thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-07--Some GOP Heavyweights Won't Vote To Reelect Trump: Report

Republican Voters Against Trump is lashing out against what ’ s filling the president ’ s time during the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide anti-racist protests : “ Hiding in a security bunker .
Watching his shows .
Afraid .
Alone .
Not a leader , not a president , ” says the group ’ s new ad .
In a strange election year twist , it ’ s Republicans who oppose President Donald Trump who are regularly releasing new ads on social media .
Republican Voters Against Trump and The Lincoln Project , co-founded by lawyer George Conway , husband @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are putting out anti-Trump videos , like the latest one above , that often go viral .
But it ’ s not just organized Republican groups that aren ’ t going to vote to keep their party in the White House .
Some heavy hitters will likely also sit this one out .
The New York Times reported Saturday that former President George W. Bush won ’ t endorse — or vote for — Trump , though it ’ s not clear whether he ’ ll vote for Democrat Joe Biden , sources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a senior Bush aide told NBC News that the former president hasn ’ t indicated how he will vote .
Bush ’ s brother Jeb Bush , the former governor of Florida , isn ’ t yet sure how he ’ ll vote , according to the Times .
Sen. Mitt Romney ( R-Utah ) won ’ t vote for Trump , and may write in his wife Ann ’ s name .
Cindy McCain , widow of the late Sen. John McCain ( R-Ariz. ) , will likely vote for Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them voted for Trump last time , but since he is the incumbent , the calculations are different this time .
Rep. Francis Rooney ( R-Fla. ) , who served as Bush ’ s ambassador to the Vatican , told the Times that he is considering voting for the likely Democratic nominee , Joe Biden , because Trump is “ driving us all crazy .
”

Republican Voters Against Trump is lashing out against what’s filling the president’s time during the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide anti-racist protests: “Hiding in a security bunker. Watching his shows. Afraid. Alone. Not a leader, not a president,” says the group’s new ad.
“It’s time for a competent president,” the spot concludes. “Let’s elect one.”
In a strange election year twist, it’s Republicans who oppose President Donald Trump who are regularly releasing new ads on social media. Republican Voters Against Trump and The Lincoln Project, co-founded by lawyer George Conway, husband of White House counselor Kellyanne Conway, are putting out anti-Trump videos, like the latest one above, that often go viral.
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But it’s not just organized Republican groups that aren’t going to vote to keep their party in the White House. Some heavy hitters will likely also sit this one out.
The New York Times reported Saturday that former President George W. Bush won’t endorse — or vote for — Trump, though it’s not clear whether he’ll vote for Democrat Joe Biden, sources say.
In response to the report, a senior Bush aide told NBC News that the former president hasn’t indicated how he will vote.
Bush’s brother Jeb Bush, the former governor of Florida, isn’t yet sure how he’ll vote, according to the Times.
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Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) won’t vote for Trump, and may write in his wife Ann’s name. Cindy McCain, widow of the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), will likely vote for Biden, the Times reported.
None of them voted for Trump last time, but since he is the incumbent, the calculations are different this time.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-07--Trump Orders Withdrawal Of National Guard In D.C. As Anti-Racism Protests Continue

President Donald Trump on Sunday said that he has ordered National Guard troops to begin withdrawing from Washington , D.C. , stating that “ everything is under perfect control ” as anti-racism demonstrations continue worldwide .
“ I have just given an order for our National Guard to start the process of withdrawing from Washington , D.C. , now that everything is under perfect control , ” the president tweeted .
“ They will be going home , but can quickly return , if needed .
Far fewer protesters showed up last night than anticipated !
” D.C. Mayor Muriel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help manage a wave of protests sparked by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last month .
But Trump ordered thousands more “ heavily armed soldiers ” and federal law enforcement agents to the city to quell civil unrest , such as vandalism and looting , that unfolded during the demonstrations .
“ Those who threatened innocent life and property will be arrested , detained and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law , ” Trump said during a speech from the White House Rose Garden last week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ terror to be on notice that you will face severe criminal penalties and lengthy sentences in jail.
” He also threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act , an 1807 law that would allow the president to send U.S. armed forces into states for the purpose of domestic law enforcement , if mayors and governors didn ’ t do more to curb the unrest .
Trump reportedly told advisers during a “ contentious ” meeting on Monday that he wanted to deploy as many as 10,000 National Guard troops to D.C. , Reuters reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley and Attorney General William Barr reportedly pushed back .
Earlier this week , the Pentagon ordered the National Guardsmen deployed in D.C. not use any firearms or ammunition , and on Friday , Esper ordered the remainder of active duty troops moved to the Washington area to return to their home bases .
Trump ’ s threat to use military force against protesters has drawn condemnation from local and state officials , activists and former military officials .
Ret .
Gen. James Mattis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of defense last year , slammed the president ’ s rhetoric regarding the military as divisive and unconstitutional .
“ I have watched this week ’ s unfolding events , angry and appalled , ” Mattis wrote in a statement published Wednesday in The Atlantic .
He added : “ We must reject and hold accountable those in office who would make a mockery of our Constitution .
”

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President Donald Trump on Sunday said that he has ordered National Guard troops to begin withdrawing from Washington, D.C., stating that “everything is under perfect control” as anti-racism demonstrations continue worldwide.
“I have just given an order for our National Guard to start the process of withdrawing from Washington, D.C., now that everything is under perfect control,” the president tweeted. “They will be going home, but can quickly return, if needed. Far fewer protesters showed up last night than anticipated!”
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Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy told reporters that the National Guard members would begin leaving the nation’s capital at 5 p.m. Sunday.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser had requested some National Guard forces to help manage a wave of protests sparked by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last month. But Trump ordered thousands more “heavily armed soldiers” and federal law enforcement agents to the city to quell civil unrest, such as vandalism and looting, that unfolded during the demonstrations.
“Those who threatened innocent life and property will be arrested, detained and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Trump said during a speech from the White House Rose Garden last week. “I want the organizers of this terror to be on notice that you will face severe criminal penalties and lengthy sentences in jail.”
He also threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act, an 1807 law that would allow the president to send U.S. armed forces into states for the purpose of domestic law enforcement, if mayors and governors didn’t do more to curb the unrest.
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Trump reportedly told advisers during a “contentious” meeting on Monday that he wanted to deploy as many as 10,000 National Guard troops to D.C., Reuters reported. But Defense Secretary Mark Esper, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley and Attorney General William Barr reportedly pushed back.
Earlier this week, the Pentagon ordered the National Guardsmen deployed in D.C. not use any firearms or ammunition, and on Friday, Esper ordered the remainder of active duty troops moved to the Washington area to return to their home bases.
Trump’s threat to use military force against protesters has drawn condemnation from local and state officials, activists and former military officials.
Ret. Gen. James Mattis, who resigned as Trump’s secretary of defense last year, slammed the president’s rhetoric regarding the military as divisive and unconstitutional.
“I have watched this week’s unfolding events, angry and appalled,” Mattis wrote in a statement published Wednesday in The Atlantic. He added: “We must reject and hold accountable those in office who would make a mockery of our Constitution.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-07--American Police Are At War With Democracy Itself

Ira L. Black - Corbis via Getty Images The protests that have swept U.S. cities began as a denouncement of police brutality .
But what is happening in our streets has become a political power struggle over the legitimacy of democratic government itself .
American schoolchildren learn at an early age that the federal government has three branches intended to check and balance each other : legislative , executive and judicial .
Over the past two weeks , we have witnessed a fourth unelected branch assert its supremacy over all others : the police .
The protests that have swept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police brutality .
But what is happening in our streets has become a political power struggle over the legitimacy of democratic government itself .
On one side are the police , asserting the right to ignore any command from democratically elected officials if they so please .
On the other side are the people , demanding democracy and respect .
Police in city after city have made it very clear that they simply do not care if they are exposed as lawless brutes .
On Thursday night alone , police in Buffalo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the ground and left him motionless , blood spilling from his ear and pooling around him , while police in Indianapolis groped a woman ’ s breasts and beat her savagely with batons .
Images of police cruelty and contempt for the law poured out of New York , Los Angeles , Chicago and several other cities .
The police violence is not restricted to Black protesters , or even protesters in general .
On Saturday night , officers in Brooklyn brutalized a hospital worker walking home from his job of managing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ID smeared with blood .
Police are arresting journalists , legal observers and even food deliverers — all of whom are permitted to be on the streets after locally imposed curfews — just for doing their jobs .
All of these actions were not only outrageous , but flagrantly illegal , and dozens of similar horror stories are emerging every night .
The police know the whole world is watching , and the message they are sending is very clear : We ’ re in charge , not your laws or your elected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is disgraceful .
There ’ s something profound about witnessing it erupt across the country around the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre in Beijing , where the Chinese government rolled out tanks and murdered thousands of peacefully protesting students .
Police in U.S. cities today are not standing up for law and order — they are expressing violent contempt for democracy itself .
For a long time , police have dismissed documented cases of abuse as the excesses of “ a few bad apples , ” insisting to the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who want to live in harmony with their communities .
This crisis has rendered that excuse simply laughable .
In dozens of cities , police are all doing the same things ― beating citizens for the sake of beating them , and publicly demonstrating their eagerness to flout the law and democratic will .
In the face of this assault on the nation ’ s democratic traditions , Democrats and Republicans alike have been exposed as either cowards or as figureheads without real power .
On Thursday , New York Gov .
Andrew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by denying that documented cases of police aggression had in fact taken place at all : “ Police bludgeon peaceful protesters with batons for no reason ?
That ’ s not a fact .
They don ’ t do that .
Anyone who did do that would be obviously reprehensible if not criminal.
” New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has been reduced to a laughingstock , drawing boos and jeers at public appearances where he carries on at length about his “ white privilege ” but refuses to take any substantive action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who at least nominally report to him .
The grim fact is that police have historically exercised authoritarian dominion over Black neighborhoods all over the country .
What ’ s been happening the last couple of weeks is an attempt by the police to expand their jurisdiction deeper into American life .
As David Stein , a historian of mass incarceration at the University of California Los Angeles , observed : “ The police are extending their authoritarian jurisdiction — from South Los Angeles and Skid Row , to everyone allied with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” And it is happening in nearly every city , large and small , extending even into the pleasant , gentrified urban playgrounds of the upper-middle class .
Americans who were able to look the other way on police abuse for decades will not be able think about the police in the same way whenever this crisis eventually passes .
The police are not only at war with mayors , governors , legislators and city councils ― they are at war with the American people and the very idea of America as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of its very obvious flaws , the United States does have strong democratic traditions .
Even the far-right fringe in our country uses the language of freedom , liberty and democracy to defend its values and ideas .
Democracy in this country will not go down without a fight .
But the only people who can save a democratic vision for America are the people themselves , in the streets , night after night .
It is a fight they can not afford to lose .

American schoolchildren learn at an early age that the federal government has three branches intended to check and balance each other: legislative, executive and judicial. Over the past two weeks, we have witnessed a fourth unelected branch assert its supremacy over all others: the police.
The protests that have swept U.S. cities began as a denouncement of police brutality. But what is happening in our streets has become a political power struggle over the legitimacy of democratic government itself. On one side are the police, asserting the right to ignore any command from democratically elected officials if they so please. On the other side are the people, demanding democracy and respect.
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Police in city after city have made it very clear that they simply do not care if they are exposed as lawless brutes. On Thursday night alone, police in Buffalo, New York, shoved a 75-year-old man to the ground and left him motionless, blood spilling from his ear and pooling around him, while police in Indianapolis groped a woman’s breasts and beat her savagely with batons. Images of police cruelty and contempt for the law poured out of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and several other cities.
The police violence is not restricted to Black protesters, or even protesters in general. On Saturday night, officers in Brooklyn brutalized a hospital worker walking home from his job of managing the COVID-19 crisis, leaving his hospital ID smeared with blood. Police are arresting journalists, legal observers and even food deliverers — all of whom are permitted to be on the streets after locally imposed curfews — just for doing their jobs.
All of these actions were not only outrageous, but flagrantly illegal, and dozens of similar horror stories are emerging every night. The police know the whole world is watching, and the message they are sending is very clear: We’re in charge, not your laws or your elected officials.
This is authoritarianism. And it is disgraceful. There’s something profound about witnessing it erupt across the country around the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre in Beijing, where the Chinese government rolled out tanks and murdered thousands of peacefully protesting students. Police in U.S. cities today are not standing up for law and order — they are expressing violent contempt for democracy itself.
Advertisement
For a long time, police have dismissed documented cases of abuse as the excesses of “a few bad apples,” insisting to the public that officers are generally an upright bunch who want to live in harmony with their communities. This crisis has rendered that excuse simply laughable. In dozens of cities, police are all doing the same things ― beating citizens for the sake of beating them, and publicly demonstrating their eagerness to flout the law and democratic will.
In the face of this assault on the nation’s democratic traditions, Democrats and Republicans alike have been exposed as either cowards or as figureheads without real power. On Thursday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) publicly humiliated himself by denying that documented cases of police aggression had in fact taken place at all: “Police bludgeon peaceful protesters with batons for no reason? That’s not a fact. They don’t do that. Anyone who did do that would be obviously reprehensible if not criminal.”
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has been reduced to a laughingstock, drawing boos and jeers at public appearances where he carries on at length about his “white privilege” but refuses to take any substantive action to restrain New York police officers, who at least nominally report to him.
The grim fact is that police have historically exercised authoritarian dominion over Black neighborhoods all over the country. What’s been happening the last couple of weeks is an attempt by the police to expand their jurisdiction deeper into American life. As David Stein, a historian of mass incarceration at the University of California Los Angeles, observed: “The police are extending their authoritarian jurisdiction — from South Los Angeles and Skid Row, to everyone allied with the people of South LA and Skid Row.” And it is happening in nearly every city, large and small, extending even into the pleasant, gentrified urban playgrounds of the upper-middle class.
Americans who were able to look the other way on police abuse for decades will not be able think about the police in the same way whenever this crisis eventually passes. The police are not only at war with mayors, governors, legislators and city councils ― they are at war with the American people and the very idea of America as a nation where citizens govern themselves.
Advertisement
For all of its very obvious flaws, the United States does have strong democratic traditions. Even the far-right fringe in our country uses the language of freedom, liberty and democracy to defend its values and ideas. Democracy in this country will not go down without a fight. But the only people who can save a democratic vision for America are the people themselves, in the streets, night after night. It is a fight they cannot afford to lose.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-07--Attorney General Bill Barr Denies Nation's Police Are Systemically Racist

Attorney General Bill Barr said Sunday that he does not believe that there is systemic racism in the nation ’ s police force , contradicting a staggering body of evidence that shows racial bias in virtually every part of the American criminal justice system .
Barr ’ s comments echo sentiments made by others in the Trump administration amid nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd while in police custody .
“ I think there ’ s racism in the United States still , but I don ’ t think that the law enforcement system is systemically racist , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Nation on Sunday .
“ I understand the distrust , however , of the African American community , given the history in this country.
” Barr went on to say that the country ’ s institutions , such as law enforcement , “ were explicitly racist ” for most of U.S. history , but added that sufficient reform has been made within the last 60 years .
Attorney General William Barr said that he does not believe that the nation 's law enforcement system is systemically racist .
“ I think the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think it is working and progress has been made , ” Barr said .
Asked about the officers who have committed police brutality , Barr suggested that they are few .
“ We have to be careful about automatically assuming that the actions of an individual necessarily mean that their organization is rotten .
All organizations have people who engage in misconduct , and you sometimes have to be careful as for when you ascribe that to the whole organization and when it really is some errant member who isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Chad Wolf , the acting secretary of homeland security , and Ben Carson , the secretary of housing and urban development , made similar comments in separate interviews Sunday , as did White House national security adviser Robert O ’ Brien in an interview last week .
“ I do not think that we have a systemic racism problem with law enforcement officers across this country , ” Wolf said on ABC News ’ This Week .
“ Do I acknowledge that there are some law enforcement officers that abuse their job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to hold those accountable.
” Carson , when asked the same question in an interview with CNN ’ s State of the Union , answered : “ I grew up at a time when there was real systemic racism.
” “ I grew up at a time when there was real systemic racism , ” US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson says .
“ We need to deal with some of the issues in the police departments , but it ’ s an easy time to do it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Union ( @ CNNSotu ) June 7 , 2020 The comments from Barr , Wolf , Carson and O ’ Brien come amid nationwide protests against the violent deaths of Floyd and other people of color at the hands of police .
Rep. Val Demings ( D-Fla. ) , a former police chief , responded to Wolf ’ s comments in an interview with ABC News on Sunday , insisting , “ We have a lot of work to do , and systemic racism is always the ghost in the room.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do as a nation is hold police accountable , provide the necessary oversight to do that , look at training standards , look at use-of-force policies , look at who we are hiring , look at diversity within those agencies and come together and create legislation that will support initiatives like that .
”

Attorney General Bill Barr said Sunday that he does not believe that there is systemic racism in the nation’s police force, contradicting a staggering body of evidence that shows racial bias in virtually every part of the American criminal justice system. Barr’s comments echo sentiments made by others in the Trump administration amid nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd while in police custody.
“I think there’s racism in the United States still, but I don’t think that the law enforcement system is systemically racist,” Barr told CBS’s Face the Nation on Sunday. “I understand the distrust, however, of the African American community, given the history in this country.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-07--AG Barr Defends Force Against D.C. Protesters, Says 'They Were Not Peaceful'

Attorney General William Barr defended the use of force against peaceful anti-racism protesters outside the White House last week , saying the demonstrators “ were not peaceful ” and that their dispersal was unrelated to the president ’ s photo-op at a nearby church .
In a sit-down interview with CBS News , Barr accused protesters gathered around Lafayette Square on June 1 of throwing projectiles at officers and ignoring three warnings to vacate the area before physical force was used on them .
“ They were not peaceful protesters .
And that ’ s one of the big lies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be perpetuating at this point , ” he said .
Barr said the decision to clear the street along Lafayette Park followed an overnight request by Park Police , which wanted to erect a more permanent fence due to earlier acts of violence and destruction by demonstrators on Friday , Saturday and Sunday .
Barr said he agreed Monday morning to help coordinate a federal response to protesters ― including having active-duty troops on standby ― and also made the decision to clear the streets .
“ That decision was made by me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to all the police agencies , including the Metropolitan Police at 2:00 p.m. that day , ” he said .
The fact that the order was carried out just minutes before President Donald Trump walked across Lafayette Park for a church photo-op was not related , he said .
“ The effort was to move the perimeter one block , and it had to be done when we had enough people in place to achieve that , ” Barr said .
“ I gave the green light at two o ’ clock .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the president was going to be speaking later that day.
” Barr ’ s admitted order of approval to CBS follows him earlier insisting , in an interview Friday with The Associated Press , that he wasn ’ t the one who ordered the officers to proceed .
He said it was a Park Police tactical commander .
“ I ’ m not involved in giving tactical commands like that , ” he told the AP .
“ My attitude was , get it done , but I didn ’ t say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Video taken in Lafayette Park just after 6:30 p.m. captured a line of officers approaching protesters before charging forward amid smoke and loud bangs .
People are seen scrambling amid the chaos .
Some fall to the ground and some are seen being beaten with police batons and riots shields .
Barr said the weapons and physical force used against the protesters were appropriate because the officers “ met resistance.
” He added that chemical irritants were not used , as some have claimed , since “ pepper spray is not a chemical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move peaceful demonstrators for a short distance in order to accomplish public safety , and that ’ s what was done here , ” Barr said .
“ You have qualified [ law ] enforcement officials with shields , moving slowing .
They had mounted officers moving slowly.
” The denied use of chemical irritants and rubber bullets has been disputed by those at the scene , including reporters who collected some of the canisters and projectiles deployed by officers and had them tested .
“ Not only does it have a flashbang @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little bit of tear gas inside of it .
Some also have some pepper spray , depending on – there ’ s a couple models , ” he said .
“ And of course , the problem with that is , there ’ s no target .
It could hit anyone .
It could hit anywhere .
It could hit you in the eye , or the throat .
There ’ s no way for the police to be really targeted in trying to focus on a specific person or a specific action @ @ @ @ @

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Attorney General William Barr defended the use of force against peaceful anti-racism protesters outside the White House last week, saying the demonstrators “were not peaceful” and that their dispersal was unrelated to the president’s photo-op at a nearby church.
In a sit-down interview with CBS News, Barr accused protesters gathered around Lafayette Square on June 1 of throwing projectiles at officers and ignoring three warnings to vacate the area before physical force was used on them.
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“They were not peaceful protesters. And that’s one of the big lies that the media is, seems to be perpetuating at this point,” he said.
President Donald Trump walks past police in Lafayette Park after visiting St. John's Church across from the White House on Monday, June 1 in Washington. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Barr said the decision to clear the street along Lafayette Park followed an overnight request by Park Police, which wanted to erect a more permanent fence due to earlier acts of violence and destruction by demonstrators on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Barr said he agreed Monday morning to help coordinate a federal response to protesters ― including having active-duty troops on standby ― and also made the decision to clear the streets.
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“That decision was made by me in the morning. It was communicated to all the police agencies, including the Metropolitan Police at 2:00 p.m. that day,” he said.
The fact that the order was carried out just minutes before President Donald Trump walked across Lafayette Park for a church photo-op was not related, he said.
FULL VIDEO INTERVIEW: AG Barr on @FaceTheNation. https://t.co/9FEIetzUue — Kerri Kupec DOJ (@KerriKupecDOJ) June 7, 2020
“The effort was to move the perimeter one block, and it had to be done when we had enough people in place to achieve that,” Barr said. “I gave the green light at two o’clock. Obviously, I didn’t know that the president was going to be speaking later that day.”
Barr’s admitted order of approval to CBS follows him earlier insisting, in an interview Friday with The Associated Press, that he wasn’t the one who ordered the officers to proceed. He said it was a Park Police tactical commander.
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“I’m not involved in giving tactical commands like that,” he told the AP. “My attitude was, get it done, but I didn’t say, ‘Go do it.’”
Video taken in Lafayette Park just after 6:30 p.m. captured a line of officers approaching protesters before charging forward amid smoke and loud bangs. People are seen scrambling amid the chaos. Some fall to the ground and some are seen being beaten with police batons and riots shields.
.@PressSec says law enforcement cleared protesters from Lafayette Square “peaceably” ahead of Trump’s walk: pic.twitter.com/Yd017XXtUm — Will Steakin (@wsteaks) June 3, 2020
Watch the shocking moment #7NEWS reporter @AmeliaBrace and our cameraman were knocked over by a police officer LIVE on air after chaos erupted in Washington DC. pic.twitter.com/R8KJLnfxPN — Sunrise (@sunriseon7) June 1, 2020
Barr said the weapons and physical force used against the protesters were appropriate because the officers “met resistance.” He added that chemical irritants were not used, as some have claimed, since “pepper spray is not a chemical irritant.”
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The White House has also repeatedly denied that rubber bullets and tear gas were used.
“Sometimes you have to move peaceful demonstrators for a short distance in order to accomplish public safety, and that’s what was done here,” Barr said. “You have qualified [law] enforcement officials with shields, moving slowing. They had mounted officers moving slowly.”
The denied use of chemical irritants and rubber bullets has been disputed by those at the scene, including reporters who collected some of the canisters and projectiles deployed by officers and had them tested.
We've ID'ed the 4th canister @wusa9 collected Monday H & 17th as a Stinger Ball Grenade carrying OC gas and spreading rubber pellets at high speeds launched by police at crowds. Thanks to @Brian_Castner for help. https://t.co/RVP52fBv1n pic.twitter.com/9ck6POWkDX — Nathan Baca (@NathanBacaTV) June 5, 2020
Brian Castner, a former military explosives disposal expert who analyzed some of the canisters and casing for local station WUSA9, identified some of them as Stinger Ball Grenades.
“Not only does it have a flashbang effect, but it also has a little bit of tear gas inside of it. Some also have some pepper spray, depending on – there’s a couple models,” he said.
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Tear gas floats in the air as a line of police moves demonstrators away from St. John's Church across Lafayette Park on June 1. ASSOCIATED PRESS
These incendiary devices also feature rubber pellets that shoot out, he said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-07--New York City Curfew Lifts Early Following Peaceful Protests

NEW YORK ( AP ) — New York City lifted the curfew spurred by protests against police brutality ahead of schedule Sunday after a peaceful night , free of the clashes or ransacking of stores that rocked the city days earlier .
“ I want to thank everybody who has expressed their views peacefully , ” Mayor Bill de Blasio said Sunday morning .
“ I made the decision to end the curfew .
And honestly , I hope it ’ s the last time we will ever need a curfew in New York City.
” The 8 p.m. citywide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in decades , had been set to remain in effect through at least Sunday , with officials planning to lift it at the same time the city enters the first phase of reopening after nearly three months of shutdowns because of the coronavirus .
The move followed New York City police pulling back on enforcing the curfew Saturday as thousands took to the streets for another day of marches and rallies sparked by the May 25 death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police .
The mayor said police had arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the whole day .
More than two hours after the curfew had passed Saturday night , groups of demonstrators continued to march in Manhattan and Brooklyn , while police monitored them but took a hands-off approach .
Local politicians and civil liberties advocates had called for an end to the 8 p.m. curfew , complaining that it causes needless friction when officers try to enforce it .
But de Blasio had initially insisted the curfew would remain in place throughout the weekend .
The end of the curfew comes as New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday , including manufacturing and construction companies , wholesalers and retailers .
Retailers won ’ t be allowed to have customers inside for another couple of weeks , but can let people pick up merchandise on the sidewalk or have it delivered .
Between 200,000 and 400,000 people are expected to head back to the workplace Monday in the city , many taking a subway system that most New Yorkers have avoided since March because of the difficulty of staying 6feet away from other , potentially infected passengers .
New York Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the protest marches to get tested for the coronavirus , saying they have a “ civic duty ” to do so .
“ Be responsible , get a test , ” he said Thursday .

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NEW YORK (AP) — New York City lifted the curfew spurred by protests against police brutality ahead of schedule Sunday after a peaceful night, free of the clashes or ransacking of stores that rocked the city days earlier.
“I want to thank everybody who has expressed their views peacefully,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said Sunday morning. “I made the decision to end the curfew. And honestly, I hope it’s the last time we will ever need a curfew in New York City.”
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The 8 p.m. citywide curfew, New York’s first in decades, had been set to remain in effect through at least Sunday, with officials planning to lift it at the same time the city enters the first phase of reopening after nearly three months of shutdowns because of the coronavirus.
The move followed New York City police pulling back on enforcing the curfew Saturday as thousands took to the streets for another day of marches and rallies sparked by the May 25 death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.
The mayor said police had arrested four people and issued 24 court summonses in the whole day.
More than two hours after the curfew had passed Saturday night, groups of demonstrators continued to march in Manhattan and Brooklyn, while police monitored them but took a hands-off approach.
Local politicians and civil liberties advocates had called for an end to the 8 p.m. curfew, complaining that it causes needless friction when officers try to enforce it. But de Blasio had initially insisted the curfew would remain in place throughout the weekend.
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The end of the curfew comes as New York City prepares to begin reopening some businesses Monday, including manufacturing and construction companies, wholesalers and retailers. Retailers won’t be allowed to have customers inside for another couple of weeks, but can let people pick up merchandise on the sidewalk or have it delivered.
Between 200,000 and 400,000 people are expected to head back to the workplace Monday in the city, many taking a subway system that most New Yorkers have avoided since March because of the difficulty of staying 6feet away from other, potentially infected passengers.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-06--Factory Discarding COVID-19 Swabs Produced During Trump's Unmasked Tour: Report

A Maine manufacturer of COVID-19 testing swabs said it ’ s discarding the entire output created while President Donald Trump toured the plant without a mask , USA Today reported .
A representative of Puritan Medical Products did not say explicitly that the action was due to Trump ’ s lack of protective gear during his tour on Friday , but no other explanation was offered .
The swabs are being tossed as manufacturers struggle to keep up with demand for the critical for COVID-19 testing components .
“ The running of the factory machines ... will only occur when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the company ’ s marketing manager , Virginia Temple , told the newspaper .
“ Swabs produced during that time will be discarded.
” Temple did not specify how many swabs would be thrown out .
During his appearance at the Puritan factory in Guilford , Trump made a few remarks to workers , posed for photos , and put his arm around an employee — then noting , “ I ’ m not supposed to do that , ” and waving his hand dismissively .
( Check out the video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face mask nor any other protective gear , which is typical for him , despite recommendations to the contrary by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
He stopped to talk to employees — who were wearing white lab coats , masks , gloves , goggles , hair coverings and plastic booties — while they were working with the sterile swabs .
There was no immediate comment from the White House about the discarded swabs .
President Donald Trump roams the factory floor at Puritan Medical Products in Guilford , Maine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing swabs .

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A Maine manufacturer of COVID-19 testing swabs said it’s discarding the entire output created while President Donald Trump toured the plant without a mask, USA Today reported.
A representative of Puritan Medical Products did not say explicitly that the action was due to Trump’s lack of protective gear during his tour on Friday, but no other explanation was offered. The swabs are being tossed as manufacturers struggle to keep up with demand for the critical for COVID-19 testing components.
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“The running of the factory machines ... will only occur when the president is touring the facility floor,” the company’s marketing manager, Virginia Temple, told the newspaper. “Swabs produced during that time will be discarded.”
Temple did not specify how many swabs would be thrown out.
During his appearance at the Puritan factory in Guilford, Trump made a few remarks to workers, posed for photos, and put his arm around an employee — then noting, “I’m not supposed to do that,” and waving his hand dismissively. (Check out the video up top.)
Trump wore no face mask nor any other protective gear, which is typical for him, despite recommendations to the contrary by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He stopped to talk to employees — who were wearing white lab coats, masks, gloves, goggles, hair coverings and plastic booties — while they were working with the sterile swabs.
There was no immediate comment from the White House about the discarded swabs.
President Donald Trump roams the factory floor at Puritan Medical Products in Guilford, Maine, around suited-up employees working with sterile COVID-19 testing swabs. ASSOCIATED PRESS


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-08--George Conway Gets Twitter Users To Offer Trump Some All-Too-Honest New Slogans

Conservative attorney George Conway got # TrumpSlogans to trend over the weekend after offering President Donald Trump some unsolicited help to restart his flagging reelection campaign .
Conway ― a persistent Trump critic despite the fact that he ’ s married to counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway ― shared a Washington Post report that said the campaign is searching for a new slogan .
That ’ s the ticket—a slogan—that ’ ll fix everything !
!
I ’ ll start .
“ Trump 2020 : He may be a nutjob , but he ’ s OUR nutjob !
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George Conway ( @ gtconway3d ) June 8 , 2020 Trump in 2018 said his new slogan would be “ Keep America Great , ” which has since turned up on his trademark red hats .
But he ’ s also continued to use 2016 slogan “ Make America Great Again ” and at times asked his rally crowds to choose between the two .
Now , the Post report suggests , he may change tack again with another new slogan .
“ When the president decides , there will be a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” an unnamed source told the Post .
Odds are it won ’ t be any of these mocking suggestions solicited by Conway : # TrumpSlogans '' Trump 2020 : 100K+ people looking down from heaven thankful to have helped the economy ! ''
https : //t.co/F1o3nhYbqt — ( ( ( Howard Forman ) ) ) ( @ thehowie ) June 8 , 2020

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Conservative attorney George Conway got #TrumpSlogans to trend over the weekend after offering President Donald Trump some unsolicited help to restart his flagging reelection campaign.
Conway ― a persistent Trump critic despite the fact that he’s married to counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway ― shared a Washington Post report that said the campaign is searching for a new slogan.
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He tweeted:
Trump in 2018 said his new slogan would be “Keep America Great,” which has since turned up on his trademark red hats. But he’s also continued to use 2016 slogan “Make America Great Again” and at times asked his rally crowds to choose between the two.
Now, the Post report suggests, he may change tack again with another new slogan.
“When the president decides, there will be a new slogan and there will be new ads,” an unnamed source told the Post.
Odds are it won’t be any of these mocking suggestions solicited by Conway:
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“I alone can fix what I alone did” #TrumpSlogans — Chaztastic (@realCW3) June 8, 2020
"Trump 2020 - People are dying to re-elect me."#TrumpSlogans — Janice Hough (@leftcoastbabe) June 8, 2020
#TrumpSlogans
"Trump 2020: 100K+ people looking down from heaven thankful to have helped the economy!" https://t.co/F1o3nhYbqt — (((Howard Forman))) (@thehowie) June 8, 2020
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“Trump 2020: You can say you won with Individual-1” #TrumpSlogans https://t.co/vfKU9KYSPv — George Conway (@gtconway3d) June 8, 2020
"Trump 2020: He hasn't killed EVERYBODY. Yet." #TrumpSlogans — Elizabeth de la Vega (@Delavegalaw) June 8, 2020
My slogan contribution for #TrumpSlogans
LOCK ME UP — Summer (@Summer73317133) June 8, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-07--In Veto-Proof Majority, Minneapolis City Council Says It Will Dismantle Police Department

Nine members of the Minneapolis City Council announced Sunday they will “ begin the process of ending ” the city ’ s police department following the death of George Floyd , which set off nationwide protests calling for an end to police brutality and systemic racism .
“ Decades of police reform efforts have proved that the Minneapolis Police Department can not be reformed and will never be accountable for its action , ” the city council said jointly at a rally on Sunday .
“ We are here today to begin the process of ending the Minneapolis Police Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cultivating safety in our city.
” The overwhelming support on the 13-member council reflects a veto-proof majority .
It ’ s unclear so far what a new model of policing would look like , but the lawmakers said they would engage “ with every willing community member in the City of Minneapolis over the next year to identify what safety looks like for everyone.
” Calls to defund or dismantle police departments have increased across the country over the last few weeks since Floyd ’ s death .
A video capturing the moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressed his knee into Floyd ’ s neck for nearly nine minutes , killing him — ignited calls for dramatic change to law enforcement practices .
Four officers have been charged in the killing , including Derek Chauvin , whose charges were elevated to the more severe second-degree murder .
Until the Minneapolis City Council ’ s announcement , local lawmakers around the country had been slow to implement any dramatic changes .
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey was booed at a protest on Saturday after he refused to commit to defunding the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Go home , Jacob .
Go home !
” Other lawmakers have announced partial cuts to local forces .
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said up to $ 150 million would be diverted from the city ’ s police department and directed instead toward youth job initiatives .
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio vowed Sunday to cut police funding for the first time , although he did not provide a figure .
The New York Police Department has an annual budget of $ 6 billion .
Lisa Bender , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Thursday that she felt the moment was right to dramatically shift policing in Minneapolis , citing deep political support and the ongoing protests across the nation .
The council approved a slate of temporary changes on Friday , including barring officers from using chokeholds and upping the requirements for other officers to intervene if their colleagues use excessive force .
“ We ’ re serious , and frankly I think the police department has started the process of dismantling itself , ” Bender told HuffPost .
“ We really have no choice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what are the transformational changes we can make ?
” “ Across the country , communities have been calling for fundamental change .
Today , Minneapolis leaders are answering that call to action , ” Local Progress , a project of the Center for Popular Democracy , said in a statement .
“ In bold solidarity grounded by the community , they are committing to fundamentally reimagining what true public safety looks like .
This is a bold step — and , most importantly , a necessary one.
” Thank you to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your voices to demand change .
Thank you to @ reclaimtheblock & @ BlackVisionsMN for inviting us in .
Today is a beginning .
Minneapolis : we invite you to be part of building a system so our whole community is safe .
https : //t.co/fMaCw8HfyH — Lisa Bender ( @ lisabendermpls ) June 7 , 2020

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Nine members of the Minneapolis City Council announced Sunday they will “begin the process of ending” the city’s police department following the death of George Floyd, which set off nationwide protests calling for an end to police brutality and systemic racism.
“Decades of police reform efforts have proved that the Minneapolis Police Department cannot be reformed and will never be accountable for its action,” the city council said jointly at a rally on Sunday. “We are here today to begin the process of ending the Minneapolis Police Department and creating a new transformative model for cultivating safety in our city.”
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The overwhelming support on the 13-member council reflects a veto-proof majority. It’s unclear so far what a new model of policing would look like, but the lawmakers said they would engage “with every willing community member in the City of Minneapolis over the next year to identify what safety looks like for everyone.”
Calls to defund or dismantle police departments have increased across the country over the last few weeks since Floyd’s death. A video capturing the moment — in which a white police officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes, killing him — ignited calls for dramatic change to law enforcement practices. Four officers have been charged in the killing, including Derek Chauvin, whose charges were elevated to the more severe second-degree murder.
Until the Minneapolis City Council’s announcement, local lawmakers around the country had been slow to implement any dramatic changes. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey was booed at a protest on Saturday after he refused to commit to defunding the city’s police department as protesters chanted, “Go home, Jacob. Go home!”
Other lawmakers have announced partial cuts to local forces. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said up to $150 million would be diverted from the city’s police department and directed instead toward youth job initiatives. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio vowed Sunday to cut police funding for the first time, although he did not provide a figure. The New York Police Department has an annual budget of $6 billion.
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Lisa Bender, president of the Minneapolis City Council, said Thursday that she felt the moment was right to dramatically shift policing in Minneapolis, citing deep political support and the ongoing protests across the nation. The council approved a slate of temporary changes on Friday, including barring officers from using chokeholds and upping the requirements for other officers to intervene if their colleagues use excessive force.
“We’re serious, and frankly I think the police department has started the process of dismantling itself,” Bender told HuffPost. “We really have no choice but to step back and say, what are the transformational changes we can make?”
The city council’s announcement on Sunday prompted immediate support from civil rights groups.
“Across the country, communities have been calling for fundamental change. Today, Minneapolis leaders are answering that call to action,” Local Progress, a project of the Center for Popular Democracy, said in a statement. “In bold solidarity grounded by the community, they are committing to fundamentally reimagining what true public safety looks like. This is a bold step — and, most importantly, a necessary one.”
BREAKING: Minneapolis City Council members have announced their intent to disband the Minneapolis Police Department and invest in community-led public safety. — ACLU of Minnesota (@ACLUMN) June 7, 2020
Thank you to the thousands of community members who have raised your voices to demand change. Thank you to @reclaimtheblock & @BlackVisionsMN for inviting us in. Today is a beginning. Minneapolis: we invite you to be part of building a system so our whole community is safe. https://t.co/fMaCw8HfyH — Lisa Bender (@lisabendermpls) June 7, 2020
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Bender wrote on Twitter that the news was a “beginning” for the city, thanking community members for raising their “voices to demand change.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-07--John Bolton Aims To Publish Tell-All White House Memoir In June: Report

Former national security adviser John Bolton plans to publish a tell-all memoir of his days in the Trump administration on June 23 — even though the White House hasn ’ t yet signed off on it , sources told The Washington Post .
Bolton is already talking to TV networks to line up interviews to promote the book that could blow the lid off the administration , titled “ The Room Where It Happened : A White House Memoir , ” according to the Post .
Bolton plans to go ahead with publication whether he gets formal approval from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the newspaper , which described the hefty ( 592-page ) book as “ scathing , ” “ caustic ” and “ unvarnished.
” Bolton served as national security adviser before he was fired from April 2018 to early September 2019 .
He held the post when President Donald Trump pressured Ukraine in a July phone call last year to launch an investigation into his political rival Joe Biden .
Trump was holding up military aid to the country at the time .
The incident led to Trump ’ s impeachment .
Bolton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dealings with Ukraine in the book .
He was asked in February during an appearance at Duke University if Trump ’ s call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky was “ perfect , ” as Trump has repeatedly claimed .
Bolton responded : “ You ’ ll love Chapter 14″ — though he refrained from offering any details .
At that point , the book was slated to be published in mid-March .
BREAKING : John Bolton spoke publicly for the first time since the impeachment trial .
He was asked whether he thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perfect.
” Bolton says “ you 'll love Chapter 14 ” of his book.
# Hardball pic.twitter.com/FBr4jQIiDf — Hardball ( @ hardball ) February 18 , 2020 Bolton has complained that the Trump administration officials have “ suppressed ” publication of his book for months amid a review process of possibly classified information by the National Security Council , the Post noted .
Trump has privately called Bolton a “ traitor ” for writing the memoir and wants publication blocked , claiming all conversations he had with Bolton about national security are classified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ break .
I give him a job .
And then he turns on me , ” Trump told during national TV anchors during a lunch in the West Wing in February , the Post reported then .
“ He ’ s just making things up .
”

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Former national security adviser John Bolton plans to publish a tell-all memoir of his days in the Trump administration on June 23 — even though the White House hasn’t yet signed off on it, sources told The Washington Post.
Bolton is already talking to TV networks to line up interviews to promote the book titled “The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir,” according to the Post.
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Bolton plans to go ahead with publication regardless of whether he gets formal approval from the Trump administration, sources told the newspaper, which described the hefty (592-page) book as “scathing,” “caustic” and “unvarnished.”
Bolton has indicated he details Trump’s dealings with Ukraine in the book. He was asked in February during an appearance at Duke University if Trump’s call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky was “perfect,” as Trump has repeatedly claimed. Bolton responded: “You’ll love Chapter 14″ — though he refrained from offering any details. At that point, the book was slated to be published in mid-March.
BREAKING: John Bolton spoke publicly for the first time since the impeachment trial.
He was asked whether he thought Trump's July 25 call was “perfect.” Bolton says “you'll love Chapter 14” of his book.#Hardball pic.twitter.com/FBr4jQIiDf — Hardball (@hardball) February 18, 2020
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Bolton has complained that the Trump administration officials have “suppressed” publication of his book for months amid a review process of possibly classified information by the National Security Council, the Post noted. Trump has privately called Bolton a “traitor” for writing the memoir and wants publication blocked, claiming all conversations he had with Bolton about national security are classified.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-07--Mitt Romney Joins Black Lives Matter Protesters Marching Toward White House

Sen. Mitt Romney ( R-Utah ) on Sunday showed his support for the anti-racism protests in response to the police murder of George Floyd by joining a Black Lives Matter march in Washington , becoming one of the few Republican lawmakers to do so .
“ We need many voices against racism and against brutality , ” Romney told NBC News , as he marched with a group of Christians along Pennsylvania Ave. in the direction of the White House .
“ We need to stand up and say , ‘ Black lives matter.
’ ” The Utah senator and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the few Republican leaders to publicly show support for the protesters .
Most Republicans have stood by President Donald Trump , who has repeatedly maligned the protesters and called for military action against them .
Last week , Trump ordered police to tear gas protesters , including religious leaders , in front of the White House — moments before staging a photo-op at a nearby church .
On Saturday , Romney tweeted a photo of his father , then-Michigan Gov .
George Romney ( R ) , participating in a civil rights march @ @ @ @ @ @ @ father , George Romney , participating in a Civil Rights march in the Detroit suburbs during the late 1960s— “ Force alone will not eliminate riots , ” he said .
“ We must eliminate the problems from which they stem.
” pic.twitter.com/SzrcAyfPD8 — Mitt Romney ( @ MittRomney ) June 6 , 2020 As New York Times reporter Nikole Hannah-Jones pointed out Saturday , the elder Romney faced much criticism from his white constituents for his support of the civil rights movement .
In 1969 , when he became housing and urban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he advocated against housing discrimination and promoted policies for more integrated housing , including the Fair Housing Act .
He launched an initiative called Open Communities , forcing white communities to integrate by rejecting applications for infrastructure projects if leaders were using discriminatory housing practices .
But Nixon shut down the initiative and eventually ousted him from his administration .

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Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) on Sunday showed his support for the anti-racism protests in response to the police murder of George Floyd by joining a Black Lives Matter march in Washington, becoming one of the few Republican lawmakers to do so.
“We need many voices against racism and against brutality,” Romney told NBC News, as he marched with a group of Christians along Pennsylvania Ave. in the direction of the White House. “We need to stand up and say, ‘Black lives matter.’”
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The Utah senator and 2012 GOP presidential nominee is one of the few Republican leaders to publicly show support for the protesters. Most Republicans have stood by President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly maligned the protesters and called for military action against them.
Last week, Trump ordered police to tear gas protesters, including religious leaders, in front of the White House — moments before staging a photo-op at a nearby church.
On Saturday, Romney tweeted a photo of his father, then-Michigan Gov. George Romney (R), participating in a civil rights march in the 1960s.
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This is my father, George Romney, participating in a Civil Rights march in the Detroit suburbs during the late 1960s—“Force alone will not eliminate riots,” he said. “We must eliminate the problems from which they stem.” pic.twitter.com/SzrcAyfPD8 — Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) June 6, 2020
As New York Times reporter Nikole Hannah-Jones pointed out Saturday, the elder Romney faced much criticism from his white constituents for his support of the civil rights movement.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-07--Trump Cheers Tom Cotton After Times Editor’s Exit Over Op-Ed

President Donald Trump on Sunday sounded off on the resignation of the editorial page editor of The New York Times following the publication of an incendiary op ed by Sen. Tom Cotton ( R-Ark . )
calling for a military assault against anti-racist protesters .
Trump hailed Cotton ’ s op-ed , which characterized protests over George Floyd ’ s death during a brutal arrest as an “ orgy of violence ” by “ insurrectionists.
” The president deemed the tirade as “ excellent ” in a tweet , and slammed the Times , yet again , as “ Fake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , inexplicably : “ TRANSPARENCY !
” and noted : “ The State of Arkansas is very proud of Tom.
” Opinion Editor at @ nytimes just walked out .
That ’ s right , he quit over the excellent Op-Ed penned by our great Senator @ TomCottonAR .
TRANSPARENCY !
The State of Arkansas is very proud of Tom .
The New York Times is Fake News !
!
!
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) June 7 , 2020 Editor James Bennett admitted Friday that he had not read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ published last Wednesday .
The op-ed unleashed a storm of controversy among readers and the Times ’ own staff , who charged that Cotton ’ s inflammatory language fueled hatred and violence , and put Black Americans , including the newspaper ’ s own reporters , in danger .
Cotton ’ s op-ed is still available online , but now includes a lengthy editor ’ s note that the essay “ fell short of our standards and should not have been published.
” Cotton ’ s claims that protests were fueled by “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police “ bore the brunt ” of any violence had not been substantiated , the Times noted .
Despite Trump ’ s clear support for Cotton ’ s position , Attorney General William Barr insisted on “ Face The Nation ” on CBS Sunday that Trump wasn ’ t clamoring for military troops to move on protesters , particularly during the violent crackdown last week on peaceful protesters as the president walked to a church for a photo-op .
The Washington Post reported Saturday , however , that Trump pressed for 10,000 troops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to the Times , the National Guard was ordered by the Pentagon to crack down on protesters ,  or would send in active-duty units instead .

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Trump hailed Cotton’s op-ed, which characterized protests over George Floyd’s death during a brutal arrest as an “orgy of violence” by “insurrectionists.” The president deemed the tirade as “excellent” in a tweet, and slammed the Times, yet again, as “Fake News!!!” Trump added, inexplicably: “TRANSPARENCY!” and noted: “The State of Arkansas is very proud of Tom.”
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Opinion Editor at @nytimes just walked out. That’s right, he quit over the excellent Op-Ed penned by our great Senator @TomCottonAR. TRANSPARENCY! The State of Arkansas is very proud of Tom. The New York Times is Fake News!!! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 7, 2020
Editor James Bennett admitted Friday that he had not read Cotton’s piece before it was published last Wednesday.
The op-ed unleashed a storm of controversy among readers and the Times’ own staff, who charged that Cotton’s inflammatory language fueled hatred and violence, and put Black Americans, including the newspaper’s own reporters, in danger.
Cotton’s op-ed is still available online, but now includes a lengthy editor’s note that the essay “fell short of our standards and should not have been published.” Cotton’s claims that protests were fueled by “cadres of left-wing radicals” and that police “bore the brunt” of any violence had not been substantiated, the Times noted.
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Despite Trump’s clear support for Cotton’s position, Attorney General William Barr insisted on “Face The Nation” on CBS Sunday that Trump wasn’t clamoring for military troops to move on protesters, particularly during the violent crackdown last week on peaceful protesters as the president walked to a church for a photo-op.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-07--Scientists Funded By Zuckerberg Group Warn Facebook 'Antithetical' To Their Mission

More than 140 scientists funded by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative ( CZI ) , a philanthropic organization started by Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan , have signed an open letter warning that Facebook ’ s failure to enforce its own policies undercuts CZI ’ s mission of building a more “ inclusive , just , and healthy future.
” The group specifically called out the proliferation of deliberate misinformation and divisive language on the platform , calling them “ antithetical ” to the goal of CZI , which is to “ use technology to help solve some of our toughest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like Facebook , have emerged as primary ways of communicating information , ” the letter reads .
“ While they have allowed dissemination of information across the globe , they also facilitate the spread of misinformation .
The spread of news that is not vetted for factual accuracy leads to confusion and a mistrust of experts.
” As an example , the letter notes Zuckerberg ’ s recent decision not to take action on a series of inflammatory Facebook posts by President Trump .
Trump , responding to nationwide unrest following the death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ THUGS ” and said “ when the looting starts , the shooting starts , ” parroting a racist Miami police chief ’ s quote against 1960s civil rights protests .
The group says Trump ’ s post “ is a clear statement of inciting violence , ” which they note violates Facebook ’ s own policies .
( Zuckerberg has argued the phrase does not incite harm ― a conclusion civil rights leaders who met with Zuckerberg called “ incomprehensible ” ) .
“ Like many , we were disconcerted to see that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in regards to President Trump , ” they write , “ who has used the Facebook platform to spread both misinformation and incendiary statements.
” The letter concludes by urging Zuckerberg “ to consider stricter policies on misinformation and incendiary language that harms people or groups of people , especially in our current climate that is grappling with racial injustice.
” CZI didn ’ t immediately respond to a request for comment Sunday , but in a statement to The Verge , the group emphasized its status as a separate entity from Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff , partners and grantees in this work and we respect their right to voice their opinions , including on Facebook policies , ” the statement read .

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More than 140 scientists funded by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, a philanthropic organization started by Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan, have signed an open letter warning that Facebook’s failure to enforce its own policies undercuts CZI’s mission of building a more “inclusive, just, and healthy future.”
The group specifically called out the proliferation of deliberate misinformation and divisive language on the platform, calling them “antithetical” to the goal of CZI, which is to “use technology to help solve some of our toughest challenges.”
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“Social media platforms, like Facebook, have emerged as primary ways of communicating information,” the letter reads. “While they have allowed dissemination of information across the globe, they also facilitate the spread of misinformation. The spread of news that is not vetted for factual accuracy leads to confusion and a mistrust of experts.”
As an example, the letter notes Zuckerberg’s recent decision not to take action on a series of inflammatory Facebook posts by President Donald Trump. While responding to nationwide unrest following the death of George Floyd, Trump called protesters “THUGS” and said “when the looting starts, the shooting starts,” parroting a racist Miami police chief’s quote against 1960s civil rights protests.
The group says Trump’s post “is a clear statement of inciting violence,” which they note violates Facebook’s own policies. (Zuckerberg has argued the phrase does not incite harm ― a conclusion civil rights leaders who met with Zuckerberg called “incomprehensible.”)
“Like many, we were disconcerted to see that Facebook has not followed their own policies in regards to President Trump,” they write, “who has used the Facebook platform to spread both misinformation and incendiary statements.”
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The letter concludes by urging Zuckerberg “to consider stricter policies on misinformation and incendiary language that harms people or groups of people, especially in our current climate that is grappling with racial injustice.”
In a statement to HuffPost, a CZI spokesperson emphasized its status as a separate entity from Facebook with a separate staff, offices and mission.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-08--'S**thole' Countries Have Handled The Coronavirus Better Than The United States

“ Whenever we see success in the developing world , we tend to tell the story in terms of things that are outside their control , ” said Charles Kenny , a senior fellow at the Center for Global Development and the author of ” Getting Better : Why Global Development Is Succeeding and How We Can Improve the World Even More.
” Over the last few decades , he said , the global south has made huge strides in terms of infrastructure , literacy , health care and welfare policy .
Those achievements laid the groundwork for poor countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost entirely unnoticed in the developed world .
The story of the developing world in recent decades has been falling rates of violence and government services reaching more people .
That story has been overlooked because no one wants to tell it .
Charles Kenny , author of `` Getting Better : Why Global Development Is Succeeding and How We Can Improve the World Even More '' Albania , a Balkan country with so little hospital capacity that a member of parliament set up a GoFundMe to buy ventilators , has deep economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries hardest hit by the virus .
On March 8 , the same day it confirmed the first case of COVID-19 , the country canceled all travel to Italy .
Two days later , it imposed one of Europe ’ s strictest quarantines , imposing large fines and even jail time for citizens who left their homes .
The government shut down public transit , banned gatherings of more than two people and forced residents to apply for permission to use their own cars .
Governments That Do More With Less

The coronavirus didn’t hit wealthy countries first, but it hit them hard. So far, nearly four out of five global COVID-19 deaths have occurred in the global north, which encompasses most developed nations.
The United States, Italy, Spain, France and the United Kingdom contain just 7.5% of the world’s population — and two-thirds of its coronavirus death toll.
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While the failures of the developed world to contain the virus have been well-documented, the successes of the global south — comprising newly industrialized or developing countries — have gone mostly unnoticed.
Last month, the World Bank reported that developing countries make up 85% of the global population but account for just 21% of COVID-19 deaths. In late May, the entire region of West Africa — which has a greater population than the United States — had recorded just 654 COVID-19 deaths, a figure some Western countries were racking up every day.
This phenomenon is no coincidence. The global south features countries with a vast range of demographic, climatic and geographic features. Many coronavirus superstars, including Vietnam, Mongolia and Slovenia, share borders with pandemic hotspots. And while it’s true that poor countries have lower testing rates — and some may be fabricating their statistics entirely — conditions on the ground give little indication that the developing world has experienced the coronavirus pandemic as severely as its wealthier counterpart.
So what explains the strikingly lower death tolls in what President Donald Trump once called “shithole countries”? The most convincing explanation, experts said, is that poor countries have simply managed the pandemic better than rich ones.
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“Whenever we see success in the developing world, we tend to tell the story in terms of things that are outside their control,” said Charles Kenny, a senior fellow at the Center for Global Development and the author of ”Getting Better: Why Global Development Is Succeeding and How We Can Improve the World Even More.” Over the last few decades, he said, the global south has made huge strides in terms of infrastructure, literacy, health care and welfare policy. Those achievements laid the groundwork for poor countries’ coronavirus response — but have gone almost entirely unnoticed in the developed world.
“We have a problem talking about the policy successes of developing countries, which are considerable,” Kenny said. Western media sources tend to emphasize developing countries’ challenges rather than their achievements. Even when they do get credit for lifting their populations out of poverty, stories in the international press often emphasize the role of Western charities rather than domestic efforts.
Mongolia took a series of deliberate steps to stop the spread of coronavirus, including disinfecting public spaces in the capital, Ulaanbaatar. The country has reported zero coronavirus deaths. BYAMBASUREN BYAMBA-OCHIR via Getty Images
But the available evidence suggests that developing countries have tackled COVID-19 not through luck or chance, but rather through the diligent efforts of their politicians and their populations.
In January, while Trump was assuring Americans that the few known cases would soon fall to zero, Senegal was closing its borders, initiating contact tracing and committing to provide a hospital bed to every COVID-19 patient. In February, as Western European leaders allowed the virus to spread at mass gatherings, Mongolia canceled its national lunar new year celebrations and set up a task force with more than 800 staff members.
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And in March, as the United States distributed meager social benefits and bailed out corporations, the Cook Islands, a small country with incomes roughly on par with Sri Lanka, devised a welfare package worth 11% of its gross domestic product that included cash payments to older adults and a three-month waiver of electricity bills for every household.
These cases are not outliers. Many poor countries with small coronavirus outbreaks took deliberate, early and decisive steps while those in the West wasted precious time dithering. And they took these steps against considerable odds.
Senegal, like many sub-Saharan African countries, has a mostly informal economy, making quarantines both logistically difficult and economically devastating. The entire country had just 86 intensive care unit beds at the start of the pandemic. Nevertheless, within weeks of the global outbreak, local officials had established 78 field offices, dispatched contact tracing teams and allocated a $160 million response budget.
As of Saturday, Senegal had just 47 deaths. Pennsylvania, a state with roughly the same population, had 5,931.
“The story of the developing world in recent decades has been falling rates of violence and government services reaching more people. That story has been overlooked because no one wants to tell it.” - Charles Kenny, author of "Getting Better: Why Global Development Is Succeeding and How We Can Improve the World Even More"
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“We’ve managed to set politics aside and put solidarity and togetherness first,” said Aminatou Sar, the Senegal program director for PATH, an international public health nonprofit. The country has spent the years since the 2014 Ebola outbreak deliberately strengthening its health care infrastructure and establishing data gathering and surveillance systems. Senegal didn’t get lucky; it did the work many of its wealthier counterparts refused to.
There are, of course, failures as well as successes in the developing world. Brazil now has one of the world’s worst outbreaks. Some developing country heads of state have touted unproven medications, while others have used the pandemic as an excuse for power grabs and police harassment. With death tolls rising in Egypt, Peru and Bangladesh, many experts fear the virus surging in regions it had previously spared.
But while it’s important to acknowledge those caveats, it’s also worth noting that experts have been predicting calamity in the developing world for months. So far, it hasn’t happened. And when it comes to power grabs and unfounded medical advice, rich countries have made the same missteps as poor ones — hydroxychloroquine, anyone? — and have managed to rack up a death toll that outpaces the developing world by an order of magnitude.
Poor Countries Intervened Early
Perhaps the most decisive step developing countries took to control the coronavirus was intervening before it was too late. Across the global south, countries closed their borders and locked down their populations far sooner than Western countries.
Trinidad and Tobago, for example, shut down its economy the day after recording its first case. Rwanda halted all commercial flights five days after detecting the virus. The Cook Islands, a country whose economy is almost entirely dependent on tourism, canceled all incoming flights before recording a single case of COVID-19.
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Albania, a Balkan country with so little hospital capacity that a member of parliament set up a GoFundMe to buy ventilators, has deep economic ties to Italy, one of the countries hardest hit by the virus. On March 8, the same day it confirmed the first case of COVID-19, the country canceled all travel to Italy. Two days later, it imposed one of Europe’s strictest quarantines, imposing large fines and even jail time for citizens who left their homes. The government shut down public transit, banned gatherings of more than two people and forced residents to apply for permission to use their own cars.
By early June, the country had recorded just 33 deaths, a fatality rate roughly one-tenth as severe as Germany’s and one-thirtieth as severe as that of the United States.
Senegal had just 47 COVID-19 deaths as of Saturday. Pennsylvania, a state with roughly the same population, had 5,931. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
But the best illustration of how important early intervention was to halting the spread of the pandemic comes not from comparing poor countries to rich ones but from comparing them to each other.
Armenia and Georgia are neighboring countries in the Caucasus region with similar climates, links to the outside world and per capita GDP.
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When it comes to the coronavirus, however, they have much less in common. As early as January, Georgia had halted flights from Italy and implemented temperature screening at airports. TV channels gave doctors airtime to describe the course of the virus and give sanitation advice. The government implemented a strict lockdown order on March 6.
Armenia, by contrast, never imposed a strict quarantine and waited to announce a lockdown order until March 15. By early June, Georgia had 800 cases of coronavirus. Armenia had more than 10,000.
Social Trust Eases Social Distancing
While Western reporting has typically focused on the disadvantages poor countries face when responding to the coronavirus, they also have considerable advantages.
“We have our people,” said Sar, the Senegal program director. While the global north has shifted many of its health resources to non-infectious diseases such as cancer and heart disease, developing countries have retained their focus on infectious diseases, including malaria and HIV.
Partly due to its experience with Ebola, Senegal has a sophisticated network of civil society groups and faith-based organizations with extensive experience disseminating health information. Since the start of the pandemic, nongovernmental organizations have produced radio spots in local languages; community leaders have checked in on local residents, and musical artists have recorded songs about hygiene practices.
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“We’ve seen community health workers and women’s groups going into communities and telling them about the reality of the pandemic,” Sar said. “It was amazing how quickly you saw people wearing masks. This solidarity and resilience is one of the reasons why the disaster people were predicting hasn’t happened.”
This community health infrastructure, said Brigitte Seim, a University of North Carolina professor who conducts research in Malawi and Zambia, rests on another advantage enjoyed by many developing countries: Higher levels of social trust.
“We often talk about ‘government resources’ without thinking about the broader range of resources that each country has,” Seim said. Countries with less capacity for top-down government efforts often have strong networks for horizontal information-sharing and advice. This can be decisive when handling a virus that requires large numbers of people to wear masks, wash their hands and stay home from work.
“People who trust each other are going to be more willing to amplify the government’s efforts to contain an infectious disease,” she said. “That’s an incredibly powerful resource.”
Vietnam set up makeshift testing sites early in the coronavirus pandemic. Despite having far fewer resources than the United States and sharing a border with China, the country has not recorded any COVID-19 deaths. Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images
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Governments That Do More With Less
The developing world’s success at containing COVID-19 doesn’t just come from its community organizations. It also comes from its governments.
The best example of this is Vietnam. Rather than try to reinvent the wheel, Vietnam simply executed tested advice from local and international experts: Quarantine people at risk; trace positive patients; advise citizens to wash their hands, and wear masks in public.
Once the pandemic started, the government sent daily text messages to all citizens. Residents used “rice ATMs” to pick up food without violating social distancing rules. The government closed hospitals and quarantined villages when new cases appeared. These might not be the most exciting strategies, but they’re the result of years of deliberate investment.
“We applied an approach that we know works,” said Nhu Nguyen, PATH’s global health securities lead in Vietnam. “Vietnam experienced SARS and the avian influenza epidemic. The public health system has been investing in preparedness for the past 10 years.”
So far, it has paid off. The Vietnamese population experienced considerably less disruption than residents of wealthier countries. Nguyen said that in Hanoi, people were only under strict quarantine for three weeks. As of last week, restaurants had reopened (with temperature checks and a steady supply of hand sanitizer), and offices had invited back their workers.
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“We’re already living in the new normal,” Nguyen said.
Many other developing country success stories reflect the same dedication to evidence-based policies and local innovation.
South Africa dispatched more than 28,000 health care workers to check symptoms and spread information door to door. Albania launched an entire TV channel dedicated to educating the public about the virus. Ghana elevated its testing rate by combining samples from multiple patients and following up with individual tests only if the batch came back positive.
All of these innovations reflect the steady improvement in living standards and infrastructure that characterizes recent history in the developing world. Over the last 20 years, many poor countries have built comprehensive welfare systems. Many middle-income countries also have universal health care, a structure that has proven to be more capable of allocating resources and tracking patients than America’s fragmented, quasi-privatized system. These governance systems may not capture the world’s attention but they were decisive in tackling COVID-19.
“One of the best-kept secrets about developing country governments is that they do a far better job of providing public services than Western governments did when they were at the same income level,” Kenny said.
Kenny warned, however, that the pandemic is not over. The dire predictions of major outbreaks in the countries least equipped to manage them haven’t come to pass yet, but they could. For all their innovation, poor countries may only have bought themselves time.
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But for a disease that spreads exponentially and for which treatments are only now being developed, extra time means extra lives. Even if they have only delayed the spread of the virus, developing countries have achieved more than their global north counterparts — and with far fewer resources.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-08--Supercut Mixes Ivanka Trump's Clueless Speech With Attacks On Protesters

A new political action committee founded by activist athlete Colin Kaepernick ’ s attorney has released a scathing video juxtaposing a lofty Ivanka Trump graduation speech with images of tear-gas attacks on anti-racism protesters .
Called “ Bye Ivanka , ” the video splices bits of a commencement speech the first daughter prepared for Wichita State University Tech with police assaults on protesters .
Plans for Trump to speak remotely to graduates were dropped by the school following criticism of her father ’ s militarized response to protests against the killing of George Floyd by white Minneapolis police officers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Your journey to this day did not come without challenges , sacrifices ... and likely even a few tears , ” Trump tells grads with an unblinking gaze in the video of the speech that became fodder for Twitter critics last week .
Trump continues : “ Our entire society is engaged in a national endeavor to take care of the safety and well-being of our people.
” That ’ s followed with scenes of baton attacks on protesters , an elderly demonstrator shoved to the ground by a cop , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to “ dominate ” the streets .
Not to worry , because the privileged White House aide explains in her speech that some of her “ greatest personal growth ” has come from “ times of discomfort and uncertainty.
” The video was produced by The Meidas Touch ( “ Because Truth is Golden ” ) .
The progressive PAC ( and video production team ) was founded in April by Ben Meiselas and his two brothers .
Meiselas was the lead attorney for Kaepernick ’ s settlement with the National Football League @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him from playing as punishment for taking a knee before games to protest racism and police brutality .
The Meiselas brothers decided to put their skills and their downtime during the coronavirus pandemic to use , and have produced several political videos since launching their operation .
“ We ’ re all Democrats , we ’ ve all been quarantined , and we saw the disastrous directions our country was taking , ” Meiselas told AdWeek last week .

A new political action committee founded by activist athlete Colin Kaepernick’s attorney has released a scathing video juxtaposing a lofty Ivanka Trump graduation speech with images of tear-gas attacks on anti-racism protesters.
Called “Bye Ivanka,” the video splices bits of a commencement speech the first daughter prepared for Wichita State University Tech with police assaults on protesters. Plans for Trump to speak remotely to graduates were dropped by the school following criticism of her father’s militarized response to protests against the killing of George Floyd by four Minneapolis police officers. Trump posted her speech on Twitter instead.
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“Your journey to this day did not come without challenges, sacrifices ... and likely even a few tears,” Trump tells grads with an unblinking gaze in the video of the speech that became fodder for Twitter critics last week.
Cue tear-gas scenes in the PAC video.
Trump continues: “Our entire society is engaged in a national endeavor to take care of the safety and well-being of our people.” That’s followed with scenes of baton attacks on protesters, an elderly demonstrator shoved to the ground by a cop, and Donald Trump calling for law enforcement to “dominate” the streets.
Not to worry, because the privileged White House aide explains in her speech that some of her “greatest personal growth” has come from “times of discomfort and uncertainty.”
The video was produced by The Meidas Touch (“Because Truth is Golden”). The progressive PAC (and video production team) was founded in April by Ben Meiselas and his two brothers. Meiselas was the lead attorney for Kaepernick’s settlement with the National Football League last year over accusations the NFL blocked him from playing as punishment for taking a knee before games to protest racism and police brutality.
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The Meiselas brothers decided to put their skills and their downtime during the coronavirus pandemic to use, and have produced several political videos since launching their operation.
“We’re all Democrats, we’ve all been quarantined, and we saw the disastrous directions our country was taking,” Meiselas told AdWeek last week.
Check out “Bye Ivanka” up top.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-08--Joe Biden Campaign Says He Doesn't Support Defunding The Police

Former Vice President Joe Biden does not support defunding police departments in the wake of nationwide protests against police brutality , his 2020 presidential campaign said on Monday .
“ As his criminal justice proposal made clear months ago , Vice President Biden does not believe that police should be defunded , ” campaign spokesman Andrew Bates said in a statement .
“ He hears and shares the deep grief and frustration of those calling out for change , and is driven to ensure that justice is done and that we put a stop to this terrible pain.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding for community policing programs aimed at diversifying law enforcement and providing additional body cameras , the spokesman said .
Biden ’ s campaign platform calls for a $ 300 million investment in community-oriented policing programs at the Department of Justice .
“ There are many police departments across the country who are seeking to realize these kinds of changes , but haven ’ t had the resources to ― and the Trump Administration has in fact made obtaining those resources more difficult , ” Bates added in the statement , pointing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the programs .
`` Biden does not believe that police should be defunded .
He hears and shares the deep grief and frustration of those calling out for change , and is driven to ensure that justice is done and that we put a stop to this terrible pain .
Biden supports the urgent need for reform ... '' pic.twitter.com/k0IConBSj3 — Jennifer Epstein ( @ jeneps ) June 8 , 2020 Following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis ― as well as dozens of other Black Americans ― protesters and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ departments across the country .
Specifically , they ’ re pushing to shift funds away from large law enforcement budgets and to invest that money into communities of color .
“ The police are a force of violence that profiles , harasses , and inflicts harm on Black communities without accountability ― and with far too many resources , ” Kailee Scales , managing director of Black Lives Matter Global Network , told HuffPost .
On Monday , top House and Senate Democrats unveiled a sweeping bill intended to overhaul policing .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
The bill would also create a federal registry for misconduct complaints against officers .
“ I can ’ t imagine that happening in a federal way , ” Rep. Karen Bass ( D-Calif. ) , chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus , said when asked about the defund-the-police movement at a Monday press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell you that part of that cry is a desire for there to be significant higher investment in communities .
... What are the root causes of the problems in communities ?
” Nevertheless , Republicans are seeking to tie Democrats to the growing movement against police funding , which they see as a winning issue for the GOP in November ’ s elections .
On a Monday conference call with reporters , Trump ’ s reelection campaign described Biden as “ complicit ” in the debate .
“ Biden does not have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now calling the shots in his party , ” Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh said on the call , which was held shortly before the Biden campaign issued its statement .
Murtaugh argued that the former vice president would “ contribute to the chaos ” in America .

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Former Vice President Joe Biden does not support defunding police departments in the wake of nationwide protests against police brutality, his 2020 presidential campaign said on Monday.
“As his criminal justice proposal made clear months ago, Vice President Biden does not believe that police should be defunded,” campaign spokesman Andrew Bates said in a statement. “He hears and shares the deep grief and frustration of those calling out for change, and is driven to ensure that justice is done and that we put a stop to this terrible pain.”
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The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee instead supports more funding for community policing programs aimed at diversifying law enforcement and providing additional body cameras, the spokesman said. Biden’s campaign platform calls for a $300 million investment in community-oriented policing programs at the Department of Justice.
“There are many police departments across the country who are seeking to realize these kinds of changes, but haven’t had the resources to ― and the Trump Administration has in fact made obtaining those resources more difficult,” Bates added in the statement, pointing to President Donald Trump’s proposed cuts to the programs.
"Biden does not believe that police should be defunded. He hears and shares the deep grief and frustration of those calling out for change, and is driven to ensure that justice is done and that we put a stop to this terrible pain. Biden supports the urgent need for reform..." pic.twitter.com/k0IConBSj3 — Jennifer Epstein (@jeneps) June 8, 2020
Following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis ― as well as dozens of other Black Americans ― protesters and activists are demanding systemic changes to police departments across the country. Specifically, they’re pushing to shift funds away from large law enforcement budgets and to invest that money into communities of color.
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“The police are a force of violence that profiles, harasses, and inflicts harm on Black communities without accountability ― and with far too many resources,” Kailee Scales, managing director of Black Lives Matter Global Network, told HuffPost.
Democratic leaders in Congress have been wary about embracing the defunding argument.
On Monday, top House and Senate Democrats unveiled a sweeping bill intended to overhaul policing. It would ban chokeholds, 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. The bill would also create a federal registry for misconduct complaints against officers.
But the legislation, called the Justice in Policing Act, does not include any cuts to police funding.
“I can’t imagine that happening in a federal way,” Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.), chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, said when asked about the defund-the-police movement at a Monday press conference. “But let me just tell you that part of that cry is a desire for there to be significant higher investment in communities. ... What are the root causes of the problems in communities?”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), meanwhile, called the question of police funding a “local matter” during an interview on MSNBC.
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Nevertheless, Republicans are seeking to tie Democrats to the growing movement against police funding, which they see as a winning issue for the GOP in November’s elections. On a Monday conference call with reporters, Trump’s reelection campaign described Biden as “complicit” in the debate.