shareblue--2020-06-01--Lawyers fight for release of trans inmates as pandemic puts them at higher risk

The public push to release the at-risk transgender inmates began in April .
Some members of the task force signed a letter requesting the inmates ' immediate release addressed to New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ; New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio ; acting New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Commissioner Anthony J. Annucci ; and assistant district attorneys Cyrus Vance , Eric Gonzalez , Melinda Katz , Darcel Clark , and Michael McMahon .
New York City public advocate Jumaane Williams and seven New York City council members also signed on to the letter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizations , including Lambda Legal , New Pride Agenda , the Legal Aid Society , and the Sylvia Rivera Law Project .
Kinkead said that because incarcerated people do n't have regular access to the news , they often have to take cues on safety measures from correctional officers .
Some of the officers , such as those at Sing Sing , wear masks and try to keep to social distancing , Kinkead said , but such safety measures are far less enforced the further away you are from New York City .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has filed petitions seeking the release of two people : a transgender woman referred to as A.A. and a transgender woman named Cathy Citro .
Kinkead said Legal Aid has been interviewed around 30 incarcerated people and two or three more could have petitions filed on their behalf soon .
Most of the people Kinkead is in touch with are transgender women , but the Legal Aid Society has spoken with a few nonbinary people and transgender men as well .
A week ago , A.A. , who works as a cleaner at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and is living with HIV , said she does n't see how she can stop cleaning , for her own safety , without incurring penalties .
`` I asked her , can you say , 'It 's not safe for me .
I might get sick , ’ and she said , ' I can do that but I could get a disciplinary ticket and I might go to solitary . '
In that phone call , she did not report feeling sick or any other symptoms , but we are worried she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walking all over the prison she 's engaging in cleaning , '' Kinkead said .
As of May 30 , the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision said there were 507 total positive coronavirus cases , 439 recovered cases , and 16 deaths .
There were 1,277 confirmed cases among staff and 71 among parolees as of May 31 .
The Legal Aid Society has been critical of the information released by both the New York City Department of Correction and the Correctional Health Services , however , and said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data transparency .
The numbers may also be higher because a low number of people are tested regularly , epidemiologists have said .
Citro , a 63-year-old transgender woman with diabetes , asthma , and high blood pressure who is eligible for parole in December , recently had a serious kidney infection that led to a urinary tract infection .
She was hospitalized , and on May 8 she had a temperature of 103.6 degrees .
Citro was found not to have the virus , but because she was sick it was harder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with her .
There are a number of reasons why transgender , nonbinary , intersex , and gender non-conforming people are particularly vulnerable when they 're incarcerated .
Transgender people everywhere face many hurdles in accessing appropriate health care .
They deal with discriminatory insurers and doctors , and with doctors who are n't trained to provide health care specific to their needs .
`` We have huge areas of our health that are undercared-for and that 's why there is such a volume of HIV rates and things like blood pressure and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our bodies are particularly stressed , and you add to it that single woman we 're working with , on these routes or potential routes , is in a men 's facility .
She 's constantly on high alert for physical violence , sexual violence , or harassment . ''
Kinkead noted that there have been mixed reports of how prisoners are treated in quarantine , with some people having greater access to soap and showers and regular wellness check-ins and others being left alone for days without access to masks or more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of these clients have suffered intense trauma stemming from sexual abuse , homelessness , and other experiences that are constantly retriggered in men 's facilities .
Stress can exacerbate existing health problems or create new ones , Kinkead said .
Fallout from the pandemic can also result in increased violence against trans prisoners who are already at higher risk for sexual assault .
`` As officers get sick and have to call out of work and nurses and medical practitioners have to call out of work , the prisons deteriorate , and so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that means more space for violence , '' Kinkead said .
`` We 're very concerned that a lot of the folks we 're working with , who have already survived horrific acts of violence in the prison system , are now more vulnerable . ''
Kinkead has said that an assistant attorney general suggested that one client who had suffered such violence , an incarcerated , elderly , and ill trans woman , not pursue litigation and that there has n't been a response from the governor on the issue .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be released given their unique medical needs , the pandemic , and jail conditions , but it 's not clear if the New York City jail can release them since they 're in state custody .
A request for a writ of habeas corpus , which is used to bring a prisoner to court to determine if their detention is valid , was submitted for one of the women but was ultimately denied .

The public push to release the at-risk transgender inmates began in April. Some members of the task force signed a letter requesting the inmates’ immediate release addressed to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo; New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio; acting New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Commissioner Anthony J. Annucci;and assistant district attorneys Cyrus Vance, Eric Gonzalez, Melinda Katz, Darcel Clark, and Michael McMahon.
New York City public advocate Jumaane Williams and seven New York City council members also signed on to the letter, which was supported by more than 40 organizations, including Lambda Legal, New Pride Agenda, the Legal Aid Society, and the Sylvia Rivera Law Project.
Kinkead said that because incarcerated people don’t have regular access to the news, they often have to take cues on safety measures from correctional officers. Some of the officers, such as those at Sing Sing, wear masks and try to keep to social distancing, Kinkead said, but such safety measures are far less enforced the further away you are from New York City.
So far, the Legal Aid Society has filed petitions seeking the release of two people: a transgender woman referred to as A.A. and a transgender woman named Cathy Citro. Kinkead said Legal Aid has been interviewed around 30 incarcerated people and two or three more could have petitions filed on their behalf soon. Most of the people Kinkead is in touch with are transgender women, but the Legal Aid Society has spoken with a few nonbinary people and transgender men as well.
A week ago, A.A., who works as a cleaner at the prison where she is being held and is living with HIV, said she doesn’t see how she can stop cleaning, for her own safety, without incurring penalties.
“I asked her, can you say, ‘It’s not safe for me. I might get sick,’ and she said, ‘I can do that but I could get a disciplinary ticket and I might go to solitary.’ In that phone call, she did not report feeling sick or any other symptoms, but we are worried she could at any time because she’s walking all over the prison she’s engaging in cleaning,” Kinkead said.
As of May 30, the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision said there were 507 total positive coronavirus cases, 439 recovered cases, and 16 deaths. There were 1,277 confirmed cases among staff and 71 among parolees as of May 31.
The Legal Aid Society has been critical of the information released by both the New York City Department of Correction and the Correctional Health Services, however, and said in March that there isn’t enough data transparency. The numbers may also be higher because a low number of people are tested regularly, epidemiologists have said.
Citro, a 63-year-old transgender woman with diabetes, asthma, and high blood pressure who is eligible for parole in December, recently had a serious kidney infection that led to a urinary tract infection. She was hospitalized, and on May 8 she had a temperature of 103.6 degrees. Citro was found not to have the virus, but because she was sick it was harder for the lawyers to get in touch with her.
There are a number of reasons why transgender, nonbinary, intersex, and gender non-conforming people are particularly vulnerable when they’re incarcerated. Transgender people everywhere face many hurdles in accessing appropriate health care. They deal with discriminatory insurers and doctors, and with doctors who aren’t trained to provide health care specific to their needs.
“We have huge areas of our health that are undercared-for and that’s why there is such a volume of HIV rates and things like blood pressure and diabetes,” Kinkead said. “Our bodies are particularly stressed, and you add to it that single woman we’re working with, on these routes or potential routes, is in a men’s facility. She’s constantly on high alert for physical violence, sexual violence, or harassment.”
Kinkead noted that there have been mixed reports of how prisoners are treated in quarantine, with some people having greater access to soap and showers and regular wellness check-ins and others being left alone for days without access to masks or more soap.
In addition, almost three-quarters of these clients have suffered intense trauma stemming from sexual abuse, homelessness, and other experiences that are constantly retriggered in men’s facilities. Stress can exacerbate existing health problems or create new ones, Kinkead said.
Fallout from the pandemic can also result in increased violence against trans prisoners who are already at higher risk for sexual assault.
“As officers get sick and have to call out of work and nurses and medical practitioners have to call out of work, the prisons deteriorate, and so there’s not much structure, and that means more space for violence,” Kinkead said. “We’re very concerned that a lot of the folks we’re working with, who have already survived horrific acts of violence in the prison system, are now more vulnerable.”
Kinkead has said that an assistant attorney general suggested that one client who had suffered such violence, an incarcerated, elderly, and ill trans woman, not pursue litigation and that there hasn’t been a response from the governor on the issue.
There are two transgender women who Kinkead argues should be released given their unique medical needs, the pandemic, and jail conditions, but it’s not clear if the New York City jail can release them since they’re in state custody. A request for a writ of habeas corpus, which is used to bring a prisoner to court to determine if their detention is valid, was submitted for one of the women but was ultimately denied.


shareblue--2020-06-01--Domestic terrorism expert: Trump's attack on anti-fascists is 'dangerous'

In the wake of days of protest against police violence and unrest across the nation , Donald Trump announced Sunday that he planned to label antifa , or anti-fascist activists , as a `` terrorist organization . ''
The move came as cities across the country saw violent clashes between law enforcement and protesters upset about the death of George Floyd and other unarmed people of color who have been killed by police in recent years .
But a former FBI agent who has written extensively on domestic terrorism said Monday his `` rhetorical bluster '' could actually make things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Brennan Center for Justice 's program on liberty and national security , and author of the book `` Disrupt , Discredit , and Divide : How the New FBI Damages Democracy , '' said in an interview Monday that Trump 's move is a legally meaningless one .
`` There is no legal mechanism to designate any domestic organization as a terrorist organization .
There would be no legal meaning behind it in the first place , '' he explained , noting that the federal law prohibiting `` material support for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` In the second place , '' he continued , `` Antifa is n't an organization .
It stands for 'Anti-fascism . '
It 's more of a description of anti-fascist activities . ''
Thus , even if the anti-terrorism law were applied to antifa , it would have little impact , German believes .
`` The idea of that law is that there are organizations that have resources that you 'd be depriving them of , '' he said .
`` Here , there 's no such organization , there 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're gon na take away the building you do n't have ?
Prevent banks from giving you a loan ?
It 's not a realistic thing , just a rhetorical bluff . ''
Still , he believes Trump 's tweet could be harmful .
`` It 's dangerous because it 's divisive , in taking the side of neo-fascists against anti-fascists , `` he said , adding that it could put pressure on federal and local law enforcement `` to target President Trump 's political enemies , rather than those who promote white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday , Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-NY ) noted that she had pressed the FBI to take white nationalist terrorism more seriously and was told the law did not allow the federal government to treat domestic groups as terrorist organizations .
`` I have questioned the @ FBI in Congress as to why they don ’ t use domestic terror labels for white supremacist groups , '' she noted .
`` They testified that the law prevents labeling US groups as terrorists , [ with ] severe civil liberties concerns . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ white supremacist violence is one of the largest threats to Americans , according to Trump 's own Department of Homeland Security .
Last September , Jill Sanborn assistant director of the FBI 's counterterrorism division , told Congress that `` the greatest threat we face in the homeland today is that posed by lone actors radicalized online who look to attack soft targets with easily accessible weapons . ''
She added that `` the top threat we face from [ domestic violent extremists ] stems from those we identify as racially/ethnically motivated violent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to designate hate groups like the Ku Klux Klan as domestic terrorist organizations , even though they are real organizations that have historically been involved in deaths , German observed .
Still , he said , doing so would also `` fly in the face of the First Amendment '' and be a `` poor method of counterterrorism . ''
German said Trump 's approach will not be effective in reducing violence , but that he does not `` think it 's designed to be . ''
`` It 's designed to demonize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that his supporters can attack them — whether they 're in law enforcement or other organizations . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

In the wake of days of protest against police violence and unrest across the nation, Donald Trump announced Sunday that he planned to label antifa, or anti-fascist activists, as a “terrorist organization.”
The move came as cities across the country saw violent clashes between law enforcement and protesters upset about the death of George Floyd and other unarmed people of color who have been killed by police in recent years.
But a former FBI agent who has written extensively on domestic terrorism said Monday his “rhetorical bluster” could actually make things worse.
Michael German, a fellow with the Brennan Center for Justice’s program on liberty and national security, and author of the book “Disrupt, Discredit, and Divide: How the New FBI Damages Democracy,” said in an interview Monday that Trump’s move is a legally meaningless one.
“There is no legal mechanism to designate any domestic organization as a terrorist organization. There would be no legal meaning behind it in the first place,” he explained, noting that the federal law prohibiting “material support for terrorism” applies only to international groups.
“In the second place,” he continued, “Antifa isn’t an organization. It stands for ‘Anti-fascism.’ It’s more of a description of anti-fascist activities.”
Thus, even if the anti-terrorism law were applied to antifa, it would have little impact, German believes.
“The idea of that law is that there are organizations that have resources that you’d be depriving them of,” he said. “Here, there’s no such organization, there’s nothing to deprive them of. We’re gonna take away the building you don’t have? Prevent banks from giving you a loan? It’s not a realistic thing, just a rhetorical bluff.”
Still, he believes Trump’s tweet could be harmful. “It’s dangerous because it’s divisive, in taking the side of neo-fascists against anti-fascists, ” he said, adding that it could put pressure on federal and local law enforcement “to target President Trump’s political enemies, rather than those who promote white nationalism.
In a series of tweets on Sunday, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) noted that she had pressed the FBI to take white nationalist terrorism more seriously and was told the law did not allow the federal government to treat domestic groups as terrorist organizations.
“I have questioned the @FBI in Congress as to why they don’t use domestic terror labels for white supremacist groups,” she noted. “They testified that the law prevents labeling US groups as terrorists, [with] severe civil liberties concerns.”
Unlike anything done by antifa activists, white supremacist violence is one of the largest threats to Americans, according to Trump’s own Department of Homeland Security.
Last September, Jill Sanborn assistant director of the FBI’s counterterrorism division, told Congress that “the greatest threat we face in the homeland today is that posed by lone actors radicalized online who look to attack soft targets with easily accessible weapons.”
She added that “the top threat we face from [domestic violent extremists] stems from those we identify as racially/ethnically motivated violent extremists.”
Trump has not attempted to designate hate groups like the Ku Klux Klan as domestic terrorist organizations, even though they are real organizations that have historically been involved in deaths, German observed. Still, he said, doing so would also “fly in the face of the First Amendment” and be a “poor method of counterterrorism.”
German said Trump’s approach will not be effective in reducing violence, but that he does not “think it’s designed to be.”
“It’s designed to demonize anti-fascists as the president’s enemies so that his supporters can attack them — whether they’re in law enforcement or other organizations.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-01--McEnany claims Trump condemns racism — but she called him racist in 2015

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany was asked on Monday why Donald Trump has n't designated white supremacists as a domestic terrorist group claimed .
McEnany did n't answer the question but instead claimed Trump has a `` long history '' of opposing white supremacy .
`` I would also note the president 's long history of condemning white supremacy and racism , '' she said during a White House press briefing .
`` There is no place in society for these egregious , egregious despicable ideologies . ''
But in 2015 when she was a pundit appearing on CNN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Trump .
`` To me , a racist statement is a racist statement , '' McEnany said on TV after Trump described Mexicans as `` rapists '' to launch his presidential campaign .
`` I do n't like what Donald Trump said . ''
She also called his anti-immigrant comments `` derogatory '' and `` hateful . ''
During the campaign — long before it was McEnany 's job to spin Trump 's inflammatory rhetoric — Trump repeatedly made racist and bigoted comments and enjoyed the support of bigots .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the White House , Trump has used his powerful platform to further promote bigotry .
He called Nazis marching in favor of Confederate memorials `` very fine people , '' and when questioned on those comments , he insisted he had responded `` perfectly '' on the issue .
Discussing immigrants from countries with nonwhite ethnic majorities , Trump infamously referred to them as `` shithole '' nations .
Trump has also embraced policies targeting nonwhites like family separation at the border and a Muslim travel ban .
Last week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thugs '' while earlier that month , he called armed white rioters who stormed the Michigan Capitol `` very good people '' and demanded the governor `` give a little '' and `` make a deal . ''
Despite McEnany 's claim — without any evidence or examples — that Trump has repeatedly demonstrated his opposition to racism , 80 % of black Americans said in a January poll that Trump had made racism worse over the course of his time in office .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany was asked on Monday why Donald Trump hasn’t designated white supremacists as a domestic terrorist group claimed. McEnany didn’t answer the question but instead claimed Trump has a “long history” of opposing white supremacy.
“I would also note the president’s long history of condemning white supremacy and racism,” she said during a White House press briefing. “There is no place in society for these egregious, egregious despicable ideologies.”
But in 2015 when she was a pundit appearing on CNN, McEnany had a completely different opinion on Trump.
“To me, a racist statement is a racist statement,” McEnany said on TV after Trump described Mexicans as “rapists” to launch his presidential campaign. “I don’t like what Donald Trump said.” She also called his anti-immigrant comments “derogatory” and “hateful.”
During the campaign — long before it was McEnany’s job to spin Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric — Trump repeatedly made racist and bigoted comments and enjoyed the support of bigots. He was even endorsed by the Klu Klux Klan.
In the White House, Trump has used his powerful platform to further promote bigotry.
He called Nazis marching in favor of Confederate memorials “very fine people,” and when questioned on those comments, he insisted he had responded “perfectly” on the issue.
Discussing immigrants from countries with nonwhite ethnic majorities, Trump infamously referred to them as “shithole” nations.
Trump has also embraced policies targeting nonwhites like family separation at the border and a Muslim travel ban.
Last week, Trump referred to black protesters as “thugs” while earlier that month, he called armed white rioters who stormed the Michigan Capitol “very good people” and demanded the governor “give a little” and “make a deal.”
Despite McEnany’s claim — without any evidence or examples — that Trump has repeatedly demonstrated his opposition to racism, 80% of black Americans said in a January poll that Trump had made racism worse over the course of his time in office.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-01--GOP complains protests aren't 'peaceful' — but they slam peaceful protests too

Several Republican lawmakers have taken to social media over the past few days to demand that protests against police violence be done peacefully .
But the same people were among the loudest critics in recent years when athletes around the country used peaceful protests to draw attention to the same problem .
The days of protests were triggered by the death of George Floyd , a black man who died after he was pinned at the neck by a white Minneapolis police officer .
Violence erupted in several cities .
But in 2016 , then-NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick began kneeling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games to draw attention to racial injustice and police killings — a protest that was then repeated by other athletes in the NFL and other sport leagues .
Republicans spent the following years denouncing these peaceful protests as unpatriotic and several urged the leagues to ban them .
Here are eight Republican lawmakers who were against peaceful protests before they were for them .
Blackburn tweeted Sunday to complain , `` This has gone beyond a peaceful protest .
Members of Antifa are domestic terrorists burning American cities down to the ground .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and calm . ''
But in 2018 , Blackburn , then a member of Congress , made her support for standing during the national anthem a frequent talking point in her Senate campaign .
`` In our country , we stand when the National Anthem is played because we owe our utmost respect to the men and women who defend our nation , '' she tweeted after the NFL owners decided to prohibit protests during the anthem .
`` I 'm please [ sic ] to see the @ NFL officially mandate that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the National Anthem . ''
Cruz tweeted on Saturday , `` Protest , yes .
Free speech , yes .
Violent looting , arson & rioting , NO . ''
He also scolded celebrities for bailing out protesters arrested in Minneapolis .
But Cruz also used his opposition to the national anthem protests as a wedge in his 2018 reelection campaign , attacking his opponent for defending the athletes involved .
`` People can protest without disrespecting the flag , '' he said at the time .
Last July , he announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an endorsement deal , tweeting : `` I love America .
I stand for the anthem , respect the flag & honor the men & women who fought to defend our Nation .
I respect Free Speech & I ’ m exerting mine : until @ Nike ends its contempt for those values , I WILL NO LONGER PURCHASE NIKE PRODUCTS . ''
Grassley said in a Saturday tweet that `` Americans expect the police to protect & serve ALL incl black ppl The death of George Floyd was horrific & justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right to protest & those expressions should be peaceful & not escalate into violence endangering our communities . ''
However , in 2018 , he objected to a college athlete taking a knee during the anthem .
`` Iowa constituents asked me why a starter for Wisconsin women [ basketball ] wld not be patriotic enuf to stand for natl anthem song today , '' he tweeted .
He urged them to ask the team 's coach and to `` Exprress [ sic ] outrage to the university . ''
Scott tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out to law enforcement and local officials in Florida following yesterday 's protests to offer my support .
Peaceful protests are a right guaranteed by the constitution but acts of violence will not be tolerated . ''
But two years ago , then Gov .
Scott attacked anthem protests as a Senate candidate .
`` Our National Anthem is the one thing that unites us , and if it were up to me all players would stand .
As a Navy veteran when I see people refuse to stand for our anthem I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and women in uniform .
It 's not a protest – it 's basic lack of respect , '' he tweeted .
Gaetz complained that protesters in Washington , D.C. , were not behaving peacefully .
`` This is n't a protest , '' he tweeted .
`` It is savagery . ''
In 2017 , Gaetz was so angry about peaceful protests by NFL players that he actually proposed stripping the league of its tax status .
In a press release , titled `` Gaetz Tells NFL Tax Breaks to Take a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was `` dismayed and disgusted to see multimillionaire athletes sitting or kneeling during the national anthem . ''
He added that `` free speech does include protest .
But nowhere in the Constitution does it say that Americans are required to subsidize disrespect for America , or to have their tax dollars wasted on corporate welfare to sports teams . ''
Hartzler retweeted House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy on Monday , sharing his view that America can honor George Floyd 's memory `` by healing our broken communities .
By mending racial divides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more perfect union that we know it should be , '' but that `` Ripping a city—and a country—apart only deepens the wound . ''
But in 2017 , she praised Mike Pence for a stunt in which he briefly attended and walked out of a game to protest players taking a knee during the anthem : `` I applaud VP @ mike_pence for standing for our [ flag ] , our military , & our country by not supporting those who take a knee rather respecting same . ''
Kinzinger tweeted Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NOT cover defacing US memorials , burning historic buildings , or looting from & destroying businesses .
This heinous , violent rioting derails the real grievances that need to be addressed . ''
Three years ago , he told the Hill that he was `` very offended by people that take a knee when the national anthem is played , '' and that he `` would love to see the NFL put in a rule that says don ’ t kneel for the national anthem . ''
Zeldin tweeted Saturday that protesters `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Moral High Ground . ''
`` There is good reason for a protest , '' he said , but not for looting .
In 2018 , he complained about Kaepernick 's selection as a paid Nike endorser .
`` Pat Tillman would have been a better choice for @ Nike 's new 'Just Do It ' promotion .
Pick a former NFL player and Army Ranger who died for our flag and national anthem rather than @ Kaepernick7 , a former NFL player who protested it . ''
Published with permission of @ @ @ @ @

Several Republican lawmakers have taken to social media over the past few days to demand that protests against police violence be done peacefully. But the same people were among the loudest critics in recent years when athletes around the country used peaceful protests to draw attention to the same problem.
The days of protests were triggered by the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after he was pinned at the neck by a white Minneapolis police officer. Violence erupted in several cities.
But in 2016, then-NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem prior to football games to draw attention to racial injustice and police killings — a protest that was then repeated by other athletes in the NFL and other sport leagues.
Republicans spent the following years denouncing these peaceful protests as unpatriotic and several urged the leagues to ban them.
Here are eight Republican lawmakers who were against peaceful protests before they were for them.
Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn
Blackburn tweeted Sunday to complain, “This has gone beyond a peaceful protest. Members of Antifa are domestic terrorists burning American cities down to the ground. The #ThinBlueLine is standing between chaos and calm.”
But in 2018, Blackburn, then a member of Congress, made her support for standing during the national anthem a frequent talking point in her Senate campaign.
“In our country, we stand when the National Anthem is played because we owe our utmost respect to the men and women who defend our nation,” she tweeted after the NFL owners decided to prohibit protests during the anthem. “I’m please [sic] to see the @NFL officially mandate that their players will stand and show respect for the National Anthem.”
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz
Cruz tweeted on Saturday, “Protest, yes. Free speech, yes. Violent looting, arson & rioting, NO.” He also scolded celebrities for bailing out protesters arrested in Minneapolis.
But Cruz also used his opposition to the national anthem protests as a wedge in his 2018 reelection campaign, attacking his opponent for defending the athletes involved.
“People can protest without disrespecting the flag,” he said at the time.
Last July, he announced he would boycott Nike for signing Kaepernick to an endorsement deal, tweeting: “I love America. I stand for the anthem, respect the flag & honor the men & women who fought to defend our Nation. I respect Free Speech & I’m exerting mine: until @Nike ends its contempt for those values, I WILL NO LONGER PURCHASE NIKE PRODUCTS.”
Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley
Grassley said in a Saturday tweet that “Americans expect the police to protect & serve ALL incl black ppl The death of George Floyd was horrific & justice should be carried out Our constitution protects the right to protest & those expressions should be peaceful & not escalate into violence endangering our communities.”
However, in 2018, he objected to a college athlete taking a knee during the anthem.
“Iowa constituents asked me why a starter for Wisconsin women [basketball] wld not be patriotic enuf to stand for natl anthem song today,” he tweeted. He urged them to ask the team’s coach and to “Exprress [sic] outrage to the university.”
Florida Sen. Rick Scott
Scott tweeted Sunday that he has “been reaching out to law enforcement and local officials in Florida following yesterday’s protests to offer my support. Peaceful protests are a right guaranteed by the constitution but acts of violence will not be tolerated.”
But two years ago, then Gov. Scott attacked anthem protests as a Senate candidate.
“Our National Anthem is the one thing that unites us, and if it were up to me all players would stand. As a Navy veteran when I see people refuse to stand for our anthem I find it very disrespectful to our men and women in uniform. It’s not a protest – it’s basic lack of respect,” he tweeted.
Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz
Gaetz complained that protesters in Washington, D.C., were not behaving peacefully.
“This isn’t a protest,” he tweeted. “It is savagery.”
In 2017, Gaetz was so angry about peaceful protests by NFL players that he actually proposed stripping the league of its tax status.
In a press release, titled “Gaetz Tells NFL Tax Breaks to Take a Knee,” he wrote that he was “dismayed and disgusted to see multimillionaire athletes sitting or kneeling during the national anthem.”
He added that “free speech does include protest. But nowhere in the Constitution does it say that Americans are required to subsidize disrespect for America, or to have their tax dollars wasted on corporate welfare to sports teams.”
Missouri Rep. Vicky Hartzler
Hartzler retweeted House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy on Monday, sharing his view that America can honor George Floyd’s memory “by healing our broken communities. By mending racial divides. And by rebuilding America into a more perfect union that we know it should be,” but that “Ripping a city—and a country—apart only deepens the wound.”
But in 2017, she praised Mike Pence for a stunt in which he briefly attended and walked out of a game to protest players taking a knee during the anthem: “I applaud VP @mike_pence for standing for our [flag], our military, & our country by not supporting those who take a knee rather respecting same.”
Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger
Kinzinger tweeted Monday: “The right to protest does NOT cover defacing US memorials, burning historic buildings, or looting from & destroying businesses. This heinous, violent rioting derails the real grievances that need to be addressed.”
Three years ago, he told the Hill that he was “very offended by people that take a knee when the national anthem is played,” and that he “would love to see the NFL put in a rule that says don’t kneel for the national anthem.”
New York Rep. Lee Zeldin
Zeldin tweeted Saturday that protesters “all across American” had surrendered their “Moral High Ground.”
“There is good reason for a protest,” he said, but not for looting.
In 2018, he complained about Kaepernick’s selection as a paid Nike endorser.
“Pat Tillman would have been a better choice for @Nike’s new ‘Just Do It’ promotion. Pick a former NFL player and Army Ranger who died for our flag and national anthem rather than @Kaepernick7, a former NFL player who protested it.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-01--Biden meets with protesters as Trump hides in bunker tweeting and inciting violence

As protests break out in cities across the country over the death on May 25 of George Floyd , an unarmed black man who died after a white police officer in Minneapolis , Minnesota , knelt on his neck , the actions of Donald Trump and of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in response are a study in contrasts .
Biden has been visible .
He visited the site of a protest in his home state of Delaware ; met with leaders of the black community in Wilmington to listen to their concerns ; and he planned to hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mayors of St. Paul , Chicago , Los Angeles , and Atlanta .
Observers note that Biden is taking actions ordinarily expected of a president in such situations .
Trump , meanwhile , has remained out of camera view , fanning the flames of unrest with violent rhetoric on Twitter , behavior even his own aides fear is making the situation across the country worse .
Trump has called for looters to be shot and suggested martial law be implemented to stop the protests .
In a call with governors on Monday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take harsher steps in response .
`` You have to dominate , if you do n't dominate you ’ re wasting your time .
They 're going to run over you , you 're going to look like a bunch of jerks .
You have to dominate , '' Trump said in the call , according to audio obtained by CBS News .
The Associated Press reported that Trump said , `` You 've got to arrest people , you have to track people , you have to put them in jail for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this stuff again . ''
With Trump sticking to his usual script and speaking just to his base , one nonpartisan political analyst said , he likely is n't helping his political standing ahead of the November presidential election .
`` There are more people who do n't like pure chaos than do like chaos , '' Stuart Rothenberg , a longtime nonpartisan political handicapper and columnist at Roll Call , said in an interview .
`` And so , given that , I do n't see how the president benefits from looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past 3 1/2 years — which got him to a job approval in the low 40s and trailing Biden in the ballot test from 5 to 8 points .
I do n't see how this changes that . ''
Biden currently leads Trump in national polls by an average of 5.9 points , according to RealClearPolitics .
Biden also has leads in enough swing states to hand him an Electoral College victory in what CNN 's Harry Enten called `` one of the best positions for any challenger since scientific polling began .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Independent Foundation .

As protests break out in cities across the country over the death on May 25 of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died after a white police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, knelt on his neck, the actions of Donald Trump and of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in response are a study in contrasts.
Biden has been visible. He visited the site of a protest in his home state of Delaware; met with leaders of the black community in Wilmington to listen to their concerns; and he planned to hold a virtual roundtable Monday afternoon with the mayors of St. Paul, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta.
Observers note that Biden is taking actions ordinarily expected of a president in such situations.
Trump, meanwhile, has remained out of camera view, fanning the flames of unrest with violent rhetoric on Twitter, behavior even his own aides fear is making the situation across the country worse.
Trump has called for looters to be shot and suggested martial law be implemented to stop the protests.
In a call with governors on Monday, Trump told Democratic leaders they had to take harsher steps in response.
“You have to dominate, if you don’t dominate you’re wasting your time. They’re going to run over you, you’re going to look like a bunch of jerks. You have to dominate,” Trump said in the call, according to audio obtained by CBS News.
The Associated Press reported that Trump said, “You’ve got to arrest people, you have to track people, you have to put them in jail for 10 years and you’ll never see this stuff again.”
Here's the audio of that remarkable call where Trump lashes out at governors and says they need to crack down on protesters. pic.twitter.com/ANSsniYItN — Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) June 1, 2020
With Trump sticking to his usual script and speaking just to his base, one nonpartisan political analyst said, he likely isn’t helping his political standing ahead of the November presidential election.
“There are more people who don’t like pure chaos than do like chaos,” Stuart Rothenberg, a longtime nonpartisan political handicapper and columnist at Roll Call, said in an interview. “And so, given that, I don’t see how the president benefits from looking the way he’s looked for the past 3 1/2 years — which got him to a job approval in the low 40s and trailing Biden in the ballot test from 5 to 8 points. I don’t see how this changes that.”
Biden currently leads Trump in national polls by an average of 5.9 points, according to RealClearPolitics. Biden also has leads in enough swing states to hand him an Electoral College victory in what CNN’s Harry Enten called “one of the best positions for any challenger since scientific polling began.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-01--Pence says he supports peaceful protests after attacking them as disrespectful

On Friday , Vice President Mike Pence claimes that he would always support peaceful protests — less than three years after condemning them .
`` We condemn violence against property or persons , '' Pence tweeted on Friday as thousands of Americans protested police brutality aimed at black people .
`` We will always stand for the right of Americans to peacefully protest and let their voices be heard . ''
On Oct. 8 , 2017 , Pence briefly attended a football game between the Indianapolis Colts and San Francisco 49ers .
After several players from the 49ers kneeled during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence , Pence left the game and condemned the protest .
`` I left today 's Colts game because President Trump and I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers , our Flag , or our National Anthem , '' Pence said in a statement that day .
`` While everyone is entitled to their own opinions , I do n't think it 's too much to ask NFL players to respect the Flag and our National Anthem . ''
Despite Pence 's false claim , former 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , decided to kneel rather than sit during the National Anthem as a sign of respect for members of the military , according to a report from NPR .
Pence 's opposition to peaceful protests cost taxpayers at least $ 325,000 , which included the cost of Pence flying to and from Indianapolis , security details , and hotel rooms .
After the 2016 election but before taking office , Pence walked out of the Broadway show `` Hamilton '' as a cast member was speaking directly to him at the conclusion of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — we — are the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us , our planet , our children , our parents , or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights , '' Brandon Victor Dixon , who portrayed Aaron Burr , said to Pence .
`` We truly hope that this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and to work on behalf of all of us . ''
At the time , Pence said `` I was n't offended by what was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mild but peaceful protest , adding , `` I will leave to others whether that was the appropriate venue to say it . ''
Donald Trump responded to the incident by demanding the cast of `` Hamilton '' apologize , declaring that the theater should be a `` safe and special place . ''
The White House did not respond to a request for comment about Pence 's prior statements on protests .
While serving as vice president , Pence has stood by Trump 's side after Trump attacked peaceful black protestors and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't you love to see one of these NFL owners , when someone disrespects our flag to say , 'get that son of a bitch off the field right now .
Out .
He 's fired .
He 's fired , ' '' Trump said in September 2017 about players who knelt during the National Anthem .
Earlier that year , Trump praised white supremacists and neo-Nazis who rioted in Charlottesville as `` very fine people . ''
One of those `` very fine people '' praised by Trump murdered a peaceful counterprotester @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation

On Friday, Vice President Mike Pence claimes that he would always support peaceful protests — less than three years after condemning them.
“We condemn violence against property or persons,” Pence tweeted on Friday as thousands of Americans protested police brutality aimed at black people. “We will always stand for the right of Americans to peacefully protest and let their voices be heard.”
But a few years ago, Pence actively opposed peaceful protesters.
On Oct. 8, 2017, Pence briefly attended a football game between the Indianapolis Colts and San Francisco 49ers. After several players from the 49ers kneeled during the national anthem to peacefully protest police violence, Pence left the game and condemned the protest.
“I left today’s Colts game because President Trump and I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag, or our National Anthem,” Pence said in a statement that day. “While everyone is entitled to their own opinions, I don’t think it’s too much to ask NFL players to respect the Flag and our National Anthem.”
Despite Pence’s false claim, former 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick, the player who began the protests, decided to kneel rather than sit during the National Anthem as a sign of respect for members of the military, according to a report from NPR.
Pence’s opposition to peaceful protests cost taxpayers at least $325,000, which included the cost of Pence flying to and from Indianapolis, security details, and hotel rooms.
After the 2016 election but before taking office, Pence walked out of the Broadway show “Hamilton” as a cast member was speaking directly to him at the conclusion of the show.
“We, sir — we — are the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us, our planet, our children, our parents, or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights,” Brandon Victor Dixon, who portrayed Aaron Burr, said to Pence. “We truly hope that this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and to work on behalf of all of us.”
At the time, Pence said “I wasn’t offended by what was said,” but still questioned the mild but peaceful protest, adding, “I will leave to others whether that was the appropriate venue to say it.”
Donald Trump responded to the incident by demanding the cast of “Hamilton” apologize, declaring that the theater should be a “safe and special place.”
The White House did not respond to a request for comment about Pence’s prior statements on protests.
While serving as vice president, Pence has stood by Trump’s side after Trump attacked peaceful black protesters and praised violent white protesters.
“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when someone disrespects our flag to say, ‘get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out. He’s fired. He’s fired,'” Trump said in September 2017 about players who knelt during the National Anthem.
Earlier that year, Trump praised white supremacists and neo-Nazis who rioted in Charlottesville as “very fine people.” One of those “very fine people” praised by Trump murdered a peaceful counterprotester and has been sentenced to life in prison.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation


shareblue--2020-06-01--Trump slams governors as 'weak' and demands they 'arrest people'

Donald Trump on Monday derided the nation 's governors as `` weak '' and demanded tougher crackdowns on protesters in the aftermath of another night of violent protests in dozens of American cities .
Trump spoke to governors on a video teleconference with law enforcement and national security officials , telling the local leaders they `` have to get much tougher '' amid nationwide protests and criticizing their responses .
`` Most of you are weak , '' Trump said .
`` You have to arrest people . ''
The days of protests were triggered by the death of George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after he was pinned at the neck by a white Minneapolis police officer .
They turned violent in several cities , with looting and mayhem , and fires ignited in the historic park across from the White House .
Attorney General Bill Barr , who was also on the Monday call , told governors they have to `` dominate '' the streets and control , not react to crowds , and urged them to `` go after troublemakers . ''
Secret Service agents rushed Trump to a White House bunker on Friday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive mansion , some of them throwing rocks and tugging at police barricades .
Trump spent nearly an hour in the bunker , which was designed for use in emergencies like terrorist attacks , according to a Republican close to the White House who was not authorized to publicly discuss private matters and spoke on the condition of anonymity .
The account was confirmed by an administration official who also spoke on the condition of anonymity .
The abrupt decision by the agents underscored the rattled mood inside the White House , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be heard all weekend and Secret Service agents and law enforcement officers struggled to contain the crowds .
Friday 's protests were triggered by the death of George Floyd , a black man who died after he was pinned at the neck by a white Minneapolis police officer .
The demonstrations in Washington turned violent and appeared to catch officers by surprise .
They sparked one of the highest alerts on the White House complex since the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001 .
`` The White House does not comment on security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House spokesman Judd Deere .
The Secret Service said it does not discuss the means and methods of its protective operations .
Trump 's move to the bunker was first reported by the New York Times .
Trump and his family have been shaken by the size and venom of the crowds , according to the Republican .
It was not immediately clear if first lady Melania Trump and the couple 's 14-year-old son , Barron , joined Trump in the bunker .
Secret Service protocol would have called for all those under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the underground shelter .
Trump has told advisers he worries about his safety , while both privately and publicly praising the work of the Secret Service .
Trump traveled to Florida on Saturday to view the first manned space launch from the U.S. in nearly a decade .
He returned to a White House under virtual siege , with protesters — some violent — gathered just a few hundred yards away through much of the night .
Demonstrators returned Sunday afternoon , facing off against police at Lafayette Park into the evening .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , using a series of inflammatory tweets and delivering partisan attacks during a time of national crisis .
As cities burned night after night and images of violence dominated television coverage , Trump 's advisers discussed the prospect of an Oval Office address in an attempt to ease tensions .
The notion was quickly scrapped for lack of policy proposals and Trump 's own seeming disinterest in delivering a message of unity .
Trump did not appear in public on Sunday .
Instead , a White House official who was not authorized to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump was expected in the coming days to draw distinctions between the legitimate anger of peaceful protesters and the unacceptable actions of violent agitators .
On Sunday , Trump retweeted a message from a conservative commentator encouraging authorities to respond with greater force .
`` This is n't going to stop until the good guys are willing to use overwhelming force against the bad guys , '' Buck Sexton wrote in a message amplified by Trump .
In recent days security at the White House has been reinforced by the National Guard and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Park Police .
On Sunday , the Justice Department deployed members of the U.S .
Marshals Service and agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration to supplement National Guard troops outside the White House , according to a senior Justice Department official .
The official could not discuss the matter publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity .

Donald Trump on Monday derided the nation’s governors as “weak” and demanded tougher crackdowns on protesters in the aftermath of another night of violent protests in dozens of American cities.
Trump spoke to governors on a video teleconference with law enforcement and national security officials, telling the local leaders they “have to get much tougher” amid nationwide protests and criticizing their responses.
“Most of you are weak,” Trump said. “You have to arrest people.”
The days of protests were triggered by the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after he was pinned at the neck by a white Minneapolis police officer. They turned violent in several cities, with looting and mayhem, and fires ignited in the historic park across from the White House.
Attorney General Bill Barr, who was also on the Monday call, told governors they have to “dominate” the streets and control, not react to crowds, and urged them to “go after troublemakers.”
Secret Service agents rushed Trump to a White House bunker on Friday night as hundreds of protesters gathered outside the executive mansion, some of them throwing rocks and tugging at police barricades.
Trump spent nearly an hour in the bunker, which was designed for use in emergencies like terrorist attacks, according to a Republican close to the White House who was not authorized to publicly discuss private matters and spoke on the condition of anonymity. The account was confirmed by an administration official who also spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The abrupt decision by the agents underscored the rattled mood inside the White House, where the chants from protesters in Lafayette Park could be heard all weekend and Secret Service agents and law enforcement officers struggled to contain the crowds.
Friday’s protests were triggered by the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after he was pinned at the neck by a white Minneapolis police officer. The demonstrations in Washington turned violent and appeared to catch officers by surprise. They sparked one of the highest alerts on the White House complex since the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001.
“The White House does not comment on security protocols and decisions,” said White House spokesman Judd Deere. The Secret Service said it does not discuss the means and methods of its protective operations. Trump’s move to the bunker was first reported by the New York Times.
Trump and his family have been shaken by the size and venom of the crowds, according to the Republican. It was not immediately clear if first lady Melania Trump and the couple’s 14-year-old son, Barron, joined Trump in the bunker. Secret Service protocol would have called for all those under the agency’s protection to be in the underground shelter.
Trump has told advisers he worries about his safety, while both privately and publicly praising the work of the Secret Service.
Trump traveled to Florida on Saturday to view the first manned space launch from the U.S. in nearly a decade. He returned to a White House under virtual siege, with protesters — some violent — gathered just a few hundred yards away through much of the night.
Demonstrators returned Sunday afternoon, facing off against police at Lafayette Park into the evening.
Trump continued his effort to project strength, using a series of inflammatory tweets and delivering partisan attacks during a time of national crisis.
As cities burned night after night and images of violence dominated television coverage, Trump’s advisers discussed the prospect of an Oval Office address in an attempt to ease tensions. The notion was quickly scrapped for lack of policy proposals and Trump’s own seeming disinterest in delivering a message of unity.
Trump did not appear in public on Sunday. Instead, a White House official who was not authorized to discuss the plans ahead of time said Trump was expected in the coming days to draw distinctions between the legitimate anger of peaceful protesters and the unacceptable actions of violent agitators.
On Sunday, Trump retweeted a message from a conservative commentator encouraging authorities to respond with greater force.
“This isn’t going to stop until the good guys are willing to use overwhelming force against the bad guys,” Buck Sexton wrote in a message amplified by Trump.
In recent days security at the White House has been reinforced by the National Guard and additional personnel from the Secret Service and the U.S. Park Police.
On Sunday, the Justice Department deployed members of the U.S. Marshals Service and agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration to supplement National Guard troops outside the White House, according to a senior Justice Department official. The official could not discuss the matter publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.


shareblue--2020-06-01--Attorney General Barr concocts new lies to undermine absentee voting

Attorney General William Barr is pushing a new conspiracy theory about absentee voting , falsely claiming that voting by mail is vulnerable to foreign manipulation .
`` We 've been talking about how , in terms of foreign influence , there are a number of foreign countries that could easily make counterfeit ballots , put names on them , send them in , '' Barr told the New York Times .
`` And it 'd be very hard to sort out what 's happening . ''
The comment is Barr 's latest attempt to prop up one of Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be easy for election officials to sort out what was happening .
This is pure BS , '' Michael McDonald , an associate professor of political science at the University of Florida and an expert on voting and voter turnout , tweeted .
There are multiple safeguards against counterfeit ballots , said McDonald , and `` you ca n't just print out a single ballot for the entire U.S. '' McDonald said each voting precinct in the country has its own unique ballot , and a foreign adversary would have to copy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issued by the United States Election Assistance Commission in 2004 , there are nearly 175,000 precincts in the country .
Absentee ballots are also protected by the signatures of voters on the sealed envelopes in which they are mailed back .
Tweeted McDonald , `` Election officials will figure out something is afoot pretty quickly .
This is why it is easy for election officials to detect ham-handed attempts like making ballot copies . ''
`` All the while , the post office , which works with election officials to process ballots , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballots moving through their system .
If someone dumps a bunch at a single location , that will be suspicious .
Certainly if they are overseas addresses , '' he said .
Barr is propping up Trump 's false claim that absentee voting facilitates massive voter fraud .
Democrats have pushed for more federal funding to help states expand absentee voting ahead of the November elections , given the dangers of voting in person in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic .
But in some cases , Republican voters have listened to Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by mail..
There is no evidence that voting by mail — a form of voting the vast majority of Americans support , according to multiple polls — is more vulnerable to voter fraud , which experts say is extremely rare in general .
The use of voting by mail was increasing even before the COVID-19 pandemic , according to a report released by the Brennan Center for Justice .
`` Despite this dramatic increase in mail voting over time , fraud rates remain infinitesimally small , '' the Brennan Center said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their elections primarily by mail has had any voter fraud scandals since making that change . ''
Trump has also claimed that absentee voting would benefit Democrats over Republicans , even though there is no evidence that is the case either .
Barr has a history of making false comments and intervening in Justice Department matters to legitimize Trump 's conspiracy theories .
Barr lied about the contents of former special counsel Robert Mueller 's report on the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election to spin the findings and make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also lied about the findings of a report that found that the investigation itself was legitimate , and instead is overseeing his own investigation into false conspiracy theories about the basis for it to prop up Trump 's lie that former President Barack Obama spied on the Trump campaign .
Barr also intervened in the prosecutions of Trump ally Roger Stone and former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn .
Career Justice Department prosecutors resigned in protest over his meddling in the Stone case ; Sen. Elizabeth Warren called his interference in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other lawmakers called for his disbarment .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Attorney General William Barr is pushing a new conspiracy theory about absentee voting, falsely claiming that voting by mail is vulnerable to foreign manipulation.
“We’ve been talking about how, in terms of foreign influence, there are a number of foreign countries that could easily make counterfeit ballots, put names on them, send them in,” Barr told the New York Times. “And it’d be very hard to sort out what’s happening.”
The comment is Barr’s latest attempt to prop up one of Donald Trump’s false conspiracy theories.
His claim is easily debunked.
“It would be easy for election officials to sort out what was happening. This is pure BS,” Michael McDonald, an associate professor of political science at the University of Florida and an expert on voting and voter turnout, tweeted.
There are multiple safeguards against counterfeit ballots, said McDonald, and “you can’t just print out a single ballot for the entire U.S.”
McDonald said each voting precinct in the country has its own unique ballot, and a foreign adversary would have to copy each one. According to a report issued by the United States Election Assistance Commission in 2004, there are nearly 175,000 precincts in the country.
Absentee ballots are also protected by the signatures of voters on the sealed envelopes in which they are mailed back. Tweeted McDonald, “Election officials will figure out something is afoot pretty quickly. This is why it is easy for election officials to detect ham-handed attempts like making ballot copies.”
“All the while, the post office, which works with election officials to process ballots, will have to be oblivious to fake ballots moving through their system. If someone dumps a bunch at a single location, that will be suspicious. Certainly if they are overseas addresses,” he said.
Barr is propping up Trump’s false claim that absentee voting facilitates massive voter fraud.
Democrats have pushed for more federal funding to help states expand absentee voting ahead of the November elections, given the dangers of voting in person in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. But in some cases, Republican voters have listened to Trump’s claims and have failed to vote by mail..
There is no evidence that voting by mail — a form of voting the vast majority of Americans support, according to multiple polls — is more vulnerable to voter fraud, which experts say is extremely rare in general.
The use of voting by mail was increasing even before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report released by the Brennan Center for Justice.
“Despite this dramatic increase in mail voting over time, fraud rates remain infinitesimally small,” the Brennan Center said. “None of the five states that hold their elections primarily by mail has had any voter fraud scandals since making that change.”
Trump has also claimed that absentee voting would benefit Democrats over Republicans, even though there is no evidence that is the case either.
Barr has a history of making false comments and intervening in Justice Department matters to legitimize Trump’s conspiracy theories.
Barr lied about the contents of former special counsel Robert Mueller’s report on the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election to spin the findings and make them look better for Trump.
He also lied about the findings of a report that found that the investigation itself was legitimate, and instead is overseeing his own investigation into false conspiracy theories about the basis for it to prop up Trump’s lie that former President Barack Obama spied on the Trump campaign.
Barr also intervened in the prosecutions of Trump ally Roger Stone and former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn. Career Justice Department prosecutors resigned in protest over his meddling in the Stone case; Sen. Elizabeth Warren called his interference in the Flynn case “blatantly corrupt,” and other lawmakers called for his disbarment.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-01--GOP senator calls for military deployment on US soil over protests

On Monday , Sen. Tom Cotton ( R-AR ) called for the deployment of the U.S. military , specifically the @ @ @ @ @ American cities in response to protests against police violence .
The comments were made during @ @ @ @ @ & Friends . ''
Cotton reiterated and added to those comments in tweets later in @ @ @ @ @ `` No quarter for insurrectionists , anarchists , rioters , and looters '' and noting @ @ @ @ @ involvement of the `` 10th Mountain , 82nd Airborne , 1st Cav , 3rd Infantry—whatever @ @ @ @ @ . ''
From the June 1 edition of Fox News ' `` Fox & Friends @ @ @ @ @ : If local law enforcement is overwhelmed , if local politicians will not do their @ @ @ @ @ protect our citizens , let 's see how these anarchists respond when the 101st Airborne @ @ @ @ @ of the street .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

On Monday, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) called for the deployment of the U.S. military, specifically the 101st Airborne division, to American cities in response to protests against police violence.
The comments were made during an appearance on “Fox & Friends.”
Cotton reiterated and added to those comments in tweets later in the day, writing, “No quarter for insurrectionists, anarchists, rioters, and looters” and noting his desire for the possible involvement of the “10th Mountain, 82nd Airborne, 1st Cav, 3rd Infantry—whatever it takes to restore order.”
From the June 1 edition of Fox News’ “Fox & Friends”:
SEN. TOM COTTON: If local law enforcement is overwhelmed, if local politicians will not do their most basic job, to protect our citizens, let’s see how these anarchists respond when the 101st Airborne is on the other side of the street.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-02--GOP candidate: Gun owners should be ready to shoot protesters

A Virginia lawmaker and gubernatorial candidate urged gun owners to be `` on notice '' Monday that they might need to shoot anti-fascist protesters .
In a Facebook live video flagged by Right Wing Watch , Republican state Sen. Amanda Chase told gun owners who are `` proficient in using '' to be `` on notice '' and to `` be careful , not fearful . ''
`` If Antifa tries to hijack any of these rallies that are gon na be going on in the Chesterfield area , they 're gon na be in for a real surprise because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the [ Second Amendment ] community who have been activated , who are on active alert , '' Chase said .
`` It 's okay to have peaceful rallies and protests , but whenever there are those that cross that line and destroy lives and properties , that 's not gon na be tolerated here .
And we 're on alert .
And if you come to our community and wreak havoc and destruction , you 're gon na be sorry . ''
Protests have swept the nation after the death of George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died after a white police officer in Minneapolis , Minnesota , knelt on his neck , the latest in the uncountable number of black Americans killed in encounters with white police officers .
Chase did not immediately respond to an inquiry about her comments .
People engaged in peaceful protest Monday in Richmond , the Virginia state capital , were met with tear gas fired by police .
On Tuesday , Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney apologized to protesters for the incident .
The police chief of Chesterfield County , a suburb of Richmond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned on Monday that should `` local riots '' spread into his jurisdiction , his force was `` prepared to quickly quell violent criminal outbursts in our community and prosecute these folks to the fullest extent of the law . ''
Chase has a history of extreme comments about guns .
In April , she claimed that Gov .
Ralph Northam 's coronavirus social distancing rules were really designed to keep Second Amendment supporters and other conservatives from storming the state Capitol building in protest against Virginia 's `` egregious '' new progressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a gun rights group that the right to bear firearms is all the equality women need .
`` The Second Amendment has always been there , '' she told the Virginia Citizens Defense League .
`` It 's our Equal Rights Amendment for women .
So what else do you need ? ''
Last September , Chase ran a Facebook ad featuring an image of a woman aiming a gun and the words `` I 'm not afraid to shoot down gun groups .
SIGN my petition to help end the assault on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ads were a `` communications oversight , '' blamed an outside vendor , and offered no apology .
In January 2019 , after voting against Virginia 's ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment , Chase told a right-wing radio host , `` I call my revolver my little Equal Rights Amendment because it is empowering to women . ''
Chase announced in February that she will seek the Republican nomination in the 2021 gubernatorial race .
She also threatened to run as an independent if party insiders pull `` any shenanigans .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chesterfield County Republican Party in September 2019 for publicly attacking the Republican county sheriff .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

A Virginia lawmaker and gubernatorial candidate urged gun owners to be “on notice” Monday that they might need to shoot anti-fascist protesters.
In a Facebook live video flagged by Right Wing Watch, Republican state Sen. Amanda Chase told gun owners who are “proficient in using” to be “on notice” and to “be careful, not fearful.”
“If Antifa tries to hijack any of these rallies that are gonna be going on in the Chesterfield area, they’re gonna be in for a real surprise because there are a number of people from the [Second Amendment] community who have been activated, who are on active alert,” Chase said. “It’s okay to have peaceful rallies and protests, but whenever there are those that cross that line and destroy lives and properties, that’s not gonna be tolerated here. And we’re on alert. And if you come to our community and wreak havoc and destruction, you’re gonna be sorry.”
Protests have swept the nation after the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died after a white police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, knelt on his neck, the latest in the uncountable number of black Americans killed in encounters with white police officers.
Chase did not immediately respond to an inquiry about her comments.
People engaged in peaceful protest Monday in Richmond, the Virginia state capital, were met with tear gas fired by police. On Tuesday, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney apologized to protesters for the incident.
The police chief of Chesterfield County, a suburb of Richmond and part of Chase’s district, warned on Monday that should “local riots” spread into his jurisdiction, his force was “prepared to quickly quell violent criminal outbursts in our community and prosecute these folks to the fullest extent of the law.”
Chase has a history of extreme comments about guns.
In April, she claimed that Gov. Ralph Northam’s coronavirus social distancing rules were really designed to keep Second Amendment supporters and other conservatives from storming the state Capitol building in protest against Virginia’s “egregious” new progressive laws.
Days later, she told a gun rights group that the right to bear firearms is all the equality women need. “The Second Amendment has always been there,” she told the Virginia Citizens Defense League. “It’s our Equal Rights Amendment for women. So what else do you need?”
Last September, Chase ran a Facebook ad featuring an image of a woman aiming a gun and the words “I’m not afraid to shoot down gun groups. SIGN my petition to help end the assault on our liberties.” She later claimed the ads were a “communications oversight,” blamed an outside vendor, and offered no apology.
In January 2019, after voting against Virginia’s ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, Chase told a right-wing radio host, “I call my revolver my little Equal Rights Amendment because it is empowering to women.”
Chase announced in February that she will seek the Republican nomination in the 2021 gubernatorial race. She also threatened to run as an independent if party insiders pull “any shenanigans.”
Chase was kicked out of the Chesterfield County Republican Party in September 2019 for publicly attacking the Republican county sheriff.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-02--Hundreds march through DC to honor black trans man killed by police in Florida

Hundreds of people marched to the White House on Monday evening to protest the police killing of Tony McDade , a black transgender man , in Florida .
The crowd stopped at different intersections throughout Washington , D.C. , on their way to the White House to describe McDade , his life , his personality , and his death .
Some also held signs honoring Nina Pop , a black transgender woman who was stabbed to death in Missouri , earlier in May .
Demonstrators initially gathered at Dupont Circle , a little over a mile and a half away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transgender people of color who have been killed in recent months , many of whom are black .
Some of those killings have not been solved .
A young black woman in the crowd sang the song `` Strange Fruit , '' first recorded by Billie Holiday , about the lynching of black people .
Another black protester said the Rodney King beating happened when they were just 2 years old and that they had watched police brutalize black people their entire life , and were tired of watching it continue .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the group directly .
`` It 's not our work to do this .
It 's yours , '' she said .
`` I do n't give a fuck if you 're scared . ''
Protesters then marched peacefully through the streets , pausing occasionally to share McDade 's story over loudspeakers .
McDade , 38 , was killed by police on May 27 .
According to WCTV , a local CBS affiliate , the Tallahassee Police Department claimed officers initially approached him because he `` matched the description '' of a stabbing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed McDade then `` made a move consistent with using the firearm '' against one officer , who responded by opening fire , killing him .
According to a witness who spoke to a local radio station last week , however , the officer involved allegedly never issued a warning or identified himself prior to the shooting .
`` I walked down this way , as soon as I get around this curve , I just hear shots .
I see the [ person ] right behind the tree , but [ the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , swing the door open and just start shooting , '' said Clifford Butler , a resident of the apartment complex where the incident took place .
Butler said he heard seven to eight shots .
`` I never heard 'Get down , freeze , I 'm an officer ' – nothing .
I just heard gun shots . ''
Butler added that the police could have accidentally opened fire on anyone .
`` It could have been kids , anybody , '' he said .
McDade was misgendered and deadnamed in earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who shot him has not been identified but according to Mother Jones , he is white .
As the outlet noted , Florida law currently allows officers involved in police-involved shootings to be classified as `` victims '' in order to protect their `` privacy . ''
McDade was known as `` Tony the tiger '' by friends , who said he had a `` big heart . ''
`` You have such a big heart ... Just your energy would lift my spirits , '' one friend wrote online , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the 12th known death of a transgender or gender non-conforming person this year .
Organizers plan another march on Saturday at 5 p.m .
ET .
Protests against police brutality have spread across the country following the death of an unarmed black man in Minnesota .
George Floyd was killed by a white police officer on May 25 , days before McDade , after the officer , Derek Chauvin , knelt on his neck for nearly 10 minutes despite pleas from Floyd that he was unable to breathe .
An independent autopsy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sustained pressure '' related to Chauvin 's actions .
Protesters have also marched in the streets calling for justice for Breonna Taylor , a 26-year-old black EMT who was shot and killed by a group of Louisville , Kentucky , police officers on March 13 .
The officers had entered Taylor 's apartment without identifying themselves and began shooting after Taylor 's boyfriend , believing them to be burglers because they were not wearing uniforms , opened fire on them using his legal firearm .
LGBTQ advocacy groups are now calling attention to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Campaign released a statement on Friday demanding `` accountability and answers . ''
`` While these deaths are visible due to recordings and social media , we know far too many go completely ignored , '' said Tori Cooper , HRC director of community engagement for the Transgender Justice Initiative .
`` Black people , LGBTQ people , and especially all LGBTQ people of color are at greater risk for violence every day in this country .
This must end .
Our hearts are heavy as we mourn with Tony 's family and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice campaign manager for the ACLU , also released the statement .
`` Tony McDade should be alive today , '' Zannell said .
`` And in life and in death he should be recognized as his true self : a man ... As we mourn the deaths of multiple Black people at the hands of police in recent weeks , we must not forget the Black trans people who have been targeted by law enforcement for decades . ''
Monday 's protest took place on the same day that police attacked a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House .
Federal officers reportedly tear-gassed and fired rubber bullets at the crowd and media covering the event , in order to clear a path for Donald Trump , who was headed to a nearby church for a photo op .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Hundreds of people marched to the White House on Monday evening to protest the police killing of Tony McDade, a black transgender man, in Florida.
The crowd stopped at different intersections throughout Washington, D.C., on their way to the White House to describe McDade, his life, his personality, and his death. Some also held signs honoring Nina Pop, a black transgender woman who was stabbed to death in Missouri, earlier in May.
Demonstrators initially gathered at Dupont Circle, a little over a mile and a half away, to read the names of other transgender people of color who have been killed in recent months, many of whom are black. Some of those killings have not been solved.
A young black woman in the crowd sang the song “Strange Fruit,” first recorded by Billie Holiday, about the lynching of black people. Another black protester said the Rodney King beating happened when they were just 2 years old and that they had watched police brutalize black people their entire life, and were tired of watching it continue.
One black woman addressed the white protesters in the group directly. “It’s not our work to do this. It’s yours,” she said. “I don’t give a fuck if you’re scared.”
Protesters then marched peacefully through the streets, pausing occasionally to share McDade’s story over loudspeakers.
McDade, 38, was killed by police on May 27. According to WCTV, a local CBS affiliate, the Tallahassee Police Department claimed officers initially approached him because he “matched the description” of a stabbing suspect from earlier that morning.
Police claimed McDade was holding a gun.
They claimed McDade then “made a move consistent with using the firearm” against one officer, who responded by opening fire, killing him.
According to a witness who spoke to a local radio station last week, however, the officer involved allegedly never issued a warning or identified himself prior to the shooting.
“I walked down this way, as soon as I get around this curve, I just hear shots. I see the [person] right behind the tree, but [the officer] just jump out the car, swing the door open and just start shooting,” said Clifford Butler, a resident of the apartment complex where the incident took place.
Butler said he heard seven to eight shots.
“I never heard ‘Get down, freeze, I’m an officer’ – nothing. I just heard gun shots.”
Butler added that the police could have accidentally opened fire on anyone. “It could have been kids, anybody,” he said.
McDade was misgendered and deadnamed in earlier reports of his death. The officer who shot him has not been identified but according to Mother Jones, he is white.
As the outlet noted, Florida law currently allows officers involved in police-involved shootings to be classified as “victims” in order to protect their “privacy.”
McDade was known as “Tony the tiger” by friends, who said he had a “big heart.”
“You have such a big heart… Just your energy would lift my spirits,” one friend wrote online, according to the Human Rights Campaign.
His death is the 12th known death of a transgender or gender non-conforming person this year.
Organizers plan another march on Saturday at 5 p.m. ET.
Protests against police brutality have spread across the country following the death of an unarmed black man in Minnesota. George Floyd was killed by a white police officer on May 25, days before McDade, after the officer, Derek Chauvin, knelt on his neck for nearly 10 minutes despite pleas from Floyd that he was unable to breathe.
An independent autopsy showed Floyd died from “asphyxiation from sustained pressure” related to Chauvin’s actions.
Protesters have also marched in the streets calling for justice for Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old black EMT who was shot and killed by a group of Louisville, Kentucky, police officers on March 13. The officers had entered Taylor’s apartment without identifying themselves and began shooting after Taylor’s boyfriend, believing them to be burglers because they were not wearing uniforms, opened fire on them using his legal firearm.
LGBTQ advocacy groups are now calling attention to McDade’s death. The Human Rights Campaign released a statement on Friday demanding “accountability and answers.”
“While these deaths are visible due to recordings and social media, we know far too many go completely ignored,” said Tori Cooper, HRC director of community engagement for the Transgender Justice Initiative. “Black people, LGBTQ people, and especially all LGBTQ people of color are at greater risk for violence every day in this country. This must end. Our hearts are heavy as we mourn with Tony’s family and friends.”
LaLa Zannell, trans justice campaign manager for the ACLU, also released the statement.
“Tony McDade should be alive today,” Zannell said. “And in life and in death he should be recognized as his true self: a man … As we mourn the deaths of multiple Black people at the hands of police in recent weeks, we must not forget the Black trans people who have been targeted by law enforcement for decades.”
Monday’s protest took place on the same day that police attacked a group of peaceful demonstrators outside the White House. Federal officers reportedly tear-gassed and fired rubber bullets at the crowd and media covering the event, in order to clear a path for Donald Trump, who was headed to a nearby church for a photo op.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-02--Trump allies attack religious leaders who criticized him over photo-op

Donald Trump 's allies are attacking religious leaders who criticized him this week for allowing following federal law enforcement officers to shoot tear gas and rubber bullets at peaceful protesters outside the White House Monday evening .
The police fired on the protesters , as well as multiple members of the press who were there to document the demonstration , in order to clear a path for Trump , who was walking to a nearby church to take photos .
After the protesters were forcibly moved , Trump walked to St. John 's Episcopal Church , located across the street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a brief three-minute photo-op while holding up a Bible .
Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde , who oversees the church , was outraged that Trump would condone violent force against protesters , saying , `` What we are witnessing now is the shredding of our national fabric . ''
Budde later said she was `` outraged '' by Trump 's photo-op .
`` The president just used a Bible , the most sacred text of the Judeo-Christian tradition , and one of the churches of my diocese , without permission , as a backdrop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Jesus , '' she added .
Jenna Ellis , a senior legal adviser for the Trump campaign , shot back Monday night , claiming that Budde was a `` pawn of the leftist media . ''
`` This bishop is unfortunately a pawn of the leftist media that thrives on destruction of all that is moral and just , '' Ellis tweeted .
On Tuesday , White House counselor Kellyanne Conway also attacked Budde and other religious leaders who had criticized Trump .
Several clergy members said this week that they too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at with rubber bullets at Monday night 's protest .
`` WE WERE DRIVEN OFF OF THE PATIO AT ST. JOHN 'S - a place of peace and respite and medical care throughout the day - SO THAT MAN COULD HAVE A PHOTO OPPORTUNITY IN FRONT OF THE CHURCH !
!
! ''
Gini Gerbasi , the rector at St. John 's Episcopal Church in Georgetown , wrote in a Facebook post .
Another Episcopal leader added separately that they were among a group of clergy members `` handing out snacks and water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Guard arrived and began attacking them .
`` here was some men singing on the steps .
People were chanting and peacefully assembling .
I left as the National Guard arrived .
They sprayed tear gas , '' Glenna Huber wrote on Facebook .
Conway criticized those leaders during a press gaggle on Tuesday .
`` I think it 's very unfortunate that people of faith would call into question what is in anyone 's heart , including the president 's , what compelled him to go over to St. John 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said from the White House driveway .
`` I mean , the politicization of that by people of faith is very unfortunate . ''
Trump himself has a long history of attacking religious leaders and entities who disagree with him .
In February 2016 , Trump called Pope Francis `` disgraceful '' after he obliquely criticized Trump 's obsession with building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border .
`` A person who thinks only about building walls , wherever they may be , and not building bridges , is not Christian , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump responded at a campaign event not long after , saying , `` For a religious leader to question a person 's faith is disgraceful .
No leader , especially a religious leader , has the right to question another man 's religion or faith . ''
More recently , Trump attacked the editors of Christianity Today , an evangelical media outlet , after it published an editorial calling for the Senate to remove Trump from office .
`` The president of the United States attempted to use his political power to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discredit one of the president 's political opponents , '' the editors wrote in December 2019 , as the impeachment case against Trump was ramping up .
`` That is not only a violation of the Constitution ; more importantly , it is profoundly immoral . ''
The editorial was referring to Trump 's attempts to pressure Ukrainian leaders into digging up dirt on his political opponents by withholding critical military aid .
He was ultimately impeached for those actions , though the Senate later voted against removing him from office .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying Christianity Today was a `` far left magazine '' that wanted a Democrat in the White House .
`` A far left magazine , or very 'progressive , ' as some would call it , which has been doing poorly ... Christianity Today , knows nothing about reading a perfect transcript of a routine phone call and would rather … have a Radical Left nonbeliever , who wants to take your religion & your guns , than Donald Trump as your President , '' he tweeted at the time .
Published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Donald Trump’s allies are attacking religious leaders who criticized him this week for allowing following federal law enforcement officers to shoot tear gas and rubber bullets at peaceful protesters outside the White House Monday evening.
The police fired on the protesters, as well as multiple members of the press who were there to document the demonstration, in order to clear a path for Trump, who was walking to a nearby church to take photos.
After the protesters were forcibly moved, Trump walked to St. John’s Episcopal Church, located across the street from the White House, and held a brief three-minute photo-op while holding up a Bible.
Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, who oversees the church, was outraged that Trump would condone violent force against protesters, saying, “What we are witnessing now is the shredding of our national fabric.”
Budde later said she was “outraged” by Trump’s photo-op. “The president just used a Bible, the most sacred text of the Judeo-Christian tradition, and one of the churches of my diocese, without permission, as a backdrop for a message antithetical to the teachings of Jesus,” she added.
Jenna Ellis, a senior legal adviser for the Trump campaign, shot back Monday night, claiming that Budde was a “pawn of the leftist media.”
“This bishop is unfortunately a pawn of the leftist media that thrives on destruction of all that is moral and just,” Ellis tweeted.
On Tuesday, White House counselor Kellyanne Conway also attacked Budde and other religious leaders who had criticized Trump.
Several clergy members said this week that they too had been among those tear-gassed and shot at with rubber bullets at Monday night’s protest.
“WE WERE DRIVEN OFF OF THE PATIO AT ST. JOHN’S – a place of peace and respite and medical care throughout the day – SO THAT MAN COULD HAVE A PHOTO OPPORTUNITY IN FRONT OF THE CHURCH!!!” Gini Gerbasi, the rector at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Georgetown, wrote in a Facebook post.
Another Episcopal leader added separately that they were among a group of clergy members “handing out snacks and water” to protesters that night when the National Guard arrived and began attacking them.
“here was some men singing on the steps. People were chanting and peacefully assembling. I left as the National Guard arrived. They sprayed tear gas,” Glenna Huber wrote on Facebook.
Conway criticized those leaders during a press gaggle on Tuesday.
“I think it’s very unfortunate that people of faith would call into question what is in anyone’s heart, including the president’s, what compelled him to go over to St. John’s and hold up his Bible,” she said from the White House driveway. “I mean, the politicization of that by people of faith is very unfortunate.”
Trump himself has a long history of attacking religious leaders and entities who disagree with him.
In February 2016, Trump called Pope Francis “disgraceful” after he obliquely criticized Trump’s obsession with building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
“A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian,” the pope said at the time.
Trump responded at a campaign event not long after, saying, “For a religious leader to question a person’s faith is disgraceful. No leader, especially a religious leader, has the right to question another man’s religion or faith.”
More recently, Trump attacked the editors of Christianity Today, an evangelical media outlet, after it published an editorial calling for the Senate to remove Trump from office.
“The president of the United States attempted to use his political power to coerce a foreign leader to harass and discredit one of the president’s political opponents,” the editors wrote in December 2019, as the impeachment case against Trump was ramping up. “That is not only a violation of the Constitution; more importantly, it is profoundly immoral.”
The editorial was referring to Trump’s attempts to pressure Ukrainian leaders into digging up dirt on his political opponents by withholding critical military aid. He was ultimately impeached for those actions, though the Senate later voted against removing him from office.
Trump responded to the editorial a day later, saying Christianity Today was a “far left magazine” that wanted a Democrat in the White House.
“A far left magazine, or very ‘progressive,’ as some would call it, which has been doing poorly … Christianity Today, knows nothing about reading a perfect transcript of a routine phone call and would rather … have a Radical Left nonbeliever, who wants to take your religion & your guns, than Donald Trump as your President,” he tweeted at the time.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.