npr--2020-06-03--Millions Of Americans Skipping Payments As Tidal Wave Of Defaults And Evictions Looms

Millions Of Americans Skipping Payments As Tidal Wave Of Defaults And Evictions Looms Americans are skipping payments on mortgages , auto loans and other bills .
Normally , that could mean massive foreclosures , evictions , cars repossessions and people 's credit getting destroyed .
But much of that 's been put on pause .
Help from Congress and leniency from lenders have kept impending financial disaster at bay for millions of people .
But that may not last for long .
The problem is , these efforts aim to create a financial bridge to the future for people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — but the bridge is only half built .
For one thing , the help still is n't reaching many people who need it .
`` My wife has filed , certified every week for her unemployment for 10 weeks now , and they have done nothing , '' says Jonathan Baird of Bruceton , Tenn. `` We 've struggled . ''
Baird is a disabled veteran who gets a small disability pension .
But after the pandemic hit , his wife lost her job as a home health aide .
That was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many other contract workers , she 's run into long delays trying to collect unemployment .
Meanwhile , Baird says his mortgage company told him he did n't qualify for a federal program to postpone payments .
Many homeowners have been given wrong or misleading information from lenders about that .
And it appears that 's what happened in Baird 's case .
Baird also called Ford to try to get a break on the payments for his pickup truck .
`` When I contacted them , they told me that there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
`` Just basically make your payment or suffer the late fees . ''
He says a call center worker told him that he did n't qualify for any help because he was late on a car payment last year .
When NPR contacted Ford , the company said that is not its policy .
And after reviewing the case , the company is now letting Baird skip his next car payment , which he says is a big help .
`` We 're paycheck to paycheck like most people , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take away that paycheck , especially for this length of time , we have to make the decision — a vehicle or food . ''
Ford says the company is allowing many customers hurt financially during the pandemic-related shutdowns to skip payments .
And millions of people are getting help from all kinds of lenders .
According to the latest available numbers from the credit bureau TransUnion , about 3 million auto loans and 15 million credit card accounts are in some kind of program to let people skip or make partial payments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to the analytics company Black Knight , 4.75 million homeowners — or 9 % of all mortgages — have entered into forbearance plans .
Lawmakers do n't want these delayed payments to hurt credit scores .
Congress mandated that people who were current on their payments before the outbreak should still be reported as current on their payments while in a hardship program .
And that appears to working for now .
`` What we 're seeing consistently across the board is actually credit scores are moving upward , '' says Matthew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He says that 's both on a month-to-month and year-over-year basis .
But looking ahead , advocates say people could run into big trouble because the terms of these hardship programs can be all over the map .
`` Credit cards , auto loans , installment loans , there are no federal guidelines , '' says Aracely Panameño , a director at the nonprofit Center for Responsible Lending .
She says when it comes time to make up for all those skipped payments , there are federal rules for repayment plans for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ types of loans .
So she says lawmakers need to protect people .
Otherwise , she says , lenders could make demands beyond what people can afford .
`` You must have a capacity to catch up with your payments in an affordable way , '' Panameño says .
Chi Chi Wu with the National Consumer Law Center agrees .
Without better protections , when it comes time to make up for the missed payments , `` there 's going to be a lot of people who could experience massive credit reporting harm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focusing on consumer credit issues .
Under the rules for mortgages , consumer advocates say the vast majority of people hurt financially during the outbreak who entered a forbearance plan should have their missed payments moved to the end of the loan term .
That keeps monthly payments the same as they were before and just extends the amount of time to pay the loan .
Some other types of lenders are using this approach too .
Ford tells NPR it is taking missed payments and moving them to the end of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , many lenders say that to keep helping people , they need a government conduit through which to borrow money themselves .
Bill Himpler is president and CEO of the American Financial Services Association , which represents lenders who make car loans , personal loans , mortgages and offer credit cards .
`` If we ca n't keep the lights on because things have seized up it 's not good for anybody , '' he says .
`` It 's not good for the customer , it 's not good for the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy . ''
One big thing lawmakers need to resolve is whether to extend the federal government 's expanded unemployment benefits .
Getting that unemployment money is the biggest reason most people who 've lost jobs are able to pay rent and keep a roof over their heads .
And while some people are going back to work , many others are not .
`` When the $ 600-a-week unemployment insurance runs out at the end of July , most people expect tremendous displacement risk , '' says Andrew Jakabovics with the affordable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Evictions are likely to go through the roof . ''
And with eviction moratoriums expiring in parts of the country , he says action is needed right away to help people who ca n't pay the rent as the pandemic drags on .
Meanwhile , as with many other aspects of the coronavirus outbreak , there are disparities along socioeconomic and racial lines .
Panameño says her group did a national survey to see who was having trouble paying their bills after the pandemic struck .
`` Twenty-five percent of Latinos had already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she says .
`` Twenty-eight percent of African Americans had fallen behind .
That compares to 12 % of whites that had fallen behind . ''

Millions Of Americans Skip Payments As Tidal Wave Of Defaults And Evictions Looms
Enlarge this image toggle caption Nichole Baird Nichole Baird
Americans are skipping payments on mortgages, auto loans and other bills. Normally, that could mean massive foreclosures, evictions, cars repossessions and people's credit getting destroyed.
But much of that has been put on pause. Help from Congress and leniency from lenders have kept impending financial disaster at bay for millions of people. But that may not last for long.
The problem is that these efforts aim to create a financial bridge to the future for people who've lost their income in the pandemic — but the bridge is only half-built. For one thing, the help still isn't reaching many people who need it.
"My wife has filed, certified every week for her unemployment for 10 weeks now, and they have done nothing," says Jonathan Baird of Bruceton, Tenn. "We've struggled."
Baird is a disabled veteran, not injured in wartime, who gets a small disability pension. When the pandemic hit, his wife lost her job as a home health aide. That was most of their income. And like many other contract workers, she has run into long delays trying to collect unemployment.
Meanwhile, Baird says his mortgage company told him that he didn't qualify for a federal program to postpone payments. Many homeowners have been given wrong or misleading information from lenders about that. And it appears that is what happened in Baird's case.
Baird also called Ford to try to get a break on the payments for his pickup truck. "When I contacted them, they told me that there was nothing they could do," he says. "Just basically make your payment or suffer the late fees."
He says a call center worker told him that he didn't qualify for any help because he was late on a car payment last year. When NPR contacted Ford, the company said that is not its policy. And after reviewing the case, the company is now letting Baird skip his next car payment, which he says is a big help.
"We're paycheck to paycheck like most people," he says. "And when you take away that paycheck, especially for this length of time, we have to make the decision — a vehicle or food."
Ford says the company is allowing many customers hurt financially during the pandemic-related shutdowns to skip payments.
And millions of people are getting help from all kinds of lenders. According to the latest available numbers from the credit bureau TransUnion, about 3 million auto loans and 15 million credit card accounts are in some kind of program to let people skip or make partial payments. Those are probably low estimates. According to the analytics company Black Knight, 4.75 million homeowners — or 9% of all mortgages — have entered into forbearance plans.
Lawmakers don't want these delayed payments to hurt credit scores. Congress mandated that people who were current on their payments before the outbreak should still be reported as current on their payments while in a hardship program. And that appears to working for now.
"What we're seeing consistently across the board is actually credit scores are moving upward," says Matthew Komos, a vice president at TransUnion. He says that's both on a month-to-month and year-over-year basis.
But looking ahead, advocates say people could run into big trouble because the terms of these hardship programs can be all over the map.
"Credit cards, auto loans, installment loans, there are no federal guidelines," says Aracely Panameño, a director at the nonprofit Center for Responsible Lending.
She says when it comes time to make up for all those skipped payments, there are federal rules for repayment plans for home mortgages but not for many other types of loans. So she says lawmakers need to protect people. Otherwise, she says, lenders could make demands beyond what people can afford. "You must have a capacity to catch up with your payments in an affordable way," Panameño says.
Chi Chi Wu with the National Consumer Law Center agrees. Without better protections, when it comes time to make up for the missed payments, "there's going to be a lot of people who could experience massive credit reporting harm," says Wu, an attorney focusing on consumer credit issues.
Under the rules for mortgages, consumer advocates say the vast majority of people hurt financially during the outbreak who entered a forbearance plan should have their missed payments moved to the end of the loan term.
That keeps monthly payments the same as they were before and just extends the amount of time to pay the loan. Some other types of lenders are using this approach. Ford tells NPR it is taking missed payments and moving them to the end of the auto loan term.
For their part, many lenders say that to keep helping people, they need a government conduit through which to borrow money themselves. Bill Himpler is president and CEO of the American Financial Services Association, which represents lenders who make car loans, personal loans and mortgages and offer credit cards.
"If we can't keep the lights on because things have seized up, it's not good for anybody," he says. "It's not good for the customer; it's not good for the company; it's not good for the economy."
One big thing lawmakers need to resolve is whether to extend the federal government's expanded unemployment benefits. Getting that unemployment money is the biggest reason most people who've lost jobs are able to pay rent and keep a roof over their heads. And while some people are going back to work, many others are not.
"When the $600-a-week unemployment insurance runs out at the end of July, most people expect tremendous displacement risk," says Andrew Jakabovics with the affordable housing nonprofit Enterprise Community Partners. "Evictions are likely to go through the roof."
And with eviction moratoriums expiring in parts of the country, he says action is needed right away to help people who can't pay the rent as the pandemic drags on.
Meanwhile, as with many other aspects of the coronavirus outbreak, there are disparities along socioeconomic and racial lines. Panameño says her group did a national survey to see who was having trouble paying their bills after the pandemic struck.
"Twenty-five percent of Latinos had already fallen behind with their payments," she says. "Twenty-eight percent of African Americans had fallen behind. That compares to 12% of whites that had fallen behind."


npr--2020-06-03--Is It Safe Yet To Get Your Physical Or A Dental Checkup?

Is It Safe Yet To Get Your Physical Or A Dental Checkup ?
Many hospitals , clinics and dental offices in some places around the U.S. are beginning to open now for routine , preventative care that was postponed in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic .
But still , patients wonder : Is it safe to go ?
Michael LeVasseur , a visiting assistant professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at Drexel University in Philadelphia , says a lot of his friends and family members have been asking him that question , along with other queries about the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put together two YouTube videos to try to address them at once .
LeVasseur 's general advice is to contact your doctor — the best advice for you may still vary , depending on your situation and where you live .
But he says he 's confident that physicians who are accepting patients will be cleaning their offices regularly and taking other precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
Neal Goldstein at Drexel University and Aimee Palumbo at Temple University , both epidemiologists , urge a number of specific precautions that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff about when scheduling an appointment : • Do the staff and patients wear masks at all times ?
• Do the staff have enough masks and protective equipment ?
• Will there be a limit on how many people can be in a waiting room ?
• Are the staff being tested for COVID-19 ?
• How often are staff cleaning the waiting rooms and offices ?
• If you do n't drive , can you take public transit while keeping your distance from other people and washing your hands before and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitals opening back up for elective and routine medical appointments in the Philadelphia area highlight other precautions they are now taking , too , such as screening patients by phone a day or two ahead of the appointment for any sign of illness , checking for fever at the hospital entrance and testing patients for COVID-19 ahead of procedures .
For most routine checkups , the decision about whether to start getting preventive care again should be easy , Palumbo says : `` The people that are at highest risk of COVID or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ones that ... are going to benefit the most also from these routine procedures , so we have to recognize that these things still do need to happen .
It 's better to treat something sooner than later , so it is still important to continue their care even while this is going on . ''
Neil Fishman , an infectious disease specialist and chief medical officer at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania , says that , broadly speaking , fewer patients have been coming in to medical offices with routine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We know COVID-19 did not cure cancer , COVID-19 did not cure heart disease , '' he says , `` so that means that there are a lot of people who have been afraid to get routine health care either for existing conditions or for ... as-yet-undiagnosed conditions .
`` It 's critical , '' Fishman adds , `` for people to get [ regular ] physical exams , to get gynecologic checkups , to get mammograms , and colonoscopies , and particularly flu shots during cold and flu season . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ without vaccines looks like , '' he says .
`` It looks like this pandemic that we 're experiencing — and it would be even more devastating if we saw a recurrence of vaccine-preventable illnesses because people are avoiding health care out of fear . ''
Some of that avoidance of care that should continue has already happened .
A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last month showed a drop in vaccinations among children age 2 or younger in Michigan during the pandemic , compared to similar periods in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ observed declines in vaccination coverage might leave young children and communities vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles , '' the authors write .
`` If measles vaccination coverage of 90 % –95 % ( the level needed to establish herd immunity ) is not achieved , measles outbreaks can occur . ''
At the same time , it can be difficult to talk to patients about coming back for routine appointments .
In a May 27 editorial in the medical journal JAMA : Internal Medicine , David Asch , a professor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Pennsylvania , writes that `` the biggest challenge in helping patients feel safe is doing so in a way that is not itself scary . ''
`` Hospitals should pay attention to how they may be perceived to ensure that they do not inadvertently scare away the patients who need them , '' Asch writes .
`` People are anxious when they 're visiting physicians or other health care providers ; the anxiety is going to be ever more increased by the changes that COVID-19 are mandating now , '' he says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about how a patient would feel — how my mother would feel — if they saw someone walking in the room with a mask and a face shield on , because that 's not what you normally experience . ''
Fishman has , indeed , talked to his mother , who has a chronic illness and was briefly hospitalized at the beginning of the pandemic , about whether she should go to her routine follow-up visits .
He says she goes to those appointments — but he does the grocery shopping for her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encounter there .
There are some procedures that might be done virtually or just postponed .
Jeffrey Jahre , an infectious disease specialist at St. Luke 's University Health Network in Bethlehem and senior vice president of medical and academic affairs , says physical therapists at St. Luke 's have been seeing a lot more patients virtually .
The American Physical Therapy Association released general guidelines for their members in May , suggesting virtual visits for patients who are at risk of getting severely ill from a COVID-19 infection or who are concerned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the alternative to a virtual visit is no care at all .
Many dental offices are open in Philadelphia , says David Tecosky , a dentist in in the city , though most still have not returned to doing cosmetic procedures , such as applying custom-made veneers to cover the front of stained or chipped teeth .
Tecosky says he has a two-month or more backlog of appointments , and is starting to again see patients for preventive checkups , as well as emergency procedures to treat infections , or cracked teeth that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eating .
He recommends calling your dentist if you 've missed an appointment in recent months because of the pandemic , to see if it 's time for you , too , to reschedule .
While a dentist might have scheduled 10 patients a day before the pandemic , Tecosky notes that ca n't happen now , with the various social distancing measures that need to be taken into account , along with the new need to change gowns and other personal protective equipment between patients .
Tecosky now wears hairnets , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the pandemic .
His offices has also added other new measures to protect staff and patients — such as plastic screens at the front desk , more distance between waiting room chairs , and curtains in the operating area .
The CDC has more detailed guidance for dental settings .
Tecosky says he and his whole team have been taking patients ' phone questions in recent weeks , and the patients calling have not been reluctant to come back for appointments .
`` Even though dentistry is not known to be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because they love to , we are finding that patients are not canceling appointments or ... saying , 'oh , I do n't want to come in , ' or 'Wait six months ' or ' I 'm going to wait 'til this all passes . '
'' However , he says , he expects the pandemic will produce lasting changes to how dentists practice .
For one thing , masks that used to cost $ 10 now cost $ 30 .
Early in the pandemic , he says , had to put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven people on temporary furlough because the office was only permitted to provide urgent care initially .
They are all back at work now , Tecosky says , but the office is only getting around 20 percent of the money earned in pre-pandemic times — far below the amount needed to cover overhead costs .
All dentists , he says , will keep trying to figure out ways to get patients the care they need , but it could mean a rise in fees .
Alan Yu reports on space , science and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this story originally appeared .

Is It Safe Yet To Get Your Physical Or A Dental Checkup?
Enlarge this image toggle caption Joe Raedle/Getty Images Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Many hospitals, clinics and dental offices in some places across the U.S. are beginning to open now for routine, preventative care that was postponed in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. But still, patients wonder: Is it safe to go?
Michael LeVasseur, a visiting assistant professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at Drexel University in Philadelphia, says a lot of his friends and family members have been asking him that question, along with other queries about the pandemic. So many questions that he put together two YouTube videos to try to address them at once.
LeVasseur's general advice is to contact your doctor — the best advice for you may still vary, depending on your situation and where you live. But he says he's confident that physicians who are accepting patients will be cleaning their offices regularly and taking other precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Neal Goldstein at Drexel University and Aimee Palumbo at Temple University, both epidemiologists, urge a number of specific precautions that concerned patients can ask medical and dental staff about when scheduling an appointment:
Do the staff and patients wear masks at all times?
Do the staff have enough masks and protective equipment?
Will there be a limit on how many people can be in a waiting room?
Are the staff being tested for COVID-19?
How often are staff cleaning the waiting rooms and offices?
If you don't drive, can you take public transit while keeping your distance from other people and washing your hands before and afterward?
Many of the offices and hospitals opening back up for elective and routine medical appointments in the Philadelphia area highlight other precautions they are now taking, too, such as screening patients by phone a day or two ahead of the appointment for any sign of illness, checking for fever at the hospital entrance and testing patients for COVID-19 ahead of procedures.
For most routine checkups, the decision about whether to start getting preventive care again should be easy, Palumbo says: "The people that are at highest risk of COVID or poor outcomes from COVID are also the ones that ... are going to benefit the most also from these routine procedures, so we have to recognize that these things still do need to happen. It's better to treat something sooner than later, so it is still important to continue their care even while this is going on."
Neil Fishman, an infectious disease specialist and chief medical officer at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, says that, broadly speaking, fewer patients have been coming in to medical offices with routine medical problems. That worries him.
"We know COVID-19 did not cure cancer, COVID-19 did not cure heart disease," he says, "so that means that there are a lot of people who have been afraid to get routine health care either for existing conditions or for ... as-yet-undiagnosed conditions.
"It's critical," Fishman adds, "for people to get [regular] physical exams, to get gynecologic checkups, to get mammograms, and colonoscopies, and particularly flu shots during cold and flu season."
"We have seen what a world without vaccines looks like," he says. "It looks like this pandemic that we're experiencing — and it would be even more devastating if we saw a recurrence of vaccine-preventable illnesses because people are avoiding health care out of fear."
Some of that avoidance of care that should continue has already happened. A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last month showed a drop in vaccinations among children age 2 or younger in Michigan during the pandemic, compared with similar periods in the past few years.
"The observed declines in vaccination coverage might leave young children and communities vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles," the authors write. "If measles vaccination coverage of 90%–95% (the level needed to establish herd immunity) is not achieved, measles outbreaks can occur."
At the same time, it can be difficult to talk to patients about coming back for routine appointments. In a May 27 editorial in the medical journal JAMA: Internal Medicine, David Asch, a professor of medicine and health policy at the University of Pennsylvania, writes that "the biggest challenge in helping patients feel safe is doing so in a way that is not itself scary."
"Hospitals should pay attention to how they may be perceived to ensure that they do not inadvertently scare away the patients who need them," Asch writes.
Fishman at Penn Medicine agrees.
"People are anxious when they're visiting physicians or other health care providers; the anxiety is going to be ever more increased by the changes that COVID-19 are mandating now," he says. "I always try to think about how a patient would feel — how my mother would feel — if they saw someone walking in the room with a mask and a face shield on, because that's not what you normally experience."
Fishman has, indeed, talked to his mother, who has a chronic illness and was briefly hospitalized at the beginning of the pandemic, about whether she should go to her routine follow-up visits. He says she goes to those appointments — but he does the grocery shopping for her to reduce the risks she might encounter there.
There are some procedures that might be done virtually or just postponed. Jeffrey Jahre, an infectious disease specialist at St. Luke's University Health Network in Bethlehem and senior vice president of medical and academic affairs, says physical therapists at St. Luke's have been seeing a lot more patients virtually.
The American Physical Therapy Association released general guidelines for their members in May, suggesting virtual visits for patients who are at risk of getting severely ill from a COVID-19 infection or who are concerned about an inpatient visit – especially if the alternative to a virtual visit is no care at all.
Many dental offices are open in Philadelphia, says David Tecosky, a dentist in the city, though most still have not returned to doing cosmetic procedures, such as applying custom-made veneers to cover the front of stained or chipped teeth.
Tecosky says he has a two-month or longer backlog of appointments and is starting to again see patients for preventive checkups, as well as emergency procedures to treat infections or cracked teeth that could lead to pain and problems with eating. He recommends calling your dentist if you've missed an appointment in recent months because of the pandemic to see if it's time for you, too, to reschedule.
While a dentist might have scheduled 10 patients a day before the pandemic, Tecosky notes that can't happen now, with the various social distancing measures that need to be taken into account, along with the new need to change gowns and other personal protective equipment between patients. Tecosky now wears hairnets, for example, which he wasn't doing before the pandemic.
His offices has also added new measures to protect staff and patients — such as plastic screens at the front desk, more distance between waiting room chairs, and curtains in the operating area. The CDC has more detailed guidance for dental settings.
Tecosky says he and his whole team have been taking patients' phone questions in recent weeks, and the patients calling have not been reluctant to come back for appointments.
"Even though dentistry is not known to be a place that people flock to go to because they love to, we are finding that patients are not canceling appointments or ... saying, 'Oh, I don't want to come in,' or 'Wait six months' or 'I'm going to wait 'til this all passes.' "
However, he says, he expects the pandemic will produce lasting changes to how dentists practice. For one thing, masks that used to cost $10 now cost $30. Early in the pandemic, he says, he had to put most of his staff of six or seven people on temporary furlough because the office was only permitted to provide urgent care initially. They are all back at work now, Tecosky says, but the office is only getting around 20% of the money earned in pre-pandemic times — far below the amount needed to cover overhead costs. All dentists, he says, will keep trying to figure out ways to get patients the care they need, but it could mean a rise in fees.
Alan Yu reports on space, science and innovation for WHYY in Philadelphia, where this story originally appeared.


npr--2020-06-03--Ex-Department Of Justice Leader Who Appointed Mueller To Testify In Senate

Ex-Department Of Justice Leader Who Appointed Mueller To Testify In Senate Against the backdrop of a national crisis over race and law enforcement , the Senate Judiciary Committee plans to convene a hearing on Wednesday about the now-closed investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election .
Chairman Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , appeared set to go ahead with a session scheduled before the flare in protests and violence that followed the death of a Minneapolis man , George Floyd , at the hands of police in an incident that reignited long-simmering anger at police in cities across the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 10 a.m .
ET .
Watch it live here .
The sole witness is former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein , who 'll likely be grilled about revelations about the Russia investigation that have come to light since he left the Justice Department last year .
The political context has evolved : Republicans want to tie former Vice President Joe Biden into what they call the abuses of power from the end of the Obama era .
Graham and Republicans want answers about what Rosenstein and other Justice Department leaders knew at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the FBI 's investigation into the Russian interference in the 2016 election , which sought to hinder Hillary Clinton and help elect then-candidate Donald Trump .
Rosenstein found himself in the center of a political vortex in the spring of 2017 , not long after he 'd been nominated by Trump and confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate .
His boss , Attorney General Jeff Sessions , was a Trump loyalist and had recused himself from the Russian matter .
The president had fired FBI Director James Comey .
In the midst of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI Director Robert Mueller to serve as a special counsel and continue the Russia investigation .
Re-look after re-look has verified Mueller 's findings about the Russian interference , but the work of the FBI and Justice Department was n't found to be problem-free .
Issues with the FBI investigators involved and their dealings within officialdom , especially with the secret court that oversees government surveillance , have embarrassed the top levels of federal law enforcement .
Many Republicans have faulted Rosenstein since his earliest days over his appointment of Mueller .
Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ center stage at a time when Trump and other allies want to link Biden with intelligence collection that involved members of the Trump camp .
Biden 's camp has rejected the idea there were any abuses and pointed out that there was no way for administration officials to single out Americans in intelligence reporting because their names were hidden , or masked .
They were only identified after requests for more information about who was talking with existing targets , Biden 's campaign said .
That practice is legal and takes place thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allies have made it the basis of political attacks against Biden and others from that era .
Biden , in turn , has blasted Trump and Republicans for what he calls their attempt to distract attention from the most pressing challenges of the day — first the coronavirus pandemic and now the national unrest over police violence .
Democrats , who are in the minority on the Senate Judiciary Committee , likely will take up that theme on Wednesday .
Republicans are likely to press Rosenstein over what they call surveillance abuses and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the FBI 's practices at crucial junctures in the saga .
Rosenstein now is with the law firm King & Spalding but he has appeared before congressional inquisitors before .
In the past , Rosenstein has said that he relied on lower-level investigators and attorneys and was n't involved with the operational details now known to be problematic .
Specifically , Rosenstein signed a request to continue surveillance on a former junior campaign aide to Trump , Carter Page , based on work product that has since been repudiated by internal investigators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ details did n't become clear to the public until later .
That likely will be a major area of focus on Wednesday , along with other episodes that have since come to light from the early weeks of the Trump administration .
Graham , meanwhile , has sought to show the Judiciary Committee can keep many plates spinning at once .
The committee heard from witnesses on Tuesday about the deadly effects of the coronavirus within the federal prison system , and Graham also has planned a hearing later this month about policing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death .

Rod Rosenstein Defends Russia Probe But Says He Had Incomplete Info At The Time
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jim Lo Scalzo/Pool/AFP via Getty Images Jim Lo Scalzo/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Updated at 4:09 p.m. ET
Former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said Wednesday that if he knew then what he knows now, he would not have signed his now-infamous application to continue surveillance on an ex-junior aide to Donald Trump.
Rosenstein told the Senate Judiciary Committee that he relied on lower-level investigators and attorneys to do the right thing in preparing applications for the secret court that authorizes surveillance on Americans.
Now, he said, he recognizes via the subsequent investigations that those officials did not do the right thing — and accordingly, Rosenstein said he wouldn't have signed the application.
The former deputy attorney general defended the overall need for an investigation into the Russian interference in the 2016 election and said he stood by its findings and much of its work.
But he also acknowledged that it has since become clear he and other Justice Department leaders were acting upon incomplete information.
In the case of former Trump aide Carter Page, Rosenstein said he remembered an application for renewal, one that that had been submitted before, and one that he then believed made a cogent case to continue the surveillance.
"My recollection of it was that it was actually fairly persuasive," he said.
GOP vows more investigation of Russia investigation
Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., went ahead with a session Wednesday scheduled before the flare in protests and violence that followed the death of a Minneapolis man, George Floyd, at the hands of police in an incident that reignited long-simmering anger at police in cities across the country.
The political context has evolved; Republicans want to tie former Vice President Joe Biden into what they call the abuses of power from the end of the Obama era.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said what he called the "Obama-Biden administration" had done "went right up to the very top" and was worse than the abuses of President Richard Nixon.
Cruz also called Rosenstein "grossly negligent."
He and Republicans sought answers about what Rosenstein and other Justice Department leaders knew at the time they were making fateful decisions about the FBI's investigation into the Russian interference in the 2016 election, which sought to hinder Hillary Clinton and help elect then-candidate Donald Trump.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., rejected Cruz's comparison between Obama and Nixon and said it would "never stand the test of time." She also said Graham was wasting everyone's time now.
"I have made it very clear that I think that it is absurd we are having this hearing."
Strange days
Rosenstein found himself in the center of a political vortex in the spring of 2017, not long after he'd been nominated by Trump and confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate.
His boss, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, was a Trump loyalist and had recused himself from the Russian matter. The president had fired FBI Director James Comey.
In the midst of that febrile atmosphere, Rosenstein appointed former FBI Director Robert Mueller to serve as a special counsel and continue the Russia investigation.
"I was concerned the public would not have confidence in the investigation and that the acting FBI director [at the time] was not the right person to lead it," Rosenstein told senators on Wednesday.
"I decided appointment of special counsel was the best way to complete the investigation and promote public confidence in the conclusions."
Re-look after re-look has verified Mueller's findings about the Russian interference, but the work of the FBI and Justice Department wasn't found to be problem-free.
Issues with the FBI investigators involved and their dealings within officialdom, especially with the secret court that oversees government surveillance, have embarrassed the top levels of federal law enforcement.
Longtime target
Many Republicans have faulted Rosenstein since his earliest days over his appointment of Mueller.
Now, Graham brought Rosenstein back into center stage at a time when Trump and other allies want to link Biden with intelligence collection that involved members of the Trump camp.
Graham said he also intends to conduct more interviews and hearings about the investigation, including with planned subpoenas. One future witness could include the former deputy director of the FBI, Andrew McCabe, Graham said.
"We're going to get to the bottom of it ... this stinks," Graham said. "This is a sad episode on the history of the FBI."
Biden's camp has rejected the idea there were any abuses and pointed out that there was no way for administration officials to single out Americans in intelligence reporting because their names were hidden, or masked.
They were only identified after requests for more information about who was talking with existing targets, Biden's campaign said.
That practice is legal and takes place thousands of times per year. Trump and allies have made it the basis of political attacks against Biden and others from that era, as Cruz repeated at Wednesday's hearing.
Biden, in turn, has blasted Trump and Republicans for what he calls their attempt to distract attention from the most pressing challenges of the day — first the coronavirus pandemic and now the national unrest over police violence.
"Sen. Graham sold his conscience in exchange for a better shot at winning his primary," a spokesman for Biden's campaign said
Democrats, who are in the minority on the Senate Judiciary Committee, took up that theme on Wednesday, led by Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California. She also restated that the findings and much of the work of the Mueller era have been validated.
Feinstein emphasized with Rosenstein that the infamous, never-verified Russia dossier was not used as the basis to charge anyone.
And Rosenstein underlined what he called the important need to conduct investigations that might not necessarily lead to charges — and that in the case of the Mueller era, no Americans ultimately were charged with conspiring with the Russians who attacked the election.
Republicans argue the mere fact of a continued investigation into Page — after evidence surfaced they argue should have quashed it — is improper even though Page was never charged.
In Rosenstein's case, he signed a request to continue surveillance on Page based on work product that has since been repudiated by internal investigators and the secret surveillance court.
Those details didn't become clear to the public — or Rosenstein, he said on Wednesday — until later. Graham said he accepts that explanation but wants to know why information being gleaned by lower-level investigators wasn't making its way to the leadership of the FBI or Justice.
Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., tried to emphasize with Rosenstein that although the Page surveillance application process was flawed, none of the other surveillance conducted in the Russia investigation suffered from the same problems.
The Page problems don't invalidate the rest of the Mueller work, Leahy argued.
Other Democrats complained about the use of the time and energy of the Judiciary Committee to execute what Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., called a political errand for Trump.
Graham defended what he called the need to excavate the decisions in the Russia investigation and, meanwhile, has sought to show the Judiciary Committee can keep many plates spinning at once.
The committee heard from witnesses on Tuesday about the deadly effects of the coronavirus within the federal prison system and Graham also has planned a hearing later this month about race and policing following Floyd's death.


npr--2020-06-03--Powerful Cyclone Makes Landfall Near Indian City Of Mumbai

India 's megacity of Mumbai is in the crosshairs of a tropical cyclone for the first time in well over a century , as a storm called Nisarga came ashore Wednesday in an area of the country already hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic .
Severe Cyclonic Storm Nisarga was spinning wind gusts up to 75 mph as it made landfall south of Mumbai , which was experiencing heavy rainfall , according to the India Meteorological Department .
About 100,000 people have been evacuated from low-lying areas in the western Indian state of Maharashtra , where Mumbai is located , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for about 40 % of the country 's more than 207,000 confirmed coronavirus cases .
India has seen more than 5,800 confirmed COVID-19 deaths since the start of the pandemic , according to India 's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare .
Authorities in Mumbai shut down offices , banned all gatherings and told people to stay home , according to Reuters .
`` We have seen rains , but we have never seen a cyclone in the city , '' Shantaram Terekar , who lives in a one-room hut in the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We do n't know what damage it will do . ''
India 's largest container port , Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust , said it had shut for 24 hours , and most flights were cancelled at the city 's airport according to Reuters , where operations were already curtailed because of the pandemic .
The storm comes as the city is expecting the annual southwest monsoon , which has already reached the state of Kerala , and is forecast to reach Mumbai by mid-month .
The torrential rains typically inundate the city , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Just two weeks ago , Cyclone Amphan pummeled parts of eastern India , making landfall near another megalopolis , Kolkata .
Amphan brought heavy rain and flooding and wind gusts exceeding 100 mph when it made landfall .
It also brought flooding and destruction to neighboring Bangladesh .
While tropical cyclones — the equivalent of what are called hurricanes in the western hemisphere – are not uncommon in the North Indian Ocean , they typically miss the west-central region of the subcontinent where Mumbai is located .
The last time Mumbai was hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a young lawyer named Mohandas K. Gandhi was just arriving in the city – then known as Bombay — to set up a practice after studying in London .
He would later leave India , spending two decades in South Africa before returning home to help lead the country 's independence struggle against British colonial rule .

Powerful Cyclone Makes Landfall Near Indian City Of Mumbai
Enlarge this image toggle caption Punit Paranjpe/AFP via Getty Images Punit Paranjpe/AFP via Getty Images
India's megacity of Mumbai is in the crosshairs of a tropical cyclone for the first time in well over a century, as a storm called Nisarga came ashore Wednesday in an area of the country already hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Severe Cyclonic Storm Nisarga was spinning wind gusts up to 75 mph as it made landfall south of Mumbai, which was experiencing heavy rainfall, according to the India Meteorological Department.
About 100,000 people have been evacuated from low-lying areas in the western Indian state of Maharashtra, where Mumbai is located, and neighboring Gujarat. The two states account for about 40% of the country's more than 207,000 confirmed coronavirus cases. India has seen more than 5,800 confirmed COVID-19 deaths since the start of the pandemic, according to India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Authorities in Mumbai shut down offices, banned all gatherings and told people to stay home, according to Reuters.
"We have seen rains, but we have never seen a cyclone in the city," Shantaram Terekar, who lives in a one-room hut in the city, told the news agency. "We don't know what damage it will do."
India's largest container port, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, said it had shut for 24 hours, and most flights were cancelled at the city's airport according to Reuters, where operations were already curtailed because of the pandemic.
The storm comes as the city is expecting the annual southwest monsoon, which has already reached the state of Kerala, and is forecast to reach Mumbai by mid-month. The torrential rains typically inundate the city, flooding roads and disrupting railway service.
Mumbai and around rainfall in last 12 hrs. City side recd moderate rainfall 20-40 mm. Rest recd light rainfall.
Today on 3 Jun heavy rainfall warnings for Mumbai, Thane, Raigad and Palghar are already issued in view of cyclone. High winds, very rough sea ..
Please keep watch. TC pic.twitter.com/tD4mIwdfc4 — K S Hosalikar (@Hosalikar_KS) June 3, 2020
Just two weeks ago, Cyclone Amphan pummeled parts of eastern India, making landfall near another megalopolis, Kolkata.
Amphan brought heavy rain and flooding and wind gusts exceeding 100 mph when it made landfall. It also brought flooding and destruction to neighboring Bangladesh.
While tropical cyclones — the equivalent of what are called hurricanes in the western hemisphere – are not uncommon in the North Indian Ocean, they typically miss the west-central region of the subcontinent where Mumbai is located.
The last time Mumbai was hit by a tropical cyclone, in 1891, a young lawyer named Mohandas K. Gandhi was just arriving in the city – then known as Bombay — to set up a practice after studying in London. He would later leave India, spending two decades in South Africa before returning home to help lead the country's independence struggle against British colonial rule.


npr--2020-06-03--Canada's Trudeau At A Loss For Words On Trump's Handling Of Unrest In U.S.

Canada 's Trudeau At A Loss For Words On Trump 's Handling Of Unrest In U.S .
It 's not often that Justin Trudeau is caught speechless .
But when the Canadian prime minister was asked what he thought of President Trump 's actions to quash a wave of protests across the U.S. , Trudeau paused before responding – for 21 seconds as the cameras recorded his awkward silence .
During a Tuesday news conference in front of his Ottawa residence , the prime minister fielded this question from a reporter : '' You 've been reluctant to comment about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president .
But we do have now Donald Trump calling for military action against protesters .
We saw protesters tear-gassed yesterday to make way for a presidential photo-op .
I 'd like to ask you what you think about that .
And , if you do n't want to comment , what message do you think you 're sending ? ''
Before answering , the prime minister , sporting a beard and shaggy hair since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic , glanced down at his lectern , opened his mouth as if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his weight and uttered a barely audible `` um '' as birds chirped in the background .
`` We all watch in horror and consternation what 's going on in the United States , '' he finally said .
`` It is a time to pull people together , but it is a time to listen .
`` It is a time to learn what injustices continue despite progress over years and decades .
But it is a time for us as Canadians to recognize that we too have our challenges , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and racialized Canadians face discrimination as a lived reality every single day , '' Trudeau continued .
`` There is systemic discrimination in Canada , which means our systems treat Canadians of color , Canadians who are racialized , as differently than they do others . ''
Trudeau typically displays reticence on Trump 's actions , keeping in mind the centrality of the U.S.-Canada relationship and their huge cross-border economic interdependence .
Canada in recent days has seen relatively small , peaceful protests in solidarity with U.S. demonstrations that first erupted last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis , Minn. By contrast , the protests in U.S. cities have typically been much larger and have frequently devolved into clashes between police and activists .
The Canadian protests supporting Black Lives Matter have sprung up in Montreal , Halifax , Toronto and Regina , the provincial capital of Saskatchewan .
At the protest in Regina on Tuesday , where a few hundred people gathered , one of the organizers , Faith Olanipekun , told the CBC that , `` A lot of people here think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` So it 's important for us to come out , voice our concerns and let people know that we are suffering in Canada just as much as people in the U.S. are suffering , '' Olanipekun said .

Canada's Trudeau At A Loss For Words On Trump's Handling Of Unrest In U.S.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Arindam Shivaani/NurPhoto via Getty Images Arindam Shivaani/NurPhoto via Getty Images
It's not often that Justin Trudeau is caught speechless.
But when the Canadian prime minister was asked what he thought of President Trump's actions to quash a wave of protests across the U.S., Trudeau paused before responding – for 21 seconds as the cameras recorded his awkward silence.
During a Tuesday news conference in front of his Ottawa residence, the prime minister fielded this question from a reporter:
"You've been reluctant to comment about the words and actions of the U.S. president. But we do have now Donald Trump calling for military action against protesters. We saw protesters tear-gassed yesterday to make way for a presidential photo-op. I'd like to ask you what you think about that. And, if you don't want to comment, what message do you think you're sending?"
YouTube
Before answering, the prime minister, sporting a beard and shaggy hair since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, glanced down at his lectern, opened his mouth as if to speak — then paused, shifted his weight and uttered a barely audible "um" as birds chirped in the background.
"We all watch in horror and consternation what's going on in the United States," he finally said. "It is a time to pull people together, but it is a time to listen.
"It is a time to learn what injustices continue despite progress over years and decades. But it is a time for us as Canadians to recognize that we, too, have our challenges," he said.
"That black Canadians and racialized Canadians face discrimination as a lived reality every single day," Trudeau continued. "There is systemic discrimination in Canada, which means our systems treat Canadians of color, Canadians who are racialized, as differently than they do others."
Trudeau typically displays reticence on Trump's actions, keeping in mind the centrality of the U.S.-Canada relationship and its huge cross-border economic interdependence.
Here are some more sign photos I took today at the rally in Regina! #yqr pic.twitter.com/Wz6gb9JLqk — Alex Soloducha (@AlexSoloCBC) June 2, 2020
Canada in recent days has seen relatively small, peaceful protests in solidarity with U.S. demonstrations that first erupted last week in the wake of the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis. By contrast, the protests in U.S. cities have typically been much larger and have frequently devolved into clashes between police and activists.
The Canadian protests supporting Black Lives Matter have sprung up in Montreal, Halifax, Toronto and Regina, the provincial capital of Saskatchewan.
At the protest in Regina on Tuesday, when a few hundred people gathered, one of the organizers, Faith Olanipekun, told the CBC that, "A lot of people here think that Canada isn't racist."
"So it's important for us to come out, voice our concerns and let people know that we are suffering in Canada just as much as people in the U.S. are suffering," Olanipekun said.


npr--2020-06-03--Iowa Rep. Steve King Ousted In GOP Primary, AP Projects

After years of incendiary comments on race and other issues that lost him the support of many Republican Party leaders , conservative Iowa Rep. Steve King has lost his bid for reelection to a primary challenge by GOP state Sen. Randy Feenstra , The Associated Press projects .
`` I am truly humbled by the outpouring of support over the past 17 months that made tonight possible and I thank Congressman King for his decades of public service , '' Feenstra said in a statement .
`` As we turn to the general election , I will remain focused on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families , farmers and communities of Iowa .
But first , we must make sure this seat does n't land in the hands of Nancy Pelosi and her liberal allies in Congress .
Tomorrow , we get back to work . ''
First elected in 2002 , King faced the toughest primary campaign of his career in Iowa 's 4th Congressional District , trailing in the polls with a limited cash supply and minimal advertising .
He faced an onslaught of challengers feeding off of his vulnerability due to inflammatory rhetoric .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ King is unable to effectively represent the interests of his constituents since being stripped of House committee assignments last year , rather than focusing on his history of controversial statements .
`` The 4th District needs a seat at the table , an effective conservative voice , '' stressed Feenstra in a May debate hosted by WHO-TV .
Feenstra represented the most likely threat to King 's reelection , raising $ 925,849 this cycle , compared to King 's $ 330,000 , according to the Center For Responsive Politics .
Also challenging King @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former state representative and Woodbury County supervisor Jeremy Taylor and real estate developer Steve Reeder .
All had similar platforms : opposing abortion rights , securing the southern U.S. border and supporting gun owners ' views of the Second Amendment .
The writing may have been on the wall for King , who President Trump once dubbed `` the world 's most conservative human being . ''
In his last general election , he scraped by with a margin of just 3 % of the vote in his bright red district against Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former minor league baseball pitcher .
Scholten 's progress at nearly flipping the northwest district , which is home to Sioux City and Ames , prompted this crowded Republican primary with challengers painting King , 71 , as ineffective and offering themselves up as a viable conservative alternative without the reputation of being a toxic thorn in the GOP 's side .
Scholten is returning for a second swing at the seat this year and ended up without any competition in the Democratic primary .
Not only did Feenstra raise more than King @ @ @ @ @ @ @ garnered the high-profile endorsements of former Iowa Gov .
Terry Branstad , the National Right to Life Committee and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce .
The latter released an ad criticizing King for inaction .
`` When we 've needed him most , Steve King has let us down .
He got kicked off the agriculture committee , hurting our farmers , and has n't written a single farming bill that passed Congress , '' the ad proclaimed .
Many top Iowa Republicans have abandoned King this cycle , seeing it as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district , with King 's controversial record considered a distraction to the conservative cause and a possible threat to the reelection Sen. Joni Ernst .
Last year , King wondered out loud to The New York Times why `` white nationalist '' and `` white supremacist '' are considered offensive terms .
King was widely rebuked by party leadership and stripped from key committee assignments , including his place on the House Agriculture Committee , a panel of particular importance to his home state .
King did support a House resolution condemning his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , who rarely wades into actions by House Republicans , released a statement at the time calling King 's statements `` unworthy of his elected position . ''
`` If he does n't understand why 'white supremacy ' is offensive , he should find another line of work , '' McConnell wrote .
King issued a public statement shortly after the interview was published , defending himself by saying he was n't an advocate for white nationalism but rather supports `` western civilization 's values .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his explosive comments made the news .
In 2008 , he said terrorists would `` be dancing in the streets in greater numbers than they did on September 11 '' if Barack Obama were elected president .
He 's also made incendiary comments on multiculturalism , immigration and abortion , falsely expressing skepticism that a woman could get pregnant as a result of rape or incest .

Iowa Rep. Steve King, Known For Racist Comments, Loses Reelection Bid
Enlarge this image toggle caption Charlie Neibergall/AP Charlie Neibergall/AP
Updated at 8:17 a.m. ET
After years of racist comments that lost him the support of many Republican Party leaders, conservative Iowa Rep. Steve King has lost his bid for reelection to a primary challenge by GOP state Sen. Randy Feenstra.
"I am truly humbled by the outpouring of support over the past 17 months that made tonight possible and I thank Congressman King for his decades of public service," Feenstra said in a statement. "As we turn to the general election, I will remain focused on my plans to deliver results for the families, farmers and communities of Iowa. But first, we must make sure this seat doesn't land in the hands of Nancy Pelosi and her liberal allies in Congress. Tomorrow, we get back to work."
First elected in 2002, King faced the toughest primary campaign of his career in Iowa's 4th Congressional District, trailing in the polls with a limited cash supply and minimal advertising. He faced an onslaught of challengers feeding off of his vulnerability because of his inflammatory rhetoric.
His primary opponents focused on an argument that King is unable to effectively represent the interests of his constituents since being stripped of House committee assignments last year, rather than focusing on his history of controversial statements that included racist language and comments on abortion and immigration.
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"The 4th District needs a seat at the table, an effective conservative voice," stressed Feenstra in a May debate hosted by WHO-TV.
Feenstra represented the most likely threat to King's reelection, raising $925,849 this cycle, compared with King's $330,000, according to the Center For Responsive Politics.
Also challenging King were former Irwin Mayor Bret Richards, former state representative and Woodbury County supervisor Jeremy Taylor, and real estate developer Steve Reeder. All had similar platforms: opposing abortion rights, securing the Southern U.S. border and supporting gun owners' views of the Second Amendment.
The writing may have been on the wall for King, whom President Trump once dubbed "the world's most conservative human being." In his last general election, he scraped by with a margin of just 3 percentage points in his bright red district against Democrat J.D. Scholten, a paralegal and former minor league baseball pitcher.
Scholten's progress at nearly flipping the northwest district, which is home to Sioux City and Ames, prompted this crowded Republican primary with challengers painting King, 71, as ineffective and offering themselves up as a viable conservative alternative without the reputation of being a toxic thorn in the GOP's side.
Scholten is returning for a second swing at the seat this year and ended up without any competition in the Democratic primary.
Not only did Feenstra raise more than King in the first quarter, he also garnered the high-profile endorsements of former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, the National Right to Life Committee and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The latter released an ad criticizing King for inaction.
"When we've needed him most, Steve King has let us down. He got kicked off the agriculture committee, hurting our farmers, and hasn't written a single farming bill that passed Congress," the ad proclaimed.
Many top Iowa Republicans have abandoned King this cycle, seeing it as an unnecessary risk to maintaining control of the district, with King's controversial record considered a distraction to the conservative cause and a possible threat to the reelection of Sen. Joni Ernst.
Last year, King wondered out loud to The New York Times why "white nationalist" and "white supremacist" are considered offensive terms. King was widely rebuked by party leadership and stripped from key committee assignments, including his place on the House Agriculture Committee, a panel of particular importance to his home state. King did support a House resolution condemning his comments that was passed nearly unanimously in 2019.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who rarely wades into actions by House Republicans, released a statement at the time calling King's statements "unworthy of his elected position."
"If he doesn't understand why 'white supremacy' is offensive, he should find another line of work," McConnell wrote.
King issued a public statement shortly after the interview was published, defending himself by saying that he wasn't an advocate for white nationalism but rather that he supports "western civilization's values."
It hardly marked the first time his explosive comments made the news.
In 2008, he said terrorists would "be dancing in the streets in greater numbers than they did on September 11" if Barack Obama were elected president.
He has also made incendiary comments on multiculturalism, immigration and abortion, falsely expressing skepticism that a woman could get pregnant as a result of rape or incest.


npr--2020-06-02--Minnesota Files Discrimination Complaint Against Minneapolis Police Department

Minnesota Lt. Gov .
Peggy Flanagan announced on Tuesday the state 's Department of Human Rights is launching an investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department 's practices and policies over the last decade .
The department filed a discrimination complaint against the police , which has come under fire since the death of George Floyd after then-Officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee into the man 's neck for more than eight minutes .
Chauvin was subsequently fired and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter .
At least three other officers participated in Floyd 's arrest and restraint , but they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help as he narrated his own death .
None of the officers has been charged .
Floyd 's videotaped death has sparked widespread protests across the country with demonstrators calling for police reform among other social justice changes .
`` This is not a friendly action , but this is the necessary action , '' Flanagan told NPR .
She added the human rights department will `` use their investigatory authority as a tool to support the city and their efforts to make deep , systematic change . ''
Flanagan said change `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can feel safe in their communities and know that they are protected by law enforcement instead of fearing law enforcement . ''
`` We 've got a really incredible state — if you 're white .
If you are a person of color , if you are indigenous , if you are an immigrant or refugee , the opposite is true .
There are historical entrenched disparities in education and health care and housing and wealth and nearly every single aspect of life here . ''

Minnesota Files Discrimination Complaint Against Minneapolis Police Department
Enlarge this image toggle caption John Minchillo/AP John Minchillo/AP
Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan announced on Tuesday the state's Department of Human Rights is launching an investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department's practices and policies over the last decade.
The department filed a discrimination complaint against the police, which has come under fire since the death of George Floyd after then-Officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee into the man's neck for more than eight minutes.
Chauvin was subsequently fired and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter.
At least three other officers participated in Floyd's arrest and restraint, but they all ignored the 46-year-old's pleas for help as he narrated his own death. None of the officers has been charged.
Floyd's videotaped death has sparked widespread protests across the country with demonstrators calling for police reform among other social justice changes.
"This is not a friendly action, but this is the necessary action," Flanagan told NPR.
She added the human rights department will "use their investigatory authority as a tool to support the city and their efforts to make deep, systematic change."
Flanagan said change "is so deeply needed so that people can feel safe in their communities and know that they are protected by law enforcement instead of fearing law enforcement."
"We've got a really incredible state — if you're white. If you are a person of color, if you are indigenous, if you are an immigrant or refugee, the opposite is true. There are historical entrenched disparities in education and health care and housing and wealth and nearly every single aspect of life here."


npr--2020-06-02--Protests Continue Despite Curfews Across The Country

Protests Continue Despite Curfews Across The Country Updated at 2 a.m .
ET Wednesday Protesters raw , sad and angry over the killing of George Floyd , and the disproportionately high number of black Americans who face injustice , violence and death , filled the streets again on Tuesday .
Mostly peaceful throughout the day , the demonstrators faced police officers , National Guard troops and other forces .
President Trump called New York protesters `` lowlifes and losers , '' in a tweet posted Tuesday .
Demonstrators throughout the country showed up , even in smaller towns such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ariz .
Here are our updates on what is happening around the country : Protesters gathered at places including the Barclays Center , Times Square and at the NYPD Headquarters Tuesday , and daytime demonstrations were relatively peaceful .
Tuesday was the first day for the citywide 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew , which will stay in effect until at least Sunday , the mayor announced .
Trump called on the city to bring in the National Guard in a tweet .
Mayor Bill de Blasio responded , `` Thank God we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in these last 5 days , but you bring outside armed forces into an equation they are not trained for ... that is a dangerous scenario . ''
Police cars and a helicopter converged on one group of marchers blocking an intersection on the Upper East Side around 9 p.m .
Protesters chanted `` peaceful protest '' and held their arms up as officers dispersed the crowd .
Marchers told NPR they joined the rally in part because of the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis , but also because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are targeting black men .
Many businesses were boarded up to prevent a repeat of Monday night 's looting .
One business owner who stood outside his shop told NPR he was grateful for the heavy police presence .
In Times Square , medical workers , who New York residents have cheered on throughout the coronavirus pandemic , came out to support demonstrations .
According to a New York Times report , in Manhattan , where a majority of late-night ransacking has taken place in previous days , one group of protesters on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and chanted , `` Take a knee , '' but the officers did n't do it .
Sizable crowds persisted in places like the Barclays Center once the curfew passed , where a large group of demonstrators from that area left after curfew and crossed over the Manhattan Bridge .
Once those demonstrators who crossed the bridge attempted to exit and enter Manhattan , a standoff between hundreds of protesters and throngs of police officers took place .
Officers blocked demonstrators from leaving , and protesters chanted `` Let us through ! ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department Chief Michel Moore to resign following days of unrest over Floyd 's death and multiple complaints of brutality by law enforcement .
About 500 participants called to join a police commission meeting , causing connection delays .
But after nearly an hour , with technical issues resolved , hundreds more residents were added .
Many expressed outrage with Moore and saying the department has met demonstrations with an excessive use of force with rubber bullets , tear gas , flash bangs and batons against peaceful and rioting demonstrators alike .
Since Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that protesters are `` capitalizing '' on the latest bouts of chaos , although he apologized on the Tuesday morning call , explaining he `` misspoke . ''
`` We will investigate each complaint , and I promise to hold accountable anyone who violates our policy or commits other misconduct , '' Moore said , according to the LA Times .
Moore noted there have been 13 officer-involved shootings since the start of the year .
He added that more than 2,700 people have been arrested amid the protests — most for `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Additionally , he said 27 LAPD personnel have been injured , including one hospitalized for a fractured skull and another for a broken knee .
It is unclear how many protesters have been injured .
Later in the day , more protesters gathered across the sprawling city , including in Hollywood , where armed National Guard members were stationed .
About an hour before the countywide curfew went into effect , a massive column of demonstrators marched to Mayor Eric Garcetti 's home in Hancock Park , a wealthy neighborhood lined with palm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you that this is n't just about the criminal justice system .
This is also about society and where we put our resources , '' Garcetti said in a news conference .
`` I choose to listen and move forward , and bring this city together to build peace on our streets and in our neighborhoods , '' Garcetti said .
`` George Floyd died in our America so that we may make sense of our future to make sure that we never see that again . ''
Hours past the curfew , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the streets .
Large crowds showed up again a day after federal forces used tear gas and rubber bullets on peaceful demonstrators at Lafayette Square , across from the White House .
Protesters on Tuesday , primary voting day in The District , were peaceful .
The Washington Post and DCist reported that thousands demonstrated , surpassing Monday 's crowd size .
Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, also joined demonstrators on Tuesday .
National Guard troops , the U.S. Park Police and Department of Homeland Security officers stood inside a 7-foot metal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surrounded the perimeter of Lafayette Square , as protesters clung to the outside .
At sunset , hundreds lay on the ground , face down , at the Capitol emulating the position in which Minneapolis police held George Floyd before his death .
As it midnight neared , reporters said large crowds were still protesting peacefully , hours past the city 's 7 p.m. curfew .
This is a developing story .
Some things reported by the media will later turn out to be wrong .
We will focus on reports from officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and reporters who are at the scene .
We will update as the situation develops .

Protests Continue Despite Curfews Across The Country
Enlarge this image toggle caption Tyrone Turner/WAMU Tyrone Turner/WAMU
Updated at 2 a.m. ET Wednesday
Protesters — raw, sad and angry over the killing of George Floyd and the disproportionately high number of black people who face injustice, violence and death — filled the streets again on Tuesday.
Mostly peaceful throughout the day, the demonstrators faced police officers, National Guard troops and other forces.
President Trump called New York protesters "lowlifes and losers," in a tweet posted Tuesday. Demonstrators throughout the country showed up, even in smaller towns such as Brattleboro, Vt., and Kingman, Ariz.
Here are our updates on what is happening around the country:
New York City
Enlarge this image toggle caption Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images
Protesters gathered at places including the Barclays Center, Times Square and at the NYPD headquarters Tuesday, and daytime demonstrations were relatively peaceful.
Tuesday was the first day for the citywide 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew, which will stay in effect until at least Sunday, the mayor announced.
Trump called on the city to bring in the National Guard in a tweet.
Mayor Bill de Blasio responded, "Thank God we have not had a loss of life in these last 5 days, but you bring outside armed forces into an equation they are not trained for...that is a dangerous scenario."
Police cars and a helicopter converged on one group of marchers blocking an intersection on the Upper East Side around 9 p.m. Protesters chanted "peaceful protest" and held their arms up as officers dispersed the crowd.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images
Marchers told NPR they joined the rally in part because of Floyd's death, but also because they're convinced officers around the country are targeting black men.
Many businesses were boarded up to prevent a repeat of Monday night's looting. One business owner who stood outside his shop told NPR he was grateful for the heavy police presence.
In Times Square, medical workers, who New York residents have cheered on throughout the coronavirus pandemic, came out to support demonstrations.
According to a New York Times report, in Manhattan, where a majority of late-night ransacking has taken place in previous days, one group of protesters on their knees surrounded some police officers and chanted, "Take a knee," but the officers didn't do it.
Sizable crowds persisted in places such as the Barclays Center once the curfew passed, where a large group of demonstrators from that area left after curfew and crossed over the Manhattan Bridge.
Once those demonstrators who crossed the bridge attempted to exit and enter Manhattan, a standoff between hundreds of protesters and throngs of police officers took place. Officers blocked demonstrators from leaving, and protesters chanted "Let us through!"
Los Angeles
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP
Angry residents called for Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore to resign following days of unrest over Floyd's death and multiple complaints of brutality by law enforcement.
About 500 participants called to join a police commission meeting, causing connection delays. But after nearly an hour, with technical issues resolved, hundreds more residents were added.
Many expressed outrage with Moore and said the department has met demonstrations with an excessive use of force with rubber bullets, tear gas, flash bangs and batons against peaceful and rioting demonstrators alike.
Since Monday, Moore has drawn ire following remarks that protesters are "capitalizing" on the latest bouts of chaos, although he apologized on the Tuesday morning call, saying he "misspoke."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP
"We will investigate each complaint, and I promise to hold accountable anyone who violates our policy or commits other misconduct," Moore said, according to the LA Times.
Moore noted there have been 13 officer-involved shootings since the start of the year.
He added that more than 2,700 people have been arrested amid the protests — most for "failure to disperse" for curfew. Additionally, he said 27 LAPD personnel have been injured, including one hospitalized for a fractured skull and another for a broken knee. It is unclear how many protesters have been injured.
Later in the day, more protesters gathered across the sprawling city, including in Hollywood, where armed National Guard members were stationed.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mark J. Terrill/AP Mark J. Terrill/AP
About an hour before the countywide curfew went into effect, a massive column of demonstrators marched to Mayor Eric Garcetti's home in Hancock Park, a wealthy neighborhood lined with palm trees and mansions.
"I hear you that this isn't just about the criminal justice system. This is also about society and where we put our resources," Garcetti said in a news conference.
"I choose to listen and move forward, and bring this city together to build peace on our streets and in our neighborhoods," Garcetti said.
"George Floyd died in our America so that we may make sense of our future to make sure that we never see that again."
Hours past the curfew, demonstrators continued to flout orders to evacuate the streets.
Washington, D.C.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Tyrone Turner/WAMU Tyrone Turner/WAMU
Large crowds showed up again a day after federal forces used tear gas and rubber bullets on peaceful demonstrators at Lafayette Square, across from the White House.
Protesters on Tuesday in Washington, where there was also a primary election, were peaceful. The Washington Post and DCist reported that thousands demonstrated, surpassing Monday's crowd size. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., also joined demonstrators on Tuesday.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Tyrone Turner/WAMU Tyrone Turner/WAMU
National Guard troops, the U.S. Park Police and Department of Homeland Security officers stood inside a 7-foot metal fence that was put up overnight and surrounded the perimeter of Lafayette Square, as protesters clung to the outside.
At sunset, hundreds lay on the ground face-down at the Capitol, emulating the position in which Minneapolis police held George Floyd before his death.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Tyrone Turner/WAMU Tyrone Turner/WAMU
As midnight neared, reporters said large crowds were still protesting peacefully, hours past the city's 7 p.m. curfew.
This is a developing story. Some things reported by the media will later turn out to be wrong. We will focus on reports from officials and other authorities, credible news outlets and reporters who are at the scene. We will update as the situation develops.


npr--2020-06-02--Louisville Police Releases Video It Says Shows David McAtee Firing At Officers

Louisville Police Releases Video It Says Shows David McAtee Firing At Officers Louisville Metro Police officials released security footage Tuesday of what they said appears to show a black businessman firing a weapon at law enforcement officers before they return fire , killing him .
Police said David McAtee , owner of Yaya 's BBQ , began to shoot `` outside his business door '' early Monday morning as officers worked to clear a parking lot at a nearby establishment and then began moving toward his business .
Kentucky Gov .
Andy Beshear said in a statement Monday that both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kentucky National Guard were in the area working to disperse a crowd when they were fired upon .
`` LMPD and the Kentucky National Guard returned fired resulting in a death . ''
The crowd had gathered to call for justice for Breonna Taylor , a 26-year-old black woman who was killed by police in her home in March .
Prior to releasing the security video , Rob Schroeder , the LMPD 's interim chief , said several questions still remain about the McAtee incident .
`` The video does not provide all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He also said investigators are still trying to piece together issues that include `` Why did he fire ? ''
and `` Where were police at the time he fired ? ''
The security footage comes from two videos , one from inside McAtee 's eatery and another giving an outside view from an adjoining business .
There is no sound on either video .
The first shows McAtee , wearing a shirt with a red back , carrying what appear to be cooking utensils .
At one point , roughly a dozen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside his establishment through an open door .
At around the 2:27 mark , McAtee can be seen reaching outside the doorway .
Moments later he clutches his upper chest and eventually collapses to the floor .
The second angle , at around 5:15 , appears to show officers shooting toward the door , but who is standing there is obscured from view by a screen door .
The video 's release comes a day after the termination of Police Chief Steve Conrad .
He was relieved of duty when state and local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body-camera footage , only to learn that the devices worn by officers on the scene had not been activated .
Member station WFPL in Louisville reports that both the governor and Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said that was unacceptable .
LMPD Maj. Paul Humphrey was asked during the news conference what he thought of the sequence of events based on the footage .
He said officers looked like they were addressing individuals at Dino 's Food Mart nearby .
`` As the officers are addressing those individuals , Mr. McAtee appears to fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cover and return fire , '' Humphrey said .
`` But without the audio and without having interviewed the officers yet , that is yet to be determined exactly how those incidents occurred . ''
He later said , `` At this point , '' it appears McAtee fired first .
Humphrey was asked if a gun was recovered from the body of McAtee .
He said the answer , as well as whether McAtee was shot by the police or the National Guard , will come out as the investigation unfolds .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not been questioned by investigators as of the press briefing , adding it is `` typical that officers will have their legal counsel prior to interviewing . ''
He said he expected those interviews to take place 48 hours after the incident .

Louisville Police Releases Video It Says Shows David McAtee Firing At Officers
Louisville Metro Police officials released security footage Tuesday of what they said appears to show a black businessman firing a weapon at law enforcement officers before they return fire, killing him.
Police said David McAtee, owner of Yaya's BBQ, began to shoot "outside his business door" early Monday morning as officers worked to clear a parking lot at a nearby establishment and then began moving toward his business.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said in a statement Monday that both the Louisville Metro Police Department and the Kentucky National Guard were in the area working to disperse a crowd when they were fired upon. "LMPD and the Kentucky National Guard returned fired resulting in a death."
The crowd had gathered to call for justice for Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old black woman who was killed by police in her home in March.
Prior to releasing the security video, Rob Schroeder, the LMPD's interim chief, said several questions still remain about the McAtee incident.
"The video does not provide all the answers," Schroeder said.
He also said investigators are still trying to piece together issues that include "Why did he fire?" and "Where were police at the time he fired?"
The security footage comes from two videos, one from inside McAtee's eatery and another giving an outside view from an adjoining business.
There is no sound on either video.
The first shows McAtee, wearing a shirt with a red back, carrying what appear to be cooking utensils.
At one point, roughly a dozen people start to hastily make their way inside his establishment through an open door. At around the 2:27 mark, McAtee can be seen reaching outside the doorway. Moments later he clutches his upper chest and eventually collapses to the floor.
The second angle, at around 5:15, appears to show officers shooting toward the door, but who is standing there is obscured from view by a screen door.
The video's release comes a day after the termination of Police Chief Steve Conrad.
He was relieved of duty when state and local officials called for the release of officer body-camera footage, only to learn that the devices worn by officers on the scene had not been activated. Member station WFPL in Louisville reports that both the governor and Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said that was unacceptable.
LMPD Maj. Paul Humphrey was asked during the news conference what he thought of the sequence of events based on the footage. He said officers looked like they were addressing individuals at Dino's Food Mart nearby.
"As the officers are addressing those individuals, Mr. McAtee appears to fire at the officers, and they take cover and return fire," Humphrey said.
"But without the audio and without having interviewed the officers yet, that is yet to be determined exactly how those incidents occurred."
He later said, "At this point," it appears McAtee fired first.
Humphrey was asked if a gun was recovered from the body of McAtee. He said the answer, as well as whether McAtee was shot by the police or the National Guard, will come out as the investigation unfolds.
He did say LMPD officers involved had not been questioned by investigators as of the press briefing, adding it is "typical that officers will have their legal counsel prior to interviewing." He said he expected those interviews to take place 48 hours after the incident.


npr--2020-06-03--Obama Urges Young People To Keep Up Their Protests To Bring Change

Obama Urges Young People To Keep Up Their Protests To Bring Change Venturing further into the public discourse he had largely held back from since relinquishing the Oval Office to President Trump , former president Barack Obama joined a virtual town hall Wednesday to advocate the kind of hope and change that once inspired a nation to twice elect him as its leader .
`` We have seen in the last several weeks , last few months , the kinds of epic changes in events in our country that are as profound as anything that I 've seen in my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizer told his unseen , online audience in a Zoom video conference organized by My Brother 's Keeper Alliance , a part of the Obama Foundation .
Titled `` Reimagining Policing in the Wake of Continued Police Violence , '' the event featured several younger community activists as well as Obama 's former attorney general , Eric Holder .
But Obama was clearly the main attraction .
Sitting in shirtsleeves with sparsely filled bookshelves as a backdrop , the 44th president declared that despite the tragedy of the death of George Floyd in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of color taken by the coronavirus pandemic , he remained optimistic because so many young people are getting galvanized and motivated .
`` When sometimes I feel despair , I just see what 's happening with young people all across the country , and the talent and the voice and the sophistication that they 're displaying , '' he said , noting that Martin Luther King Jr , Cesar Chavez and Malcolm X all were young when they got involved in their causes .
`` And it makes me feel optimistic .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know , this country 's gon na get better . ''
The upcoming presidential election , in which Obama 's former running mate Joe Biden is poised to challenge Trump , got nary a mention in the 90-minute session .
Obama observed that most of the changes needed for better and safer policing , such as barring the use of strangleholds , will have to happen at the local level .
`` I 've been hearing a little bit of chatter in the Internet about voting versus protest , politics and participation versus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he recounted .
`` This is not an 'either or ' — this is a 'both and ' — to bring about real change we both have to highlight a problem and make people in power uncomfortable . ''
The current strife in America , he added , may draw comparisons with social upheaval and street protests in the 1960 's .
But he maintained that the diverse demographic makeup of demonstrations now is different .
`` You look at those protests , and that was a far more representative cross section of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesting , '' he noted .
`` That did n't exist back in the 1960s , that kind of broad coalition . ''
That was the `` hope '' part of the former president 's message .
There was also a call for change , with Obama issuing a warning that while `` attention moves away at some point , protests start to dwindle in size , '' and that the quest for change was `` a marathon , not a sprint . ''
`` Just remember , this country was founded on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Revolution , and every step of progress in this country , every expansion of freedom , every expression of our deepest ideals has been won through efforts that made the status quo uncomfortable , '' Obama said as he bid farewell to his audience .
`` And we should all be thankful for folks who are willing , in a peaceful , disciplined way , to be out there making a difference . ''

Obama Urges Young People To Keep Up Their Protests To Bring Change
Enlarge this image toggle caption My Brother's Keeper Alliance and The Obama Foundation via AP My Brother's Keeper Alliance and The Obama Foundation via AP
Venturing further into the public discourse he had largely held back from since relinquishing the Oval Office to President Trump, former President Barack Obama joined a virtual town hall Wednesday to advocate for the kind of hope and change that once inspired a nation to twice elect him as its leader.
"We have seen in the last several weeks, last few months, the kinds of epic changes in events in our country that are as profound as anything that I've seen in my lifetime," the 58-year-old onetime community organizer told his unseen, online audience in a Zoom videoconference organized by My Brother's Keeper Alliance, a part of the Obama Foundation.
Titled "Reimagining Policing in the Wake of Continued Police Violence," the event featured several younger community activists as well as Obama's former attorney general, Eric Holder.
But Obama was clearly the main attraction.
Sitting in shirtsleeves with sparsely filled bookshelves as a backdrop, the 44th president declared that despite the tragedy of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the disproportionate toll on communities of color taken by the coronavirus pandemic, he remained optimistic because so many young people are getting galvanized and motivated.
"When sometimes I feel despair, I just see what's happening with young people all across the country, and the talent and the voice and the sophistication that they're displaying," he said, noting that Martin Luther King Jr., Cesar Chavez and Malcolm X all were young when they got involved in their causes. "And it makes me feel optimistic. It makes me feel as if, you know, this country's gonna get better."
The upcoming presidential election, in which Obama's former running mate Joe Biden is poised to challenge Trump, got nary a mention in the 90-minute session.
Obama observed that most of the changes needed for better and safer policing, such as barring the use of strangleholds, will have to happen at the local level.
"I've been hearing a little bit of chatter in the Internet about voting versus protest, politics and participation versus civil disobedience and direct action," he recounted. "This is not an 'either/or' — this is a 'both/and' — to bring about real change, we both have to highlight a problem and make people in power uncomfortable."
The current strife in America, he added, may draw comparisons with social upheaval and street protests in the 1960s. But he maintained that the diverse demographic makeup of demonstrations is different.
"You look at those protests, and that was a far more representative cross section of America out on the streets, peacefully protesting," he noted. "That didn't exist back in the 1960s, that kind of broad coalition."
That was the "hope" part of the former president's message.
There was also a call for change, with Obama issuing a warning that while "attention moves away at some point, protests start to dwindle in size," and that the quest for change was "a marathon, not a sprint."
"Just remember, this country was founded on protest: It is called the American Revolution, and every step of progress in this country, every expansion of freedom, every expression of our deepest ideals has been won through efforts that made the status quo uncomfortable," Obama said as he bid farewell to his audience. "And we should all be thankful for folks who are willing, in a peaceful, disciplined way, to be out there making a difference."