csmonitor--2020-06-04--Are ‘outside agitators’ exploiting Floyd protests?

“ When you have something this catalytic , you ’ re also going to attract thrill-seekers , accelerationists , and thieves who steal things , ” says Brian Levin , director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University .
But figuring out where those causing the destruction come from is just part of the equation .
Discerning whether they share the core protesters ’ desire for racial justice is more difficult .
Given the organic , volatile nature of the unrest , it ’ s hard to neatly categorize participants .
As for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appear to be a main driver of events on the ground , but their sometimes violent rhetoric is worrying .
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey initially said his city ’ s provocateurs were largely from outside the Twin Cities , but later admitted that was “ wishful thinking ” after data showed the vast majority of those arrested were from the area .
Many of the mass protests that have swept across the United States , ignited by the death of George Floyd under a policeman ’ s knee in Minneapolis last week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ locales , they ’ ve been accompanied by looting and destruction that have raised questions about whether so-called outside agitators are seeking to exploit the demonstrations for their own interests .
As thousands of people gathered in Richmond , Virginia , on Wednesday around a heavily graffitied Robert E. Lee statue to protest racism and police brutality , some in the crowd worried that not everyone was there for the right reasons .
“ I heard it ’ s not all Richmond people here , ” says Ikeisha , who asks that her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skipped work to join the demonstrators .
Sitting on a blanket with her 8-year-old son , who is shirtless in the hot sun and licking Cheetos crumbs off his fingers , she adds : “ People are blowing our stuff up , and then they just go to their home.
” Many of the mass protests that have swept across the country , ignited by the death of George Floyd under a policeman ’ s knee in Minneapolis last week , have been peaceful .
But in various cities and locales , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destruction that has raised questions about whether so-called outside agitators are seeking to exploit the demonstrations for their own interests .
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey , along with his St. Paul counterpart and the state ’ s governor , initially said his city ’ s provocateurs were largely from outside the Twin Cities , but later admitted that was wishful thinking after data showed the vast majority of those arrested were from the area .
But figuring out where those causing the destruction come from is just part of the equation .
Discerning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ desire for racial justice is more difficult .
Given the organic , volatile nature of the unrest , it ’ s difficult to neatly categorize participants .
As for extremist actors , they are showing up in small numbers and don ’ t appear to be a main driver of events on the ground , but their online rhetoric about capitalizing on the chaos is worrying .
“ When you have something this catalytic , you ’ re also going to attract thrill-seekers , accelerationists , and thieves who steal things , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University in San Bernardino .
Some looters appear to be acting in defiance , driven by anger and frustration over racial injustice and economic woes – including the 40 million unemployed due to COVID-19 shutdowns , which have disproportionately affected minorities .
Others , like those in wealthy Santa Monica , California , appear to be purely opportunistic .
President Trump has blamed antifa , the far-left amorphous movement known to use aggressive and sometimes violent tactics in the name of fighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supremacist groups have also showed up , including “ accelerationists , ” who seek to hasten what they believe to be an impending race war .
Boogaloo , an emerging right-wing movement of armed individuals that is virulently anti-government and anti-police and anticipates civil war , appears to be building on their momentum from lockdown protests this spring .
The group had 125 Facebook pages as of late April , 60 percent of which were formed between February and April , according to the Tech Transparency Project .
The Justice Department announced Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Nevada Boogaloo Facebook group have been charged in federal court with “ conspiracy to cause destruction ” in Las Vegas protests over the weekend , the Las Vegas Review Journal reported .
“ What these extremists would like to do is screw up these demonstrations and make it seem like it ’ s just violence and destruction of property … and blame it on minority communities , ” says Carolyn Petrosino , professor emeritus of criminal justice at Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts , where she has taught a course on hate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their agenda.
” The fragmentation of fringe and extremist groups The extremist landscape has become increasingly fragmented over the past decade , says Professor Levin .
“ General extremism is a carnival mirror reflection of debates and conflicts that are going on in the mainstream , ” he explains .
“ But when that becomes a cracked carnival mirror , the fringe does the same thing.
” He attributes the diversification of extremist movements to tectonic shifts in politics , economics , and demographics , as the U.S. approaches the point where whites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The stoking of righteous anger across the political spectrum has exacerbated frictions , and the pandemic is an added stressor .
So far , these extremist actors appear to be just a small percentage of the people showing up to protest across the country .
“ We have not seen a large-scale effort by domestic extremists to either organize or infiltrate en masse among these protests and try to exploit them , ” says Alex Friedfeld , an investigative researcher at the Anti-Defamation League ’ s Center on Extremism , which published a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in protests to date .
But online , he says , it ’ s a different story .
White supremacists are gung-ho about the unrest , hoping that this will lead to the race war they ’ ve been waiting for .
Some have suggested shooting cops amid the mayhem of the protests , and then blaming it on the crowd .
“ They ’ re trying to stoke those racial fears , in order to spread their message and garner new recruits , ” says Mr. Friedfeld , who formerly served as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York City Police Department .
Then there ’ s speculation that Russia , which has a long history of exploiting racial injustice in America to undermine its standing on the world stage , may have a hand in the unrest .
In the 2016 election cycle , two-thirds of Russian activity on Facebook and other social media platforms seeking to influence the election was aimed at black Americans , according to a Senate Intelligence Committee report .
Facebook advertisements paid for by Russia sought to stir emotions after police shootings of black victims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” garnered millions of “ likes , ” shares , and comments .
On YouTube , meanwhile , 96 % of content created by a Kremlin-linked troll farm focused on race and police brutality , as the Monitor previously reported .
But experts in disinformation , the spread of misleading information with the deliberate intent to deceive , say that while the current unrest gives Moscow and other adversaries great fodder for undermining U.S. credibility , there ’ s no evidence it ’ s driving the demonstrations .
“ The Russians , Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basically win a global narrative battle , ” says Bret Schafer , media and digital disinformation fellow at the German Marshall Fund ’ s Alliance for Securing Democracy in Washington , D.C. “ But there ’ s zero evidence they ’ re having any impact whatsoever on the protesters themselves.
” At a time when America has been highly critical of China ’ s treatment of pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong , Beijing has taken aim at Mr. Trump ’ s attitude toward demonstrators .
After Minneapolis erupted in violence , the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd ’ s name and vowed to crack down , using a phrase with historical connotations of deadly police force .
“ I think people need to be extremely cautious about assigning blame to a foreign adversary because I think it can often be used to delegitimize what is a legitimate movement , ” says Mr. Schafer .
“ It directs attention to their behavior rather than shining a light internally on our own failings.
” Rioting is ‘ the language of the unheard ’ Back in Richmond , the sweaty crowd erupts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says : “ They don ’ t label us as protesters , they label us as troublemakers .
But I don ’ t mind being a troublemaker.
” Tony Davidson , an African American YMCA youth counselor in attendance , quotes Martin Luther King , Jr. as saying that a riot is “ the language of the unheard.
” Even as the civil rights leader advocated for non-violence , he also said , “ Certain conditions continue to exist in our society which must be condemned as vigorously as we condemn riots.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been invisible to white people , says Professor Petrosino , who is African American .
While looting is terrible , she adds , the greater harm is when people ’ s ability to feel safe , secure , and wanted in their own country has been “ trashed.
” “ This is why these kids are marching , ” she says , referring to young African Americans , whom she credits with understanding that rioting will be counterproductive .
“ They know that destroying property is not the way – I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cheers go up from the Richmond crowd as word gets around that the mayor will put forward a new ordinance on Thursday to remove Confederate statues from the city .
( Gov .
Ralph Northam announced Thursday that the Robert E. Lee statue would be taken down as soon as possible . )
Ikeisha , sitting in the back of the crowd with her son , says she opposes the violence that has broken out in some cities .
But she is thrilled with the extent to which protests have swept the nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen since the 1960s .
“ I ’ ve never seen anything like this , ” she says .
“ Martin Luther King would be doing jumping jacks in his grave right now .
I ’ m headed to see my grandmother soon .
I can ’ t wait to tell her about everything that ’ s going on .
”

“When you have something this catalytic, you’re also going to attract thrill-seekers, accelerationists, and thieves who steal things,” says Brian Levin, director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University.
But figuring out where those causing the destruction come from is just part of the equation. Discerning whether they share the core protesters’ desire for racial justice is more difficult. Given the organic, volatile nature of the unrest, it’s hard to neatly categorize participants. As for extremist actors, they don’t appear to be a main driver of events on the ground, but their sometimes violent rhetoric is worrying.
Rumors about extremist groups – and even foreign adversaries – co-opting the demonstrations for their own agendas have abounded. So far, evidence suggests their involvement has been relatively minimal, though still worrying.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey initially said his city’s provocateurs were largely from outside the Twin Cities, but later admitted that was “wishful thinking” after data showed the vast majority of those arrested were from the area.
Many of the mass protests that have swept across the United States, ignited by the death of George Floyd under a policeman’s knee in Minneapolis last week, have been peaceful. But in various locales, they’ve been accompanied by looting and destruction that have raised questions about whether so-called outside agitators are seeking to exploit the demonstrations for their own interests.
As thousands of people gathered in Richmond, Virginia, on Wednesday around a heavily graffitied Robert E. Lee statue to protest racism and police brutality, some in the crowd worried that not everyone was there for the right reasons.
“I heard it’s not all Richmond people here,” says Ikeisha, who asks that her last name not be used because she skipped work to join the demonstrators. Sitting on a blanket with her 8-year-old son, who is shirtless in the hot sun and licking Cheetos crumbs off his fingers, she adds: “People are blowing our stuff up, and then they just go to their home.”
Many of the mass protests that have swept across the country, ignited by the death of George Floyd under a policeman’s knee in Minneapolis last week, have been peaceful. But in various cities and locales, they’ve been accompanied by looting and destruction that has raised questions about whether so-called outside agitators are seeking to exploit the demonstrations for their own interests.
Why We Wrote This Rumors about extremist groups – and even foreign adversaries – co-opting the demonstrations for their own agendas have abounded. So far, evidence suggests their involvement has been relatively minimal,though still worrying.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, along with his St. Paul counterpart and the state’s governor, initially said his city’s provocateurs were largely from outside the Twin Cities, but later admitted that was wishful thinking after data showed the vast majority of those arrested were from the area.
But figuring out where those causing the destruction come from is just part of the equation. Discerning whether they share the core protesters’ desire for racial justice is more difficult. Given the organic, volatile nature of the unrest, it’s difficult to neatly categorize participants. As for extremist actors, they are showing up in small numbers and don’t appear to be a main driver of events on the ground, but their online rhetoric about capitalizing on the chaos is worrying.
“When you have something this catalytic, you’re also going to attract thrill-seekers, accelerationists, and thieves who steal things,” says Brian Levin, director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University in San Bernardino.
Some looters appear to be acting in defiance, driven by anger and frustration over racial injustice and economic woes – including the 40 million unemployed due to COVID-19 shutdowns, which have disproportionately affected minorities. Others, like those in wealthy Santa Monica, California, appear to be purely opportunistic.
President Trump has blamed antifa, the far-left amorphous movement known to use aggressive and sometimes violent tactics in the name of fighting fascism. Right-wing militias and several white supremacist groups have also showed up, including “accelerationists,” who seek to hasten what they believe to be an impending race war.
Boogaloo, an emerging right-wing movement of armed individuals that is virulently anti-government and anti-police and anticipates civil war, appears to be building on their momentum from lockdown protests this spring. The group had 125 Facebook pages as of late April, 60 percent of which were formed between February and April, according to the Tech Transparency Project. The Justice Department announced Wednesday that three men who were members of the Nevada Boogaloo Facebook group have been charged in federal court with “conspiracy to cause destruction” in Las Vegas protests over the weekend, the Las Vegas Review Journal reported.
“What these extremists would like to do is screw up these demonstrations and make it seem like it’s just violence and destruction of property … and blame it on minority communities,” says Carolyn Petrosino, professor emeritus of criminal justice at Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts, where she has taught a course on hate crimes for decades. “It helps their agenda.”
Jessica Griffin/The Philadelphia Inquirer/AP View caption Hide caption Community members clean up broken glass at McDonald's on 52nd Street in West Philadelphia, Sunday, June 1, 2020. Destruction of property, violence, and theft occurred in Philadelphia after protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
The fragmentation of fringe and extremist groups
The extremist landscape has become increasingly fragmented over the past decade, says Professor Levin.
“General extremism is a carnival mirror reflection of debates and conflicts that are going on in the mainstream,” he explains. “But when that becomes a cracked carnival mirror, the fringe does the same thing.”
He attributes the diversification of extremist movements to tectonic shifts in politics, economics, and demographics, as the U.S. approaches the point where whites will no longer be the majority. The stoking of righteous anger across the political spectrum has exacerbated frictions, and the pandemic is an added stressor.
So far, these extremist actors appear to be just a small percentage of the people showing up to protest across the country.
“We have not seen a large-scale effort by domestic extremists to either organize or infiltrate en masse among these protests and try to exploit them,” says Alex Friedfeld, an investigative researcher at the Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism, which published a round-up of such actors’ limited involvement in protests to date.
But online, he says, it’s a different story. White supremacists are gung-ho about the unrest, hoping that this will lead to the race war they’ve been waiting for. Some have suggested shooting cops amid the mayhem of the protests, and then blaming it on the crowd.
“They’re trying to stoke those racial fears, in order to spread their message and garner new recruits,” says Mr. Friedfeld, who formerly served as an intelligence research specialist for the New York City Police Department.
Russia exploiting, but not stoking protests
Then there’s speculation that Russia, which has a long history of exploiting racial injustice in America to undermine its standing on the world stage, may have a hand in the unrest.
In the 2016 election cycle, two-thirds of Russian activity on Facebook and other social media platforms seeking to influence the election was aimed at black Americans, according to a Senate Intelligence Committee report. Facebook advertisements paid for by Russia sought to stir emotions after police shootings of black victims, while pages such as “Blacktivist” garnered millions of “likes,” shares, and comments. On YouTube, meanwhile, 96% of content created by a Kremlin-linked troll farm focused on race and police brutality, as the Monitor previously reported.
But experts in disinformation, the spread of misleading information with the deliberate intent to deceive, say that while the current unrest gives Moscow and other adversaries great fodder for undermining U.S. credibility, there’s no evidence it’s driving the demonstrations.
“The Russians, Chinese, and Iranians are using this to basically win a global narrative battle,” says Bret Schafer, media and digital disinformation fellow at the German Marshall Fund’s Alliance for Securing Democracy in Washington, D.C. “But there’s zero evidence they’re having any impact whatsoever on the protesters themselves.”
At a time when America has been highly critical of China’s treatment of pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, Beijing has taken aim at Mr. Trump’s attitude toward demonstrators. After Minneapolis erupted in violence, the president denounced “thugs” for dishonoring George Floyd’s name and vowed to crack down, using a phrase with historical connotations of deadly police force.
“I think people need to be extremely cautious about assigning blame to a foreign adversary because I think it can often be used to delegitimize what is a legitimate movement,” says Mr. Schafer. “It directs attention to their behavior rather than shining a light internally on our own failings.”
Rioting is ‘the language of the unheard’
Back in Richmond, the sweaty crowd erupts in cheers as someone with a megaphone says: “They don’t label us as protesters, they label us as troublemakers. But I don’t mind being a troublemaker.”
Tony Davidson, an African American YMCA youth counselor in attendance, quotes Martin Luther King, Jr. as saying that a riot is “the language of the unheard.”
Even as the civil rights leader advocated for non-violence, he also said, “Certain conditions continue to exist in our society which must be condemned as vigorously as we condemn riots.”
For far too long, racial injustice has been invisible to white people, says Professor Petrosino, who is African American. While looting is terrible, she adds, the greater harm is when people’s ability to feel safe, secure, and wanted in their own country has been “trashed.”
“This is why these kids are marching,” she says, referring to young African Americans, whom she credits with understanding that rioting will be counterproductive. “They know that destroying property is not the way – I think that lesson has been learned.”
More cheers go up from the Richmond crowd as word gets around that the mayor will put forward a new ordinance on Thursday to remove Confederate statues from the city. (Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday that the Robert E. Lee statue would be taken down as soon as possible.)
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Ikeisha, sitting in the back of the crowd with her son, says she opposes the violence that has broken out in some cities. But she is thrilled with the extent to which protests have swept the nation, with greater numbers than have been seen since the 1960s.
“I’ve never seen anything like this,” she says. “Martin Luther King would be doing jumping jacks in his grave right now. I’m headed to see my grandmother soon. I can’t wait to tell her about everything that’s going on.”


csmonitor--2020-06-05--ACLU sues Trump administration over protesters' rights violation

The American Civil Liberties Union sued the Trump administration Thursday , alleging officials violated the civil rights of protesters who were forcefully removed from a park near the White House by police using chemical agents before President Donald Trump walked to a nearby church to take a photo .
The lawsuit , filed in federal court in Washington , comes as Attorney General William Barr defended the decision to forcefully remove the peaceful protesters , saying it was necessary to protect officers and federal property .
The suit argues that Mr. Trump , Mr. Barr , and other officials `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' rights when clearing Lafayette Park on Monday .
Law enforcement officers aggressively forced the protesters back , firing smoke bombs and pepper balls into the crowd to disperse them from the park .
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the group Black Lives Matter D.C. and individual protesters who were present .
It is filed by the ACLU of D.C. , Washington Lawyers ' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs , Lawyers ' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law , and the law firm of Arnold & Porter .
Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement officials earlier Monday and decided they needed to extend a security perimeter around the White House to protect federal agents `` who could be reached by projectiles from the street . ''
He expected the perimeter to be moved in the early afternoon , but when he arrived in the evening , shortly before Mr. Trump was set to speak at a news conference , he learned it was n't done and ordered law enforcement officials to take action .
After the crowd was dispersed , Mr. Trump , followed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – including Mr. Barr – along with Secret Service agents and reporters , walked over to St. John 's Church , the landmark pale-yellow building where every president , including Mr. Trump , has prayed , that had been damaged Sunday night in a protest fire .
Mr. Barr said Mr. Trump , as the nation 's chief executive , had every right to do so and claimed it was n't political .
`` I do n't necessarily view that as a political act .
I think it was entirely appropriate for him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
U.S. Park Police launched an investigation after officers were seen hitting an Australian journalist with a shield as they cleared the protesters .
For days , the federal government has vowed to have an aggressive response in Washington after nights of violence that led to fires being set , windows shattered , store shelves emptied , and dozens of police officers injured .
The federal government has deployed law enforcement officials from numerous agencies , and National Guard troops from a number of states have been sent to the District of Columbia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from every one of its agencies , including the FBI 's Hostage Rescue Team , an elite tactical unit , and riot teams from the Bureau of Prisons .
The Park Police and Secret Service have had dozens of officers out in riot gear for the last few nights , in addition to the Metropolitan Police Department .
U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other Homeland Security agencies were also dispatched .
Members of Congress have raised concerns about a number of federal law enforcement officials in Washington who have refused to identify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , armed , without any visible identification or badges .
Some lawmakers have vowed to introduce legislation to require federal agents to identify themselves at protests .
`` We are concerned about the increased militarization and lack of clarity that may increase chaos , '' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote in a letter to Mr. Trump on Thursday .
Some of the officers appeared to be assigned to Bureau of Prisons special response teams , which were dispatched to Washington and Miami .
Some of those officers have said they were told to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal government or the Department of Justice .
But Bureau of Prisons Director Michael Carvajal said that was untrue and no such directive had been given .
`` I probably should have done a better job of marking them nationally as the agency , the point is well taken , but I can assure you that no one was specifically told , to my knowledge , not to identify themselves , '' he said .
Hundreds of other law enforcement officials have also been deployed to the streets of Washington .
They include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have been deployed to work alongside members of the guard at checkpoints that have been set up to help slow the numbers of vehicles coming into the area , which investigators suspect may be used to bring in projectiles to be thrown at police .
Acting DEA Administrator Timothy Shea said they also serve a vital purpose by helping to relieve the Metropolitan Police Department so it can handle other emergencies .
On Wednesday night , Mr. Shea visited a handful of checkpoints throughout downtown Washington .
`` They 've been verbally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week there were bricks thrown at their vehicles , and they responded with restraint and they respected the rights of protesters but were also able to identify criminal activity that was happening , '' Mr. Shea said of his agents .
Most of the protesters have been peaceful and tried to discourage violence .
Mr. Trump , Mr. Barr , and others have tried to blame some of the civil unrest on left-wing extremist groups , including antifa , and other `` anarchists . ''
Short for anti-fascists , antifa is an umbrella @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neo-Nazis and white supremacists at demonstrations .
A senior Justice Department official said intelligence gathered by the FBI shows that antifa and other groups have been involved in some of the protests around the United States .
There have been `` multiple instances '' in which people who have been arrested have identified themselves to law enforcement as members of antifa , the official said .
The official , who could not discuss ongoing investigations publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity , did not provide specific details about those incidents .
Investigators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some demonstrators on techniques to rush officers on the lines of the protests and giving tips on how to avoid being arrested , the official said .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

The American Civil Liberties Union sued the Trump administration Thursday, alleging officials violated the civil rights of protesters who were forcefully removed from a park near the White House by police using chemical agents before President Donald Trump walked to a nearby church to take a photo.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, comes as Attorney General William Barr defended the decision to forcefully remove the peaceful protesters, saying it was necessary to protect officers and federal property.
The suit argues that Mr. Trump, Mr. Barr, and other officials "unlawfully conspired to violate" the protesters' rights when clearing Lafayette Park on Monday. Law enforcement officers aggressively forced the protesters back, firing smoke bombs and pepper balls into the crowd to disperse them from the park.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the group Black Lives Matter D.C. and individual protesters who were present. It is filed by the ACLU of D.C., Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and the law firm of Arnold & Porter.
Mr. Barr said he had met with other law enforcement officials earlier Monday and decided they needed to extend a security perimeter around the White House to protect federal agents "who could be reached by projectiles from the street." He expected the perimeter to be moved in the early afternoon, but when he arrived in the evening, shortly before Mr. Trump was set to speak at a news conference, he learned it wasn't done and ordered law enforcement officials to take action.
After the crowd was dispersed, Mr. Trump, followed by an entourage of his most senior aides – including Mr. Barr – along with Secret Service agents and reporters, walked over to St. John's Church, the landmark pale-yellow building where every president, including Mr. Trump, has prayed, that had been damaged Sunday night in a protest fire. Mr. Barr said Mr. Trump, as the nation's chief executive, had every right to do so and claimed it wasn't political.
"I don't necessarily view that as a political act. I think it was entirely appropriate for him to do," Mr. Barr said.
U.S. Park Police launched an investigation after officers were seen hitting an Australian journalist with a shield as they cleared the protesters.
For days, the federal government has vowed to have an aggressive response in Washington after nights of violence that led to fires being set, windows shattered, store shelves emptied, and dozens of police officers injured. The federal government has deployed law enforcement officials from numerous agencies, and National Guard troops from a number of states have been sent to the District of Columbia.
The Justice Department had deployed agents from every one of its agencies, including the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team, an elite tactical unit, and riot teams from the Bureau of Prisons.
The Park Police and Secret Service have had dozens of officers out in riot gear for the last few nights, in addition to the Metropolitan Police Department. U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other Homeland Security agencies were also dispatched.
Members of Congress have raised concerns about a number of federal law enforcement officials in Washington who have refused to identify which agency they work for and stand, armed, without any visible identification or badges. Some lawmakers have vowed to introduce legislation to require federal agents to identify themselves at protests.
"We are concerned about the increased militarization and lack of clarity that may increase chaos," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote in a letter to Mr. Trump on Thursday.
Some of the officers appeared to be assigned to Bureau of Prisons special response teams, which were dispatched to Washington and Miami. Some of those officers have said they were told to say only that they work for the federal government or the Department of Justice.
But Bureau of Prisons Director Michael Carvajal said that was untrue and no such directive had been given.
"I probably should have done a better job of marking them nationally as the agency, the point is well taken, but I can assure you that no one was specifically told, to my knowledge, not to identify themselves," he said.
Hundreds of other law enforcement officials have also been deployed to the streets of Washington.
They include more than 100 Drug Enforcement Administration agents who have been deployed to work alongside members of the guard at checkpoints that have been set up to help slow the numbers of vehicles coming into the area, which investigators suspect may be used to bring in projectiles to be thrown at police. Acting DEA Administrator Timothy Shea said they also serve a vital purpose by helping to relieve the Metropolitan Police Department so it can handle other emergencies.
On Wednesday night, Mr. Shea visited a handful of checkpoints throughout downtown Washington.
"They've been verbally assaulted at times. Earlier in the week there were bricks thrown at their vehicles, and they responded with restraint and they respected the rights of protesters but were also able to identify criminal activity that was happening," Mr. Shea said of his agents.
Most of the protesters have been peaceful and tried to discourage violence. Mr. Trump, Mr. Barr, and others have tried to blame some of the civil unrest on left-wing extremist groups, including antifa, and other "anarchists." Short for anti-fascists, antifa is an umbrella term for far-left-leaning militant groups that resist neo-Nazis and white supremacists at demonstrations.
A senior Justice Department official said intelligence gathered by the FBI shows that antifa and other groups have been involved in some of the protests around the United States. There have been "multiple instances" in which people who have been arrested have identified themselves to law enforcement as members of antifa, the official said. The official, who could not discuss ongoing investigations publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, did not provide specific details about those incidents.
Investigators also believe that groups have been training some demonstrators on techniques to rush officers on the lines of the protests and giving tips on how to avoid being arrested, the official said.
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
This story was reported by The Associated Press.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-06-06--Biden clinches Democratic nomination, with little of traditional fanfare

Joe Biden has formally clinched the Democratic presidential nomination , setting him up for a bruising challenge to President Donald Trump that will play out against the unprecedented backdrop of a pandemic , economic collapse and civil unrest .
“ It was an honor to compete alongside one of the most talented groups of candidates the Democratic party has ever fielded , ” Mr. Biden said in a statement Friday night , “ and I am proud to say that we are going into this general election a united party.
” The former vice president has effectively been his party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Democratic primary , Bernie Sanders , ended his campaign in April .
But Mr. Biden pulled together the 1,991 delegates needed to become the nominee Friday after seven states and the District of Columbia held presidential primaries Tuesday .
Mr. Biden reached the threshold three days after the primaries because several states , overwhelmed by huge increases in mail ballots , took days to tabulate results .
A team of analysts at The Associated Press then parsed the votes into individual congressional districts .
Democrats award most delegates to the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in individual congressional districts .
Mr. Biden now has 2,000 delegates , with contests still to come in eight states and two U.S. territories .
The moment was met with little of the traditional fanfare as the nation confronts overlapping crises .
While Mr. Biden has started to venture out more this week , the coronavirus pandemic has largely confined him to his Wilmington , Delaware , home for much of the past three months .
The country faces the worst rate of unemployment since the Great Depression .
And civil unrest that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in dozens of cities following the death of George Floyd , a black man who died when a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Mr. Floyd ’ s neck for several minutes even after he stopped moving and pleading for air .
It ’ s a confluence of events that no U.S. leader has faced in modern times , made all the more complicated by a president who has at times antagonized the protesters and is eager to take the fight to Mr. Biden .
“ This is a difficult time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Biden said Friday night .
“ And Donald Trump ’ s angry , divisive politics is no answer .
The country is crying out for leadership .
Leadership that can unite us .
Leadership that can bring us together.
” Mr. Biden spent 36 years in the Senate before becoming Barack Obama ’ s vice president .
This is 77-year-old Mr. Biden ’ s third bid for the presidency and his success in capturing the Democratic nomination was driven by strong support from black voters .
He finished an embarrassing fourth place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kicked off the nomination process in February .
Mr. Biden fared little better in the New Hampshire primary , where his standing was so low that he left the state before polls closed on election night to instead rally black voters in South Carolina .
His rebound began in the more diverse caucuses in Nevada but solidified in South Carolina , where Mr. Biden stomped Senator Sanders , his nearest rival , by nearly 29 points .
He followed that with a dominant showing three days later during the Super Tuesday contests , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Biden ’ s strong showing in states such as North Carolina , Virginia , Tennessee and Texas reinforced his status as the preferred Democratic candidate of African American voters – but the relationship has not been without its strained moments .
After a tense exchange with an influential black radio host , Mr. Biden took sharp criticism for suggesting that African American voters still deciding between him and Mr. Trump “ ain ’ t black.
” That comment , and protests that have spread nationwide , have increased pressure on Mr. Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He has already committed to picking a woman as a vice presidential candidate .
Black voters are unlikely to back Mr. Trump over Mr. Biden by a wide margin .
A recent Fox News poll shows just 14 % of African Americans who are registered to vote have a favorable opinion of the president compared with 75 % who favorably view Mr. Biden .
But Mr. Biden must ensure that black voters are motivated to show up to the polls in November , especially in critical swing states that narrowly went for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point , the Democratic primary included dozens of candidates of different races , genders and generations and an openly gay man .
The contest was dominated by debate over unapologetically progressive ideas , including fully government-funded health care under “ Medicare for All ” and a sweeping proposal to combat climate change known as the “ Green New Deal.
” Mr. Biden prevailed by mostly offering more moderate approaches that he argued would make him more electable against Mr. Trump .
He refused to budge on his rejection of universal health care and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s most ambitious provisions to combat climate change .
Since clinching the nomination , however , Mr. Biden has worked to build his appeal among progressives , forming joint task forces with Senator Sanders ’ campaign to find common ground on key issues like health care , the economy and the environment .
Mr. Biden has also embraced a plan to forgive millions of Americans ’ student debt , meaning that he clinches the nomination as easily the most liberal standard bearer the Democratic Party has ever had .
Mr. Biden ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flank could help him consolidate a Democratic base that remained deeply divided after the 2016 primary and ultimately hurt Hillary Clinton in her defeat to Mr. Trump .
But it could also undermine Mr. Biden ’ s attempts to rebuild the Obama coalition , which is often loosely defined as minorities and young people , as well as educated Americans and some working-class voters .
The former vice president has sought , since announcing his candidacy , to cast the election as a battle “ for the soul of the nation , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the White House while rehabilitating the U.S. image on the world stage .
Such an approach , though , necessarily focuses on being more of an alternative to Mr. Trump than offering radically new political ideas .
And that further underscores Mr. Biden ’ s difficult task of trying to unite his party ’ s base while appealing to voters from far beyond it .
“ I am going to spend every day between now and November 3rd fighting to earn the votes of Americans all across this great country , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , together , we can win the battle for the soul of this nation , and make sure that as we rebuild our economy , everyone comes along.
” This story was reported by The Associated Press .

Joe Biden has formally clinched the Democratic presidential nomination, setting him up for a bruising challenge to President Donald Trump that will play out against the unprecedented backdrop of a pandemic, economic collapse and civil unrest.
“It was an honor to compete alongside one of the most talented groups of candidates the Democratic party has ever fielded,” Mr. Biden said in a statement Friday night, “and I am proud to say that we are going into this general election a united party.”
The former vice president has effectively been his party’s leader since his last challenger in the Democratic primary, Bernie Sanders, ended his campaign in April. But Mr. Biden pulled together the 1,991 delegates needed to become the nominee Friday after seven states and the District of Columbia held presidential primaries Tuesday.
Mr. Biden reached the threshold three days after the primaries because several states, overwhelmed by huge increases in mail ballots, took days to tabulate results. A team of analysts at The Associated Press then parsed the votes into individual congressional districts. Democrats award most delegates to the party’s national convention based on results in individual congressional districts.
Mr. Biden now has 2,000 delegates, with contests still to come in eight states and two U.S. territories.
The moment was met with little of the traditional fanfare as the nation confronts overlapping crises. While Mr. Biden has started to venture out more this week, the coronavirus pandemic has largely confined him to his Wilmington, Delaware, home for much of the past three months.
The country faces the worst rate of unemployment since the Great Depression. And civil unrest that harkens back to the 1960s has erupted in dozens of cities following the death of George Floyd, a black man who died when a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Mr. Floyd’s neck for several minutes even after he stopped moving and pleading for air.
It’s a confluence of events that no U.S. leader has faced in modern times, made all the more complicated by a president who has at times antagonized the protesters and is eager to take the fight to Mr. Biden.
“This is a difficult time in America’s history,” Mr. Biden said Friday night. “And Donald Trump’s angry, divisive politics is no answer. The country is crying out for leadership. Leadership that can unite us. Leadership that can bring us together.”
Mr. Biden spent 36 years in the Senate before becoming Barack Obama’s vice president. This is 77-year-old Mr. Biden’s third bid for the presidency and his success in capturing the Democratic nomination was driven by strong support from black voters.
He finished an embarrassing fourth place in the overwhelmingly white Iowa caucuses that kicked off the nomination process in February. Mr. Biden fared little better in the New Hampshire primary, where his standing was so low that he left the state before polls closed on election night to instead rally black voters in South Carolina.
His rebound began in the more diverse caucuses in Nevada but solidified in South Carolina, where Mr. Biden stomped Senator Sanders, his nearest rival, by nearly 29 points. He followed that with a dominant showing three days later during the Super Tuesday contests, taking 10 of the 14 states.
Mr. Biden’s strong showing in states such as North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and Texas reinforced his status as the preferred Democratic candidate of African American voters – but the relationship has not been without its strained moments. After a tense exchange with an influential black radio host, Mr. Biden took sharp criticism for suggesting that African American voters still deciding between him and Mr. Trump “ain’t black.”
That comment, and protests that have spread nationwide, have increased pressure on Mr. Biden to pick an African American running mate. He has already committed to picking a woman as a vice presidential candidate.
Black voters are unlikely to back Mr. Trump over Mr. Biden by a wide margin. A recent Fox News poll shows just 14% of African Americans who are registered to vote have a favorable opinion of the president compared with 75% who favorably view Mr. Biden.
But Mr. Biden must ensure that black voters are motivated to show up to the polls in November, especially in critical swing states that narrowly went for Mr. Trump in 2016.
At one point, the Democratic primary included dozens of candidates of different races, genders and generations and an openly gay man. The contest was dominated by debate over unapologetically progressive ideas, including fully government-funded health care under “Medicare for All” and a sweeping proposal to combat climate change known as the “Green New Deal.”
Mr. Biden prevailed by mostly offering more moderate approaches that he argued would make him more electable against Mr. Trump.
He refused to budge on his rejection of universal health care and some of the Green New Deal’s most ambitious provisions to combat climate change.
Since clinching the nomination, however, Mr. Biden has worked to build his appeal among progressives, forming joint task forces with Senator Sanders’ campaign to find common ground on key issues like health care, the economy and the environment. Mr. Biden has also embraced a plan to forgive millions of Americans’ student debt, meaning that he clinches the nomination as easily the most liberal standard bearer the Democratic Party has ever had.
Mr. Biden’s embrace of his party’s left flank could help him consolidate a Democratic base that remained deeply divided after the 2016 primary and ultimately hurt Hillary Clinton in her defeat to Mr. Trump. But it could also undermine Mr. Biden’s attempts to rebuild the Obama coalition, which is often loosely defined as minorities and young people, as well as educated Americans and some working-class voters.
The former vice president has sought, since announcing his candidacy, to cast the election as a battle “for the soul of the nation,” and promised to restore order and dignity to the White House while rehabilitating the U.S. image on the world stage. Such an approach, though, necessarily focuses on being more of an alternative to Mr. Trump than offering radically new political ideas. And that further underscores Mr. Biden’s difficult task of trying to unite his party’s base while appealing to voters from far beyond it.
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“I am going to spend every day between now and November 3rd fighting to earn the votes of Americans all across this great country,” Mr. Biden promised Friday, “so that, together, we can win the battle for the soul of this nation, and make sure that as we rebuild our economy, everyone comes along.”
This story was reported by The Associated Press.


csmonitor--2020-06-07--'Defund the police': What does that mean exactly?

Protesters are pushing to “ defund the police '' over the death of George Floyd and other black Americans killed by law enforcement .
Their chant has become rallying cry — and a stick for President Donald Trump to use on Democrats as he portrays them as soft on crime .
But what does “ defund the police ” mean ?
It ’ s not necessarily about gutting police department budgets .
WHAT IS THE ‘ DEFUND THE POLICE ’ MOVEMENT ?
Supporters say it isn ’ t about eliminating police departments or stripping agencies of all of their money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country to address systemic problems in policing in America and spend more on what communities across the U.S. need , like housing and education .
State and local governments spent $ 115 billion on policing in 2017 , according to data compiled by the Urban Institute .
“ Why can ’ t we look at how it is that we reorganize our priorities , so people don ’ t have to be in the streets during a national pandemic ? ''
Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza asked during an interview on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The group MPD150 , which says it is “ working towards a police-free Minneapolis , ” argues that such action would be more about “ strategically reallocating resources , funding , and responsibility away from police and toward community-based models of safety , support , and prevention.
” “ The people who respond to crises in our community should be the people who are best-equipped to deal with those crises , ” the group wrote on its website .
WHAT ARE LAWMAKERS SAYING ?
Sen. Cory Booker said he understands the sentiment behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but it 's not a slogan he will use .
The New Jersey Democrat told NBC 's “ Meet the Press ” that he shares a feeling with many protesters that Americans are “ over-policed ” and that “ we are investing in police , which is not solving problems , but making them worse when we should be , in a more compassionate country , in a more loving country.
” Rep. Karen Bass , D-Calif. , chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus , said part of the movement is really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now , I don ’ t believe that you should disband police departments , ” she said in an interview with CNN .
“ But I do think that , in cities , in states , we need to look at how we are spending the resources and invest more in our communities .
“ Maybe this is an opportunity to re-envision public safety , ” she said .
President Donald Trump and his campaign view the emergence of the “ Defund the Police ” slogan as a spark of opportunity during what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s response to the protests has sparked widespread condemnation .
But now his supporters say the new mantra may make voters , who may be otherwise sympathetic to the protesters , recoil from a “ radical ” idea .
Trump seized on the slogan last week as he spoke at an event in Maine .
“ They ’ re saying defund the police , '' he said .
“ Defund .
Think of it .
When I saw it , I said , ‘ What are you talking about ?
’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have any police , ' they say .
You don ’ t want police ?
” Trump ’ s 2016 campaign was built on a promise of ensuring law and order — often in contrast to protests against his rhetoric that followed him across the country .
As he seeks reelection , Trump is preparing to deploy the same argument again — and seems to believe the “ defund the police ” call has made the campaign applause line all the more real for his supporters .
IS THERE ANY PUSH TO ACTUALLY @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least to reduce their budgets in some major cities .
In New York City , Mayor Bill de Blasio said Sunday that the city would move funding from the NYPD to youth initiatives and social services , while keeping the city safe , but he did n't give details .
In Los Angeles , Mayor Eric Garcetti vowed to cut as much as $ 150 million that was part of a planned increase in the police department ’ s budget .
A majority of the members of the Minneapolis City Council said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police department .
Nine of the council ’ s 12 members appeared with activists at a rally in a city park Sunday afternoon and vowed to end policing as the city currently knows it .
Council member Jeremiah Ellison promised that the council would “ dismantle ” the department .
“ It is clear that our system of policing is not keeping our communities safe , ” Lisa Bender , the council president , said .
“ Our efforts at incremental reform have failed , period.
” Ms. Bender went on to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that joined the rally are committed to ending the city ’ s relationship with the police force and “ to end policing as we know it and recreate systems that actually keep us safe.
” HOW HAVE POLICE OFFICIALS AND UNIONS RESPONDED ?
Generally , police and union officials have long resisted cuts to police budgets , arguing that it would make cities less safe .
The Los Angeles Police Protective League , the union for the city 's rank-and-file officers , said budget cuts would be the “ quickest way to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the LAPD budget means longer responses to 911 emergency calls , officers calling for back-up won ’ t get it , and rape , murder and assault investigations won ’ t occur or will take forever to initiate , let alone complete , ” the union ’ s board said in a statement last week .
“ At this time , with violent crime increasing , a global pandemic and nearly a week ’ s worth of violence , arson , and looting , ‘ defunding ’ the LAPD is the most irresponsible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AN ENTIRE POLICE FORCE EVER HAPPENED ?
In 2012 , with crime rampant in Camden , New Jersey , the city disbanded its police department and replaced it with a new force that covered Camden County .
Compton , California , took the same step in 2000 , shifting its policing to Los Angeles County .
It was a step that then-Attorney General Eric Holder said the Justice Department was considering for Ferguson , Missouri , after the death of Michael Brown .
The city eventually reached an agreement short of that but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a court-appointed mediator .
Associated Press writers Zeke Miller in Washington and Michael R. Sisak in New York contributed to this report .

Protesters are pushing to “defund the police" over the death of George Floyd and other black Americans killed by law enforcement. Their chant has become rallying cry – and a stick for President Donald Trump to use on Democrats as he portrays them as soft on crime.
But what does “defund the police” mean? It’s not necessarily about gutting police department budgets.
What is the 'Defund the Police' movement?
Supporters say it isn’t about eliminating police departments or stripping agencies of all of their money. They say it is time for the country to address systemic problems in policing in America and spend more on what communities across the United States need, like housing and education.
State and local governments spent $115 billion on policing in 2017, according to data compiled by the Urban Institute.
“Why can’t we look at how it is that we reorganize our priorities, so people don’t have to be in the streets during a national pandemic?" Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza asked during an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press.
Activists acknowledge this is a gradual process.
The group MPD150, which says it is “working towards a police-free Minneapolis,” argues that such action would be more about “strategically reallocating resources, funding, and responsibility away from police and toward community-based models of safety, support, and prevention.”
“The people who respond to crises in our community should be the people who are best-equipped to deal with those crises,” the group wrote on its website.
What are lawmakers saying?
Sen. Cory Booker said he understands the sentiment behind the "Defund the police" slogan, but it's not a slogan he will use.
The New Jersey Democrat told NBC's “Meet the Press” that he shares a feeling with many protesters that Americans are “over-policed” and that “we are investing in police, which is not solving problems, but making them worse when we should be, in a more compassionate country, in a more loving country.”
Rep. Karen Bass, D-Calif., chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, said part of the movement is really about how money is spent.
“Now, I don’t believe that you should disband police departments,” she said in an interview with CNN. “But I do think that, in cities, in states, we need to look at how we are spending the resources and invest more in our communities.
“Maybe this is an opportunity to re-envision public safety,” she said.
Mr. Trump and his campaign view the emergence of the “Defund the Police” slogan as a spark of opportunity during what has been a trying political moment. Mr. Trump’s response to the protests has sparked widespread condemnation. But now his supporters say the new mantra may make voters, who may be otherwise sympathetic to the protesters, recoil from a “radical” idea.
Mr. Trump seized on the slogan last week as he spoke at an event in Maine.
“They’re saying 'defund the police,'" he said. “Defund. Think of it. When I saw it, I said, ‘What are you talking about?’ ‘We don’t want to have any police,' they say. You don’t want police?”
Mr. Trump’s 2016 campaign was built on a promise of ensuring law and order – often in contrast to protests against his rhetoric that followed him across the country. As he seeks reelection, Mr. Trump is preparing to deploy the same argument again – and seems to believe the “defund the police” call has made the campaign applause line all the more real for his supporters.
Is there any push to actually defund police departments?
Yes, or at least to reduce their budgets in some major cities.
In New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Sunday that the city would move funding from the NYPD to youth initiatives and social services, while keeping the city safe, but he didn't give details.
In Los Angeles, Mayor Eric Garcetti vowed to cut as much as $150 million that was part of a planned increase in the police department’s budget.
A majority of the members of the Minneapolis City Council said Sunday they support disbanding the city's police department. Nine of the council’s 12 members appeared with activists at a rally in a city park Sunday afternoon and vowed to end policing as the city currently knows it. Council member Jeremiah Ellison promised that the council would “dismantle” the department.
“It is clear that our system of policing is not keeping our communities safe,” Lisa Bender, the council president, said. “Our efforts at incremental reform have failed, period.”
Ms. Bender went on to say she and the eight other council members that joined the rally are committed to ending the city’s relationship with the police force and “to end policing as we know it and recreate systems that actually keep us safe.”
How have police officials and unions responded?
Generally, police and union officials have long resisted cuts to police budgets, arguing that it would make cities less safe.
The Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union for the city's rank-and-file officers, said budget cuts would be the “quickest way to make our neighborhoods more dangerous.”
“Cutting the LAPD budget means longer responses to 911 emergency calls, officers calling for back-up won’t get it, and rape, murder and assault investigations won’t occur or will take forever to initiate, let alone complete,” the union’s board said in a statement last week.
“At this time, with violent crime increasing, a global pandemic and nearly a week’s worth of violence, arson, and looting, ‘defunding’ the LAPD is the most irresponsible thing anyone can propose.”
Has defunding an entire police force ever happened?
In 2012, with crime rampant in Camden, New Jersey, the city disbanded its police department and replaced it with a new force that covered Camden County. Compton, California, took the same step in 2000, shifting its policing to Los Angeles County.
It was a step that then-Attorney General Eric Holder said the Justice Department was considering for Ferguson, Missouri, after the death of Michael Brown. The city eventually reached an agreement short of that but one that required massive reforms overseen by a court-appointed mediator.
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
This story was reported by The Associated Press. AP writers Zeke Miller in Washington and Michael R. Sisak in New York contributed to this report.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-06-07--Poll shows Republicans are unusually pessimistic about US path

Republicans are more pessimistic about the country 's direction than at almost any other time during Donald Trump 's presidency , as a trio of crises – the coronavirus pandemic , an economic downturn and mass protests over police brutality – buffets his administration .
Only 46 % of Americans who identify as Republicans say the country is on the right track , according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted last week .
It is the first time that number has fallen so low since August 2017 , when a rally organized by white supremacists in Charlottesville , Virginia led to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as early March , before the novel coronavirus forced widespread shutdowns across the country , about 70 % of Republicans said they were optimistic about the country 's direction .
President Donald Trump 's approval rating remains resilient at around 40 % , with a large majority of Republicans still approving of his overall performance .
But sustained pessimism among Trump 's supporters could portend potential weakness ahead of November 's election , when he will face Democratic former Vice President Joe Biden , experts said .
Mr. Trump has been criticized by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday , former Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell endorsed Biden , becoming the first major Republican to publicly back Mr. Trump 's rival ahead of November 's election .
Powell , who led the U.S. military during the 1991 Gulf War under Republican former President George H.W .
Bush and later led the U.S. Department of State under President George W. Bush , said Trump was `` ineffective '' and has only gotten worse since he took office .
He said Trump had `` drifted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I can not in any way support President Trump this year , '' Powell , who did not vote for Trump in 2016 , told CNN in an interview .
Asked if he would vote for Biden , he added : `` I will be voting for him . ''
Thirty-seven percent of Republicans said the country is on the wrong track ; 17 % of those said they would vote for Biden if the election were held now , while 63 % still plan to cast ballots for Trump .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down to a handful of closely divided states such as Michigan , Pennsylvania and North Carolina , even minor defections or a dip in turnout among the Republican ranks could imperil Trump 's chances .
`` It probably should be concerning for the president , even though it 's reasonable to say he still maintains strong support among Republicans , '' said Kyle Kondik , an elections analyst at the University of Virginia .
Republicans believe an economic rebound in the fall would bolster his prospects .
Friday 's jobs report showed more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month during the thick of the coronavirus pandemic .
Trump touted the gains as the `` greatest comeback in American history . ''
Trump campaign spokeswoman Erin Perrine said in a statement , `` Polling is notoriously wrong .
We are five months from the election and any polling now is not a clear indicator of election results .
Pollsters were very wrong in 2016 and underestimate voters ' enthusiasm for President Trump every time . ''
The pessimism among all Americans has grown since the end of February , when the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large majorities of Democrats and independents already felt the country was on the wrong track ; fewer than 7 percent of Democrats and 19 percent of independents feel the country is headed in the right direction , down slightly from March , the poll showed .
Matthew Knight , a 48-year-old resident in North Carolina who supported Trump in 2016 , said he has been disappointed with Trump 's response to the crises .
`` Just think with everything going on , and Trump not helping matters , that things are definitely wrong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Reuters .
`` I was going to vote for Trump , but if things do n't get better , I may have to rethink that . ''
Reuters conducted interviews and email exchanges with more than a dozen Republicans who said the country was headed in the wrong direction , yielding a mix of responses .
Some , such as Bill McMichael , a 62-year-old in politically divided Minnesota who has n't voted for a Democratic presidential candidate in four decades , are considering voting for Biden out of disgust with Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still plan to vote for Trump , either because they are more skeptical about Biden or trust Trump to revive the economy .
Others blamed Democrats for the country 's problems .
`` The last week sure shows you the direction the liberals are trying to drive this country , '' said Ken Wilamowski , 68 , a retired General Motors engineer in Clarkston , Michigan , adding that Democratic governors have been too unwilling to confront protesters .
`` Pacifism is going to lose to anarchy every time . ''
Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streets and claimed that far-left radicals are primarily responsible for the violence .
Protesters again gathered in Washington for a big demonstration on Saturday .
`` In normal political circumstances , having a 40 % favorability would be terrible , but that 's just not the world we live in right now , '' said Terry Sullivan , a Republican strategist who served as Senator Marco Rubio 's presidential campaign manager in 2016 .
`` The numbers really have n't moved in the last 3-1/2 years . ''
Tom Singer , a 57-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Trump 's presidency has been `` dysfunctional . ''
Nevertheless , he said he would still likely vote for him in November because he trusts Trump will deliver where it matters most : on the economy .
`` I 'm not happy with either candidate , but I have to look at the one who 's going to have the greatest impact on me , '' he said .
The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted online , in English , throughout the United States and gathered responses from 1,113 American adults .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minus 3 percentage points .

Republicans are more pessimistic about the country's direction than at almost any other time during Donald Trump's presidency, as a trio of crises – the coronavirus pandemic, an economic downturn, and mass protests over police brutality – buffets his administration.
Only 46% of Americans who identify as Republicans say the country is on the right track, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted last week. It is the first time that number has fallen so low since August 2017, when a rally organized by white supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia led to violent clashes with counter-protesters.
As recently as early March, before the novel coronavirus forced widespread shutdowns across the country, about 70% of Republicans said they were optimistic about the country's direction.
President Donald Trump's approval rating remains resilient at around 40%, with a large majority of Republicans still approving of his overall performance.
But sustained pessimism among Mr. Trump's supporters could portend potential weakness ahead of November's election, when he will face Democratic former Vice President Joe Biden, experts said.
Mr. Trump has been criticized by several former military officials, and on Sunday, former Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell endorsed Mr. Biden, becoming the first major Republican to publicly back Mr. Trump's rival ahead of November's election.
Mr. Powell, who led the U.S. military during the 1991 Gulf War under Republican former President George H.W. Bush and later led the U.S. Department of State under President George W. Bush, said Mr. Trump was "ineffective" and has only gotten worse since he took office. He said Mr. Trump had "drifted away" from the U.S. Constitution.
"I cannot in any way support President Trump this year," Mr. Powell, who did not vote for Mr. Trump in 2016, told CNN in an interview. Asked if he would vote for Mr. Biden, he added: "I will be voting for him."
Thirty-seven percent of Republicans said the country is on the wrong track; 17% of those said they would vote for Mr. Biden if the election were held now, while 63% still plan to cast ballots for Mr. Trump.
In an election most analysts believe will come down to a handful of closely divided states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina, even minor defections or a dip in turnout among the Republican ranks could imperil Mr. Trump's chances.
"It probably should be concerning for the president, even though it's reasonable to say he still maintains strong support among Republicans," said Kyle Kondik, an elections analyst at the University of Virginia.
Republicans believe an economic rebound in the fall would bolster his prospects. Friday's jobs report showed more than 2.5 million jobs were added last month during the thick of the coronavirus pandemic. Mr. Trump touted the gains as the "greatest comeback in American history."
Trump campaign spokeswoman Erin Perrine said in a statement, "Polling is notoriously wrong. We are five months from the election and any polling now is not a clear indicator of election results. Pollsters were very wrong in 2016 and underestimate voters' enthusiasm for President Mr. Trump every time."
'THINGS ARE DEFINITELY WRONG'
The pessimism among all Americans has grown since the end of February, when the pandemic began accelerating. But unlike Republicans, large majorities of Democrats and independents already felt the country was on the wrong track; fewer than 7% of Democrats and 19% of independents feel the country is headed in the right direction, down slightly from March, the poll showed.
Matthew Knight, a resident in North Carolina who supported Mr. Trump in 2016, said he has been disappointed with Mr. Trump's response to the crises.
"Just think with everything going on, and Trump not helping matters, that things are definitely wrong," Mr. Knight wrote in an email to Reuters. "I was going to vote for Trump, but if things don't get better, I may have to rethink that."
Reuters conducted interviews and email exchanges with more than a dozen Republicans who said the country was headed in the wrong direction, yielding a mix of responses.
Some, such as Bill McMichael, in politically divided Minnesota who hasn't voted for a Democratic presidential candidate in four decades, are considering voting for Mr. Biden out of disgust with Mr. Trump.
A few admitted some misgivings but still plan to vote for Mr. Trump, either because they are more skeptical about Mr. Biden or trust Mr. Trump to revive the economy. Others blamed Democrats for the country's problems.
"The last week sure shows you the direction the liberals are trying to drive this country," said Ken Wilamowski, a retired General Motors engineer in Clarkston, Michigan, adding that Democratic governors have been too unwilling to confront protesters. "Pacifism is going to lose to anarchy every time."
Mr. Trump has urged governors to "dominate" the streets and claimed that far-left radicals are primarily responsible for the violence. Protesters again gathered in Washington for a big demonstration on Saturday.
"In normal political circumstances, having a 40% favorability would be terrible, but that's just not the world we live in right now," said Terry Sullivan, a Republican strategist who served as Senator Marco Rubio's presidential campaign manager in 2016. "The numbers really haven't moved in the last 3-1/2 years."
Tom Singer, a probation officer in Riverside, California, said Mr. Trump's presidency has been "dysfunctional." Nevertheless, he said he would still likely vote for him in November because he trusts Mr. Trump will deliver where it matters most: on the economy.
"I'm not happy with either candidate, but I have to look at the one who's going to have the greatest impact on me," he said.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted online, in English, throughout the United States and gathered responses from 1,113 American adults. It had a credibility interval of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
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This story was reported by Reuters. Reuters writer Susan Heavey contributed to this report. Chris Kahn, Soyoung Kim, Lisa Shumaker, and Daniel Wallis edited this story.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-06-08--Can Biden deliver on ‘unity’? Does America really want it?

“ Biden is calming at a time when people are hearing nothing but nasty noise , and that juxtaposition is to his advantage , ” says Jeff Link , an Iowa-based Democratic consultant .
For Mr. Biden , the volatile landscape is presenting an increasingly challenging balancing act .
He is under renewed pressure to shore up support among progressives , without alienating swing voters who had been moving in his direction .
Above all , he must somehow convince a fractured and exhausted nation that the problems it faces are fixable – and that finding consensus is both possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 100,000 American lives and sent the economy into a tailspin that has left millions unemployed .
Over the past two weeks , the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police has sparked massive protests for racial justice across the country .
But after a stretch of tumultuous events nearly unprecedented in modern U.S. history , the task of unifying the nation has never seemed more daunting .
From the start , Joe Biden has framed his candidacy around the concept of unity .
“ The country is sick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sick of the fighting , ” the former vice president said at his campaign kickoff in Philadelphia last year .
From the start , Joe Biden has framed his candidacy around the concept of unity .
In his campaign kickoff speech last year , he accused President Donald Trump of fanning , rather than working to bridge , partisan and racial divides – evoking a nation that , in his view , was yearning to come together .
“ The country is sick of the division .
They ’ re sick of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in Philadelphia .
“ Our Constitution doesn ’ t begin with the phrase ‘ We the Democrats , ’ ‘ We the Republicans , ’ ” he said .
“ We are all in this together .
We need to remember that today , I think more than any time in my career.
” Mr. Biden ’ s decisive primary victories earlier this spring seemed to affirm that view .
But as the campaign now moves into the general election phase – after a stretch of tumultuous events nearly unprecedented in modern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation has never seemed more daunting .
The past three months have upended politics as usual , with the pandemic taking more than 100,000 American lives and sending the economy into a tailspin that has left millions unemployed .
Over the past two weeks , the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police has sparked massive protests for racial justice across the country .
For Mr. Biden , the volatile landscape is presenting an increasingly challenging balancing act .
He is under renewed pressure to shore up support among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his candidacy , without alienating the swing voters who had been moving in his direction .
Above all , he must somehow convince a fractured and exhausted nation that the problems it faces are fixable – and that finding consensus on those challenges is both possible and desirable .
“ He ’ s being challenged to balance all these things , because Trump has so utterly failed to balance them , ” says Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware .
“ This is a moment that demands leadership from someone who understands how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us together .
...
I think [ Mr. Biden ] is exactly the right man for the moment.
” Mr. Biden has seized multiple opportunities in recent weeks to try to cast himself as a healer in chief .
On the same day Washington police cleared a group of peaceful protesters from Lafayette Square with tear gas and rubber bullets so that Mr. Trump could pose for a photograph outside historic St. John ’ s Church , Mr. Biden was sitting in a black church in Wilmington , Delaware , listening to community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 24 hours later , Mr. Biden gave a speech in Philadelphia to a country he described as “ crying out for leadership.
” He called on Congress to enact a law banning police chokeholds and to create “ a model use-of-force standard.
” He also promised to create a national police oversight commission .
On Monday , Mr. Biden was scheduled to meet privately with the Floyd family , and he is expected to attend Mr. Floyd ’ s funeral in Houston on Tuesday .
“ Biden is calming at a time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noise , and that juxtaposition is to his advantage , ” says Jeff Link , an Iowa-based political consultant who has advised several Democratic presidential candidates .
“ Biden doesn ’ t have to outshout Trump , but he has to show how he ’ s different.
” Mr. Biden has deep reservoirs of affection in the African American community , among whom he built enduring relationships during the Obama years .
It was black voters who carried him to a resounding win in South Carolina , reviving a candidacy that had appeared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ultimately helping make him the Democratic nominee .
He officially secured the 1,991 delegates needed to claim the nomination this weekend .
But he is viewed less favorably by a younger , more left-wing generation , which sees him as too moderate to bring about needed change .
Mr. Biden does not support calls to “ defund the police , ” which has become a rallying cry on the left in recent days .
While he favors increased spending on other social programs , his campaign said Monday , he wants to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for things like body cameras and training .
Mr. Biden has long-standing ties to union groups , including cops and firefighters , some of which have been trending more conservative in recent election cycles , and which Democrats were hoping to win back this year .
In recent days , some law enforcement groups have expressed unhappiness with what they see as Mr. Biden ’ s failure to demonstrate sufficient support for their side , showing just how difficult it may be for him – or anyone – to bridge those divides .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monmouth University , 89 % of Democrats said they had “ no confidence at all ” in Mr. Trump ’ s ability to handle race relations .
But only 32 % of Democrats had a “ great deal ” of confidence in Mr. Biden on the matter .
Among Republicans , 58 % had a great deal of confidence in Mr. Trump , while 58 % had no confidence at all in Mr. Biden .
Protesters gathering around a graffitied Robert E. Lee statue in Richmond , Virginia , last week said recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden from just two weeks ago .
“ He thinks he ’ s automatically got the black vote because he was the right-hand man to a black president , ” says Chenae Kirkland .
“ But he ’ s got to have a hand in these police departments , show us what he ’ d do , ” adds her friend Leshayne Vialet , both bank employees .
Making promises is better than a photo op , they say – but it ’ s not enough .
Some express concerns about Mr. Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 36-year career in the Senate .
In the 1970s , he was a vocal opponent of school busing , and he helped write the 1994 crime bill , which many believe was a key contributor to mass incarceration that has disproportionately affected black men .
“ I felt like he was involved with all the stuff that ’ s led to where we are now , ” says Andre Lynch , an Uber driver , gesturing to the dozens of activists climbing up the Lee statue .
He adds , “ When he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll have a chance to redeem himself , especially after watching all of this unfold.
” Of course , to have that opportunity , Mr. Biden needs to win the election .
Recent polls have shown him gaining ground against the president .
According to a Fox News survey , Mr. Biden is now ahead in Wisconsin , Ohio , and Arizona – all battleground states the president won in 2016 , while the Monmouth poll has Mr. Biden with an 11-point lead over Mr. Trump overall .
But these polls are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Murray , director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute .
“ More so than any prior incumbent election , this is a referendum , ” Mr. Murray says .
But Mr. Biden still has to “ get out there ” and prove himself to Democratic voters .
And Mr. Biden faces unique challenges when it comes to unifying his party , not least because of COVID-19 , says Robert Shrum , a longtime Democratic strategist and director of the University of Southern California ’ s Center for the Political Future .
For three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ canceled or turned into awkward “ virtual ” events , making it difficult for a candidate who thrives on rope lines and personal connections to reach voters .
The nominee ’ s acceptance speech at the party convention is typically an important moment , notes Mr. Shrum .
“ Just look at Al Gore in 2000 , ” he says .
“ He gained 15 to 18 points in 47 minutes.
” But this year ’ s Democratic convention is increasingly looking like it will be held online , diminishing Mr. Biden ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s also unclear if televised debates between the candidates will happen .
In a debate , Mr. Biden would have an opportunity to try to blunt Mr. Trump ’ s charges that the former vice president is “ senile ” and “ sleepy , ” just as John F. Kennedy countered Richard Nixon ’ s claims that he was too young and inexperienced to assume the presidency in 1960 .
In the potential absence of these traditional events , Mr. Biden will need to be creative in how he engages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his vice presidential pick will likely carry even more weight – not only because of Mr. Biden ’ s age , but also because of the absence of other high-profile campaign moments .
Above all , say several strategists , Mr. Biden needs to try to stay in the public eye as he has over the past week , and propose policies that follow through on his promise to bring unity .
“ Part of [ Mr. Trump ’ s ] strategy will be to undermine voters ’ confidence in Joe Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ That ’ s why Biden has to be out there – so he can change people ’ s minds from ‘ I think he can do a good job ’ to ‘ I know he can do a good job.
’ ” At the same time , Mr. Biden has made a point throughout the campaign of keeping the focus less on himself and more on the country .
In 2019 , Mr. Biden ’ s campaign announcement video was centered on Charlottesville , Virginia , where two years earlier white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marched with tiki torches .
In the video , Mr. Biden referenced Mr. Trump ’ s response to the event as a key moment that pushed him to run for president .
“ We are in a battle for the soul of this nation , ” he said .
“ We can ’ t forget what happened in Charlottesville .
Even more important , we have to remember who we are.
” “ I see Joe responding in a way that reflects who he ’ s always been , ” says Senator Coons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him .
It ’ s about us .
”

“Biden is calming at a time when people are hearing nothing but nasty noise, and that juxtaposition is to his advantage,” says Jeff Link, an Iowa-based Democratic consultant.
For Mr. Biden, the volatile landscape is presenting an increasingly challenging balancing act. He is under renewed pressure to shore up support among progressives, without alienating swing voters who had been moving in his direction. Above all, he must somehow convince a fractured and exhausted nation that the problems it faces are fixable – and that finding consensus is both possible and desirable.
The pandemic has taken more than 100,000 American lives and sent the economy into a tailspin that has left millions unemployed. Over the past two weeks, the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police has sparked massive protests for racial justice across the country.
Joe Biden must not only convince a fractured and exhausted nation that the problems it faces are fixable, analysts say, but also that finding consensus on those challenges is both possible and desirable.
But after a stretch of tumultuous events nearly unprecedented in modern U.S. history, the task of unifying the nation has never seemed more daunting.
From the start, Joe Biden has framed his candidacy around the concept of unity. “The country is sick of the division. They’re sick of the fighting,” the former vice president said at his campaign kickoff in Philadelphia last year.
From the start, Joe Biden has framed his candidacy around the concept of unity. In his campaign kickoff speech last year, he accused President Donald Trump of fanning, rather than working to bridge, partisan and racial divides – evoking a nation that, in his view, was yearning to come together.
“The country is sick of the division. They’re sick of the fighting,” the former vice president said in Philadelphia.
“Our Constitution doesn’t begin with the phrase ‘We the Democrats,’ ‘We the Republicans,’” he said. “We are all in this together. We need to remember that today, I think more than any time in my career.”
Why We Wrote This Joe Biden must not only convince a fractured and exhausted nation that the problems it faces are fixable, analysts say, but also that finding consensus on those challenges is both possible and desirable.
Mr. Biden’s decisive primary victories earlier this spring seemed to affirm that view. But as the campaign now moves into the general election phase – after a stretch of tumultuous events nearly unprecedented in modern U.S. history – the task of unifying the nation has never seemed more daunting.
The past three months have upended politics as usual, with the pandemic taking more than 100,000 American lives and sending the economy into a tailspin that has left millions unemployed. Over the past two weeks, the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police has sparked massive protests for racial justice across the country.
For Mr. Biden, the volatile landscape is presenting an increasingly challenging balancing act. He is under renewed pressure to shore up support among progressives who have been less enthusiastic about his candidacy, without alienating the swing voters who had been moving in his direction. Above all, he must somehow convince a fractured and exhausted nation that the problems it faces are fixable – and that finding consensus on those challenges is both possible and desirable.
“He’s being challenged to balance all these things, because Trump has so utterly failed to balance them,” says Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware. “This is a moment that demands leadership from someone who understands how to respond to a pandemic and bring us together. ... I think [Mr. Biden] is exactly the right man for the moment.”
A healer in chief?
Mr. Biden has seized multiple opportunities in recent weeks to try to cast himself as a healer in chief.
On the same day U.S. Park Police in Washington cleared a group of peaceful protesters from Lafayette Square with tear gas and rubber bullets so that Mr. Trump could pose for a photograph outside historic St. John’s Church, Mr. Biden was sitting in a black church in Wilmington, Delaware, listening to community leaders from 6 feet away.
Less than 24 hours later, Mr. Biden gave a speech in Philadelphia to a country he described as “crying out for leadership.” He called on Congress to enact a law banning police chokeholds and to create “a model use-of-force standard.” He also promised to create a national police oversight commission.
On Monday, Mr. Biden was scheduled to meet privately with the Floyd family, and he is expected to attend Mr. Floyd’s funeral in Houston on Tuesday.
“Biden is calming at a time when people are hearing nothing but nasty noise, and that juxtaposition is to his advantage,” says Jeff Link, an Iowa-based political consultant who has advised several Democratic presidential candidates. “Biden doesn’t have to outshout Trump, but he has to show how he’s different.”
Mr. Biden has deep reservoirs of affection in the African American community, among whom he built enduring relationships during the Obama years. It was black voters who carried him to a resounding win in South Carolina, reviving a candidacy that had appeared to be on its last legs, and ultimately helping make him the Democratic nominee. He officially secured the 1,991 delegates needed to claim the nomination this weekend.
But he is viewed less favorably by a younger, more left-wing generation, which sees him as too moderate to bring about needed change. Mr. Biden does not support calls to “defund the police,” which has become a rallying cry on the left in recent days. While he favors increased spending on other social programs, his campaign said Monday, he wants to increase, not decrease, police budgets for things like body cameras and training.
Mr. Biden has long-standing ties to union groups, including cops and firefighters, some of which have been trending more conservative in recent election cycles, and which Democrats were hoping to win back this year. In recent days, some law enforcement groups have expressed unhappiness with what they see as Mr. Biden’s failure to demonstrate sufficient support for their side, showing just how difficult it may be for him – or anyone – to bridge those divides.
In a poll released last week by Monmouth University, 89% of Democrats said they had “no confidence at all” in Mr. Trump’s ability to handle race relations. But only 32% of Democrats had a “great deal” of confidence in Mr. Biden on the matter. Among Republicans, 58% had a great deal of confidence in Mr. Trump, while 58% had no confidence at all in Mr. Biden.
Protesters gathering around a graffitied Robert E. Lee statue in Richmond, Virginia, last week said recent events had heightened their expectations of Mr. Biden from just two weeks ago.
“He thinks he’s automatically got the black vote because he was the right-hand man to a black president,” says Chenae Kirkland. “But he’s got to have a hand in these police departments, show us what he’d do,” adds her friend Leshayne Vialet, both bank employees.
Making promises is better than a photo op, they say – but it’s not enough.
Some express concerns about Mr. Biden’s own track record during his 36-year career in the Senate. In the 1970s, he was a vocal opponent of school busing, and he helped write the 1994 crime bill, which many believe was a key contributor to mass incarceration that has disproportionately affected black men.
“I felt like he was involved with all the stuff that’s led to where we are now,” says Andre Lynch, an Uber driver, gesturing to the dozens of activists climbing up the Lee statue. He adds, “When he ends up running this country, he’ll have a chance to redeem himself, especially after watching all of this unfold.”
“It’s not about him”
Of course, to have that opportunity, Mr. Biden needs to win the election. Recent polls have shown him gaining ground against the president. According to a Fox News survey, Mr. Biden is now ahead in Wisconsin, Ohio, and Arizona – all battleground states the president won in 2016, while the Monmouth poll has Mr. Biden with an 11-point lead over Mr. Trump overall. But these polls are mostly about Mr. Trump, says Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute.
“More so than any prior incumbent election, this is a referendum,” Mr. Murray says. But Mr. Biden still has to “get out there” and prove himself to Democratic voters.
And Mr. Biden faces unique challenges when it comes to unifying his party, not least because of COVID-19, says Robert Shrum, a longtime Democratic strategist and director of the University of Southern California’s Center for the Political Future. For three months, all campaign rallies have been canceled or turned into awkward “virtual” events, making it difficult for a candidate who thrives on rope lines and personal connections to reach voters.
The nominee’s acceptance speech at the party convention is typically an important moment, notes Mr. Shrum. “Just look at Al Gore in 2000,” he says. “He gained 15 to 18 points in 47 minutes.” But this year’s Democratic convention is increasingly looking like it will be held online, diminishing Mr. Biden’s ability to generate a big bounce.
It’s also unclear if televised debates between the candidates will happen. In a debate, Mr. Biden would have an opportunity to try to blunt Mr. Trump’s charges that the former vice president is “senile” and “sleepy,” just as John F. Kennedy countered Richard Nixon’s claims that he was too young and inexperienced to assume the presidency in 1960.
In the potential absence of these traditional events, Mr. Biden will need to be creative in how he engages voters, says Mr. Shrum. And his vice presidential pick will likely carry even more weight – not only because of Mr. Biden’s age, but also because of the absence of other high-profile campaign moments.
Above all, say several strategists, Mr. Biden needs to try to stay in the public eye as he has over the past week, and propose policies that follow through on his promise to bring unity.
“Part of [Mr. Trump’s] strategy will be to undermine voters’ confidence in Joe Biden,” says Monmouth’s Mr. Murray. “That’s why Biden has to be out there – so he can change people’s minds from ‘I think he can do a good job’ to ‘I know he can do a good job.’”
At the same time, Mr. Biden has made a point throughout the campaign of keeping the focus less on himself and more on the country.
In 2019, Mr. Biden’s campaign announcement video was centered on Charlottesville, Virginia, where two years earlier white supremacists had shocked the nation as they marched with tiki torches. In the video, Mr. Biden referenced Mr. Trump’s response to the event as a key moment that pushed him to run for president.
“We are in a battle for the soul of this nation,” he said. “We can’t forget what happened in Charlottesville. Even more important, we have to remember who we are.”
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“I see Joe responding in a way that reflects who he’s always been,” says Senator Coons. “It’s not about him. It’s about us.”
Note: An earlier version of this story referred to “Washington police” as having cleared protesters from Lafayette Square. The story has been updated to make clear it was U.S. Park Police in Washington.