bunker visit leaked , he declared himself the law-and-order president who would crack down on the anti-racism protests in a Rose Garden statement .
He then strode across the street to a church after law enforcement cleared the way for him by bashing and gassing peaceful protesters who had been gathered outside the White House .
Barr contradicts president 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bunker during the day to `` inspect . ''
Barr confirms @ peterbakernyt and me that it was in the evening , and in response to protests , in interview with @ BretBaier — Maggie Haberman ( @ maggieNYT ) June 8 , 2020

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“Things were so bad that the Secret Service recommended the president go down to the bunker,” Barr told Bret Baier on Fox News.
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Barr revealed the news angrily, insisting that the president was in danger. “We can’t have that in our country,” he added, apparently forgetting he had just contradicted his boss.
Baier: If you had to do Monday over again, would you do something different?
Barr: Based on what I know now, no... Things were so bad, the secret service recommended the President go down to the bunker. We can’t have that in our country. pic.twitter.com/2p64yP9G0s — Acyn Torabi (@Acyn) June 8, 2020
“I was there for a tiny, little short period of time,” Trump said in a radio interview with Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade last Wednesday. “And it was much more for an inspection.”
He added: “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.”
Trump was reportedly rushed by the Secret Service to the underground Presidential Emergency Operations Center on May 29 as hundreds of protesters gathered outside the White House during nationwide demonstrations triggered by the May 25 police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Trump spent nearly an hour in the bunker, which was designed for use in emergencies, such as terrorist attacks.
The bunker stay leaked to the media two days later, and Trump came up with an alternative story for his visit to the secure hideaway.
CNN reported Trump was so incensed that news coverage characterized him as being holed up in his bunker during protests that he wanted to be seen outside the White House gates.
The day after the bunker visit leaked, he declared himself the law-and-order president who would crack down on the anti-racism protests in a Rose Garden statement. He then strode across the street to a church after law enforcement cleared the way for him by bashing and gassing peaceful protesters who had been gathered outside the White House.
Barr contradicts president's false claim that he went to the bunker during the day to "inspect." Barr confirms @peterbakernyt and me that it was in the evening, and in response to protests, in interview with @BretBaier — Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) June 8, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-08--Trump Is Opposed To 'Kneeling In General,' Raising Hell With Religious Worship

President Donald Trump is “ very much against kneeling in general , ” press secretary Kayleigh McEnany declared Monday .
@ @ @ @ @ those who spend time kneeling in houses of worship and at memorials and gravesides .
@ @ @ @ @ ’ s opposition to athletes who take a knee before sports events to protest racism @ @ @ @ @ the devil is in the details of bad wording .
Those — like Trump — @ @ @ @ @ time kneeling at religious services likely didn ’ t realize how obliviously disrespectful McEnany ’ @ @ @ @

President Donald Trump is “very much against kneeling in general,” press secretary Kayleigh McEnany declared Monday. That was a head-spinner for those who spend time kneeling in houses of worship and at memorials and gravesides.
McEnany was referring to Trump’s opposition to athletes who take a knee before sports events to protest racism and police brutality, but the devil is in the details of bad wording. Those — like Trump — who spend little to no time kneeling at religious services likely didn’t realize how obliviously disrespectful McEnany’s declaration sounded.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-09--Jerry Falwell Jr. Apologizes For Blackface ‘Joke’ After Staff, Alumni Revolt

Falwell ’ s tweet was ostensibly an attack on Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam ’ s order that people in Virginia wear a face covering when in public establishments to stop the spread of the coronavirus infection .
Falwell , an enthusiastic supporter of President Donald Trump who opposes wearing masks , posted an image of a facial covering he said he would wear .
It featured a picture of a person in blackface and another in a KKK hood .
Along with apologizing on Monday , Falwell deleted the May tweet .
However , it was preserved in screenshots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from an old medical school yearbook , which some allege shows Northam in blackface .
The governor claimed it was not him in the picture , but apologized for wearing blackface as part of a Michael Jackson costume in another incident from the same period .
Nearly three dozen Black pastors , ministry leaders and former athletes ― including several former NFL players ― who graduated from Liberty sent Falwell a petition that was co-signed by thousands more on Change.org .
The KKK robe and hood and blackface face mask tweet may seem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the action of a political commentator or activist and is not fitting nor acceptable for the leader of one of the largest Evangelical Christian schools in the world .
A review of your social media and statements during your presidency would lead many to believe that you care much more about politics than Jesus Christ , Evangelism , and the discipleship of students .
I have resigned my position as Liberty University Online Admissions Counselor effective immediately .
I can not in good faith encourage people to attend a school with racially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a poor reflection of what Jesus Christ requires of us .
— Keyvon Scott ( @ scott_keyvon ) June 8 , 2020 Yes I did resign today from teaching an online course for Liberty University !
As a Black pastor and scholar who does work on racist memorabilia , I am disgusted at Falwell use of Blackface and KKK outfits .
This does not represent the God of the Bible !
pic.twitter.com/FC1Yh75GNj — Christopher A .
House , PhD ( @ DrChrisHouse ) May 29 , 2020 “ Look at my Twitter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said in an interview with Eric Bolling .
Falwell ’ s stance changed this week after facing increasing pressure from within his own university .
“ I have deleted the tweet and apologize for any hurt my effort caused , especially within the African American community , ” Falwell wrote .
In addition to apologizing , Falwell said he might make Martin Luther King Jr. Day a holiday at the school , local CBS station WDBJ7 reported .
Although the day is already a holiday at both the federal and state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Liberty University , which used that date in 2016 to host an event by then-presidential candidate Trump .

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Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. has apologized for making a racist joke on Twitter last month.
Falwell’s tweet was ostensibly an attack on Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s order that people in Virginia wear a face covering when in public establishments to stop the spread of the coronavirus infection. Falwell, an enthusiastic supporter of President Donald Trump who opposes wearing masks, posted an image of a facial covering he said he would wear. It featured a picture of a person in blackface and another in a KKK hood.
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Along with apologizing on Monday, Falwell deleted the May tweet. However, it was preserved in screenshots:
Jerry Falwell/Twitter
The image on the mask comes from an old medical school yearbook, which some allege shows Northam in blackface. The governor claimed it was not him in the picture, but apologized for wearing blackface as part of a Michael Jackson costume in another incident from the same period.
Nearly three dozen Black pastors, ministry leaders and former athletes ― including several former NFL players ― who graduated from Liberty sent Falwell a petition that was co-signed by thousands more on Change.org.
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It read in part:
The KKK robe and hood and blackface face mask tweet may seem funny to you, but this tweet is the action of a political commentator or activist and is not fitting nor acceptable for the leader of one of the largest Evangelical Christian schools in the world. A review of your social media and statements during your presidency would lead many to believe that you care much more about politics than Jesus Christ, Evangelism, and the discipleship of students.
Several staffers at the university also quit in protest:
I have resigned my position as Liberty University Online Admissions Counselor effective immediately. I cannot in good faith encourage people to attend a school with racially insensitive leadership and culture. It is a poor reflection of what Jesus Christ requires of us. — Keyvon Scott (@scott_keyvon) June 8, 2020
Yes I did resign today from teaching an online course for Liberty University! As a Black pastor and scholar who does work on racist memorabilia, I am disgusted at Falwell use of Blackface and KKK outfits. This does not represent the God of the Bible! pic.twitter.com/FC1Yh75GNj — Christopher A. House, PhD (@DrChrisHouse) May 29, 2020
Falwell originally refused to apologize for the tweet.
“Look at my Twitter, and I hope everybody buys one,” he said in an interview with Eric Bolling.
Falwell’s stance changed this week after facing increasing pressure from within his own university.
“I have deleted the tweet and apologize for any hurt my effort caused, especially within the African American community,” Falwell wrote.
In addition to apologizing, Falwell said he might make Martin Luther King Jr. Day a holiday at the school, local CBS station WDBJ7 reported. Although the day is already a holiday at both the federal and state level, it is not currently recognized by Liberty University, which used that date in 2016 to host an event by then-presidential candidate Trump.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-09--IBM To End Facial Recognition Business And Oppose Use For Surveillance By Police

IBM said Monday it would no longer offer facial recognition technology and oppose any use of such software by police forces for mass surveillance or racial profiling .
The company ’ s chief executive , Arvind Krishna , wrote a letter to Congress urging the responsible use of technology amid ongoing ongoing protests following the death of George Floyd .
Demonstrators around the U.S. have issued renewed calls for systemic change and an end to police brutality .
“ IBM firmly opposes and will not condone uses of any technology , including facial recognition technology offered by other vendors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violations of basic human rights and freedoms , or any purpose which is not consistent with our values and Principles of Trust and Transparency , ” the company said in a letter to Congress .
“ We believe now is the time to begin a national dialogue on whether and how facial recognition technology should be employed by domestic law enforcement agencies.
” The move , while significant in the tech space , is largely symbolic , The New York Times notes .
IBM had an active role in facial recognition development but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its business .
Facial recognition technology has come under fire by critics who warn such software could be used as a type of mass surveillance .
The Verge notes there are a bevy of privacy issues linked to such products , as well as questions about how accurate they can be .
IBM itself built a new database of a million faces last year in an effort to improve the diversity used by artificial intelligence systems amid reports some of the technology could show bias or have difficulty recognizing darker faces .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Amazon , have pushed their own software to police departments , saying it could help law enforcement in investigations .
“ Amazon Rekognition is primed for abuse in the hands of governments , ” a coalition of civil rights groups led by the American Civil Liberties Union wrote to Jeff Bezos in 2018 of the company ’ s own facial recognition software .
“ This product poses a grave threat to communities , including people of color and immigrants , and to the trust and respect Amazon has worked to build.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the demonstrations following Floyd ’ s death underscored “ that the fight against racism is as urgent as ever ” and urged Congress to take action to rein in police misconduct .
“ We offer these suggestions in the constructive spirit of problem-solving that has always defined our company and its people , ” Krishna wrote .
“ We realize these measures are only a beginning , but IBM wants to help advance this nation ’ s pursuit of equity and justice and we stand ready to work with you to advance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and advance our national purpose .
”

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IBM said Monday it would no longer offer facial recognition technology and oppose any use of such software by police forces for mass surveillance or racial profiling.
The company’s chief executive, Arvind Krishna, wrote a letter to Congress urging the responsible use of technology amid ongoing ongoing protests following the death of George Floyd. Demonstrators around the U.S. have issued renewed calls for systemic change and an end to police brutality.
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Such calls, Krishna wrote, should “encourage and advance uses of technology that bring greater transparency and accountability to policing.”
“IBM firmly opposes and will not condone uses of any technology, including facial recognition technology offered by other vendors, for mass surveillance, racial profiling, violations of basic human rights and freedoms, or any purpose which is not consistent with our values and Principles of Trust and Transparency,” the company said in a letter to Congress. “We believe now is the time to begin a national dialogue on whether and how facial recognition technology should be employed by domestic law enforcement agencies.”
The move, while significant in the tech space, is largely symbolic, The New York Times notes. IBM had an active role in facial recognition development but the technology is not a core component of its business.
Facial recognition technology has come under fire by critics who warn such software could be used as a type of mass surveillance. The Verge notes there are a bevy of privacy issues linked to such products, as well as questions about how accurate they can be. IBM itself built a new database of a million faces last year in an effort to improve the diversity used by artificial intelligence systems amid reports some of the technology could show bias or have difficulty recognizing darker faces.
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Despite the concerns, some companies, including Amazon, have pushed their own software to police departments, saying it could help law enforcement in investigations.
“Amazon Rekognition is primed for abuse in the hands of governments,” a coalition of civil rights groups led by the American Civil Liberties Union wrote to Jeff Bezos in 2018 of the company’s own facial recognition software. “This product poses a grave threat to communities, including people of color and immigrants, and to the trust and respect Amazon has worked to build.”
On Monday, IBM’s Krishna said the demonstrations following Floyd’s death underscored “that the fight against racism is as urgent as ever” and urged Congress to take action to rein in police misconduct.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-09--Trump Floats Conspiracy That 75-Year-Old Buffalo Protester Pushed By Police Was 'A Set Up'

The police department initially claimed Gugino “ tripped and fell.
” After the video surfaced showing what happened , the @ @ @ @ @ the police actions .
Gugino ’ s attorney , Kelly Zarcone , said her client @ @ @ @ @ peaceful protester , human rights advocate and overall fan of the U.S. Constitution for many @ @ @ @ @ that any further protests continue to be peaceful.
” Gugino is reportedly a devout Catholic @ @ @ @ @ get involved in the Catholic Worker movement , a non-violent lay movement known for extending @ @ @ @ @ disenfranchised .
Friends of the activist told Religion News Service that Gugino has participated in @ @ @ @ @ Rice , the 12-year-old Black child who was killed in 2014 by an Ohio police @ @ @ @ @ been active in pushing for the closure of Guantanamo Bay , the notorious U.S. detention @ @ @ @

The police department initially claimed Gugino “tripped and fell.” After the video surfaced showing what happened, the mayor and the governor criticized the police actions.
Gugino’s attorney, Kelly Zarcone, said her client “has been a longtime peaceful protester, human rights advocate and overall fan of the U.S. Constitution for many years” and “requests that any further protests continue to be peaceful.”
Gugino is reportedly a devout Catholic whose faith inspired him to get involved in the Catholic Worker movement, a non-violent lay movement known for extending hospitality to the poor and disenfranchised. Friends of the activist told Religion News Service that Gugino has participated in protests seeking justice for Tamir Rice, the 12-year-old Black child who was killed in 2014 by an Ohio police officer. Gugino has also been active in pushing for the closure of Guantanamo Bay, the notorious U.S. detention camp in Cuba.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-09--Sen. Susan Collins Loses Endorsement Of Major Gun Control Group

ASSOCIATED PRESS Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine was endorsed by Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund in 2014 .
This year , the group is backing one of her Democratic challengers .
After backing Republican Sen. Susan Collins in 2014 , the political arm of the major gun control advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety announced on Tuesday that it ’ s endorsing one of her Democratic challengers in this year ’ s Maine Senate race .
Maine House Speaker Sara Gideon , one of at least three Democratic candidates in the primary race , earned the endorsement for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ checks and red flag legislation , Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund said in a statement .
“ A vote for Sara Gideon is a vote against Mitch McConnell , who has made the Senate the place where desperately needed gun safety bills go to die , ” John Feinblatt , the president of Everytown for Gun Safety , said in a statement .
He praised Gideon for having “ walked the walk ” on tightening Maine ’ s gun laws while serving in the legislature .
The group ’ s shift in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The four-term senator is facing her toughest reelection campaign yet , following backlash over her votes confirming Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court in 2018 and acquitting President Donald Trump during his impeachment trial earlier this year .
“ There ’ s no reason that Washington can ’ t come together to put commonsense gun safety laws in place that keep our communities safe , ” she said in a statement to HuffPost .
“ It ’ s time to put an end to Mitch McConnell ’ s obstructionism and fight for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and communities , and that ’ s exactly what I ’ ll do in the Senate.
” Gideon has scooped up several other key endorsements since jumping into the race last June , including from NARAL Pro-Choice America and EMILY ’ s List , a political action committee that backs female Democratic candidates who support abortion rights .
She also nabbed Planned Parenthood Action Fund ’ s endorsement in January .
The group had backed Collins during her 2002 reelection campaign and presented the senator with an award in 2017 for her work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maine primary is now set for July 14 after it was rescheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Gideon was one of nearly a dozen candidates endorsed by Everytown on Tuesday .
Other endorsements included Democrats Mark Kelly in Arizona , John Hickenlooper in Colorado , Tina Smith in Minnesota and MJ Hegar in Texas , all of whom are running for the Senate .

Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine was endorsed by Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund in 2014. This year, the group is backing one of her Democratic challengers. ASSOCIATED PRESS
After backing Republican Sen. Susan Collins in 2014, the political arm of the major gun control advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety announced on Tuesday that it’s endorsing one of her Democratic challengers in this year’s Maine Senate race.
Maine House Speaker Sara Gideon, one of at least three Democratic candidates in the primary race, earned the endorsement for being a strong proponent of universal background checks and red flag legislation, Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund said in a statement.
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“A vote for Sara Gideon is a vote against Mitch McConnell, who has made the Senate the place where desperately needed gun safety bills go to die,” John Feinblatt, the president of Everytown for Gun Safety, said in a statement. He praised Gideon for having “walked the walk” on tightening Maine’s gun laws while serving in the legislature.
The group’s shift in support marks the latest hurdle for Collins. The four-term senator is facing her toughest reelection campaign yet, following backlash over her votes confirming Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court in 2018 and acquitting President Donald Trump during his impeachment trial earlier this year.
Winning Collins’ seat in November is key for Democrats to win control of the Senate.
A spokesperson for Collins’ campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Gideon said Tuesday that she’s proud to have Everytown’s support.
“There’s no reason that Washington can’t come together to put commonsense gun safety laws in place that keep our communities safe,” she said in a statement to HuffPost. “It’s time to put an end to Mitch McConnell’s obstructionism and fight for the health and safety of Maine people and communities, and that’s exactly what I’ll do in the Senate.”
Gideon has scooped up several other key endorsements since jumping into the race last June, including from NARAL Pro-Choice America and EMILY’s List, a political action committee that backs female Democratic candidates who support abortion rights.
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She also nabbed Planned Parenthood Action Fund’s endorsement in January. The group had backed Collins during her 2002 reelection campaign and presented the senator with an award in 2017 for her work on reproductive health care issues.
Gideon’s rivals in the Democratic primary include former Maine gubernatorial candidate Betsy Sweet and attorney Bre Kidman.
The Maine primary is now set for July 14 after it was rescheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-09--NY Police Union Boss Demands Respect For Officers After Brutal Protest Crackdowns

After a week where police officers in New York state repeatedly brutalized protesters , one police union leader has this request : “ Stop treating us like animals and thugs and start treating us with some respect.
” The ask comes courtesy of Mike O ’ Meara , president of the New York Police Benevolent Association , who seemed worried that all the videos showing police violence are making officers look bad .
“ We all read in the paper all week that in the Black community , mothers are worried about their children getting home from school without being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Meara said .
“ What world are we living in ?
That doesn ’ t happen .
It does not happen !
” A Washington Post tally published Monday shows police have shot and killed about 1,000 people each year for the past five years , with Black people being shot and killed at disproportionate rates .
O ’ Meara then accused “ everybody ” of trying to “ shame ” officers “ into being embarrassed of our profession.
” The police union boss then tried to claim that the New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared to the cops involved in George Floyd ’ s death .
“ You know what ?
This isn ’ t stained by someone in Minneapolis , ” O ’ Meara said , holding up his badge .
“ It ’ s still got a shine on it , and so do theirs.
” He tehn gestured to the all-white crew of officers behind him .
O ’ Meara then called the killing of Floyd by officer Derek Chauvin “ disgusting ” and said , “ it ’ s not what police officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We didn ’ t .
We are restrained.
” “ Stop treating us like animals and thugs , and start treating us with some respect !
” O ’ Meara said .
“ That ’ s what we ’ re here today to say .
We ’ ve been left out of the conversation .
We ’ ve been vilified .
It ’ s disgusting.
” WATCH 🚨 New York police boss Mike O'Meara went off on the media today : '' Stop treating us like animals and thugs and start treating us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us .
The press is vilifying us .
It 's disgusting . ''
pic.twitter.com/CXOPARKff7 — August Takala ( @ AugustTakala ) June 9 , 2020 Many Twitter users brutally mocked O ’ Meara ’ s rant by pointing out the real message being sent .
You mean he 's sick of having 2 weeks of protests against excessive force and police brutality highlighted by his rank and file exhibiting the very behaviors repeatedly during just past 2 weeks ?
What about persons of color raging against lack of respect for decades on end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 9 , 2020 TRANSLATION : `` We want to continue to treat YOU , especially if you 're BLACK , like animals and thugs with no accountability , oversight , or questions ... You people who want to change this are vilifying us and our inferiority/racist complexes ... Its disgusting . ''
— Q Clayborne - Without failure you ca n't succeed ( @ QuancyClayborne ) June 9 , 2020 Few things worse than being stereotyped as an animal or thug , being disrespected in society and misrepresented in the media -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you .
Few can understand what that 's like .
https : //t.co/swX0hmgN94 — Robert A George ( @ RobGeorge ) June 9 , 2020 It 's the demand for `` respect '' that gives the whole thing away - this guy and his colleagues want to be seen as exalted defenders of a rightly ordered society where people know their place https : //t.co/LGKWtIGNsY — Patrick Wyman ( @ Patrick_Wyman ) June 9 , 2020 One person who closely analyzed the officers in the press conference noticed one teensy little detail that @ @ @ @ @

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After a week where police officers in New York state repeatedly brutalized protesters, one police union leader has this request: “Stop treating us like animals and thugs and start treating us with some respect.”
The ask comes courtesy of Mike O’Meara, president of the New York Police Benevolent Association, who seemed worried that all the videos showing police violence are making officers look bad.
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“We all read in the paper all week that in the Black community, mothers are worried about their children getting home from school without being killed by a cop,” O’Meara said. “What world are we living in? That doesn’t happen. It does not happen!” A Washington Post tally published Monday shows police have shot and killed about 1,000 people each year for the past five years, with Black people being shot and killed at disproportionate rates.
O’Meara then accused “everybody” of trying to “shame” officers “into being embarrassed of our profession.”
The police union boss then tried to claim that the New York officers’ handling of protesters is nothing compared to the cops involved in George Floyd’s death.
“You know what? This isn’t stained by someone in Minneapolis,” O’Meara said, holding up his badge. “It’s still got a shine on it, and so do theirs.” He then gestured to the all-white crew of officers behind him.
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O’Meara then called the killing of Floyd by officer Derek Chauvin “disgusting” and said, “it’s not what police officers do. … He killed someone. We didn’t. We are restrained.”
“Stop treating us like animals and thugs, and start treating us with some respect!” O’Meara said. “That’s what we’re here today to say. We’ve been left out of the conversation. We’ve been vilified. It’s disgusting.”
You can see O’Meara’s outburst here:
WATCH 🚨 New York police boss Mike O'Meara went off on the media today:
"Stop treating us like animals and thugs and start treating us with some respect ... Our legislators abandoned us. The press is vilifying us. It's disgusting." pic.twitter.com/CXOPARKff7 — August Takala (@AugustTakala) June 9, 2020
Many Twitter users brutally mocked O’Meara’s rant by pointing out the real message being sent.
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You mean he's sick of having 2 weeks of protests against excessive force and police brutality highlighted by his rank and file exhibiting the very behaviors repeatedly during just past 2 weeks?
What about persons of color raging against lack of respect for decades on end? — lawhawk (@lawhawk) June 9, 2020
This is disgusting and insulting to all the people that the NYPD have been brutalizing https://t.co/1ScYusPWpz — Corey Haines (@coreyhaines) June 9, 2020
Waaaaaaaaa.....I'm now subject to basic human norms and decency, accountable for my actions, and can't kill POC in the streets without suffering the consequences....Waaaaaaaaaa pic.twitter.com/a6l9PyzvkI — Stewart Bailey (@StewB123) June 9, 2020
"Start treating us with some respect...or we're going to beat some respect into you!" pic.twitter.com/Yz4BlsDUpe — ⚖Powerful Mel Ankoly 🦈 #ForThePeople (@Mel_Ankoly) June 9, 2020
TRANSLATION: "We want to continue to treat YOU, especially if you're BLACK, like animals and thugs with no accountability, oversight, or questions...You people who want to change this are vilifying us and our inferiority/racist complexes...Its disgusting." — Q Clayborne - Without failure you can't succeed (@QuancyClayborne) June 9, 2020
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Few things worse than being stereotyped as an animal or thug, being disrespected in society and misrepresented in the media -- realizing that the system is stacked against you. Few can understand what that's like. https://t.co/swX0hmgN94 — Robert A George (@RobGeorge) June 9, 2020
It's the demand for "respect" that gives the whole thing away - this guy and his colleagues want to be seen as exalted defenders of a rightly ordered society where people know their place https://t.co/LGKWtIGNsY — Patrick Wyman (@Patrick_Wyman) June 9, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-09--With Trump MIA, Senate Republicans Go It Alone On Police Reform Efforts

While President Donald Trump again tweets incendiary conspiracy theories and ignores calls for police reform , congressional Republicans are moving forward with proposals of their own aimed at addressing police brutality following the nationwide protests over George Floyd ’ s death at the hands of Minneapolis police .
On Tuesday , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) announced he has tasked Sen. Tim Scott ( R-S.C. ) with leading a group of GOP senators “ that is working on a proposal to allow us to respond to the obvious racial discrimination that we ’ ve seen on our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scott , the only Black GOP senator , briefed his colleagues during a caucus lunch earlier Tuesday about his police reform bill , which he is hoping to release by the end of the week .
While the package has similarities to legislation Democrats have rallied around in the wake of the protests , it contains several key differences .
For example , the bill doesn ’ t explicitly ban the use of chokeholds or no-knock drug warrants .
The Democratic proposal unveiled this week would ban the techniques outright , including the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the death of Floyd last month , as well as no-knock warrants in drug cases , a tactic that led to the death of Breonna Taylor in Louisville , Kentucky , in March .
“ While I might support the elimination of all chokeholds , I think the way to get there is to provide more training and more resources so the local jurisdiction has the ability to make that decision themselves , ” Scott told reporters on Tuesday .
Scott ’ s proposal would provide funding for more body-worn cameras , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ departments .
It would also require the federal government to track data on the use of no-knock warrants and the use of deadly force , as well as establish a national study of police practices .
Trump and his top aides have steered clear of discussion of particular police reform initiatives , making clear only that defunding law enforcement , as some activists have called for , is dangerous and not one he would support .
The White House is reportedly preparing a speech on race relations written by top Trump adviser Stephen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s immigration plan .
On Monday , Trump suggested with no evidence that a 75-year-old protester shoved by police in Buffalo , New York , last week could be “ a set up ” by “ an ANTIFA provocateur.
” Most GOP senators ducked questions about the president ’ s tweet , while Sen. Mitt Romney ( R-Utah ) called it “ shocking.
” There are also divisions within the GOP conference on what police reform measures , if any , Congress should tackle .
Some Republicans argue it isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ step in and tell local police what they can or can ’ t do .
But others are more open to measures floated in recent days pertaining to specific police practices .
“ I think those ought to be gone , period , ” Sen. Mike Braun ( R-Ind . )
said when asked if he supported a ban on chokehold techniques .
Sen. Roy Blunt ( R-Mo . )
, the vice chairman of the Senate GOP , meanwhile , said he spoke with U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr this week about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice to conduct reviews of local police department practices .
The court-enforceable agreements that the Obama administration had used to curtail patterns of police abuse in cities like Ferguson , Missouri , and Baltimore were ended by Jeff Sessions , Trump ’ s first attorney general .
“ He seemed more than willing to have some form of review in the toolbox that he could use , ” Blunt said of Barr .

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While President Donald Trump again tweets incendiary conspiracy theories and ignores calls for police reform, congressional Republicans are moving forward with proposals of their own aimed at addressing police brutality following the nationwide protests over George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police.
On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced he has tasked Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) with leading a group of GOP senators “that is working on a proposal to allow us to respond to the obvious racial discrimination that we’ve seen on our television screens” in recent weeks.
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Scott, the only Black GOP senator, briefed his colleagues during a caucus lunch earlier Tuesday about his police reform bill, which he is hoping to release by the end of the week. While the package has similarities to legislation Democrats have rallied around in the wake of the protests, it contains several key differences.
For example, the bill doesn’t explicitly ban the use of chokeholds or no-knock drug warrants. The Democratic proposal unveiled this week would ban the techniques outright, including the kind used by a police officer in the death of Floyd last month, as well as no-knock warrants in drug cases, a tactic that led to the death of Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky, in March.
“While I might support the elimination of all chokeholds, I think the way to get there is to provide more training and more resources so the local jurisdiction has the ability to make that decision themselves,” Scott told reporters on Tuesday.
Scott’s proposal would provide funding for more body-worn cameras, and de-escalation and bias training to local police departments. It would also require the federal government to track data on the use of no-knock warrants and the use of deadly force, as well as establish a national study of police practices.
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It’s unclear, however, if it has support from President Donald Trump.
Trump and his top aides have steered clear of discussion of particular police reform initiatives, making clear only that defunding law enforcement, as some activists have called for, is dangerous and not one he would support. The White House is reportedly preparing a speech on race relations written by top Trump adviser Stephen Miller, who crafted the Trump administration’s immigration plan.
On Monday, Trump suggested with no evidence that a 75-year-old protester shoved by police in Buffalo, New York, last week could be “a set up” by “an ANTIFA provocateur.” Most GOP senators ducked questions about the president’s tweet, while Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) called it “shocking.”
Scott told reporters on Tuesday that his bill is currently “on a separate track from the White House.”
There are also divisions within the GOP conference on what police reform measures, if any, Congress should tackle. Some Republicans argue it isn’t the federal government’s role to step in and tell local police what they can or can’t do. But others are more open to measures floated in recent days pertaining to specific police practices.
“I think those ought to be gone, period,” Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) said when asked if he supported a ban on chokehold techniques.
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Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), the vice chairman of the Senate GOP, meanwhile, said he spoke with U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr this week about reinstating the ability of the Department of Justice to conduct reviews of local police department practices. The court-enforceable agreements that the Obama administration had used to curtail patterns of police abuse in cities like Ferguson, Missouri, and Baltimore were ended by Jeff Sessions, Trump’s first attorney general.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-09--Donald Trump Jr.'s Mongolia Hunting Trip Cost Taxpayers $77,000

The Secret Service provided documents in March revealing that the agency ’ s cost for Trump ’ s trip to bag a rare argali sheep was more than $ 17,000 .
But after additional Freedom of Information Act requests , officials turned over other documents that disclosed an additional $ 60,000 in spending .
Trump Jr. ’ s eight-day trip was highly controversial , not only for the killing of the sheep , but because of his secretive meeting with Mongolian President Khaltmaagiin Battulga .
Trump appeared to have hunted with a major Republican donor , ProPublica reported .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owned by a politically connected member of the Mongolian president ’ s party , according to the watchdog group .
The company helped Trump obtain a special permit to hunt the argali after he killed the animal .
The hunt came just weeks after high-level government discussions in the U.S. between American and Mongolian officials , and a meeting between President Donald Trump and Battulga at the White House .
President Donald Trump welcomes Mongolian President Khaltmaagiin Battulga to the White House shortly before Donald Trump Jr. 's hunting trip to Mongolia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as many Secret-Service protected trips as the Obama family did ― an average of about 1,000 more trips per year ― according to Treasury Department documents .
The president and senior White House advisers Ivanka Trump and husband Jared Kushner all remain invested in their private companies but travel at taxpayer expense .
The trips raise concerns about conflicts of interest as taxpayer-funded travels intermingle Trump business promotion , White House power and foreign political leaders seeking American favors and special treatment .
“ Because of the overlap between the Trump Organization , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign , taxpayer money all too often ends up facilitating President Trump ’ s conflicts of interest , ” CREW said in a statement earlier this year .
Donald Trump Jr. could not immediately be reached for comment by HuffPost .
A spokesperson told ProPublica for a story late last year that no government officials from either country organized the hunting trip , and the necessary permits were appropriately obtained via a third-party outfitter .
If just one of Don Jr ’ s trophy hunting trips cost more than $ 75,000 , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump family 's total bill with taxpayers must be.https : //t.co/NIpQpgZjAb — Citizens for Ethics ( @ CREWcrew ) June 9 , 2020

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The Secret Service provided documents in March revealing that the agency’s cost for Trump’s trip to bag a rare argali sheep was more than $17,000. But after additional Freedom of Information Act requests, officials turned over other documents that disclosed an additional $60,000 in spending.
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Trump Jr.’s eight-day trip was highly controversial, not only for the killing of the sheep, but because of his secretive meeting with Mongolian President Khaltmaagiin Battulga. Trump appeared to have hunted with a major Republican donor, ProPublica reported.
The trip was arranged through a tourism company owned by a politically connected member of the Mongolian president’s party, according to the watchdog group. The company helped Trump obtain a special permit to hunt the argali after he killed the animal.
The hunt came just weeks after high-level government discussions in the U.S. between American and Mongolian officials, and a meeting between President Donald Trump and Battulga at the White House.
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President Donald Trump welcomes Mongolian President Khaltmaagiin Battulga to the White House shortly before Donald Trump Jr.'s hunting trip to Mongolia. SAUL LOEB via Getty Images
The Trump family is taking 12 times as many Secret-Service protected trips as the Obama family did ― an average of about 1,000 more trips per year ― according to Treasury Department documents. The president and senior White House advisers Ivanka Trump and husband Jared Kushner all remain invested in their private companies but travel at taxpayer expense.
The trips raise concerns about conflicts of interest as taxpayer-funded travels intermingle Trump business promotion, White House power and foreign political leaders seeking American favors and special treatment.
“Because of the overlap between the Trump Organization, the Trump White House and the Trump campaign, taxpayer money all too often ends up facilitating President Trump’s conflicts of interest,” CREW said in a statement earlier this year.
Donald Trump Jr. could not immediately be reached for comment by HuffPost. A spokesperson told ProPublica for a story late last year that no government officials from either country organized the hunting trip, and the necessary permits were appropriately obtained via a third-party outfitter.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-09--Ocasio-Cortez, Sanders Endorse Progressive Charles Booker In Kentucky Senate Primary

ASSOCIATED PRESS Former Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-N.Y. ) , left , take the stage at Sanders ' campaign stop at the University of New Hampshire , Feb. 10 .
Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez ’ s endorsements break from the Democratic Party ’ s official stance in the race .
Democratic leaders tapped Amy McGrath , the retired Marine fighter pilot who ran a high-profile race to unseat Republican Rep. Andy Barr in the 2018 midterms but fell short .
The Democratic Senate Campaign Committee endorsed McGrath in February .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House of Representatives and the state ’ s youngest Black lawmaker , has been gaining steam in the primary in recent weeks after taking a front-and-center role in the state ’ s protests against police brutality .
His hometown of Louisville has been mourning the loss of two Black Kentuckians at the hands of police force .
Breonna Taylor , a 26-year-old EMT , was shot by officers in her own apartment in March .
David McAtee , a beloved local BBQ joint owner , was killed by law enforcement during the protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who has been slow to weigh in on Senate races so far in the 2020 cycle , cited Booker ’ s participation in the protests in the endorsement he announced to supporters Tuesday morning .
“ As Louisville has become an epicenter of national tragedy and protests due to the police murders of Breonna Taylor and David McAtee , Charles has shown leadership by showing up on the frontlines , ” Sanders said , adding that Booker “ supports progressive policies such as criminal justice reform , Medicare for All , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ocasio-Cortez announced her endorsement in a tweet less than an hour later , backing a candidate she said is “ building the kind of principled , inclusive , and winning coalition in Kentucky that can inspire positive change.
” There is no independent polling in the Kentucky Senate primary , but the endorsements bolster the sense that Booker has gained momentum in a race in which a runaway McGrath victory seemed all but guaranteed just a month ago .
Like other Senate candidates the DSCC and Democratic establishment had backed , McGrath seemed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the left struggled to unite behind and boost progressive challengers like Booker .
“ We haven ’ t seen a lot of progressive challengers get a lot of momentum and I think that is because you do see that national Democrats have lined up behind some of these challengers that they see as more able to win in especially very red states like Kentucky , ” Jessica Taylor , with the nonpartisan election watch group Cook Political Report , said .
McGrath , who proved a powerful fundraiser during her 2018 congressional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has so far brought in more money than McConnell in 2020 .
But early missteps , including waffling positions on whether she would have voted to put Brett Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court , and McGrath ’ s efforts to position herself for the general election also left room to her left .
Booker has risen to fill that space in recent weeks , especially after McGrath struggled to respond to the protests for Black lives in her state ’ s biggest cities .
During a Senate primary debate last week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the demonstrations and was staying home with her family .
On Tuesday , McGrath sent an email to supporters that said she supported independent investigations whenever police used force that caused harm or death , expanding racial bias and de-escalation training for police , and requiring every police officer to wear a functioning body camera .
“ This is a city that ’ s been on edge and Charles has been on the frontlines of it very much so from day one , ” said Matt Erwin , a Democratic strategist in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rise .
“ There was this thought that this was a Louisville issue and not a state issue , but now we are seeing similar protests in really little and not racially diverse towns in Kentucky.
” After struggling to raise money for months , Booker ’ s campaign has seen a surge in donations in the June , raising half a million dollars in the first week of the month .
Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez ’ s endorsements come on the heels of several recent state and local endorsements , including prominent sports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considered a run for the nomination .
Booker also aired his first television ad of the cycle Tuesday , a $ 400,000 30-second spot that called out McGrath ’ s willingness to work with Trump directly .
But his fundraising efforts still pale in comparison to that of McGrath and McConnell , who have poured millions of dollars into a general-election-focused race for the last year .
McGrath raised $ 12.8 million in the first quarter of 2020 , and McConnell pulled in $ 7.5 million during that same time period .

Former Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), left, take the stage at Sanders' campaign stop at the University of New Hampshire, Feb. 10. ASSOCIATED PRESS
The biggest names in American progressive politics, Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.), are throwing their weight behind Charles Booker, a Democratic candidate for Senate hoping to unseat Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in Kentucky.
Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez’s endorsements break from the Democratic Party’s official stance in the race. Democratic leaders tapped Amy McGrath, the retired Marine fighter pilot who ran a high-profile race to unseat Republican Rep. Andy Barr in the 2018 midterms but fell short. The Democratic Senate Campaign Committee endorsed McGrath in February.
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But Booker, a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives and the state’s youngest Black lawmaker, has been gaining steam in the primary in recent weeks after taking a front-and-center role in the state’s protests against police brutality. His hometown of Louisville has been mourning the loss of two Black Kentuckians at the hands of police force. Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old EMT, was shot by officers in her own apartment in March. David McAtee, a beloved local BBQ joint owner, was killed by law enforcement during the protests for Black lives last week.
Sanders, who has been slow to weigh in on Senate races so far in the 2020 cycle, cited Booker’s participation in the protests in the endorsement he announced to supporters Tuesday morning.
“As Louisville has become an epicenter of national tragedy and protests due to the police murders of Breonna Taylor and David McAtee, Charles has shown leadership by showing up on the frontlines,” Sanders said, adding that Booker “supports progressive policies such as criminal justice reform, Medicare for All, and getting big money out of politics.”
Ocasio-Cortez announced her endorsement in a tweet less than an hour later, backing a candidate she said is “building the kind of principled, inclusive, and winning coalition in Kentucky that can inspire positive change.”
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Charles Booker (@Booker4KY) is running for Senate & building the kind of principled, inclusive, and winning coalition in Kentucky that can inspire positive change.
The US Senate will be a better place with him in it. I’m proud to endorse him.
Let’s go:https://t.co/yocF7U9Os5 — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) June 9, 2020
Like Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez, Booker has also backed a Green New Deal, the sweeping plan to overhaul the nation’s economy and address climate change, and “Medicare for All,” a push to move all Americans to a single government-run health insurance plan.
The Lexington Herald-Leader, Kentucky’s second-largest newspaper, also endorsed Booker Tuesday.
There is no independent polling in the Kentucky Senate primary, but the endorsements bolster the sense that Booker has gained momentum in a race in which a runaway McGrath victory seemed all but guaranteed just a month ago. Like other Senate candidates the DSCC and Democratic establishment had backed, McGrath seemed set to cruise to an easy victory as the left struggled to unite behind and boost progressive challengers like Booker.
“We haven’t seen a lot of progressive challengers get a lot of momentum and I think that is because you do see that national Democrats have lined up behind some of these challengers that they see as more able to win in especially very red states like Kentucky,” Jessica Taylor, with the nonpartisan election watch group Cook Political Report, said.
McGrath, who proved a powerful fundraiser during her 2018 congressional race, set early Kentucky fundraising records and has so far brought in more money than McConnell in 2020. But early missteps, including waffling positions on whether she would have voted to put Brett Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court, and McGrath’s efforts to position herself for the general election also left room to her left. Booker has risen to fill that space in recent weeks, especially after McGrath struggled to respond to the protests for Black lives in her state’s biggest cities. During a Senate primary debate last week, McGrath admitted she had not been to the demonstrations and was staying home with her family.
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On Tuesday, McGrath sent an email to supporters that said she supported independent investigations whenever police used force that caused harm or death, expanding racial bias and de-escalation training for police, and requiring every police officer to wear a functioning body camera.
Booker has marched with protesters, called for the firing of the police officers who killed Taylor, and pushed major reforms to the city’s police department.
“This is a city that’s been on edge and Charles has been on the frontlines of it very much so from day one,” said Matt Erwin, a Democratic strategist in the state, about Booker’s recent rise. “There was this thought that this was a Louisville issue and not a state issue, but now we are seeing similar protests in really little and not racially diverse towns in Kentucky.”
After struggling to raise money for months, Booker’s campaign has seen a surge in donations in the June, raising half a million dollars in the first week of the month. Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez’s endorsements come on the heels of several recent state and local endorsements, including prominent sports radio host Matt Jones, who himself considered a run for the nomination. Booker also aired his first television ad of the cycle Tuesday, a $400,000 30-second spot that called out McGrath’s willingness to work with Trump directly.
“Kentucky needs a real Democrat who will take on Mitch McConnell,” Booker narrates in the ad.
But his fundraising efforts still pale in comparison to that of McGrath and McConnell, who have poured millions of dollars into a general-election-focused race for the last year. McGrath raised $12.8 million in the first quarter of 2020, and McConnell pulled in $7.5 million during that same time period.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-09--Progressive Charles Booker Unveils First Big Ad Buy In Race To Oust Mitch McConnell

Fourteen days before the state ’ s Democratic Senate primary , another candidate , Charles Booker , Kentucky ’ s youngest Black state lawmaker , is having a moment .
For weeks , he has been visible at the protests for Black lives in Louisville , a city that has been reeling over the deaths of Breonna Taylor , a 26-year-old EMT whom police shot and killed in her own apartment , and David “ Ya Ya ” McAtee , a barbecue joint owner who was killed by law enforcement during the demonstrations protesting excessive police force .
Running to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Green New Deal , “ Medicare for All ” and a universal basic income , Booker has been raising roughly $ 100,000 a day since the start of June , after struggling to pull in cash for months .
On Tuesday , Booker ’ s campaign will go on the air in Kentucky for the first time with a $ 400,000 ad buy , to run over the next week .
The 30-second spot , titled “ Fighting for Real Change ” and airing in all Kentucky media markets , takes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is shown saying , “ That ’ s going to be my message : the things Kentuckians voted for Trump for are not getting done.
” The text on the screen comes from a 2019 Courier Journal article headlined “ Amy McGrath challenges Mitch McConnell as a pro-Trump Democrat.
” ( She was referring to campaign promises once made by Trump — like lowering drug prices and bringing back jobs after the 2008 recession — that McGrath argues McConnell stood in the way of . )
Until now , Booker has faced an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tapped by Democratic leaders to run against McConnell after losing a high-profile congressional race against Rep. Andy Barr ( R ) in 2018 .
Because of her national profile , McGrath has raised more money than even McConnell in 2020 .
Her donors are focused on ousting the Senate Republican leader in the general election .
And her campaign has been aggressive in spending early with an eye on November , dropping $ 2 million on television ads in 2019 .
“ They are spending money like drunken sailors — both [ McGrath @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t see how [ Booker ] overcomes that , ” said another Democratic strategist in the state , who asked for anonymity because of his affiliation with another candidate in the race .
“ It ’ s not a state that ’ s filled with Democratic primary voters that are that far left.
” But McGrath has had several stumbles in her campaign in addition to the “ pro-Trump ” label .
An attempt to tack to the center on policy has been poorly received among progressives nationwide and state Democrats .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh .
And , particularly compared to Booker , she ’ s been notably absent in the protests for Black lives .
Booker has received some major endorsements in the state recently .
Several of his colleagues in the Kentucky House have come out in support of him , including three members of the state Democratic Party ’ s legislative leadership .
Popular Kentucky Sports Radio host Matt Jones , who himself considered a Senate bid , has thrown his weight behind Booker , as has the progressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s little data on whether this momentum extends to the voters .
There ’ s been no public polling in the Democratic primary , where there are currently 10 candidates , and McGrath has always been favored .
National and state political observers all see it as an impossible contest to predict , particularly with the public health crisis around COVID-19 and the recent racial justice protests .
Kentucky has loosened restrictions on mail-in ballots amid the coronavirus pandemic , and it ’ s not at all clear how many people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s got to raise his named ID to win , ” said Jessica Taylor , with the nonpartisan Cook Political Report .
“ The primary could be engaging late because other things have been on voters ’ minds with COVID and what happened in Louisville .
”

Kentucky state Rep. Charles Booker is running to take on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in November. Bryan Woolston/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Somewhat suddenly, retired Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath’s bid to be chosen the Democrats’ candidate against Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is no longer a sure bet.
Fourteen days before the state’s Democratic Senate primary, another candidate, Charles Booker, Kentucky’s youngest Black state lawmaker, is having a moment. For weeks, he has been visible at the protests for Black lives in Louisville, a city that has been reeling over the deaths of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old EMT whom police shot and killed in her own apartment, and David “Ya Ya” McAtee, a barbecue joint owner who was killed by law enforcement during the demonstrations protesting excessive police force.
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Running to McGrath’s left, in support of the Green New Deal, “Medicare for All” and a universal basic income, Booker has been raising roughly $100,000 a day since the start of June, after struggling to pull in cash for months.
“A couple weeks ago [Booker] couldn’t afford an ad buy. A couple weeks ago he couldn’t afford a poll,” said Matt Erwin, a Kentucky Democratic strategist who is not affiliated with either the McGrath or Booker campaigns. “But the last couple weeks have changed everything.”
On Tuesday, Booker’s campaign will go on the air in Kentucky for the first time with a $400,000 ad buy, to run over the next week. The 30-second spot, titled “Fighting for Real Change” and airing in all Kentucky media markets, takes a direct swipe at McGrath.
“Kentucky needs a real Democrat who will take on Mitch McConnell,” Booker narrates before a clip of McGrath embracing parts of President Donald Trump’s agenda.
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McGrath is shown saying, “That’s going to be my message: the things Kentuckians voted for Trump for are not getting done.” The text on the screen comes from a 2019 Courier Journal article headlined “Amy McGrath challenges Mitch McConnell as a pro-Trump Democrat.” (She was referring to campaign promises once made by Trump — like lowering drug prices and bringing back jobs after the 2008 recession — that McGrath argues McConnell stood in the way of.)
Until now, Booker has faced an uphill battle against McGrath, who was tapped by Democratic leaders to run against McConnell after losing a high-profile congressional race against Rep. Andy Barr (R) in 2018. Because of her national profile, McGrath has raised more money than even McConnell in 2020. Her donors are focused on ousting the Senate Republican leader in the general election. And her campaign has been aggressive in spending early with an eye on November, dropping $2 million on television ads in 2019.
It’s a war chest that might be too big to overcome, especially just two weeks from primary day.
“They are spending money like drunken sailors — both [McGrath] and Mitch. I don’t see how [Booker] overcomes that,” said another Democratic strategist in the state, who asked for anonymity because of his affiliation with another candidate in the race. “It’s not a state that’s filled with Democratic primary voters that are that far left.”
But McGrath has had several stumbles in her campaign in addition to the “pro-Trump” label. An attempt to tack to the center on policy has been poorly received among progressives nationwide and state Democrats. She previously said she would have voted to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. And, particularly compared to Booker, she’s been notably absent in the protests for Black lives.
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Booker is making the pitch that she’s not the kind of Democrat who should be trusted to take on McConnell and the Republican Party.
“There’s a real question right now about whether this [primary race] is a foregone conclusion. This week it’s not,” Erwin said, noting that rumors of McGrath’s fall abound in Democratic political circles.
Booker has received some major endorsements in the state recently. Several of his colleagues in the Kentucky House have come out in support of him, including three members of the state Democratic Party’s legislative leadership. Popular Kentucky Sports Radio host Matt Jones, who himself considered a Senate bid, has thrown his weight behind Booker, as has the progressive Association of Flight Attendants-CWA union.
But there’s little data on whether this momentum extends to the voters. There’s been no public polling in the Democratic primary, where there are currently 10 candidates, and McGrath has always been favored. National and state political observers all see it as an impossible contest to predict, particularly with the public health crisis around COVID-19 and the recent racial justice protests. Kentucky has loosened restrictions on mail-in ballots amid the coronavirus pandemic, and it’s not at all clear how many people have already voted.
“He’s got to raise his named ID to win,” said Jessica Taylor, with the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. “The primary could be engaging late because other things have been on voters’ minds with COVID and what happened in Louisville.”
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Taylor noted that the same events that are making this race so hard to read may play to Booker’s advantage.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-09--Bernie Sanders Endorses Jamaal Bowman, Five Other Progressive Candidates For Congress

MANDEL NGAN/Getty Images Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) is famous for his political independence and left-wing views , but he rarely endorses candidates taking on incumbent Democrats .
His support is the latest coup for Bowman , a Black middle school principal , who has hammered Engel for his absence in the district during the COVID-19 pandemic and leveraged the unrest over racist police practices to call for a change in leadership .
New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D ) and several other prominent New York elected officials endorsed Bowman last week .
“ Jamaal understands that low-income @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a decent life due to a system that is rigged to benefit the wealthy , ” Sanders wrote in a Medium post announcing the endorsement .
“ He is someone we can trust to be a powerful advocate for a progressive agenda in Congress.
” We are in an unprecedented moment in American history , and now more than ever we must stand together in the fight for justice .
He is supporting Charles Booker , a Black Kentucky state lawmaker competing for the chance to take on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a housing rights organizer running for an open , safe Democratic seat in the Bronx ; Mondaire Jones , an openly gay Black attorney running for an open , safe Democratic seat in the New York City suburbs ; Mike Siegel , a civil rights attorney locked in a Democratic primary runoff race in Texas ’ 10th Congressional District , a GOP-held seat ; and Cori Bush , a registered nurse seeking to unseat Rep. Lacy Clay , a veteran Democratic congressman in St. Louis , Missouri .
Both Bush , who supported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a 10-term incumbent , are Black .
Sanders is the best-known and most influential left-wing politician in the country .
But contrary to his reputation as an independent gadfly , he rarely endorses candidates trying to unseat incumbent Democrats with whom he caucuses .
For example , he did not back Ocasio-Cortez , who had volunteered for Sanders ’ 2016 White House bid , in her successful 2018 primary run .
Sanders has also largely receded from the national stage since dropping out of the presidential race in early April .
Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he did not appear in Washington for a vote on a Senate amendment he supports that would have prohibited warrantless federal government spying on the internet .
But Sanders , who immediately sent a fundraising email for the six congressional candidates , indicated in the Medium post that the urgency of the national crisis over police violence and racism contributed to his decision to get involved in the races .
“ In order to continue our struggle for economic justice , social justice , racial justice and environmental justice , we must come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a progressive agenda , ” he wrote .
“ We are in an unprecedented moment in American history , and now more than ever we must stand together in the fight for justice.
” In addition to Bowman , Booker , a progressive competing in Kentucky ’ s Senate Democratic primary , has been gaining traction since the onset of the protest movement sparked by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis , Minnesota .
That movement has been particularly energetic in Louisville , Kentucky , where police shot and killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in mid-March .
During the recent protests , Louisville cops also shot and killed Black barbecue business owner David McAtee .
While he had previously struggled to raise campaign funds , Booker has been bringing in $ 100,000 a day since the start of June .
He is plowing that money into a $ 400,000 TV ad buy pitching himself as the candidate for the moment and criticizing retired Marine fight pilot Amy McGrath .
McGrath , who won the early endorsement of Senate Democrats ’ official campaign arm , has attacked McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supposedly breaking with President Donald Trump .
Although New York ’ s 17th Congressional District , a swath of the Bronx and Westchester County that Engel has represented since 1989 , is one of the House seats hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic , Engel , 73 , spent the height of the outbreak in his home in an upscale suburb of Washington .
Bowman ’ s presence in the district , by contrast , helped him win the support of New York ’ s largest nurses union , an endorsement Engel incorrectly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Engel compounded the challenge of a white man representing a diverse district during a moment of national reckoning on race with a gaffe last Tuesday .
He was caught on a hot mic asking for a speaking slot at a press conference responding to looting in the Bronx .
To explain why he was so insistent on speaking , Engel said , “ If I didn ’ t have a primary , I wouldn ’ t care .
”

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is famous for his political independence and left-wing views, but he rarely endorses candidates taking on incumbent Democrats. MANDEL NGAN/Getty Images
Sen. Bernie Sanders endorsed progressive House primary challenger Jamaal Bowman and five other congressional candidates on Tuesday, adding another high-profile boost to Bowman’s effort to unseat Rep. Eliot Engel, a powerful New York Democrat.
Sanders, a two-time presidential contender, has a famously devoted fan base and immense capacity to raise small-dollar donations. The independent from Vermont rarely endorses candidates taking on incumbent Democrats.
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His support is the latest coup for Bowman, a Black middle school principal, who has hammered Engel for his absence in the district during the COVID-19 pandemic and leveraged the unrest over racist police practices to call for a change in leadership. New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D) and several other prominent New York elected officials endorsed Bowman last week.
New York’s congressional primary is on June 23.
“Jamaal understands that low-income families are locked out of opportunity and a decent life due to a system that is rigged to benefit the wealthy,” Sanders wrote in a Medium post announcing the endorsement. “He is someone we can trust to be a powerful advocate for a progressive agenda in Congress.”
“We are in an unprecedented moment in American history, and now more than ever we must stand together in the fight for justice.” - Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)
The five other candidates Sanders is backing include primary challengers and candidates in open races, Senate and House contenders, and longshots as well as legitimate competitors.
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He is supporting Charles Booker, a Black Kentucky state lawmaker competing for the chance to take on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.); Samelys López, a housing rights organizer running for an open, safe Democratic seat in the Bronx; Mondaire Jones, an openly gay Black attorney running for an open, safe Democratic seat in the New York City suburbs; Mike Siegel, a civil rights attorney locked in a Democratic primary runoff race in Texas’ 10th Congressional District, a GOP-held seat; and Cori Bush, a registered nurse seeking to unseat Rep. Lacy Clay, a veteran Democratic congressman in St. Louis, Missouri. Both Bush, who supported Sanders’ presidential bid, and Clay, a 10-term incumbent, are Black.
Sanders is the best-known and most influential left-wing politician in the country. But contrary to his reputation as an independent gadfly, he rarely endorses candidates trying to unseat incumbent Democrats with whom he caucuses. For example, he did not back Ocasio-Cortez, who had volunteered for Sanders’ 2016 White House bid, in her successful 2018 primary run.
Sanders has also largely receded from the national stage since dropping out of the presidential race in early April. Sanders disappointed some progressive activists in May when he did not appear in Washington for a vote on a Senate amendment he supports that would have prohibited warrantless federal government spying on the internet.
But Sanders, who immediately sent a fundraising email for the six congressional candidates, indicated in the Medium post that the urgency of the national crisis over police violence and racism contributed to his decision to get involved in the races.
“In order to continue our struggle for economic justice, social justice, racial justice and environmental justice, we must come together to elect candidates who will fight for a progressive agenda,” he wrote. “We are in an unprecedented moment in American history, and now more than ever we must stand together in the fight for justice.”
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Jamaal Bowman distributes food at a food bank in Yonkers, New York. His presence in the district helped win him the backing of an influential union. Jamaal Bowman for Congress
In addition to Bowman, Booker, a progressive competing in Kentucky’s Senate Democratic primary, has been gaining traction since the onset of the protest movement sparked by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota. That movement has been particularly energetic in Louisville, Kentucky, where police shot and killed Black EMT Breonna Taylor in her home in mid-March. During the recent protests, Louisville cops also shot and killed Black barbecue business owner David McAtee.
While he had previously struggled to raise campaign funds, Booker has been bringing in $100,000 a day since the start of June. He is plowing that money into a $400,000 TV ad buy pitching himself as the candidate for the moment and criticizing retired Marine fight pilot Amy McGrath. McGrath, who won the early endorsement of Senate Democrats’ official campaign arm, has attacked McConnell, the Republican Senate leader, for supposedly breaking with President Donald Trump.
But Sanders’ blessing is likely most significant in Bowman’s race to oust Engel, a 16-term incumbent who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Through a combination of Bowman’s dogged campaigning and a series of unforced errors by Engel, Bowman, 44, now stands the chance of becoming just the second progressive challenger this election cycle to unseat a more moderate Democratic incumbent.
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Although New York’s 17th Congressional District, a swath of the Bronx and Westchester County that Engel has represented since 1989, is one of the House seats hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, Engel, 73, spent the height of the outbreak in his home in an upscale suburb of Washington. Bowman’s presence in the district, by contrast, helped him win the support of New York’s largest nurses union, an endorsement Engel incorrectly claimed to have received on Monday.
Engel, a domestic policy liberal with a hawkish foreign policy record, is a rare white lawmaker representing a district that now has more Black and Latino residents than white people.
Engel compounded the challenge of a white man representing a diverse district during a moment of national reckoning on race with a gaffe last Tuesday. He was caught on a hot mic asking for a speaking slot at a press conference responding to looting in the Bronx. To explain why he was so insistent on speaking, Engel said, “If I didn’t have a primary, I wouldn’t care.”
Engel’s remarks have already become the focus of an advertising campaign financed by the left-wing group Justice Democrats, which recruited Bowman and Ocasio-Cortez, and the Working Families Party.
Referring to Engel’s absence from the district, the narrator of one TV spot says, “Engel only came back to win reelection, to help himself ― to save his job, not our lives.”