theguardian--2020-06-04--Trump’s Bible photo op splits white evangelical loyalists into two camps

On Monday when Donald Trump raised overhead a Bible – the Sword of the Spirit , to believers – he unwittingly cleaved his loyal Christian supporters into two camps .
His most ardent evangelical supporters saw it as a blow against evil and described his walk from the White House to St John ’ s Episcopal church , over ground violently cleared of protesters , as a “ Jericho walk ” .
The Rev Johnnie Moore , president of the Congress of Christian Leaders , described Trump in shepherd-like terms on Twitter : “ I will never forget seeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the @ WhiteHouse across Lafayette Square to St. John ’ s Church defying those who aim to derail our national healing by spreading fear , hate & anarchy .
After just saying , ‘ I will keep you safe.
’ ” But evangelicals are not monolithic : some saw the gesture as cynical , a ploy by a president whose decisions , both private and public , do not align with biblical principles .
“ I guess it ’ s a sort of Rorschach test , then , ” said Dallas pastor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s most important defenders among the faithful .
“ You see what you expect to see.
” But that ’ s not true , Trump ’ s emerging evangelical critics say : an objective measure is contained in the very book Trump wielded .
“ Blessed are the peacemakers !
Blessed are the merciful !
It ’ s right there in the Sermon on the Mount , ” said John Fea , a professor of American history at Messiah College .
“ Just read Jesus.
” Trump ’ s photo opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters against police brutality .
He walked surrounded by key civilian and military advisers , some of whom later said they were caught unaware by the stunt and the violence that preceded it .
Some evangelical leaders said they felt similarly aghast , watching the event unfold .
“ Pelting people with rubber bullets and spraying them with teargas for peacefully protesting is morally wrong , ” said Russell Moore , president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention .
“ What we need right now is moral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the churches , in the police departments , in the courts , and in the White House .
The Bible tells us so .
So do our own consciences.
” The day ’ s events left Moore “ alarmed ” , he said .
The staunchest of evangelicals , 90-year-old televangelist Pat Robertson , split from Trump on Tuesday .
He told his television viewers of the president : “ He said , ‘ I ’ m ready to send in military troops if the nation ’ s governors don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rocked American cities.
’ A matter of fact , he spoke of them as being jerks .
You just don ’ t do that , Mr President .
It isn ’ t cool !
” It could be far worse than uncool , politically .
Trump can ’ t afford to lose evangelicals , even by the handful .
A record 81 % of white evangelicals voted for him in 2016 , and he only narrowly won the presidency , sometimes by just a few thousand votes in crucial areas .
His gesture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s was meant to shore up that support , reminding his base of a tacit agreement .
“ It ’ s a contract between him and evangelical voters , ” Fea , the professor , who is a Christian , said .
In exchange for their ballots , he said , Trump has packed the courts , including the supreme court , with conservative judges who agree with them on social issues .
So while evangelicals lifted Trump to power by voting together , they may prove his undoing if a contingent breaks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might shudder to hear of evangelical believers like Anthony Kidd in Daphne , Alabama .
During the week Kidd works at a salvage yard , and on weekends he does audio work during church services .
He ’ s conservative .
“ The past few years he has done things that are good for Christians , I ’ ll grant that , ” he said .
But when he saw Trump lift the Bible outside St John ’ s , he said , “ It made me want to throw up a little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what happens next : whether evangelicals will stay by Trump , or make a significant split .
But whatever happens , he said , is unlikely to be peaceful .
“ Here ’ s a good rule of thumb , ” he said .
“ Looking back through history , whenever you see someone in authority using the Bible to justify law and order , it ends badly .
”

On Monday when Donald Trump raised overhead a Bible – the Sword of the Spirit, to believers – he unwittingly cleaved his loyal Christian supporters into two camps.
His most ardent evangelical supporters saw it as a blow against evil and described his walk from the White House to St John’s Episcopal church, over ground violently cleared of protesters, as a “Jericho walk”.
The Rev Johnnie Moore, president of the Congress of Christian Leaders, described Trump in shepherd-like terms on Twitter:
“I will never forget seeing @POTUS @realDonaldTrump slowly & in-total-command walk from the @WhiteHouse across Lafayette Square to St. John’s Church defying those who aim to derail our national healing by spreading fear, hate & anarchy. After just saying, ‘I will keep you safe.’”
But evangelicals are not monolithic: some saw the gesture as cynical, a ploy by a president whose decisions, both private and public, do not align with biblical principles.
“I guess it’s a sort of Rorschach test, then,” said Dallas pastor Robert Jeffress, who is one of Trump’s most important defenders among the faithful. “You see what you expect to see.”
But that’s not true, Trump’s emerging evangelical critics say: an objective measure is contained in the very book Trump wielded.
“Blessed are the peacemakers! Blessed are the merciful! It’s right there in the Sermon on the Mount,” said John Fea, a professor of American history at Messiah College. “Just read Jesus.”
Trump’s photo opportunity required police to attack and push away protesters against police brutality. He walked surrounded by key civilian and military advisers, some of whom later said they were caught unaware by the stunt and the violence that preceded it. Some evangelical leaders said they felt similarly aghast, watching the event unfold.
“Pelting people with rubber bullets and spraying them with teargas for peacefully protesting is morally wrong,” said Russell Moore, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. “What we need right now is moral leadership – from all of us, in the churches, in the police departments, in the courts, and in the White House. The Bible tells us so. So do our own consciences.”
The day’s events left Moore “alarmed”, he said.
The staunchest of evangelicals, 90-year-old televangelist Pat Robertson, split from Trump on Tuesday.
He told his television viewers of the president: “He said, ‘I’m ready to send in military troops if the nation’s governors don’t act to quell the violence that has rocked American cities.’ A matter of fact, he spoke of them as being jerks. You just don’t do that, Mr President. It isn’t cool!”
It could be far worse than uncool, politically.
Trump can’t afford to lose evangelicals, even by the handful. A record 81% of white evangelicals voted for him in 2016, and he only narrowly won the presidency, sometimes by just a few thousand votes in crucial areas. His gesture with the Bible outside St John’s was meant to shore up that support, reminding his base of a tacit agreement.
“It’s a contract between him and evangelical voters,” Fea, the professor, who is a Christian, said. In exchange for their ballots, he said, Trump has packed the courts, including the supreme court, with conservative judges who agree with them on social issues.
So while evangelicals lifted Trump to power by voting together, they may prove his undoing if a contingent breaks away. In which case his campaign might shudder to hear of evangelical believers like Anthony Kidd in Daphne, Alabama.
During the week Kidd works at a salvage yard, and on weekends he does audio work during church services. He’s conservative.
“The past few years he has done things that are good for Christians, I’ll grant that,” he said. But when he saw Trump lift the Bible outside St John’s, he said, “It made me want to throw up a little bit.”
Fea said it was unclear what happens next: whether evangelicals will stay by Trump, or make a significant split. But whatever happens, he said, is unlikely to be peaceful.
“Here’s a good rule of thumb,” he said. “Looking back through history, whenever you see someone in authority using the Bible to justify law and order, it ends badly.”


theguardian--2020-06-04--New York Times under fire over op-ed urging Trump to 'send in the troops'

The New York Times ’ decision to run an op-ed from the Republican senator Tom Cotton titled “ Send in the troops ” is drawing widespread criticism , including from Times staff .
In the piece , Cotton called for the use of US military troops to quell civil unrest , and indicated the president would be justified in doing so under the Insurrection Act of 1807 .
“ It ’ s past time to support local law enforcement with federal authority , ” he wrote on Wednesday .
“ One thing above all else will restore order to our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to disperse , detain and ultimately deter lawbreakers .
But local law enforcement in some cities desperately needs backup , while delusional politicians in other cities refuse to do what ’ s necessary to uphold the rule of law.
” Donald Trump , who has called for law and order and encouraged police to use force to quell protests and unrest in the wake of George Floyd ’ s killing in the custody of Minneapolis police , retweeted Cotton ’ s op-ed later in the day .
Numerous New York Times employees , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put Black @ nytimes staffers in danger ” along with screenshots of Cotton ’ s piece .
Former staff members also weighed in , including former New York Times editor and current Los Angeles Times editorial page editor Sewell Chan , the former editorial director of NYT Global , Lydia Polgreen , now head of content at Gimlet Media , and the former Times reporter Kendra Pierre-Louis .
Nikole Hannah-Jones , who writes about racial injustice for the New York Times Magazine and was the creator of the Pulitzer-winning 1619 Project , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the paper ’ s decision to publish .
“ I ’ ll probably get in trouble for this , but to not say something would be immoral .
As a black woman , as a journalist , as an American , I am deeply ashamed that we ran this , ” she tweeted .
James Bennett , the editorial page editor at The New York Times , responded to the backlash by posting an explanation on the Times ’ decision to run Cotton ’ s piece : “ The Times editorial board has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticized the use of force , saying earlier today that police too often have responded with more violence – against protesters , journalists and bystanders , ” he wrote .
“ As part of our explorations of these issues , Times Opinion has published powerful arguments supporting protests , advocating fundamental change and criticizing police abuses .
Times Opinion owes it to our readers to show them counter-arguments , particularly those made by people in a position to set policy .
We understand that many readers find Senator Cotton ’ s argument painful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is one reason it requires public scrutiny and debate.
” “ No and no and no – you ’ ve made one too many bad decisions and clearly should not have run this , ” answered the New York Times film critic Manohla Dargis .
“ I ’ ve submitted non-fascist opinion pieces to the Times in the past but no luck so maybe this is just sour grapes , ” wrote Senator Brian Schatz , a Democrat from Hawaii .
It ’ s not the first time the paper has faced backlash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year readers and staff spoke out against a piece published by the columnist Bret Stephens that critics said embraced eugenics .

The New York Times’ decision to run an op-ed from the Republican senator Tom Cotton titled “Send in the troops” is drawing widespread criticism, including from Times staff.
In the piece, Cotton called for the use of US military troops to quell civil unrest, and indicated the president would be justified in doing so under the Insurrection Act of 1807.
“It’s past time to support local law enforcement with federal authority,” he wrote on Wednesday.
“One thing above all else will restore order to our streets: an overwhelming show of force to disperse, detain and ultimately deter lawbreakers. But local law enforcement in some cities desperately needs backup, while delusional politicians in other cities refuse to do what’s necessary to uphold the rule of law.”
Donald Trump, who has called for law and order and encouraged police to use force to quell protests and unrest in the wake of George Floyd’s killing in the custody of Minneapolis police, retweeted Cotton’s op-ed later in the day.
Numerous New York Times employees, however, tweeted that “Running this put Black @nytimes staffers in danger” along with screenshots of Cotton’s piece.
Running this put Black @nytimes staffers in danger. In solidarity with my colleagues who agree. pic.twitter.com/UfkZkE1xvj — Jenna Wortham (@jennydeluxe) June 3, 2020
Running this put Black @nytimes staffers in danger. pic.twitter.com/m0JqPRlpjQ — Sandra E. Garcia (@S_Evangelina) June 3, 2020
Running this puts Black @NYTimes staff in danger. pic.twitter.com/u3btzGTJzi — Caity Weaver (@caityweaver) June 3, 2020
Former staff members also weighed in, including former New York Times editor and current Los Angeles Times editorial page editor Sewell Chan, the former editorial director of NYT Global, Lydia Polgreen, now head of content at Gimlet Media, and the former Times reporter Kendra Pierre-Louis.
THREAD: As a former @nytimes Op-Ed editor I am reluctant to weigh in on my alma mater. But the decision to publish @SenTomCotton calling for troop deployments to quell unrest falls short of sound journalistic practice. pic.twitter.com/SgXSndkq8l — Sewell Chan (@sewellchan) June 3, 2020
I spent some of the happiest and most productive years of my life working for the New York Times. So it is with love and sadness that I say: running this puts Black @nytimes staff - and many, many others - in danger. pic.twitter.com/1EIvzgORWj — Lydia Polgreen (@lpolgreen) June 4, 2020
I probably shouldn't tweet this. But the first tweet I got in trouble for at the Times was a thread on the role of the media in amplifying white supremacist messaging.
An editor saw the thread and put it in the paper.
The standards editor read it and I was sanctioned. — Kendra "Gloom is My Beat" Pierre-Louis (@KendraWrites) June 4, 2020
Nikole Hannah-Jones, who writes about racial injustice for the New York Times Magazine and was the creator of the Pulitzer-winning 1619 Project, said that she was “ashamed” of the paper’s decision to publish.
“I’ll probably get in trouble for this, but to not say something would be immoral. As a black woman, as a journalist, as an American, I am deeply ashamed that we ran this,” she tweeted.
I’ll probably get in trouble for this, but to not say something would be immoral. As a black woman, as a journalist, as an American, I am deeply ashamed that we ran this. https://t.co/lU1KmhH2zH — Ida Bae Wells (@nhannahjones) June 4, 2020
James Bennett, the editorial page editor at the New York Times, responded to the backlash by posting an explanation on the Times’ decision to run Cotton’s piece:
“The Times editorial board has forcefully defended the protests as patriotic and criticized the use of force, saying earlier today that police too often have responded with more violence – against protesters, journalists and bystanders,” he wrote.
“As part of our explorations of these issues, Times Opinion has published powerful arguments supporting protests, advocating fundamental change and criticizing police abuses. Times Opinion owes it to our readers to show them counter-arguments, particularly those made by people in a position to set policy. We understand that many readers find Senator Cotton’s argument painful, even dangerous. We believe that is one reason it requires public scrutiny and debate.”
The Times editorial board has forcefully defended the protests as patriotic and criticized the use of force, saying earlier today that police too often have “responded with more violence — against protesters, journalists and bystanders.” https://t.co/XdjnhuAVax — James Bennet (@JBennet) June 3, 2020
“No and no and no – you’ve made one too many bad decisions and clearly should not have run this,” answered the New York Times film critic Manohla Dargis.
No and no and no - you've made one too many bad decisions and clearly should not have run this https://t.co/SV1YrVayP0 — Manohla Darkness (@ManohlaDargis) June 4, 2020
“I’ve submitted non-fascist opinion pieces to the Times in the past but no luck so maybe this is just sour grapes,” wrote Senator Brian Schatz, a Democrat from Hawaii.
I’ve submitted non-fascist opinion pieces to the Times in the past but no luck so maybe this is just sour grapes. — Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) June 4, 2020
It’s not the first time the paper has faced backlash over a controversial op-ed. Earlier this year readers and staff spoke out against a piece published by the columnist Bret Stephens that critics said embraced eugenics.


theguardian--2020-06-05--ACLU suing Trump over assault on peaceful protesters near White House

The American Civil Liberties Union is suing Donald Trump , William Barr and other federal officials over the assault on peaceful protesters near the White House on Monday , to allow the president to hold a photo op at a historic church .
According to a release from the ACLU of the District of Columbia , the lawsuit filed on behalf of Black Lives Matter DC and individual protesters accuses Trump and the other officials are accused of “ violating their constitutional rights and engaging in an unlawful conspiracy to violate those rights ” .
The Washington Lawyers ’ Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lawyers ’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and the law firm of Arnold & Porter also filed the suit .
Protesters demonstrating over the killing of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis were gassed , shot with rubber bullets and forcefully cleared on Barr ’ s orders so Trump could walk to St John ’ s church , the so-called Church of the Presidents , and hold up a Bible in a photo op meant to reassure evangelical supporters .
“ What happened to our members Monday evening , here in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an affront to all our rights , ” April Goggans of Black Lives Matter DC , the lead plaintiff in the case , said in a quote provided by the ACLU .
“ The death of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor at the hands of police officers has reignited the rage , pain and deep sadness our community has suffered for generations .
We won ’ t be silenced by teargas and rubber bullets .
Now is our time to be heard.
” The lawsuit , filed in federal court on Washington , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general , defended the decision to forcefully remove the peaceful protesters , saying it was necessary to protect officers and federal property .
Scott Michaelman , the legal director for the ACLU of the District of Columbia , said : “ The president ’ s shameless , unconstitutional , unprovoked and frankly criminal attack on protesters because he disagreed with their views shakes the foundation of our nation ’ s constitutional order .
“ And when the nation ’ s top law enforcement officer becomes complicit in the tactics of an autocrat , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us.
” Ben Wizner , the director of the ACLU ’ s Speech , Privacy , and Technology Project , said lawsuits would be filed across the US , where “ law enforcement armed with military weaponry are responding with violence to people who are protesting police brutality .
“ The first amendment right to protest is under attack , and we will not let this go unanswered.
” Trump and supporters have claimed protesters in Lafayette Square , in front of the White House , and near St John ’ s church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Associated Press factcheck points out , “ the US Park Police denied using teargas , yet acknowledged deploying a pepper compound , which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other scientific organizations list as one form of teargas ” .
The White House has also contested reports that rubber bullets were also used to clear the crowd before Trump , who had just promised to enforce “ law and order ” in a brief Rose Garden address .
The events in and around Lafayette Square on Monday night have contributed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even within the US military .
Trump was accompanied to the church by officials including Mark Esper , the secretary of defense , and Gen Mark Milley , the chair of the joint chiefs of staff .
Esper has said he had not known the president was intending to hold a photo op .
But senior figures including the former defense secretary and marine corps general James Mattis , the former JCOS chair admiral Mike Mullen and the former marine corps general John Allen , a former US commander against Isis and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both the stunt and the military ’ s participation in it .
Barr said he had met with other law enforcement officials earlier Monday and decided they needed to extend a security perimeter around the White House to protect federal agents “ who could be reached by projectiles from the street ” .
He expected the perimeter to be moved in the early afternoon , but when he arrived in the evening , shortly before Trump was set to speak at a news conference , he learned it wasn ’ t done and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After the crowd was dispersed , Trump , followed by an entourage of his most senior aides – including Barr – along with Secret Service agents and reporters , walked over to St John ’ s Church , the landmark pale-yellow building where every president , including Trump , has prayed , that had been damaged Sunday night in a protest fire .
Barr said Trump , as the nation ’ s chief executive , had every right to do so and claimed it wasn ’ t political .
“ I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political act .
I think it was entirely appropriate for him to do , ” Barr said .
US Park Police launched an investigation after officers were seen hitting an Australian journalist with a shield as they cleared the protesters .
For days , the federal government has vowed to have an aggressive response in the District of Columbia after nights of violence that led to fires being set , windows shattered , store shelves emptied and dozens of police officers injured .
The federal government has deployed law enforcement officials from numerous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a number of states have been sent to the District of Columbia .

Martin Pengelly in New York and agencies

The American Civil Liberties Union and other civil rights groups are suing Donald Trump, William Barr and other federal officials over the assault on peaceful protesters near the White House on Monday, to allow the president to hold a photo op at a historic church.
According to a release from the ACLU of the District of Columbia, the lawsuit filed on behalf of Black Lives Matter DC and individual protesters accuses Trump and the other officials are accused of “violating their constitutional rights and engaging in an unlawful conspiracy to violate those rights”.
The Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and the law firm of Arnold & Porter also filed the suit.
Protesters demonstrating over the killing of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis were gassed, shot with rubber bullets and forcefully cleared on Barr’s orders so Trump could walk to St John’s church, the so-called Church of the Presidents, and hold up a Bible in a photo op meant to reassure evangelical supporters.
“What happened to our members Monday evening, here in the nation’s capital, was an affront to all our rights,” April Goggans of Black Lives Matter DC, the lead plaintiff in the case, said in a quote provided by the ACLU.
“The death of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor at the hands of police officers has reignited the rage, pain and deep sadness our community has suffered for generations. We won’t be silenced by teargas and rubber bullets. Now is our time to be heard.”
01:03 Protesters brutally dispersed ahead of Trump's photo opportunity with a Bible – video
The lawsuit, filed in federal court on Washington, comes as William Barr, the attorney general, defended the decision to forcefully remove the peaceful protesters, saying it was necessary to protect officers and federal property.
Scott Michaelman, the legal director for the ACLU of the District of Columbia, said: “The president’s shameless, unconstitutional, unprovoked and frankly criminal attack on protesters because he disagreed with their views shakes the foundation of our nation’s constitutional order.
“And when the nation’s top law enforcement officer becomes complicit in the tactics of an autocrat, it chills protected speech for all of us.”
Ben Wizner, the director of the ACLU’s Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project, said lawsuits would be filed across the US, where “law enforcement armed with military weaponry are responding with violence to people who are protesting police brutality.
“The first amendment right to protest is under attack, and we will not let this go unanswered.”
Trump and supporters have claimed protesters in Lafayette Square, in front of the White House, and near St John’s church were not teargassed. But as an Associated Press factcheck points out, “the US Park Police denied using teargas, yet acknowledged deploying a pepper compound, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other scientific organizations list as one form of teargas”.
The White House has also contested reports that rubber bullets were also used to clear the crowd before Trump, who had just promised to enforce “law and order” in a brief Rose Garden address.
The events in and around Lafayette Square on Monday night have contributed to a growing rift in US society and even within the US military. Trump was accompanied to the church by officials including Mark Esper, the secretary of defense, and Gen Mark Milley, the chair of the joint chiefs of staff.
Esper has said he had not known the president was intending to hold a photo op. But senior figures including the former defense secretary and marine corps general James Mattis, the former JCOS chair admiral Mike Mullen and the former marine corps general John Allen, a former US commander against Isis and in Afghanistan, have expressed their disgust with both the stunt and the military’s participation in it.
Protestors peacefully protest minutes before riot police cleared them away for a photo opportunity by Donald Trump. Photograph: Reuters
Barr said he had met with other law enforcement officials earlier Monday and decided they needed to extend a security perimeter around the White House to protect federal agents “who could be reached by projectiles from the street”. He expected the perimeter to be moved in the early afternoon, but when he arrived in the evening, shortly before Trump was set to speak at a news conference, he learned it wasn’t done and ordered law enforcement officials to take action.
After the crowd was dispersed, Trump, followed by an entourage of his most senior aides – including Barr – along with Secret Service agents and reporters, walked over to St John’s Church, the landmark pale-yellow building where every president, including Trump, has prayed, that had been damaged Sunday night in a protest fire. Barr said Trump, as the nation’s chief executive, had every right to do so and claimed it wasn’t political.
“I don’t necessarily view that as a political act. I think it was entirely appropriate for him to do,” Barr said.
US Park Police launched an investigation after officers were seen hitting an Australian journalist with a shield as they cleared the protesters.
For days, the federal government has vowed to have an aggressive response in the District of Columbia after nights of violence that led to fires being set, windows shattered, store shelves emptied and dozens of police officers injured. The federal government has deployed law enforcement officials from numerous agencies, and national guard troops from a number of states have been sent to the District of Columbia.


theguardian--2020-06-05--George Floyd protests: civil rights groups sue Trump and Barr for use of teargas outside White House

George Floyd protests: civil rights groups sue Trump and Barr for use of teargas outside White House – live

Earlier today , Virginia governor Ralph Northam ( yes , him ) confirmed that a statue of Gen Robert E Lee will be removed as soon as possible from Monument Avenue in Richmond , the capital of the old Confederacy .
“ You see , in Virginia , we no longer preach a false version of history , ” Northam , a Democrat , said .
“ One that pretends the civil war was about ‘ state rights ’ and not the evils of slavery .
No one believes that any longer.
” Some people do and they will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t necessarily believe it but it did say in a statement the decision “ is not in the best interests of Virginia .
Attempts to eradicate instead of contextualizing history invariably fail ” .
But in the words of the Associated Press , “ Northam made the decision , which has been widely praised by black leaders and activists , after days of angry protests in Richmond and across the country over the death of George Floyd , a black man who died after a white police officer pressed a knee into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The decision also came a day after Richmond ’ s mayor , Levar Stoney , announced he will seek to remove the four other Confederate statues along Monument Avenue.
” Such moves were not pursued after the deadly white nationalist rally in Charlottesville , Virginia in August 2017 .
The AP again : “ In part , local governments were hamstrung by a state law that protects memorials to war veterans .
That law was amended earlier this year by the new Democratic majority at the statehouse and signed by Northam .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 July , localities will be able to decide the monuments ’ fate.
” “ …The statues on Monument Avenue are among the most prominent collection of tributes to the Confederacy in the nation .
Lee ’ s 21ft sculpture rises atop a pedestal nearly twice that tall on a grassy circle 200ft in diameter .
‘ We put things on pedestals when we want people to look up , ’ Northam said .
‘ Think about the message that this sends to people coming from around the world to visit the capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our country .
Or to young children.
’ “ Elsewhere on the broad avenue lined with mansions and tony apartments are statues to Confederate president Jefferson Davis , generals JEB Stuart and Thomas “ Stonewall ” Jackson and naval officer Matthew Maury .
A statue of black tennis hero Arthur Ashe , a Richmond native , was erected in 1996 .
“ A descendant of Lee ’ s brother , the Rev Robert W Lee IV , said at the press conference that his line of the family “ wholeheartedly ” commends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friends , the world may be burning and the world is about to turn because we are going to let justice roll down , and this is the start of something incredible , ” he said .

Maanvi Singh (now), and Martin Pengelly,Joan E Greve, Joanna Walters and Martin Belam (earlier)

5 Jun 2020 10.49 BST Donald Trump loves boasting about his polling numbers when they are great for him. He might not be so keen on some numbers that have just come out from ABC News. For the second week since ABC News and Ipsos began polling on the coronavirus in mid-March, Trump’s approval for his stewardship over the nation’s response to the outbreak remains at a record low 39%. Six in 10 Americans disapprove of the president’s handling of the virus.
The company also polled US adults on whether they viewed George Floyd’s death as an underlying racial injustice problem - and 74% of Americans polled did. Writing for ABC News, Kendall Karson observes that: This poll shows a more than 30-point increase in the belief that recent events reflect a broader issue over racial injustice from an ABC News/Washington Post poll from December 2014, four months after the shooting of Michael Brown, an 18-year black man, by a white cop, and five months after the death of Eric Garner, a black man, who died after being put in a chokehold by a white officer. It possibly bears out what Barack Obama was saying earlier this week - that the people on the streets protesting racial injustice have been more ethnically and racially diverse than previous bouts of civil rights demonstrations. You can read the full details of the ABC News poll here: 74% of Americans view George Floyd’s death as an underlying racial injustice problem
5 Jun 2020 10.23 BST Luke Henriques-Gomes The Age newspaper in Melbourne, Australia has issued an apology for its front page story this morning, which claimed without evidence that Black Lives Matter protesters had threatened “police command with spitting, inflammatory chanting and other forms of physical abuse” ahead of a demonstration planned for tomorrow. After significant backlash, the paper said in a “clarification” added to a re-written version of the story: The headline and opening paragraphs of the original version of this story reported concerns within the Victorian Government about the potential for some activists to provoke physical confrontation with police during planned protests. The story fell short of The Age’s editorial values and standards and caused understandable offence to many members of the community. The claim that some activists had threatened police with spitting and abuse was not backed up beyond one unnamed senior government source. The story put undue emphasis on these claims. The main organisers of the rally, the Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance, clearly stated that they had no knowledge of any threats to police. The Age apologises.
5 Jun 2020 10.07 BST NFL players issued a powerful video statement overnight, which posed a challenge directly to the organisers to make a stronger explicit anti-racism message - and an apology for their past behaviour to players. The video message posted on social media includes Saquon Barkley, Patrick Mahomes, Michael Thomas, Odell Beckham Jr and Ezekiel Elliott among others. ✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/ltJwmjVVMW — Saquon Barkley (@saquon) June 5, 2020 In the clip players take turns asking the question “What if I was George Floyd?”, and go on to name several black men and women who have recently been killed, including Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice and Trayvon Martin. They then tell the NFL that they want to hear the league condemn the systematic oppression of black people and admit they were wrong to silence the players’ peaceful protests. The video also acts as a firm slap-down of Drew Brees, whose comments about NFL player protests have been described as both ignorant and dangerous. The NFL, which of course prohibited players from taking a knee to protest police brutality, did put out an anti-racist statement on 30 May, dismissed as “trash” by Jacksonville Jaguars safety Peyton Thompson.
5 Jun 2020 09.34 BST One of the stories that is likely to develop further as the US wakes up is the suspension without pay of two police officers in Buffalo, New York after they were caught on film pushing a 75-year-old man to the ground. Buffalo mayor Byron Brown said he was “deeply distrubed” by the video and New York state governor Andrew Cuomo said the incident was “wholly unjustified and utterly disgraceful” You can see the incident in this video clip - be warned you may find it distressing. 01:01 Video shows police in New York state shoving 75-year-old to ground The 75-year old man is reported to be in a stable but serious condition.
5 Jun 2020 08.59 BST The tenth night of protests and grief over the death of George Floyd continues to produce some strong images from the US and around the world. Here are a selection of some of the most striking from the last few hours. A protestor in downtown Los Angeles holds up a picture of George Floyd Photograph: Ringo Chiu/ZUMA Wire/REX/Shutterstock Reverend Al Sharpton finishes up his speech at the George Floyd memorial at North Central University in Minneapolis, Minnesota Photograph: Chris Juhn/ZUMA Wire/REX/Shutterstock People raise their hands as they protest in honour of George Floyd in Minneapolis Photograph: Chandan Khanna/AFP/Getty Images A woman lights a candle during a protest in front of the US embassy in Mexico City Photograph: Pedro Pardo/AFP/Getty Images People gathered in the rain outside of the White House for a peaceful protest against police brutality Photograph: Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images A demonstrator walks past a mural for George Floyd during a protest near the White House Photograph: Olivier Douliery/AFP/Getty Images A demonstrator holds up a sign - no justice, no peace - in Los Angeles Photograph: Ringo Chiu/ZUMA Wire/REX/Shutterstock
5 Jun 2020 08.37 BST While work continues on beefing up the security around the White House, Donald Trump will be out and about today with a planned visit to rural Maine. It is his first trip to Maine since taking office, and he is scheduled to visit Guilford, where he will be visiting Puritan Medical Products, one of only two major companies producing a special type of swab needed to ramp up coronavirus testing. The Trump administration is providing $75.5 million through the Defense Production Act for Puritan to double production to 40 million swabs a month, and the company plans to open a second production site by July 1. Trump is also scheduled to meet with members of the commercial fishing industry. He’ll be flying in to Bangor, where he is also likely to encounter protest. And the local political ground isn’t perhaps as welcoming as the president might hope - all four members of Maine’s congressional delegation, including Republican Senator Susan Collins, have been critical of Trump’s actions this week. Earlier this week she called his church and bible photo opportunity “unsympathetic” and “insensitive”. Marie Follayttar, director of Mainers for Accountable Leadership, which is helping organise the demonstration today, simple says “It’s not the right time for him to be coming to our state.”
5 Jun 2020 08.10 BST There will inevitably be a huge focus on what happens now with the Minneapolis police force. Associated Press reporters Tammy Webber and Amy Forliti have been looking at the challenges faced by Medaria Arradondo, the city’s first African American police chief. In his 2017 swearing-in ceremony he spoke of restoring trust. But George Floyd’s death has raised questions about whether Arradondo — or any chief — can fix the department. The city’s own data going back to 2015 shows that when police officers use force, 60% of the time the person they’re dealing with is black, though only 20% of the population is black.
“I think the chief’s heart is in the right place,” City Council member Steve Fletcher said. “But I don’t think this department was ever going to let him get there. I think people understand he was in an impossible situation.” Fletcher argues that Arradondo was too lenient with discipline in his first year as chief as he worked to build department morale, which made getting rid of problem officers difficult later. Arradondo’s predecessor, Janee Harteau, was forced out over the fatal shooting of Justine Ruszczyk Damond. She said she received push-back from the union when she was trying to implement reforms and this week she called on police union President Lt. Bob Kroll to resign after his controversial comments. The Minnesota Department of Human Rights filed civil rights charges related to Floyd’s death and will investigate the Minneapolis Police Department to determine if it has engaged in discriminatory practices, Governor Tim Walz said this week. Fletcher said he wants to examine whether the police department should be disbanded, saying he believes it’s “so broken it can’t be fixed.”
“I think we need to rebuild from the ground up,” said Fletcher, vice chair of the city’s public safety committee.
Bob Bennett, an attorney who said he has sued the department “hundreds” of times over police misconduct allegations, said Arradondo probably did the best he could, but the union has more sway than chiefs do over police conduct. “I know he wants to reform the department as much as anyone I’ve ever met or seen,” Bennett said. “Hopefully this whole mess will bring about some change.”
5 Jun 2020 07.10 BST That’s it from me, Helen Sullivan, for today. Thank you so much to those of you who got in touch on Twitter. Before I go – this video was taken earlier this week, but because it’s Friday: here are protestors singing along to Tupac’s 1992 song “Changes” at the George Floyd protest all the way in Aotearoa (the Māori name for New Zealand): Tupac at the George Floyd protests in Aotearoa (New Zealand) earlier this week 💔: pic.twitter.com/Fui4zAksnk — Helen Sullivan (@helenrsullivan) June 5, 2020
Updated at 07.18 BST


theguardian--2020-06-04--'Slide to illiberalism': ex-general joins chorus of condemnation of Trump

The retired marine general who led the global coalition against Isis and commanded US forces in Afghanistan has warned that Donald Trump ’ s actions this week could start a US “ slide into illiberalism ” and the beginning of the end of “ the American experiment ” .
In denouncing the president for his response to the George Floyd protests , John Allen became the latest in a string of venerable military figures to have gone public over what they describe as the threat posed by Trump to the non-political nature of the armed forces , and more broadly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role of the military in responding to the protests have also opened a rift between the president and his defence secretary , Mark Esper , who angered Trump on Wednesday by opposing the threatened use of the 1807 Insurrection Act to deploy troops on US streets .
Allen , now president of the Brookings Institution , also focused his criticism on the president ’ s threat on Monday to deploy the US military against protesters , and his use of force against a peaceful demonstration outside the White House so that he could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a church .
“ The slide of the United States into illiberalism may well have begun on 1 June 2020 .
Remember the date .
It may well signal the beginning of the end of the American experiment , ” Allen wrote on the Foreign Policy website .
His commentary followed a similarly stinging denunciation on Wednesday from Trump ’ s first defence secretary , James Mattis , who described the actions taken on Monday in front of the White House as an “ abuse of executive authority ” and suggested that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to account for making “ a mockery of our constitution ” .
Trump responded on Twitter by calling Mattis “ the world ’ s most overrated General , ” adding : “ I didn ’ t like his leadership style or much else about him , and many others agree .
Glad he is gone !
” More than 17,000 members of the national guard , a part-time reserve force jointly controlled by the states and the federal government , have been deployed by 23 states to support law enforcement .
But Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Insurrection Act to deploy active-duty forces in US cities – against the wishes of the state authorities if necessary .
A battalion from the elite 82nd Airborne Division , and two brigades of military police , were flown from their bases in North Carolina and New York to the Washington area at the beginning of the week , apparently to be on standby if the Insurrection Act was invoked .
Esper broke with Trump on a policy issue for the first time on Wednesday , saying the situation did not merit the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 82nd Airborne back to their base in Fort Bragg .
But after visiting the White House he reversed that order , though on Thursday there were reports once more that the troops would be leaving Washington .
A White House spokesman , Hogan Gidley , said on Thursday “ all options are on the table ” in terms of the use of active duty troops .
Uniformed military leaders in all the armed services have issued messages to their rank and file that , while not criticising the commander-in-chief directly , used a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Trump ’ s insistence on “ domination ” .
The officers emphasised the constitutional right to protest rather than the incidents of looting .
“ As members of the Joint Force – comprised of all races , colors , and creeds – you embody the ideals of our Constitution , ” General Mark Milley , the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff , said , “ Please remind all of our troops and leaders that we will uphold the values of our nation , and operate consistent with national laws and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all times.
” Trump frequently refers to “ my generals ” and “ my military ” but the statements by the service chiefs referred to the constitution , not the president .
The armed forces are one of the most diverse major US institutions , and are roughly representative of the country ’ s ethnic makeup .
Senior officers have been deeply concerned about racial polarisation spreading to the military if it is drawn into dealing with the unrest .
The chief master sergeant of the air force , Kaleth Wright , wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expressing the agony caused by police killings of black Americans .
“ Just like most of the Black Airmen and so many others in our ranks … I am outraged at watching another Black man die on television before our very eyes , ” Wright wrote , and was quickly supported by his senior officers .
Kayla Williams , who served as an intelligence officer in the 101st Airborne Division , said the flurry of public and private statements “ reveals deep unease , even among senior levels , and a real lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our government at this point ” .
“ Among the rank and file there also seems to be a great deal of discomfort at the prospect of having to intervene in civil unrest , ” Williams , now a senior fellow at the Centre for a New American Security , said .
She added that deployment of an 82nd Airborne combat unit to the Washington area , was particularly inappropriate .
“ I absolutely do not think that this type of unit is well suited for responding to domestic unrest .
The troops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ training that is critical , ” Williams said .
James Dubik , a retired lieutenant general and a senior fellow at the Institute for the Study of War , said service members swear an oath to the constitution , and are at the same time obligated to follow the legal commands of the president .
“ So if there ’ s a belief on the part of a senior military leader that an order – even if it ’ s a legal order – violates the constitution then that person is in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lt Gen Dubik said .
The options were to simply obey regardless , resign or attempt to convince the “ final decision authority ” , in this case the president , they are making a mistake .
“ None of the options are good options , ” he said , but added that the best was to seek to persuade the president in private , which he added , “ I suspect is going on right now .
”

The retired marine general who led the global coalition against Isis and commanded US forces in Afghanistan has warned that Donald Trump’s actions this week could start a US “ slide into illiberalism” and the beginning of the end of “the American experiment”.
In denouncing the president for his response to the George Floyd protests, John Allen became the latest in a string of venerable military figures to have gone public over what they describe as the threat posed by Trump to the non-political nature of the armed forces, and more broadly to US democracy.
Tensions over the role of the military in responding to the protests have also opened a rift between the president and his defence secretary, Mark Esper, who angered Trump on Wednesday by opposing the threatened use of the 1807 Insurrection Act to deploy troops on US streets.
Allen, now president of the Brookings Institution, also focused his criticism on the president’s threat on Monday to deploy the US military against protesters, and his use of force against a peaceful demonstration outside the White House so that he could be photographed holding a Bible in front of a church.
Lt Gen John Allen. Photograph: ISAF/EPA
“The slide of the United States into illiberalism may well have begun on 1 June 2020. Remember the date. It may well signal the beginning of the end of the American experiment,” Allen wrote on the Foreign Policy website.
His commentary followed a similarly stinging denunciation on Wednesday from Trump’s first defence secretary, James Mattis, who described the actions taken on Monday in front of the White House as an “abuse of executive authority” and suggested that Trump and other officials should be held to account for making “a mockery of our constitution”.
Trump responded on Twitter by calling Mattis “the world’s most overrated General,” adding: “I didn’t like his leadership style or much else about him, and many others agree. Glad he is gone!”
More than 17,000 members of the national guard, a part-time reserve force jointly controlled by the states and the federal government, have been deployed by 23 states to support law enforcement.
But Trump has threatened to go further and invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy active-duty forces in US cities – against the wishes of the state authorities if necessary. A battalion from the elite 82nd Airborne Division, and two brigades of military police, were flown from their bases in North Carolina and New York to the Washington area at the beginning of the week, apparently to be on standby if the Insurrection Act was invoked.
Esper broke with Trump on a policy issue for the first time on Wednesday, saying the situation did not merit the use of the act and ordering the 82nd Airborne back to their base in Fort Bragg. But after visiting the White House he reversed that order, though on Thursday there were reports once more that the troops would be leaving Washington. A White House spokesman, Hogan Gidley, said on Thursday “all options are on the table” in terms of the use of active duty troops.
Uniformed military leaders in all the armed services have issued messages to their rank and file that, while not criticising the commander-in-chief directly, used a very different tone in discussing the situation from Trump’s insistence on “domination”. The officers emphasised the constitutional right to protest rather than the incidents of looting.
“As members of the Joint Force – comprised of all races, colors, and creeds – you embody the ideals of our Constitution,” General Mark Milley, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, said, “Please remind all of our troops and leaders that we will uphold the values of our nation, and operate consistent with national laws and our own high standards of conduct at all times.”
Trump frequently refers to “my generals” and “my military” but the statements by the service chiefs referred to the constitution, not the president.
The armed forces are one of the most diverse major US institutions, and are roughly representative of the country’s ethnic makeup. Senior officers have been deeply concerned about racial polarisation spreading to the military if it is drawn into dealing with the unrest.
The chief master sergeant of the air force, Kaleth Wright, wrote a series of tweets on Monday, expressing the agony caused by police killings of black Americans.
“Just like most of the Black Airmen and so many others in our ranks … I am outraged at watching another Black man die on television before our very eyes,” Wright wrote, and was quickly supported by his senior officers.
Military police officers are restraining a protester near the White House on Monday. Photograph: Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images
Kayla Williams, who served as an intelligence officer in the 101st Airborne Division, said the flurry of public and private statements “reveals deep unease, even among senior levels, and a real lack of cohesion among the senior levels of our government at this point”.
“Among the rank and file there also seems to be a great deal of discomfort at the prospect of having to intervene in civil unrest,” Williams, now a senior fellow at the Centre for a New American Security, said.
She added that deployment of an 82nd Airborne combat unit to the Washington area, was particularly inappropriate.
“I absolutely do not think that this type of unit is well suited for responding to domestic unrest. The troops have not gotten the type of de-escalation training that is critical,” Williams said.
James Dubik, a retired lieutenant general and a senior fellow at the Institute for the Study of War, said service members swear an oath to the constitution, and are at the same time obligated to follow the legal commands of the president.
“So if there’s a belief on the part of a senior military leader that an order – even if it’s a legal order – violates the constitution then that person is in a tough moral and professional dilemma,” Lt Gen Dubik said.
The options were to simply obey regardless, resign or attempt to convince the “final decision authority”, in this case the president, they are making a mistake.
“None of the options are good options,” he said, but added that the best was to seek to persuade the president in private, which he added, “I suspect is going on right now.”


theguardian--2020-06-04--Ukrainian prosecutors find no evidence against Hunter Biden

An audit of thousands of old case files by Ukrainian prosecutors found no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of Hunter Biden , the former prosecutor general , who had launched the audit , told Reuters .
Ruslan Ryaboshapka was in the spotlight last year as the man who would decide whether to launch an investigation into former vice president Joe Biden and his son Hunter , in what became a key issue in the impeachment of President Donald Trump .
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy described Ryaboshapka as “ 100 percent my person ” on a call in July 2019 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the man who became his main rival in the 2020 presidential race .
After taking office , Ryaboshapka in October announced an audit of old cases he inherited , including those related to the energy company Burisma , of which Hunter Biden was a board member between 2014-2019 .
The audit was intended to probe whether cases Ryaboshapka had inherited from his predecessors had been handled properly , given the reputation of the prosecution service as being riddled with corruption and influence-peddling .
The audit was part of a broader reform of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given some of the cases related to Burisma ’ s founder .
“ Regarding the call to Zelenskiy and this story with Burisma .
I can say that there was no pressure on me , ” Ryaboshapka said .
“ The audit was completed.
” “ I specifically asked prosecutors to check especially carefully those facts about Biden ’ s alleged involvement .
They answered that there was nothing of the kind , ” he added .
Ryaboshapka was fired in March after lawmakers accused him of not moving quickly enough in prosecuting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because he had started bringing real reform to the prosecution service for the first time in a way that threatened the interests of corrupt politicians .
Trump was impeached on charges of abuse of power and obstruction in the Democratic-led House of Representatives after he asked Ukraine to investigate the Bidens .
He was acquitted by the Republican-controlled Senate .
Hunter Biden ’ s activities at Burisma have also been the target of scrutiny by a US Senate committee .
Unwittingly caught up in the impeachment row last year , Zelenskiy has said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue and does not want Ukraine being dragged into the 2020 presidential race .

An audit of thousands of old case files by Ukrainian prosecutors found no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of Hunter Biden, the former prosecutor general, who had launched the audit, told Reuters.
Ruslan Ryaboshapka was in the spotlight last year as the man who would decide whether to launch an investigation into former vice president Joe Biden and his son Hunter, in what became a key issue in the impeachment of President Donald Trump.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy described Ryaboshapka as “100 percent my person” on a call in July 2019 in which Trump asked Zelenskiy to investigate Biden, the man who became his main rival in the 2020 presidential race.
After taking office, Ryaboshapka in October announced an audit of old cases he inherited, including those related to the energy company Burisma, of which Hunter Biden was a board member between 2014-2019.
The audit was intended to probe whether cases Ryaboshapka had inherited from his predecessors had been handled properly, given the reputation of the prosecution service as being riddled with corruption and influence-peddling.
The audit was part of a broader reform of the prosecution service but became politically charged given some of the cases related to Burisma’s founder.
“Regarding the call to Zelenskiy and this story with Burisma. I can say that there was no pressure on me,” Ryaboshapka said. “The audit was completed.”
“I specifically asked prosecutors to check especially carefully those facts about Biden’s alleged involvement. They answered that there was nothing of the kind,” he added.
Ryaboshapka was fired in March after lawmakers accused him of not moving quickly enough in prosecuting cases. Ryaboshapka said he was axed because he had started bringing real reform to the prosecution service for the first time in a way that threatened the interests of corrupt politicians.
Trump was impeached on charges of abuse of power and obstruction in the Democratic-led House of Representatives after he asked Ukraine to investigate the Bidens. He was acquitted by the Republican-controlled Senate.
Hunter Biden’s activities at Burisma have also been the target of scrutiny by a US Senate committee.
Unwittingly caught up in the impeachment row last year, Zelenskiy has said Ukrainians are “tired” of the issue and does not want Ukraine being dragged into the 2020 presidential race.


theguardian--2020-06-04--Trump hankers for roar of the crowd while Biden takes campaign virtual

Donald Trump wants to be nominated by a Republican national convention with all the trappings of a normal , packed event : the thronging crowds , the balloon drop , the scores of sideshow events .
Meanwhile , former vice-president Joe Biden and senior Democratic officials are strongly considering a partially or completely virtual convention .
It is a stark illustration of how the two men – and their parties – are reacting to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the 2020 race .
Trump wants to get back to business as usual in the physical world while Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world mostly online .
Even as America cautiously reopens from its most quarantined pandemic days , Trump has traveled across the country and been plotting campaign events and an upcoming in-person fundraiser .
Biden has been far more cautious , continuing to host online fundraisers while his team have said they are listening to health experts on how quickly to revert back to pre-coronavirus campaigning .
When he has delivered speeches or made public appearances , Trump has refused to wear a mask .
Biden has made a point of appearing masked in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It ’ s in Biden ’ s interest that the campaign is a referendum on the president and not a choice , ” said Republican David Kochel , who was a top adviser for Jeb Bush ’ s 2016 presidential campaign .
“ So if I was Team Biden I would probably be doing the same thing , which is being as low-key as possible , sending a more calm and reassuring message .
But I don ’ t think that Biden needs to get out and try and hold a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his forte anyway.
” Kochel added that Trump ’ s approach made sense for him as well .
“ The Trump strategy really makes sense as well because he really does feed off of those rallies – the energy that he gets from them , ” Kochel said .
“ It ’ s an interesting platform for him to launch into his detractors and his rivals and without that platform I think it ’ s not as easy for him.
” Both Biden and Trump have made appearances in public since the protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have rocked the nation with scenes of unrest .
Both have delivered remarks addressing those protests .
But where Biden ’ s public appearances and comments have largely been about calling for reform , Trump has pushed a “ law and order ” agenda – although he has publicly acknowledged Floyd ’ s death .
Biden is reportedly expected to attend Floyd ’ s funeral next week .
On Friday Trump is slated to travel to Maine to tour where he will tour a nasal swab facility .
The differing approaches extend to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list obtained by the Guardian , all of Biden ’ s upcoming fundraising events are virtual .
By contrast , Trump and his team are plotting in-person fundraisers , according to Politico .
Ignoring the pandemic is also handy for a president whose response to a disaster that has killed 100,000 Americans and seen 40 million people lose their jobs has been widely slammed as chaotic and ineffective .
Meanwhile , Biden ’ s caution emphasizes the reality that the coronavirus remains an ongoing challenge for the government .
“ Protesting aside , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as we ’ re seeing , yes some states are starting to open back up but , as we ’ re seeing , the number of cases is going back up in those places .
Just from a campaign perspective , trying to assess what you can do without putting people in danger [ is important ] , ” said the Democratic strategist Karen Finney , who served as a senior communications adviser for Hillary Clinton ’ s 2016 presidential campaign .
Finney added that she doubted voters would rally around Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never happened .
Americans are having to accept that this entire election cycle will be unlike other ones , Finney said .
“ I think this is also part of us accepting that it ’ s all going to be very different , voting is going to be different , ” Finney added .
“ We may have to settle in and be prepared that we may not have a set answer on election night .
It may be a two- or three-day process.
” The Trump team and the president himself have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing and virtual campaigning into a liability .
Trump has dinged his likely rival as dotty and out of touch .
Trump allies hope that if the president is confidently crisscrossing the country without a mask , doing campaign events , that will also offer a stark contrast with Biden .
They hope he will appear weak to voters .
Finney , though , said the reason Trump has been attacking Biden on the Democrat ’ s caution is because so far it has helped Biden develop a healthy lead in the polls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ Biden ] is because the basement strategy has been very successful and effective , ” Finney said .
Biden , Finney said , has been able to create virtual events that have been effective .
“ He ’ s been able to deliver a clear , consistent message that actually is resonating with what people hear in this time of crisis and speaking to our fears and our concerns but also trying to put forward a positive message .
”

Donald Trump wants to be nominated by a Republican national convention with all the trappings of a normal, packed event: the thronging crowds, the balloon drop, the scores of sideshow events. Meanwhile, former vice-president Joe Biden and senior Democratic officials are strongly considering a partially or completely virtual convention.
It is a stark illustration of how the two men – and their parties – are reacting to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the 2020 race. Trump wants to get back to business as usual in the physical world while Biden and his staff are navigating a new world mostly online.
Even as America cautiously reopens from its most quarantined pandemic days, Trump has traveled across the country and been plotting campaign events and an upcoming in-person fundraiser.
Biden has been far more cautious, continuing to host online fundraisers while his team have said they are listening to health experts on how quickly to revert back to pre-coronavirus campaigning.
When he has delivered speeches or made public appearances, Trump has refused to wear a mask. Biden has made a point of appearing masked in public, a deliberate contrast to Trump.
“It’s in Biden’s interest that the campaign is a referendum on the president and not a choice,” said Republican David Kochel, who was a top adviser for Jeb Bush’s 2016 presidential campaign. “So if I was Team Biden I would probably be doing the same thing, which is being as low-key as possible, sending a more calm and reassuring message. But I don’t think that Biden needs to get out and try and hold a 10,000-person rally. It’s not his forte anyway.”
Kochel added that Trump’s approach made sense for him as well.
“The Trump strategy really makes sense as well because he really does feed off of those rallies – the energy that he gets from them,” Kochel said. “It’s an interesting platform for him to launch into his detractors and his rivals and without that platform I think it’s not as easy for him.”
Donald Trump wants this year’s Republican convention to replicate the crowded, in-person atmosphere of the 2016 version. Photograph: Rick Wilking/Reuters
Both Biden and Trump have made appearances in public since the protests sparked by George Floyd’s death have rocked the nation with scenes of unrest. Both have delivered remarks addressing those protests. But where Biden’s public appearances and comments have largely been about calling for reform, Trump has pushed a “law and order” agenda – although he has publicly acknowledged Floyd’s death.
Biden is reportedly expected to attend Floyd’s funeral next week. On Friday Trump is slated to travel to Maine to tour where he will tour a nasal swab facility.
The differing approaches extend to fundraisers as well. According to a list obtained by the Guardian, all of Biden’s upcoming fundraising events are virtual. By contrast, Trump and his team are plotting in-person fundraisers, according to Politico.
Ignoring the pandemic is also handy for a president whose response to a disaster that has killed 100,000 Americans and seen 40 million people lose their jobs has been widely slammed as chaotic and ineffective. Meanwhile, Biden’s caution emphasizes the reality that the coronavirus remains an ongoing challenge for the government.
“Protesting aside, it’s a tricky time because as we’re seeing, yes some states are starting to open back up but, as we’re seeing, the number of cases is going back up in those places. Just from a campaign perspective, trying to assess what you can do without putting people in danger [is important],” said the Democratic strategist Karen Finney, who served as a senior communications adviser for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign.
Finney added that she doubted voters would rally around Trump’s approach to campaigning like the pandemic never happened. Americans are having to accept that this entire election cycle will be unlike other ones, Finney said.
“I think this is also part of us accepting that it’s all going to be very different, voting is going to be different,” Finney added. “We may have to settle in and be prepared that we may not have a set answer on election night. It may be a two- or three-day process.”
The Trump team and the president himself have wanted to turn Biden’s social distancing and virtual campaigning into a liability. Trump has dinged his likely rival as dotty and out of touch. Trump allies hope that if the president is confidently crisscrossing the country without a mask, doing campaign events, that will also offer a stark contrast with Biden. They hope he will appear weak to voters.
Finney, though, said the reason Trump has been attacking Biden on the Democrat’s caution is because so far it has helped Biden develop a healthy lead in the polls.
“The reason Trump is attacking [Biden] is because the basement strategy has been very successful and effective,” Finney said. Biden, Finney said, has been able to create virtual events that have been effective. “He’s been able to deliver a clear, consistent message that actually is resonating with what people hear in this time of crisis and speaking to our fears and our concerns but also trying to put forward a positive message.”


theguardian--2020-06-04--The Guardian view on Trump and the military: moment of decision | Editorial

American military force shaped the modern era .
Sometimes it overthrew tyrannies and made the world safe , as in 1940s Europe .
At other times it has made the world more dangerous , as in Vietnam and Iraq .
In the civil war of the 1860s , the military preserved the Union at terrible but necessary cost .
Since then , with a handful of exceptions and then mostly only at the request of state governors , the US military has been kept well out of domestic politics .
America fiercely celebrates its military , but its laws place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States itself .
There is an overwhelmingly good reason for this caution .
Military force , whether embodied in martial law or through the lethal power of arms and force , is incompatible with constitutional democracy , rights and justice .
Poland discovered that in 1981 .
So did the democracy activists of China at Tiananmen Square in 1989 .
The people of countries like Egypt , Turkey , Thailand and Pakistan , where martial law has been common , know better than most what military rule entails .
Lest there be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland , where the arrival of British troops in 1969 became as much the source of the nearly 40-year Troubles as their solution , especially after the Bloody Sunday shootings of civilians .
Donald Trump is now actively agitating to dispatch American armed forces to crush protests on American soil .
Whether he goes through with that threat depends on whether the protests , triggered by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis , continue at the level experienced in dozens of US cities during the past week .
There are significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests may have passed for now .
But Mr Trump is in the provocation business .
He thinks America ’ s racial divisions may help his re-election campaign , badly damaged by his mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic .
Nothing can be ruled out with this president .
In Washington this week , Mr Trump gave Americans a taste of what he may do .
Because he has more powers in the District of Columbia than in the states , Mr Trump mobilised military police , the 82nd Airborne Division , an army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shadowy groups , in shows of force in the capital city .
Having described the unrest , the majority of which has been peaceful , as domestic terror and promised to use “ thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers ” , his forces used teargas to clear peaceful protesters from outside the White House .
Then , accompanied by the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff , Gen Mark Milley , dressed in battle fatigues , Mr Trump staged a bible-waving photo opportunity .
These posturings were so shocking that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military and beyond .
The defence secretary , Mark Esper , who had earlier called US cities a “ battlespace ” , backed away from using force .
His predecessor James Mattis said Mr Trump was the first president in his lifetime who was a divider , not a uniter .
Gen Milley , who three years ago expressed support for “ disciplined disobedience ” for the sake of a “ higher purpose ” , issued an order to uphold equality , freedom of speech and the right to dignity .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ silent .
This may mark an overdue change .
Mr Trump is infatuated with military and political strongmen .
He sides with authoritarians like Xi Jinping , Vladimir Putin , Kim Jong-un and Rodrigo Duterte .
He supported the Tiananmen repression .
He goes out of his way to praise violent military officers .
Though he evaded military service himself , he has a fetish about the forces .
Early in the pandemic he egged on armed movements that protested against social distancing .
It may seem incredible that a president might seek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political advantage .
But as he battles to retain power , military officials and Republican candidates , as well as voters and foreign governments , will all have to decide which side they are on .

American military force shaped the modern era. Sometimes it overthrew tyrannies and made the world safe, as in 1940s Europe. At other times it has made the world more dangerous, as in Vietnam and Iraq. In the civil war of the 1860s, the military preserved the Union at terrible but necessary cost. Since then, with a handful of exceptions and then mostly only at the request of state governors, the US military has been kept well out of domestic politics. America fiercely celebrates its military, but its laws place firm restrictions on military action within the United States itself.
There is an overwhelmingly good reason for this caution. Military force, whether embodied in martial law or through the lethal power of arms and force, is incompatible with constitutional democracy, rights and justice. Poland discovered that in 1981. So did the democracy activists of China at Tiananmen Square in 1989. The people of countries like Egypt, Turkey, Thailand and Pakistan, where martial law has been common, know better than most what military rule entails. Lest there be any British smugness, remember also Northern Ireland, where the arrival of British troops in 1969 became as much the source of the nearly 40-year Troubles as their solution, especially after the Bloody Sunday shootings of civilians.
Donald Trump is now actively agitating to dispatch American armed forces to crush protests on American soil. Whether he goes through with that threat depends on whether the protests, triggered by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, continue at the level experienced in dozens of US cities during the past week. There are significant signs that the peak of the worldwide protests may have passed for now. But Mr Trump is in the provocation business. He thinks America’s racial divisions may help his re-election campaign, badly damaged by his mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic. Nothing can be ruled out with this president.
In Washington this week, Mr Trump gave Americans a taste of what he may do. Because he has more powers in the District of Columbia than in the states, Mr Trump mobilised military police, the 82nd Airborne Division, an army Black Hawk helicopter, and perhaps more shadowy groups, in shows of force in the capital city. Having described the unrest, the majority of which has been peaceful, as domestic terror and promised to use “thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers”, his forces used teargas to clear peaceful protesters from outside the White House. Then, accompanied by the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Gen Mark Milley, dressed in battle fatigues, Mr Trump staged a bible-waving photo opportunity.
These posturings were so shocking that they sparked a rare political backlash within the military and beyond. The defence secretary, Mark Esper, who had earlier called US cities a “battlespace”, backed away from using force. His predecessor James Mattis said Mr Trump was the first president in his lifetime who was a divider, not a uniter. Gen Milley, who three years ago expressed support for “disciplined disobedience” for the sake of a “higher purpose”, issued an order to uphold equality, freedom of speech and the right to dignity. In the past, Trump aides have stayed shamefully silent. This may mark an overdue change.
Mr Trump is infatuated with military and political strongmen. He sides with authoritarians like Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong-un and Rodrigo Duterte. He supported the Tiananmen repression. He goes out of his way to praise violent military officers. Though he evaded military service himself, he has a fetish about the forces. Early in the pandemic he egged on armed movements that protested against social distancing. It may seem incredible that a president might seek the killing of his own people for political advantage. But as he battles to retain power, military officials and Republican candidates, as well as voters and foreign governments, will all have to decide which side they are on.


theguardian--2020-06-04--The US would condemn other countries who acted this way. What a sad state of affairs | Michael H Fuc

The US would condemn other countries who acted this way. What a sad state of affairs | Michael H Fuchs

The killing of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis was the latest tragedy illustrating a centuries-long history of racism in America , one so deeply ingrained that it endures despite the rights hard-won in the courts and Congress .
Police brutality is , of course , just one of countless ways that African Americans and other people of color suffer from structural inequality and discrimination in America .
Faced with massive protests against this racism , President Donald Trump has responded like an autocrat .
Trump has repeatedly encouraged violence against protesters and threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The chairman of the joint chiefs of staff – America ’ s top military official – stood next to Trump as he talked about deploying troops , then walked the streets of DC in his combat fatigues to survey the scene like an occupying general .
The US secretary of defense told governors to “ dominate the battlespace ” – the “ battlespace ” meaning the streets of American cities .
The breadth and depth of the structural problems at play can be seen in police forces ’ responses to protests , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Police are shooting people with paint pellets and rubber bullets , running into protesters with cars , and shooting teargas and flash-bang canisters into crowds .
A helicopter in Washington DC flew low over a crowd to disperse it with noise and wind , a tactic used in war zones against insurgents .
And the police violently dispersed a group of peaceful protesters in front of the White House to clear a path for Trump to walk to a church for a photo op .
If these events were taking place in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government would express its outrage in statements and high-level phone calls and coordinate with allied countries and international organizations to pressure the offending government .
From repression in the Soviet Union to the brutal suppression of protests in the Middle East during the Arab spring , the US has helped lead principled international responses to countries that violently oppress their citizens .
Today , in a truly sad state of affairs , dictatorships around the world – systems built on the repression of their own citizens – are able to give their propagandists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because they can just post pictures and videos of current events .
While there is no legitimate comparison between these dictatorships and what is happening in America today , the US ’ s actions undercut its ability to stand up for what ’ s right abroad .
In the same week that America is trying to pressure China over its repression in Hong Kong and commemorating the anniversary of China ’ s violent crackdown against citizens in Tiananmen Square in 1989 , the American government is threatening violence against peaceful protesters at home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focus of intense anger , frustration and disappointment from people across the world .
United Nations officials have spoken out about the murder of George Floyd .
The pope called out racism in America .
Australia launched an investigation into an incident in which a police officer attacked an Australian journalist covering the US protests .
If the situation in America continues to escalate , one could easily imagine some of America ’ s closest democratic allies beginning to consider steps like offering protesters asylum , criticizing America ’ s state-sanctioned violence in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US officials responsible .
But something more is happening abroad – something that speaks to the best of America as well .
Protests from New Zealand to the Netherlands have shown an outpouring of support for Americans standing up against racism and police brutality .
As flawed as they are , America ’ s democratic institutions are built to allow people to voice their opinions , vote out their elected leaders , take to the streets to protest peacefully , and improve policies .
It is this capacity for change and improvement that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world for decades .
Today , America ’ s protesters are its ambassadors to the world , reminding everyone of the ideals the country strives to embody .
And even in these dark times , people around the world still believe in the vision of America that the protesters are struggling to build .
Like the protesters at home , those taking to the streets around the world to speak out against racism in America – and to remember George Floyd , Breonna Taylor , Ahmaud Arbery and countless others – understand what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump .

The killing of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis was the latest tragedy illustrating a centuries-long history of racism in America, one so deeply ingrained that it endures despite the rights hard-won in the courts and Congress. Police brutality is, of course, just one of countless ways that African Americans and other people of color suffer from structural inequality and discrimination in America.
Faced with massive protests against this racism, President Donald Trump has responded like an autocrat. Trump has repeatedly encouraged violence against protesters and threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy troops on US soil. The chairman of the joint chiefs of staff – America’s top military official – stood next to Trump as he talked about deploying troops, then walked the streets of DC in his combat fatigues to survey the scene like an occupying general. The US secretary of defense told governors to “dominate the battlespace” – the “battlespace” meaning the streets of American cities.
The breadth and depth of the structural problems at play can be seen in police forces’ responses to protests, which often range from heavy-handed to outright dangerous. Police are shooting people with paint pellets and rubber bullets, running into protesters with cars, and shooting teargas and flash-bang canisters into crowds. A helicopter in Washington DC flew low over a crowd to disperse it with noise and wind, a tactic used in war zones against insurgents. And the police violently dispersed a group of peaceful protesters in front of the White House to clear a path for Trump to walk to a church for a photo op.
If these events were taking place in any other country, a normal US government would express its outrage in statements and high-level phone calls and coordinate with allied countries and international organizations to pressure the offending government. From repression in the Soviet Union to the brutal suppression of protests in the Middle East during the Arab spring, the US has helped lead principled international responses to countries that violently oppress their citizens.
America is, justifiably, the focus of intense anger, frustration, and disappointment from people across the world
Today, in a truly sad state of affairs, dictatorships around the world – systems built on the repression of their own citizens – are able to give their propagandists a break from fabricating stories about America because they can just post pictures and videos of current events. While there is no legitimate comparison between these dictatorships and what is happening in America today, the US’s actions undercut its ability to stand up for what’s right abroad. In the same week that America is trying to pressure China over its repression in Hong Kong and commemorating the anniversary of China’s violent crackdown against citizens in Tiananmen Square in 1989, the American government is threatening violence against peaceful protesters at home.
America is, justifiably, the focus of intense anger, frustration and disappointment from people across the world. United Nations officials have spoken out about the murder of George Floyd. The pope called out racism in America. Australia launched an investigation into an incident in which a police officer attacked an Australian journalist covering the US protests. If the situation in America continues to escalate, one could easily imagine some of America’s closest democratic allies beginning to consider steps like offering protesters asylum, criticizing America’s state-sanctioned violence in international organizations, and even perhaps sanctioning US officials responsible.
But something more is happening abroad – something that speaks to the best of America as well. Protests from New Zealand to the Netherlands have shown an outpouring of support for Americans standing up against racism and police brutality. As flawed as they are, America’s democratic institutions are built to allow people to voice their opinions, vote out their elected leaders, take to the streets to protest peacefully, and improve policies. It is this capacity for change and improvement that has given inspiration to people across the world for decades.
Today, America’s protesters are its ambassadors to the world, reminding everyone of the ideals the country strives to embody. And even in these dark times, people around the world still believe in the vision of America that the protesters are struggling to build. Like the protesters at home, those taking to the streets around the world to speak out against racism in America – and to remember George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and countless others – understand what makes America great far better than Donald Trump.


theguardian--2020-06-02--Journalists charged at by police while live on air during Washington protests – video

Washington police appeared to charge at an Australian news cameraman live on air as the crew attempted to report on @ @ @ @ @ the US capital on Tuesday .
Outrage over the death of Floyd , an unarmed @ @ @ @ @ a white officer knelt on his neck for several minutes in Minneapolis , has sparked @ @ @ @ @ in the US • Teargas fired so Trump can pose at church • Are you @ @ @ @ @ after the death of George Floyd ?

Washington police appeared to charge at an Australian news cameraman live on air as the crew attempted to report on the George Floyd protests in the US capital on Tuesday.
Outrage over the death of Floyd, an unarmed black man who died after a white officer knelt on his neck for several minutes in Minneapolis, has sparked worldwide demonstrations and violent clashes in the US


theguardian--2020-06-05--Civil rights groups sue Trump and Barr for use of teargas outside White House – as it happened

There will inevitably be a huge focus on what happens now with the Minneapolis police force .
Associated Press reporters Tammy Webber and Amy Forliti have been looking at the challenges faced by Medaria Arradondo , the city ’ s first African American police chief .
In his 2017 swearing-in ceremony he spoke of restoring trust .
But George Floyd ’ s death has raised questions about whether Arradondo — or any chief — can fix the department .
The city ’ s own data going back to 2015 shows that when police officers use force , 60 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dealing with is black , though only 20 % of the population is black .
“ I think the chief ’ s heart is in the right place , ” City Council member Steve Fletcher said .
“ But I don ’ t think this department was ever going to let him get there .
I think people understand he was in an impossible situation.
” Fletcher argues that Arradondo was too lenient with discipline in his first year as chief as he worked to build department morale , which made getting rid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s predecessor , Janee Harteau , was forced out over the fatal shooting of Justine Ruszczyk Damond .
She said she received push-back from the union when she was trying to implement reforms and this week she called on police union President Lt. Bob Kroll to resign after his controversial comments .
The Minnesota Department of Human Rights filed civil rights charges related to Floyd ’ s death and will investigate the Minneapolis Police Department to determine if it has engaged in discriminatory practices , Governor Tim Walz said this week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the police department should be disbanded , saying he believes it ’ s “ so broken it can ’ t be fixed.
” “ I think we need to rebuild from the ground up , ” said Fletcher , vice chair of the city ’ s public safety committee .
Bob Bennett , an attorney who said he has sued the department “ hundreds ” of times over police misconduct allegations , said Arradondo probably did the best he could , but the union has more sway than chiefs do over police conduct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reform the department as much as anyone I ’ ve ever met or seen , ” Bennett said .
“ Hopefully this whole mess will bring about some change .
”

Martin Belam, Helen Sullivan, Maanvi Singh, Martin Pengelly, Joan E Greve and Joanna Walters


theguardian--2020-06-05--Civil rights groups sue Trump over assault on peaceful protesters near White House

The American Civil Liberties Union and other civil rights groups are suing Donald Trump , William Barr and other federal officials over the assault on peaceful protesters near the White House on Monday , to allow the president to hold a photo op at a historic church .
According to a release from the ACLU of the District of Columbia , the lawsuit filed on behalf of Black Lives Matter DC and individual protesters accuses Trump and the other officials are accused of “ violating their constitutional rights and engaging in an unlawful conspiracy to violate those rights ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rights and Urban Affairs , Lawyers ’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and the law firm of Arnold & Porter also filed the suit .
Protesters demonstrating over the killing of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis were gassed , shot with rubber bullets and forcefully cleared on Barr ’ s orders so Trump could walk to St John ’ s church , the so-called Church of the Presidents , and hold up a Bible in a photo op meant to reassure evangelical supporters .
“ What happened to our members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s capital , was an affront to all our rights , ” April Goggans of Black Lives Matter DC , the lead plaintiff in the case , said in a quote provided by the ACLU .
“ The death of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor at the hands of police officers has reignited the rage , pain and deep sadness our community has suffered for generations .
We won ’ t be silenced by teargas and rubber bullets .
Now is our time to be heard.
” The lawsuit , filed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ William Barr , the attorney general , defended the decision to forcefully remove the peaceful protesters , saying it was necessary to protect officers and federal property .
Scott Michaelman , the legal director for the ACLU of the District of Columbia , said : “ The president ’ s shameless , unconstitutional , unprovoked and frankly criminal attack on protesters because he disagreed with their views shakes the foundation of our nation ’ s constitutional order .
“ And when the nation ’ s top law enforcement officer becomes complicit in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protected speech for all of us.
” Ben Wizner , the director of the ACLU ’ s Speech , Privacy , and Technology Project , said lawsuits would be filed across the US , where “ law enforcement armed with military weaponry are responding with violence to people who are protesting police brutality .
“ The first amendment right to protest is under attack , and we will not let this go unanswered.
” Trump and supporters have claimed protesters in Lafayette Square , in front of the White House , and near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teargassed .
But as an Associated Press factcheck points out , “ the US Park Police denied using teargas , yet acknowledged deploying a pepper compound , which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other scientific organizations list as one form of teargas ” .
The White House has also contested reports that rubber bullets were also used to clear the crowd before Trump , who had just promised to enforce “ law and order ” in a brief Rose Garden address .
The events in and around Lafayette Square on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rift in US society and even within the US military .
Trump was accompanied to the church by officials including Mark Esper , the secretary of defense , and Gen Mark Milley , the chair of the joint chiefs of staff .
Esper has said he had not known the president was intending to hold a photo op .
But senior figures including the former defense secretary and marine corps general James Mattis , the former JCOS chair admiral Mike Mullen and the former marine corps general John Allen , a former US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have expressed their disgust with both the stunt and the military ’ s participation in it .
Barr said he had met with other law enforcement officials earlier Monday and decided they needed to extend a security perimeter around the White House to protect federal agents “ who could be reached by projectiles from the street ” .
He expected the perimeter to be moved in the early afternoon , but when he arrived in the evening , shortly before Trump was set to speak at a news conference , he learned it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement officials to take action .
After the crowd was dispersed , Trump , followed by an entourage of his most senior aides – including Barr – along with Secret Service agents and reporters , walked over to St John ’ s Church , the landmark pale-yellow building where every president , including Trump , has prayed , that had been damaged Sunday night in a protest fire .
Barr said Trump , as the nation ’ s chief executive , had every right to do so and claimed it wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessarily view that as a political act .
I think it was entirely appropriate for him to do , ” Barr said .
US Park Police launched an investigation after officers were seen hitting an Australian journalist with a shield as they cleared the protesters .
For days , the federal government has vowed to have an aggressive response in the District of Columbia after nights of violence that led to fires being set , windows shattered , store shelves emptied and dozens of police officers injured .
The federal government has deployed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and national guard troops from a number of states have been sent to the District of Columbia .