cnbc--2020-06-03--Trump says he is 'forced' to move Republican National Convention out of North Carolina

US President Donald Trump delivers remarks in front of the media in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington , DC on June 1 , 2020 .
After several rounds of tense correspondence between the organizers of the Republican National Convention and North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper , President Donald Trump announced late Tuesday that the GOP has now been `` forced '' to look for another state to host the event .
`` Had long planned to have the Republican National Convention in Charlotte , North Carolina , a place I love .
Now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to guarantee that we can have use of the Spectrum Arena - Spend millions of dollars , have everybody arrive , and then tell them they will not be able to gain entry , '' Trump tweeted .
`` Governor Cooper is still in Shelter-In-Place Mode , and not allowing us to occupy the arena as originally anticipated and promised .
Would have showcased beautiful North Carolina to the World , and brought in hundreds of millions of dollars , and jobs , for the State .
Because of @ NC_Governor , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to host the 2020 Republican National Convention . ''
Trump 's announcement comes just hours after the release of the latest terse communication between Cooper and RNC officials , in which the North Carolina governor , a Democrat , said it 's `` very unlikely '' that the Republican National Convention will be held at full-scale participation .
`` As much as we want the conditions surrounding COVID-19 to be favorable enough for you to hold the Convention you describe in late August , it is very unlikely , '' Cooper said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials nor I will risk the health and safety of North Carolinians by providing the guarantee you seek . ''
After Trump 's announcement , Cooper said , `` We have been committed to a safe RNC convention in North Carolina and it 's unfortunate they never agreed to scale down and make changes to keep people safe .
Protecting public health and safety during this pandemic is a priority . ''
Cooper has long resisted Trump 's demands to loosen social distancing guidelines to benefit the convention , scheduled for the week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several tweets in which he railed against Cooper for not relenting on these guidelines , threatening for weeks to move the convention to another state .
The City of Charlotte , meanwhile , tweeted that it has a contract with the GOP and that the city 's attorney `` will be in contact with the attorneys for the RNC to understand their full intentions . ''
While Trump did not specify in his tweet to where the convention will be moved , multiple governors and GOP officials from places such as Texas and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential hosts when the saga over the location of the convention first broke out .
The enforcement of social distancing guidelines at the convention would force a cap on the number of participants , ensuring that the event will not be nearly as attended as in previous years .
National political conventions have traditionally drawn thousands of protesters even in years without the added crises of a pandemic , 40 million Americans out of work and now , widespread civil unrest .
The demands that would likely be placed on any city 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order for that city to provide convention security and pandemic-level sanitation are difficult to quantify , but surely enormous .
When reached for comment , an RNC official gave the following statement to CNBC : '' Due to the directive from the governor that our convention can not go on as planned as required by our rules , the celebration of the president 's acceptance of the Republican nomination will be held in another city .
Should the governor allow more than 10 people in a room , we still hope to conduct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Charlotte . ''
Cooper 's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment asking about the move .
In previous correspondences , Cooper and other state officials have asked RNC officials to present a detailed convention operation plan that uses social distancing to receive permission to carry out the event as they wish .
But the RNC has skirted the issue of releasing a social distancing plan in its discussions with North Carolina .
In a letter released Thursday , the RNC outlined a number of safety protocols such as temperature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of disinfectant in the convention site .
But absent from their plan is a way to encourage social distancing and cap the number of people who are able to attend the convention .
The coronavirus outbreak has spread to dozens of countries , with more than 6.2 million confirmed cases worldwide and over 375,987 deaths , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
There are at least 1.8 million cases in the United States and at least 105,147 deaths , Hopkins data showed .

US President Donald Trump delivers remarks in front of the media in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC on June 1, 2020.
After several rounds of tense correspondence between the organizers of the Republican National Convention and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, President Donald Trump announced late Tuesday that the GOP has now been "forced" to look for another state to host the event.
"Had long planned to have the Republican National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, a place I love. Now, @NC_Governor Roy Cooper and his representatives refuse to guarantee that we can have use of the Spectrum Arena - Spend millions of dollars, have everybody arrive, and then tell them they will not be able to gain entry," Trump tweeted.
"Governor Cooper is still in Shelter-In-Place Mode, and not allowing us to occupy the arena as originally anticipated and promised. Would have showcased beautiful North Carolina to the World, and brought in hundreds of millions of dollars, and jobs, for the State. Because of @NC_Governor, we are now forced to seek another State to host the 2020 Republican National Convention."
Trump's announcement comes just hours after the release of the latest terse communication between Cooper and RNC officials, in which the North Carolina governor, a Democrat, said it's "very unlikely" that the Republican National Convention will be held at full-scale participation.
"As much as we want the conditions surrounding COVID-19 to be favorable enough for you to hold the Convention you describe in late August, it is very unlikely," Cooper said in a letter. "Neither public health officials nor I will risk the health and safety of North Carolinians by providing the guarantee you seek."
After Trump's announcement, Cooper said, "We have been committed to a safe RNC convention in North Carolina and it's unfortunate they never agreed to scale down and make changes to keep people safe. Protecting public health and safety during this pandemic is a priority."
Cooper has long resisted Trump's demands to loosen social distancing guidelines to benefit the convention, scheduled for the week of Aug. 24. Trump has crafted several tweets in which he railed against Cooper for not relenting on these guidelines, threatening for weeks to move the convention to another state.
The City of Charlotte, meanwhile, tweeted that it has a contract with the GOP and that the city's attorney "will be in contact with the attorneys for the RNC to understand their full intentions."
While Trump did not specify in his tweet to where the convention will be moved, multiple governors and GOP officials from places such as Texas and Georgia immediately offered up their states as potential hosts when the saga over the location of the convention first broke out.
The enforcement of social distancing guidelines at the convention would force a cap on the number of participants, ensuring that the event will not be nearly as attended as in previous years.
National political conventions have traditionally drawn thousands of protesters even in years without the added crises of a pandemic, 40 million Americans out of work and now, widespread civil unrest.
The demands that would likely be placed on any city's infrastructure and public safety apparatus, in order for that city to provide convention security and pandemic-level sanitation are difficult to quantify, but surely enormous.
The White House declined to comment.
When reached for comment, an RNC official gave the following statement to CNBC:
"Due to the directive from the governor that our convention cannot go on as planned as required by our rules, the celebration of the president's acceptance of the Republican nomination will be held in another city. Should the governor allow more than 10 people in a room, we still hope to conduct the official business of the convention in Charlotte."
Cooper's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment asking about the move.
In previous correspondences, Cooper and other state officials have asked RNC officials to present a detailed convention operation plan that uses social distancing to receive permission to carry out the event as they wish.
But the RNC has skirted the issue of releasing a social distancing plan in its discussions with North Carolina.
In a letter released Thursday, the RNC outlined a number of safety protocols such as temperature scans ahead of entry and the availability of disinfectant in the convention site. But absent from their plan is a way to encourage social distancing and cap the number of people who are able to attend the convention.
The coronavirus outbreak has spread to dozens of countries, with more than 6.2 million confirmed cases worldwide and over 375,987 deaths, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. There are at least 1.8 million cases in the United States and at least 105,147 deaths, Hopkins data showed.
— CNBC's Christina Wilkie contributed to this report.


cnbc--2020-06-02--'Looting is not liberation': George W. Bush calls for unity, equal justice during George Floyd prote

'Looting is not liberation': George W. Bush calls for unity, equal justice during George Floyd protests

Former President George W. Bush on Tuesday spoke out about the turmoil that has followed the death of George Floyd , saying he and former first lady Laura Bush are `` disturbed by the injustice and fear that suffocate our country . ''
Bush , who has largely avoided the spotlight since leaving office in 2009 , lamented the enduring stain of racism on American society while condemning the looting and rioting that has accompanied the wave of protests over Floyd 's death .
`` Many doubt the justice of our country , and with good reason .
Black people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without an urgent and adequate response from American institutions , '' Bush said in a statement .
But `` we know that lasting justice will only come by peaceful means , '' Bush said .
`` Looting is not liberation , and destruction is not progress . ''
Floyd , a 46-year-old black man , died in Minneapolis after a white police officer held his knee on Floyd 's neck for more than eight minutes .
The officer , 44-year-old Derek Chauvin , has since been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ succeeded in office by Democratic President Barack Obama , who shared his own thoughts on the protests in a blog post Monday .
Where Obama , a former community organizer in Chicago , gave advice for activists seeking to turn the outrage over Floyd 's death into meaningful change , Bush 's statement offered a broader call for unity .
`` This tragedy — in a long series of similar tragedies — raises a long overdue question : How do we end systemic racism in our society ?
The only way to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listen to the voices of so many who are hurting and grieving , '' Bush said .
`` Those who set out to silence those voices do not understand the meaning of America — or how it becomes a better place .
America 's greatest challenge has long been to unite people of very different backgrounds into a single nation of justice and opportunity , '' he said .
President Donald Trump 's own response to the unrest differed dramatically from either of his predecessors .
Trump – speaking mainly through social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and order , and has heaped pressure on local leaders to crack down more aggressively against looters and rioters .
In an all-caps tweet Tuesday morning , Trump demanded that New York City `` CALL UP THE NATIONAL GUARD '' because `` the lowlifes and losers are ripping you apart . ''
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio refuses to bring the National Guard or any armed forces into the city , saying it would be an unwise and unnecessary step .
Bush was criticized during his two terms in office over his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues .
Critics say his administration 's response to Hurricane Katrina , which devastated diverse communities in and around the city of New Orleans , pushed more black Americans away from the Republican Party .
Politico in 2015 gave Bush a C- grade on race .
Read the full statement from former President Bush below : Laura and I are anguished by the brutal suffocation of George Floyd and disturbed by the injustice and fear that suffocate our country .
Yet we have resisted the urge to speak out , because this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is time for us to listen .
It is time for America to examine our tragic failures – and as we do , we will also see some of our redeeming strengths .
It remains a shocking failure that many African Americans , especially young African American men , are harassed and threatened in their own country .
It is a strength when protesters , protected by responsible law enforcement , march for a better future .
This tragedy — in a long series of similar tragedies — raises a long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systemic racism in our society ?
The only way to see ourselves in a true light is to listen to the voices of so many who are hurting and grieving .
Those who set out to silence those voices do not understand the meaning of America — or how it becomes a better place .
America 's greatest challenge has long been to unite people of very different backgrounds into a single nation of justice and opportunity .
The doctrine and habits of racial superiority , which once nearly split our country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to American problems are found by living up to American ideals — to the fundamental truth that all human beings are created equal and endowed by God with certain rights .
We have often underestimated how radical that quest really is , and how our cherished principles challenge systems of intended or assumed injustice .
The heroes of America — from Frederick Douglass , to Harriet Tubman , to Abraham Lincoln , to Martin Luther King , Jr. — are heroes of unity .
Their calling has never been for the fainthearted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ bigotry and exploitation — stains on our character sometimes difficult for the American majority to examine .
We can only see the reality of America 's need by seeing it through the eyes of the threatened , oppressed , and disenfranchised .
That is exactly where we now stand .
Many doubt the justice of our country , and with good reason .
Black people see the repeated violation of their rights without an urgent and adequate response from American institutions .
We know that lasting justice will only come by peaceful means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destruction is not progress .
But we also know that lasting peace in our communities requires truly equal justice .
The rule of law ultimately depends on the fairness and legitimacy of the legal system .
And achieving justice for all is the duty of all .
This will require a consistent , courageous , and creative effort .
We serve our neighbors best when we try to understand their experience .
We love our neighbors as ourselves when we treat them as equals , in both protection and compassion .
There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ empathy , and shared commitment , and bold action , and a peace rooted in justice .
I am confident that together , Americans will choose the better way .

Former President George W. Bush on Tuesday spoke out about the turmoil that has followed the death of George Floyd, saying he and former first lady Laura Bush are "disturbed by the injustice and fear that suffocate our country."
Bush, who has largely avoided the spotlight since leaving office in 2009, lamented the enduring stain of racism on American society while condemning the looting and rioting that has accompanied the wave of protests over Floyd's death.
"Many doubt the justice of our country, and with good reason. Black people see the repeated violation of their rights without an urgent and adequate response from American institutions," Bush said in a statement.
But "we know that lasting justice will only come by peaceful means," Bush said. "Looting is not liberation, and destruction is not progress."
Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died in Minneapolis after a white police officer held his knee on Floyd's neck for more than eight minutes. The officer, 44-year-old Derek Chauvin, has since been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
Bush, a Republican, was succeeded in office by Democratic President Barack Obama, who shared his own thoughts on the protests in a blog post Monday.
Where Obama, a former community organizer in Chicago, gave advice for activists seeking to turn the outrage over Floyd's death into meaningful change, Bush's statement offered a broader call for unity.
"This tragedy — in a long series of similar tragedies — raises a long overdue question: How do we end systemic racism in our society? The only way to see ourselves in a true light is to listen to the voices of so many who are hurting and grieving," Bush said.
"Those who set out to silence those voices do not understand the meaning of America — or how it becomes a better place. America's greatest challenge has long been to unite people of very different backgrounds into a single nation of justice and opportunity," he said.
President Donald Trump's own response to the unrest differed dramatically from either of his predecessors. Trump – speaking mainly through social media – has made bellicose calls for law and order, and has heaped pressure on local leaders to crack down more aggressively against looters and rioters.
In an all-caps tweet Tuesday morning, Trump demanded that New York City "CALL UP THE NATIONAL GUARD" because "the lowlifes and losers are ripping you apart." New York Mayor Bill de Blasio refuses to bring the National Guard or any armed forces into the city, saying it would be an unwise and unnecessary step.
Bush was criticized during his two terms in office over his and his administration's handling of racial issues. Critics say his administration's response to Hurricane Katrina, which devastated diverse communities in and around the city of New Orleans, pushed more black Americans away from the Republican Party. Politico in 2015 gave Bush a C- grade on race.
Read the full statement from former President Bush below:
Statement by President George W. Bush
Laura and I are anguished by the brutal suffocation of George Floyd and disturbed by the injustice and fear that suffocate our country. Yet we have resisted the urge to speak out, because this is not the time for us to lecture. It is time for us to listen. It is time for America to examine our tragic failures – and as we do, we will also see some of our redeeming strengths.
It remains a shocking failure that many African Americans, especially young African American men, are harassed and threatened in their own country. It is a strength when protesters, protected by responsible law enforcement, march for a better future. This tragedy — in a long series of similar tragedies — raises a long overdue question: How do we end systemic racism in our society? The only way to see ourselves in a true light is to listen to the voices of so many who are hurting and grieving. Those who set out to silence those voices do not understand the meaning of America — or how it becomes a better place.
America's greatest challenge has long been to unite people of very different backgrounds into a single nation of justice and opportunity. The doctrine and habits of racial superiority, which once nearly split our country, still threaten our Union. The answers to American problems are found by living up to American ideals — to the fundamental truth that all human beings are created equal and endowed by God with certain rights. We have often underestimated how radical that quest really is, and how our cherished principles challenge systems of intended or assumed injustice. The heroes of America — from Frederick Douglass, to Harriet Tubman, to Abraham Lincoln, to Martin Luther King, Jr. — are heroes of unity. Their calling has never been for the fainthearted. They often revealed the nation's disturbing bigotry and exploitation — stains on our character sometimes difficult for the American majority to examine. We can only see the reality of America's need by seeing it through the eyes of the threatened, oppressed, and disenfranchised.
That is exactly where we now stand. Many doubt the justice of our country, and with good reason. Black people see the repeated violation of their rights without an urgent and adequate response from American institutions. We know that lasting justice will only come by peaceful means. Looting is not liberation, and destruction is not progress. But we also know that lasting peace in our communities requires truly equal justice. The rule of law ultimately depends on the fairness and legitimacy of the legal system. And achieving justice for all is the duty of all.
This will require a consistent, courageous, and creative effort. We serve our neighbors best when we try to understand their experience. We love our neighbors as ourselves when we treat them as equals, in both protection and compassion. There is a better way — the way of empathy, and shared commitment, and bold action, and a peace rooted in justice. I am confident that together, Americans will choose the better way.


cnbc--2020-06-04--Read former Defense Secretary Mattis' statement on Trump's handling of nationwide protests

The following is a statement by former Secretary of Defense James Mattis published by The Atlantic .
Mattis , a four-star U.S. Marine Corps General , served as President Donald Trump 's 26th Secretary of Defense from 2017 to 2018 .
In Union There is Strength I have watched this week 's unfolding events , angry and appalled .
The words `` Equal Justice Under Law '' are carved in the pediment of the United States Supreme Court .
This is precisely what protesters are rightly demanding .
It is a wholesome and unifying demand—one that all of us should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must not be distracted by a small number of lawbreakers .
The protests are defined by tens of thousands of people of conscience who are insisting that we live up to our values—our values as people and our values as a nation .
When I joined the military , some 50 years ago , I swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution .
Never did I dream that troops taking that same oath would be ordered under any circumstance to violate the Constitutional rights of their fellow citizens—much less to provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commander-in-chief , with military leadership standing alongside .
We must reject any thinking of our cities as a `` battlespace '' that our uniformed military is called upon to `` dominate . ''
At home , we should use our military only when requested to do so , on very rare occasions , by state governors .
Militarizing our response , as we witnessed in Washington , D.C. , sets up a conflict—a false conflict—between the military and civilian society .
It erodes the moral ground that ensures a trusted bond between men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are sworn to protect , and of which they themselves are a part .
Keeping public order rests with civilian state and local leaders who best understand their communities and are answerable to them .
James Madison wrote in Federalist 14 that `` America united with a handful of troops , or without a single soldier , exhibits a more forbidding posture to foreign ambition than America disunited , with a hundred thousand veterans ready for combat . ''
We do not need to militarize our response to protests .
We need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And it starts by guaranteeing that all of us are equal before the law .
Instructions given by the military departments to our troops before the Normandy invasion reminded soldiers that `` The Nazi slogan for destroying us…was 'Divide and Conquer . '
Our American answer is 'In Union there is Strength . '
'' We must summon that unity to surmount this crisis—confident that we are better than our politics .
Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people—does not even pretend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to divide us .
We are witnessing the consequences of three years of this deliberate effort .
We are witnessing the consequences of three years without mature leadership .
We can unite without him , drawing on the strengths inherent in our civil society .
This will not be easy , as the past few days have shown , but we owe it to our fellow citizens ; to past generations that bled to defend our promise ; and to our children .
We can come through this trying time stronger , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respect for one another .
The pandemic has shown us that it is not only our troops who are willing to offer the ultimate sacrifice for the safety of the community .
Americans in hospitals , grocery stores , post offices , and elsewhere have put their lives on the line in order to serve their fellow citizens and their country .
We know that we are better than the abuse of executive authority that we witnessed in Lafayette Park .
We must reject and hold accountable those in office who would make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same time , we must remember Lincoln 's `` better angels , '' and listen to them , as we work to unite .
Only by adopting a new path—which means , in truth , returning to the original path of our founding ideals—will we again be a country admired and respected at home and abroad .

The following is a statement by former Secretary of Defense James Mattis published by The Atlantic. Mattis, a four-star U.S. Marine Corps General, served as President Donald Trump's 26th Secretary of Defense from 2017 to 2018.
In Union There is Strength
I have watched this week's unfolding events, angry and appalled. The words "Equal Justice Under Law" are carved in the pediment of the United States Supreme Court. This is precisely what protesters are rightly demanding. It is a wholesome and unifying demand—one that all of us should be able to get behind. We must not be distracted by a small number of lawbreakers. The protests are defined by tens of thousands of people of conscience who are insisting that we live up to our values—our values as people and our values as a nation.
When I joined the military, some 50 years ago, I swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution. Never did I dream that troops taking that same oath would be ordered under any circumstance to violate the Constitutional rights of their fellow citizens—much less to provide a bizarre photo op for the elected commander-in-chief, with military leadership standing alongside.
We must reject any thinking of our cities as a "battlespace" that our uniformed military is called upon to "dominate." At home, we should use our military only when requested to do so, on very rare occasions, by state governors. Militarizing our response, as we witnessed in Washington, D.C., sets up a conflict—a false conflict—between the military and civilian society. It erodes the moral ground that ensures a trusted bond between men and women in uniform and the society they are sworn to protect, and of which they themselves are a part. Keeping public order rests with civilian state and local leaders who best understand their communities and are answerable to them.
James Madison wrote in Federalist 14 that "America united with a handful of troops, or without a single soldier, exhibits a more forbidding posture to foreign ambition than America disunited, with a hundred thousand veterans ready for combat." We do not need to militarize our response to protests. We need to unite around a common purpose. And it starts by guaranteeing that all of us are equal before the law.
Instructions given by the military departments to our troops before the Normandy invasion reminded soldiers that "The Nazi slogan for destroying us…was 'Divide and Conquer.' Our American answer is 'In Union there is Strength.'" We must summon that unity to surmount this crisis—confident that we are better than our politics.
Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people—does not even pretend to try. Instead, he tries to divide us. We are witnessing the consequences of three years of this deliberate effort. We are witnessing the consequences of three years without mature leadership. We can unite without him, drawing on the strengths inherent in our civil society. This will not be easy, as the past few days have shown, but we owe it to our fellow citizens; to past generations that bled to defend our promise; and to our children.
We can come through this trying time stronger, and with a renewed sense of purpose and respect for one another. The pandemic has shown us that it is not only our troops who are willing to offer the ultimate sacrifice for the safety of the community. Americans in hospitals, grocery stores, post offices, and elsewhere have put their lives on the line in order to serve their fellow citizens and their country. We know that we are better than the abuse of executive authority that we witnessed in Lafayette Park. We must reject and hold accountable those in office who would make a mockery of our Constitution. At the same time, we must remember Lincoln's "better angels," and listen to them, as we work to unite.
Only by adopting a new path—which means, in truth, returning to the original path of our founding ideals—will we again be a country admired and respected at home and abroad.
James Mattis


cnbc--2020-06-04--3 more cops charged in George Floyd death, other officer's murder charge upgraded

Three former Minneapolis police officers were charged Wednesday with aiding and abetting murder in connection with the death of George Floyd in their custody , Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced Wednesday .
Derek Chauvin , a fourth former officer who had already been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter , will now also be charged with second-degree murder , Ellison said .
`` We are here today because George Floyd is not here , '' Ellison , a Democrat , said at a news conference in St. Paul , Minnesota , announcing the charges .
Ellison predicted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months , and urged the public to be patient as his office builds cases .
`` George Floyd mattered .
He was loved .
His family was important .
His life had value .
And we will seek justice for him and for you , '' Ellison said .
He noted that winning the cases `` will not be an easy thing .
Winning a conviction will be hard . ''
`` In order to be thorough , this is going to take months , and I do not know how many , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was deputy chair of the Democratic National Committee from 2017 to 2018 , said .
`` But it is better to make sure we have a solid case , fully investigated , researched , before we go to trial , than to rush it .
It will take a while and I ca n't set a deadline on that . ''
Chauvin , who is white , was charged Friday with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter after video footage emerged showing him kneeling on Floyd 's neck for nearly nine minutes as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handcuffed , crying out that he could not breathe .
At one point during the arrest Floyd also told the officers that `` I 'm about to die , '' according to the charging documents filed Wednesday .
The three ex-cops who had not yet been charged , Tou Thao , J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane , assisted Chauvin in arresting Floyd on Memorial Day on suspicion that Floyd passed a counterfeit bill .
All four officers were fired last week .
Drew Evans , superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that one of the officers charged Wednesday was in custody , and the other two were expected to be taken into custody later in the day .
He did not specify which of the three was already in custody .
Chauvin has been in custody since last week .
The video shows that Chauvin continued to keep his knee of Floyd 's neck even after Floyd became unresponsive .
Floyd 's death has sparked widespread protests against police violence in dozens of cities across the country , with demonstrators and Floyd 's family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thao , Kueng and Lane .
The family also has demanded that Chauvin , 44 , face a first-degree murder charge .
Ellison said that he did not allow public pressure to influence his decision-making .
`` We made these decisions based on the facts that we have gathered , '' he said .
Ben Crump , an attorney for the family , said in a statement earlier in the day that the family 's reaction to the charges was that it was `` a bittersweet moment . ''
`` We are deeply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , arresting & charging ALL the officers involved in # GeorgeFloyd 's death & upgrading the charge against Derek Chauvin to felony second-degree murder , '' Crump wrote in a post on Twitter .
Quincy Mason Floyd , George Floyd 's son , said in an interview on CNN after news of the charges broke : `` We demand justice .
My father should n't have been killed like this .
We want justice . ''
A second-degree murder charge carries a statutory maximum sentence of 40 years upon conviction , compared with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 34 , Kueng , 26 , and Lane , 37 , are charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter .
The first count has a maximum possible sentence of 40 years in prison , while the manslaughter-related count has a 10-year maximum prison sentence .
Actual sentences are often short of the maximum .
The Hennepin County Attorney 's Office was handling prosecutions stemming from George Floyd 's death until Minnesota Gov .
Tim Walz assigned Ellison the responsibility on Sunday .
Minneapolis is located in Hennepin County .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Minneapolis and he will be buried in Houston next week .
He was 46 years old .
Two separate autopsies , one commissioned by Floyd 's family and another performed by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner 's Office , both found that Floyd 's death was a homicide , but differed in their determinations of its causes .
The Hennepin County medical examiner 's autopsy found that Floyd died from `` cardiopulmonary arrest '' that was complicated by police subduing him with restraint and neck compression .
The autopsy also cited underlying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But the independent autopsy , conducted by pathologists hired by Floyd 's family , found that he died from asphyxiation , and that pressure on both his neck and back contributed .
Dr. Michael Baden , one of the pathologists and a former chief medical examiner for New York City , said Monday that Floyd `` had no underlying medical problems that caused or contributed to his death . ''
The original criminal complaint against Chauvin details Kueng 's and Lane 's actions during Floyd 's arrest .
According to the complaint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lane held his legs .
At one point , Kueng checked for a pulse , and said `` I could n't find one , '' according to the complaint .
But he and the other cops stayed in their positions for approximately two more minutes .
Floyd repeatedly told the officers that he could not breathe , cried out for his deceased mother and asked the officers `` please , '' the complaint against Chauvin reads .
In all , Chauvin held his knee on Floyd 's neck for eight minutes and 46 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Floyd became unresponsive , according to the complaint .

A screen grab of video obtained by NBC News appears to show four officers during the arrest of George Floyd. NBC
Three former Minneapolis police officers were charged Wednesday with aiding and abetting murder in connection with the death of George Floyd in their custody, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced Wednesday. Derek Chauvin, a fourth former officer who had already been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, will now also be charged with second-degree murder, Ellison said.
Former Minneapolis police officers (L to R) Tou Thao, Thomas Lane, Alexander Kueng
"We are here today because George Floyd is not here," Ellison, a Democrat, said at a news conference in St. Paul, Minnesota, announcing the charges. Ellison predicted that the prosecution of the officers could take months, and urged the public to be patient as his office builds cases. "George Floyd mattered. He was loved. His family was important. His life had value. And we will seek justice for him and for you," Ellison said. He noted that winning the cases "will not be an easy thing. Winning a conviction will be hard." "In order to be thorough, this is going to take months, and I do not know how many," Ellison, a former U.S. representative who was deputy chair of the Democratic National Committee from 2017 to 2018, said. "But it is better to make sure we have a solid case, fully investigated, researched, before we go to trial, than to rush it. It will take a while and I can't set a deadline on that." Chauvin, who is white, was charged Friday with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter after video footage emerged showing him kneeling on Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes as Floyd, a black man, lay handcuffed, crying out that he could not breathe. At one point during the arrest Floyd also told the officers that "I'm about to die," according to the charging documents filed Wednesday.
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The three ex-cops who had not yet been charged, Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane, assisted Chauvin in arresting Floyd on Memorial Day on suspicion that Floyd passed a counterfeit bill. All four officers were fired last week. Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, appeared alongside Ellison and said that one of the officers charged Wednesday was in custody, and the other two were expected to be taken into custody later in the day. He did not specify which of the three was already in custody. Chauvin has been in custody since last week. crump tweet The video shows that Chauvin continued to keep his knee of Floyd's neck even after Floyd became unresponsive. Floyd's death has sparked widespread protests against police violence in dozens of cities across the country, with demonstrators and Floyd's family calling for charges to be brought against Thao, Kueng and Lane. The family also has demanded that Chauvin, 44, face a first-degree murder charge. Ellison said that he did not allow public pressure to influence his decision-making. "We made these decisions based on the facts that we have gathered," he said. Ben Crump, an attorney for the family, said in a statement earlier in the day that the family's reaction to the charges was that it was "a bittersweet moment." "We are deeply gratified that @AGEllison took decisive action, arresting & charging ALL the officers involved in #GeorgeFloyd's death & upgrading the charge against Derek Chauvin to felony second-degree murder," Crump wrote in a post on Twitter.
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Quincy Mason Floyd, George Floyd's son, said in an interview on CNN after news of the charges broke: "We demand justice. My father shouldn't have been killed like this. We want justice." A second-degree murder charge carries a statutory maximum sentence of 40 years upon conviction, compared with 25 years for third-degree murder. Thao, 34, Kueng, 26, and Lane, 37, are charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. The first count has a maximum possible sentence of 40 years in prison, while the manslaughter-related count has a 10-year maximum prison sentence. Actual sentences are often short of the maximum. The Hennepin County Attorney's Office was handling prosecutions stemming from George Floyd's death until Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz assigned Ellison the responsibility on Sunday. Minneapolis is located in Hennepin County. Floyd's memorial is scheduled for Thursday in Minneapolis and he will be buried in Houston next week. He was 46 years old.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison answers questions about the investigation into the death of George Floyd, who died while in the custody of Minneapolis police officers, during a news conference in St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S. May 27, 2020. John Autey | Reuters
Two separate autopsies, one commissioned by Floyd's family and another performed by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office, both found that Floyd's death was a homicide, but differed in their determinations of its causes. The Hennepin County medical examiner's autopsy found that Floyd died from "cardiopulmonary arrest" that was complicated by police subduing him with restraint and neck compression. The autopsy also cited underlying health conditions as contributing to his death. But the independent autopsy, conducted by pathologists hired by Floyd's family, found that he died from asphyxiation, and that pressure on both his neck and back contributed. Dr. Michael Baden, one of the pathologists and a former chief medical examiner for New York City, said Monday that Floyd "had no underlying medical problems that caused or contributed to his death." The original criminal complaint against Chauvin details Kueng's and Lane's actions during Floyd's arrest. According to the complaint, Kueng held Floyd's back and Lane held his legs. At one point, Kueng checked for a pulse, and said "I couldn't find one," according to the complaint. But he and the other cops stayed in their positions for approximately two more minutes. Floyd repeatedly told the officers that he could not breathe, cried out for his deceased mother and asked the officers "please," the complaint against Chauvin reads. In all, Chauvin held his knee on Floyd's neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds, including for nearly three minutes after Floyd became unresponsive, according to the complaint.
Booking photo of former Minneapolis Officer Derek Chauvin Photo provided by Ramsey County Jail
Video tape of the encounter shows bystanders calling for the officers to get off of him. In an emotional speech earlier on Wednesday, Crump, the Floyd family attorney, said Floyd "cried out for anybody who would listen." "It seemed like the lay people on the street were listening. The people who refused to listen were the people who were supposed to listen," Crump said, speaking from the site where Floyd was killed.


cnbc--2020-06-04--Bail set at up to $1 million for three ex-Minneapolis police officers charged with abetting alleged

Bail set at up to $1 million for three ex-Minneapolis police officers charged with abetting alleged murder of George Floyd

Three now-former Minneapolis police officers had bail set at up to $ 1 million at their arraignment Thursday on charges of aiding and abetting a fourth cop in the alleged murder of George Floyd , a black man whose Memorial Day death while in their custody has led to more than a week of protests nationwide over police brutality .
But with certain conditions , the three men could be released on bail of $ 750,000 apiece , Judge Paul Scoggin said , before ordering them to next appear in court on June 29 .
`` I 'm hard-pressed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case , '' Scoggin said , as he agreed with the recommendation by Minnesota Assistant Attorney General Matthew Frank that unconditional bail of $ 1 million apiece , and $ 750,000 bail apiece with conditions , was warranted .
Those bail conditions include not working in any law enforcement capacity , surrendering any firearms , voiding their firearm permits , having no contact with Floyd 's family and agreeing to waive extradition should they leave the state of Minnesota .
The hearing in Hennepin County District Court came a day after Minnesota Attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , J. Alexander Kueng , 26 , Thomas Lane , 37 , and 34-year-old Tou Thao , with aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter .
The trio had assisted another Minneapolis police officer , Derek Chauvin , in arresting the 46-year-old Floyd on May 25 on suspicion of making a purchase with a counterfeit $ 20 bill .
Chauvin , who is white , knelt on Floyd 's neck for nearly nine minutes , during which Floyd said repeatedly , `` I ca n't breathe . ''
None of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were brought into Scoggin 's courtroom to sit behind frosted glass facing the judge , out of view of others present in the room .
Frank argued for the high bail amounts by citing widespread public knowledge of the case , and the risk that the defendants would flee to avoid the charges , which could result in long prison sentences if they are convicted .
The murder-related charge carries a 40-year maximum sentence .
Lawyers for each of the men had asked for much-lower bail amounts .
At the same time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd , one of several planned , was being held in downtown Minneapolis .

Three now-former Minneapolis police officers had bail set at up to $1 million at their arraignment Thursday on charges of aiding and abetting a fourth cop in the alleged murder of George Floyd, a black man whose Memorial Day death while in their custody has led to more than a week of protests nationwide over police brutality.
But with certain conditions, the three men could be released on bail of $750,000 apiece, Judge Paul Scoggin said, before ordering them to next appear in court on June 29.
"I'm hard-pressed to come up with any comparisons in this case," Scoggin said, as he agreed with the recommendation by Minnesota Assistant Attorney General Matthew Frank that unconditional bail of $1 million apiece, and $750,000 bail apiece with conditions, was warranted.
Those bail conditions include not working in any law enforcement capacity, surrendering any firearms, voiding their firearm permits, having no contact with Floyd's family and agreeing to waive extradition should they leave the state of Minnesota.
The hearing in Hennepin County District Court came a day after Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison charged the men:, J. Alexander Kueng, 26, Thomas Lane, 37, and 34-year-old Tou Thao, with aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
The trio had assisted another Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin, in arresting the 46-year-old Floyd on May 25 on suspicion of making a purchase with a counterfeit $20 bill.
Chauvin, who is white, knelt on Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes, during which Floyd said repeatedly, "I can't breathe."
None of the three entered pleas to the charges after they were brought into Scoggin's courtroom to sit behind frosted glass facing the judge, out of view of others present in the room.
Frank argued for the high bail amounts by citing widespread public knowledge of the case, and the risk that the defendants would flee to avoid the charges, which could result in long prison sentences if they are convicted. The murder-related charge carries a 40-year maximum sentence.
Lawyers for each of the men had asked for much-lower bail amounts.
At the same time as the hearing, a memorial for Floyd, one of several planned, was being held in downtown Minneapolis.


cnbc--2020-06-05--Democrats plan to introduce police reform bill on Monday, Nancy Pelosi says

U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) delivers remarks during a weekly news conference on Capitol Hill @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 .
Democrats plan to introduce a police reform bill Monday during a nationwide @ @ @ @ @ racism in the justice system .
The legislation , drafted by members of the Congressional @ @ @ @ @ to address excessive use of force , qualified immunity and racial profiling , House Speaker @ @ @ @ @ .
Qualified immunity makes it harder for victims of violence and their families to sue @ @ @ @ @ country have called for reform after a string of police-involved killings of black men and @ @ @ @ @ in particular the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis , have led to increased furor @ @ @ @ @ United States .
The legislation would mark the first federal effort to overhaul policing spurred @ @ @ @ @ reckoning over racism in decades .
Pelosi , a California Democrat , said she hopes @ @ @ @ @ `` inflection point '' on improving the justice system .

U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) delivers remarks during a weekly news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, May 28, 2020.
Democrats plan to introduce a police reform bill Monday during a nationwide uproar over police brutality and racism in the justice system.
The legislation, drafted by members of the Congressional Black Caucus, will aim to address excessive use of force, qualified immunity and racial profiling, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters Thursday. Qualified immunity makes it harder for victims of violence and their families to sue police.
Protesters across the country have called for reform after a string of police-involved killings of black men and women. The deaths, in particular the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, have led to increased furor over entrenched racism in the United States.
The legislation would mark the first federal effort to overhaul policing spurred by perhaps the biggest nationwide reckoning over racism in decades. Pelosi, a California Democrat, said she hopes the U.S. has reached an "inflection point" on improving the justice system.


cnbc--2020-06-04--'All I want is a reason': GOP senator blocks Trump's nominations until administration explains why i

'All I want is a reason': GOP senator blocks Trump's nominations until administration explains why it fired watchdogs

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley ( R-IA ) talks with reporters as he heads for a meeting at the Capitol October 02 , 2018 in Washington , DC .
Sen. Chuck Grassley , R-Iowa , on Thursday said he would block two Trump administration nominations until the White House explained why it fired two federal watchdogs .
Grassley had previously sent letters to President Donald Trump asking for explanations after the firings of Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson and State Department Inspector General Steve Linick .
The White House counsel responded to Grassley 's letter in late May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` failed to address '' the requirement that there be a `` good reason '' for such a termination , Grassley said at the time .
In a tweet Thursday afternoon , Grassley said he was `` placing holds '' on the Trump administration 's nominations `` until I get reasons '' for the firings `` as required by law . ''
`` All I want is a reason 4 firing these ppl , '' Grassley added in a shorthand-style text for which he has become known online .
`` CHECKS & BALANCES @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blocking the nominations of Christopher Miller to be the director of the National Counterterrorism Center and Marshall Billingslea to be the State Department 's undersecretary for arms control and international security .
Trump fired Linick in a surprise , late-night move on May 15 on a recommendation from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , who was involved in at least two investigations reportedly being conducted by the watchdog 's office at the time .
In a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , Trump said he lost `` confidence '' in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats are investigating whether the firing was a retributive move by Pompeo , who last month admitted that he had answered questions sent from Linick 's office related to a probe .
Despite that admission , Pompeo said he could not have been retaliating against Linick when he recommended his removal because he was unaware of the inspector general 's investigations at the time .
Linick told Congress in a private interview Wednesday that he told at least three of Pompeo 's aides about one of the investigations — a probe into whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — before he was fired , NBC News reported .
Pompeo has said since the firing that Linick should have been terminated earlier .
`` He was acting in a way that was deeply inconsistent with what the State Department was trying to do , '' the secretary said in a Fox News interview .
He added that Linick was leaking information , had refused to allow his office to participate in a coronavirus protection team and was `` investigating policies he simply did n't like . ''
Linick , however , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The record shows that I have served without regard to politics , '' NBC reported .
In April , Trump ordered the removal of Michael Atkinson , the inspector general of the intelligence community who had flagged the Ukraine whistleblower complaint that became a major catalyst for Trump 's eventual impeachment in the House .
Trump was acquitted in the Senate .
Days later , Trump removed acting Pentagon Inspector General Glenn Fine , who was overseeing the $ 2 trillion coronavirus relief package .
Trump in early May also moved to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christi Grimm , who weeks earlier had sent the president a report showing that hospitals were lacking the supplies necessary to combat the pandemic .
Grassley , a co-founder of the Whistleblower Protection Caucus , entered statements in the congressional record Thursday objecting to `` any unanimous consent request '' related to the nominations , his office told CNBC .
The White House did not immediately respond to CNBC 's request for comment on Grassley 's actions .

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) talks with reporters as he heads for a meeting at the Capitol October 02, 2018 in Washington, DC.
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, on Thursday said he would block two Trump administration nominations until the White House explained why it fired two federal watchdogs.
Grassley had previously sent letters to President Donald Trump asking for explanations after the firings of Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson and State Department Inspector General Steve Linick.
The White House counsel responded to Grassley's letter in late May about Linick's ouster, but it "failed to address" the requirement that there be a "good reason" for such a termination, Grassley said at the time.
In a tweet Thursday afternoon, Grassley said he was "placing holds" on the Trump administration's nominations "until I get reasons" for the firings "as required by law."
"All I want is a reason 4 firing these ppl," Grassley added in a shorthand-style text for which he has become known online. "CHECKS&BALANCES," Grassley added.
Grassley TWEET
Grassley was blocking the nominations of Christopher Miller to be the director of the National Counterterrorism Center and Marshall Billingslea to be the State Department's undersecretary for arms control and international security.
Trump fired Linick in a surprise, late-night move on May 15 on a recommendation from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who was involved in at least two investigations reportedly being conducted by the watchdog's office at the time.
In a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Trump said he lost "confidence" in Linick, without providing further explanation.
Democrats are investigating whether the firing was a retributive move by Pompeo, who last month admitted that he had answered questions sent from Linick's office related to a probe. Despite that admission, Pompeo said he could not have been retaliating against Linick when he recommended his removal because he was unaware of the inspector general's investigations at the time.
Linick told Congress in a private interview Wednesday that he told at least three of Pompeo's aides about one of the investigations — a probe into whether Pompeo and his wife misused government resources — before he was fired, NBC News reported.
Pompeo has said since the firing that Linick should have been terminated earlier. "He was acting in a way that was deeply inconsistent with what the State Department was trying to do," the secretary said in a Fox News interview.
He added that Linick was leaking information, had refused to allow his office to participate in a coronavirus protection team and was "investigating policies he simply didn't like."
Linick, however, said in his private interview with Congress, "The record shows that I have served without regard to politics," NBC reported.
In April, Trump ordered the removal of Michael Atkinson, the inspector general of the intelligence community who had flagged the Ukraine whistleblower complaint that became a major catalyst for Trump's eventual impeachment in the House. Trump was acquitted in the Senate.
Days later, Trump removed acting Pentagon Inspector General Glenn Fine, who was overseeing the $2 trillion coronavirus relief package. Trump in early May also moved to replace Health and Human Services Inspector General Christi Grimm, who weeks earlier had sent the president a report showing that hospitals were lacking the supplies necessary to combat the pandemic.
Grassley, a co-founder of the Whistleblower Protection Caucus, entered statements in the congressional record Thursday objecting to "any unanimous consent request" related to the nominations, his office told CNBC.
The White House did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment on Grassley's actions.


cnbc--2020-06-04--'Big George' and banana sandwiches: Floyd family shares memories at emotional Minneapolis memorial

George Floyd 's extended family shared their memories of `` Big George '' and called for justice during emotional remarks on Thursday at Floyd 's Minneapolis memorial service .
The event , which was attended by friends and family but streamed live to the public , marked the first time that many Americans learned about the personality and life of the man whose death in the custody of Minneapolis police officers last week has spurred days of protests in dozens of cities across the country .
`` He was teaching us how to be a man because he was in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd , George Floyd 's youngest brother , said at the service .
`` I want you guys to know that he would stand up against any injustice anywhere , '' he said .
Philonise Floyd , another one of Floyd 's brothers , said his brother was `` like a general . ''
`` Every day , he walks outside , there would be a line of people ... wanting to greet him , wanting to have fun with him , '' Philonise Floyd said .
`` We came up together .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mom did what she could .
We would sleep in the same beds .
Play video games together .
Go outside and play football .
I used to say to myself , man , you ca n't throw , you ca n't throw the ball , because the ball never came to me , '' Philonise Floyd said .
He added that his brother had several nicknames — Big George , Big Floyd , Georgie Porgie — and eclectic eating habits .
`` We made banana mayonnaise sandwiches together — it was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Brandon Williams , Floyd 's nephew , said Floyd was `` loving , and caring , and someone I could count on no matter what . ''
`` I 'm trying not to be sad .
This is a lot harder than I thought it would be , '' Williams said .
Williams said that Floyd was a big fan of LeBron James .
After James ' team , the Cleveland Cavaliers , won the 2016 NBA championship against the Golden State Warriors , Williams said he remembered telling Floyd that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You sound like you won the championship , '' Williams said he told Floyd .
`` We laughed about it , and he said , 'You know how I feel about LeBron .
I did win the championship . '
So , every time we would talk , I would ask him , 'Hey , how are you doing man , you good ? '
And he would say , ' I feel like I won a championship , ' '' Williams said .
`` And that kind of stuck .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know with him being the strong person that he was , and seeing everyone coming together , rallying around him and extending all this love and support to our family , we are thankful and grateful , and I know , more than anything , with everybody grieving and hurting , he would want us to feel like we won the championship , '' Williams said .
Several more services are expected in the coming days in North Carolina and Texas .
Floyd 's funeral will be held in Houston on Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Martin' The march , scheduled for Aug. 28 , will take place on the the anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington , where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered the `` I Have a Dream '' speech .
`` We are going back to Washington , Martin , '' Sharpton said , addressing Martin Luther King III , who attended the memorial .
`` Just like in one era we had to fight slavery , another era Jim Crow , another era we dealt with voting rights , this is the era to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Sharpton said .
`` We need to go back to Washington and stand up : Black , white , Latino , Arab , in the shadows of Lincoln , and tell them : This is the time to stop this . ''
Sharpton also said during the eulogy that `` George Floyd 's story has been the story of black folks . ''
`` Because ever since 401 years ago , the reason we could never be who we wanted and dreamed of being is you kept your knee on our neck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were smarter than the underfunded schools you put us in , but you had your knee on our neck , '' Sharpton said .
`` We could run corporations and not hustle in the street , but you had your knee on our neck .
We had creative skills , we could do whatever anybody else could do , but we could n't get your knee off our neck . ''
Memorial came as officers arraigned on charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder The memorial service , hosted at North Central University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced that all four former police officers involved in Floyd 's violent arrest will face charges .
Three of those officers , J. Alexander Kueng , Thomas Lane and Tou Thao , were arraigned on charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter nearly simultaneously with the memorial service .
Their bail was set at up to $ 1 million each .
A fourth former officer , Derek Chauvin , was charged on Friday with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter .
Ellison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Philonise Floyd speaks during a memorial service for his brother George Floyd following his death in Minneapolis police custody, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., June 4, 2020. Lucas Jackson | Reuters
George Floyd's extended family shared their memories of "Big George" and called for justice during emotional remarks on Thursday at Floyd's Minneapolis memorial service. The event, which was attended by friends and family but streamed live to the public, marked the first time that many Americans learned about the personality and life of the man whose death in the custody of Minneapolis police officers last week has spurred days of protests in dozens of cities across the country. "He was teaching us how to be a man because he was in this world before us," Rodney Floyd, George Floyd's youngest brother, said at the service. "I want you guys to know that he would stand up against any injustice anywhere," he said. Philonise Floyd, another one of Floyd's brothers, said his brother was "like a general." "Every day, he walks outside, there would be a line of people ... wanting to greet him, wanting to have fun with him," Philonise Floyd said.
George Floyd's family speak during a memorial service for Floyd on June 4, 2020, at North Central University's Frank J. Lindquist Sanctuary in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Kerem Yucel | AFP | Getty Images
"We came up together. We didn't have much. Our mom did what she could. We would sleep in the same beds. Play video games together. Go outside and play football. I used to say to myself, man, you can't throw, you can't throw the ball, because the ball never came to me," Philonise Floyd said. He added that his brother had several nicknames — Big George, Big Floyd, Georgie Porgie — and eclectic eating habits. "We made banana mayonnaise sandwiches together — it was a family thing," Philonise Floyd said. Brandon Williams, Floyd's nephew, said Floyd was "loving, and caring, and someone I could count on no matter what." "I'm trying not to be sad. This is a lot harder than I thought it would be," Williams said. Williams said that Floyd was a big fan of LeBron James. After James' team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, won the 2016 NBA championship against the Golden State Warriors, Williams said he remembered telling Floyd that he seemed too happy about it. "You sound like you won the championship," Williams said he told Floyd. "We laughed about it, and he said, 'You know how I feel about LeBron. I did win the championship.' So, every time we would talk, I would ask him, 'Hey, how are you doing man, you good?' And he would say, 'I feel like I won a championship,'" Williams said.
Courtney Ross George Floyd's girlfriend pays respect during a memorial service for George Floyd following his death in Minneapolis police custody, in Minneapolis, in Minneapolis, U.S., June 4, 2020. Lucas Jackson | Reuters
"And that kind of stuck. It was this inside thing we had. I know with him being the strong person that he was, and seeing everyone coming together, rallying around him and extending all this love and support to our family, we are thankful and grateful, and I know, more than anything, with everybody grieving and hurting, he would want us to feel like we won the championship," Williams said. Several more services are expected in the coming days in North Carolina and Texas. Floyd's funeral will be held in Houston on Tuesday.
'We are going back to Washington, Martin'
Rev. Al Sharpton, who delivered Floyd's eulogy, used the address to announce a march against police violence tin Washington over the summer.
Reverend Al Sharpton speaks during a memorial service for George Floyd following his death in Minneapolis police custody, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., June 4, 2020. Lucas Jackson | Reuters
The march, scheduled for Aug. 28, will take place on the the anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington, where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered the "I Have a Dream" speech. "We are going back to Washington, Martin," Sharpton said, addressing Martin Luther King III, who attended the memorial. "Just like in one era we had to fight slavery, another era Jim Crow, another era we dealt with voting rights, this is the era to deal with policing and criminal justice," Sharpton said. "We need to go back to Washington and stand up: Black, white, Latino, Arab, in the shadows of Lincoln, and tell them: This is the time to stop this." Sharpton also said during the eulogy that "George Floyd's story has been the story of black folks." "Because ever since 401 years ago, the reason we could never be who we wanted and dreamed of being is you kept your knee on our neck," Sharpton said. "We were smarter than the underfunded schools you put us in, but you had your knee on our neck," Sharpton said. "We could run corporations and not hustle in the street, but you had your knee on our neck. We had creative skills, we could do whatever anybody else could do, but we couldn't get your knee off our neck."
Memorial came as officers arraigned on charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder
The memorial service, hosted at North Central University in downtown Minneapolis, came one day after Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced that all four former police officers involved in Floyd's violent arrest will face charges. Three of those officers, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao, were arraigned on charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter nearly simultaneously with the memorial service. Their bail was set at up to $1 million each. A fourth former officer, Derek Chauvin, was charged on Friday with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Ellison added a second-degree murder charge on Wednesday.
This combination of photos provided by the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office in Minnesota on Wednesday, June 3, 2020, shows Derek Chauvin, from left, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao. Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder of George Floyd, a black man who died after being restrained by him and the other Minneapolis police officers on May 25. Kueng, Lane and Thao have been charged with aiding and abetting Chauvin. Hennepin County Sheriff's Office | AP


cnbc--2020-06-04--Ponzi scheme king Bernie Madoff denied compassionate prison release by federal judge

A federal judge on Thursday rejected a request to release notorious Ponzi scheme fraudster Bernie Madoff early from a 150-year prison sentence despite Madoff 's plea that he is dying from kidney disease .
Judge Denny Chin 's ruling noted that Madoff , 82 , committed `` one of the most egregious financial crimes of all time , '' and that `` many people are still suffering from '' it .
Chin 's denial came four months after Madoff , who orchestrated the largest Ponzi scheme in history at his self-named Manhattan investment firm , said in a court filing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to live , and asked to be set free to spend his remaining days living with a friend .
Madoff pleaded guilty in 2009 to 11 crimes related to swindling billions of dollars from thousands of investors .
He is currently being held at a federal medical facility in North Carolina .
Chin 's ruling detailed the massive scope of Madoff 's crimes , the approximately 500 letters from victims that opposed his release because of the `` staggering human toll '' from his deeds , and the judge 's own belief that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' for his decades-long fraud .
One of Madoff 's victims had written Chin , `` I believe with all my heart that my husband would be alive today if he had not had to deal with the stress and emotional despair that the loss of almost all our money had on our family . ''
The judge in his ruling U.S. District Court in Manhattan wrote , `` When I sentenced Mr. Madoff in 2009 , it was fully my intent that he live out the rest of his life in prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentence of 12 to 15 to 20 years , specifically with the hope that Mr. Madoff would live to see `` the light of day , ' `` '' I was not persuaded ; I did not believe that Mr. Madoff was deserving of that hope .
Nothing has happened in the 11 years since to change my thinking . ''
`` While Mr. Madoff 's present medical situation is most unfortunate , compassionate release is not warranted , '' wrote Chin , who like other federal judges in 2018 was granted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grounds under The First Step Act .

A federal judge on Thursday rejected a request to release notorious Ponzi scheme fraudster Bernie Madoff early from a 150-year prison sentence despite Madoff's plea that he is dying from kidney disease.
Judge Denny Chin's ruling noted that Madoff, 82, committed "one of the most egregious financial crimes of all time," and that "many people are still suffering from" it.
Chin's denial came four months after Madoff, who orchestrated the largest Ponzi scheme in history at his self-named Manhattan investment firm, said in a court filing that he had less than 18 months to live, and asked to be set free to spend his remaining days living with a friend.
Madoff pleaded guilty in 2009 to 11 crimes related to swindling billions of dollars from thousands of investors.
He is currently being held at a federal medical facility in North Carolina.
Chin's ruling detailed the massive scope of Madoff's crimes, the approximately 500 letters from victims that opposed his release because of the "staggering human toll" from his deeds, and the judge's own belief that "Mr. Madoff was never truly remorseful" for his decades-long fraud.
One of Madoff's victims had written Chin, "I believe with all my heart that my husband would be alive today if he had not had to deal with the stress and emotional despair that the loss of almost all our money had on our family."
The judge in his ruling U.S. District Court in Manhattan wrote, "When I sentenced Mr. Madoff in 2009, it was fully my intent that he live out the rest of his life in prison. His lawyers asked then for a sentence of 12 to 15 to 20 years, specifically with the hope that Mr. Madoff would live to see "the light of day,' "
"I was not persuaded; I did not believe that Mr. Madoff was deserving of that hope. Nothing has happened in the 11 years since to change my thinking."
"While Mr. Madoff's present medical situation is most unfortunate, compassionate release is not warranted," wrote Chin, who like other federal judges in 2018 was granted the power to release federal inmates on health grounds under The First Step Act.


cnbc--2020-06-04--Joe Biden's lead against Trump in the 2020 election is growing wider, polls show

With the 2020 election now less than five months away , polls show former Vice President Joe Biden pulling further ahead of President Donald Trump , even as the apparent Democratic nominee 's campaign remains hampered by the coronavirus .
While Biden has outpaced Trump in most national polls since launching his White House bid in April 2019 , the former vice president 's lead has widened significantly since last month , according to polling averages from RealClearPolitics .
RCP 's average currently gives Biden a 7.8 percentage point lead over Trump — a significant jump from the 5.3-point edge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 4 , 2016 , the RCP polling average showed then-Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton ahead of Trump by 1.5 points .
Some individual polls show an even wider gap between Biden and the incumbent .
A Monmouth University poll of 742 registered voters released Wednesday found that Biden led Trump by 11 points , with 52 % of voters supporting Biden and 41 % backing Trump .
Biden scored a 10-point lead over Trump in another poll of 835 registered voters from ABC News and The Washington Post on Sunday .
And a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a 48 % -41 % advantage over Trump among national likely voters .
The previous version of that survey gave Biden just a 3-point lead over Trump .
`` Everyone knows public polling is notoriously wrong about President Trump , '' said Tim Murtaugh , the Trump campaign 's communications director , in a statement to CNBC .
`` Our internal data consistently shows the President running strong against a defined Joe Biden in all of our key states , '' Murtaugh said .
The New York Times reported Wednesday that Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polls , citing people briefed on recent polling results .
According to RCP , Biden also holds leads , albeit narrower ones , in key swing states Michigan , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin , which Trump flipped in 2016 .
Biden also recently surged to the lead in betting markets .
The polls from Monmouth and others surveyed respondents after the death of George Floyd , an unarmed black man who died during an arrest after a white police officer held his knee on Floyd 's neck for more than eight minutes .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , set off a nationwide protest movement against police brutality and systemic racism .
Monmouth University polling director Patrick Murray suggested the reaction to Floyd 's death was a factor in Trump 's decline in the polls against Biden .
`` The race continues to be largely a referendum on the incumbent .
The initial reaction to ongoing racial unrest in the country suggests that most voters feel Trump is not handling the situation all that well , '' Murray said in a press release .
Biden 's rise in the polls comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear of in-person campaign events amid the coronavirus crisis .
Biden since March has largely campaigned from home through online events , though he delivered a public address in Philadelphia on Tuesday in which he vowed to `` work to not only rebuild this nation , but to build it better than it was . ''
At least 107,000 people in the U.S. have died from Covid-19 so far , data from Johns Hopkins University show .
Trump 's approval ratings have hovered in the low-to-mid-40 % range for most of his presidency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Recent polls also show a decline in approval of Trump 's handling of the pandemic and give the president low marks for his response to the civil unrest that followed Floyd 's death .
A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted this week found that Trump 's handling of the protests received lower marks than his overall approval rating : More than 55 % of the American adults surveyed said they disapproved of Trump 's handling of the protests , compared with about one-third who said they approved .
Trump has taken an aggressive stance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and looting that has taken place in numerous cities and pressuring state leaders to call in the National Guard .
Reuters/Ipsos found that 64 % of American adults said they were sympathetic to the protesters , while 27 % said they were not .
`` Instead of working to heal the raw wound of systemic racism and injustice ripped open once more by the murder of George Floyd , Trump has fomented hate and division , '' Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates told CNBC .
`` The American people are crying out for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the soul of our nation , bring us together , overcome these crises , and build back so that we 're stronger than we 've ever been before . ''

Joe Biden (left) and Donald Trump Ron Adar | Echoes Wire | Barcroft Media via Getty Images; Mandel Ngan | AFP | Getty Images
With the 2020 election now less than five months away, polls show former Vice President Joe Biden pulling further ahead of President Donald Trump, even as the apparent Democratic nominee's campaign remains hampered by the coronavirus. While Biden has outpaced Trump in most national polls since launching his White House bid in April 2019, the former vice president's lead has widened significantly since last month, according to polling averages from RealClearPolitics. RCP's average currently gives Biden a 7.8 percentage point lead over Trump — a significant jump from the 5.3-point edge Biden held in early May. On June 4, 2016, the RCP polling average showed then-Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton ahead of Trump by 1.5 points.
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Some individual polls show an even wider gap between Biden and the incumbent. A Monmouth University poll of 742 registered voters released Wednesday found that Biden led Trump by 11 points, with 52% of voters supporting Biden and 41% backing Trump. Biden scored a 10-point lead over Trump in another poll of 835 registered voters from ABC News and The Washington Post on Sunday. And a CNBC/Change Research poll this week found Biden has a 48%-41% advantage over Trump among national likely voters. The previous version of that survey gave Biden just a 3-point lead over Trump. "Everyone knows public polling is notoriously wrong about President Trump," said Tim Murtaugh, the Trump campaign's communications director, in a statement to CNBC. "Our internal data consistently shows the President running strong against a defined Joe Biden in all of our key states," Murtaugh said. The New York Times reported Wednesday that Trump is trailing Biden even in private campaign polls, citing people briefed on recent polling results. According to RCP, Biden also holds leads, albeit narrower ones, in key swing states Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, which Trump flipped in 2016. Biden also recently surged to the lead in betting markets. The polls from Monmouth and others surveyed respondents after the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died during an arrest after a white police officer held his knee on Floyd's neck for more than eight minutes. The arrest, which was captured on video, set off a nationwide protest movement against police brutality and systemic racism. Monmouth University polling director Patrick Murray suggested the reaction to Floyd's death was a factor in Trump's decline in the polls against Biden. "The race continues to be largely a referendum on the incumbent. The initial reaction to ongoing racial unrest in the country suggests that most voters feel Trump is not handling the situation all that well," Murray said in a press release. Biden's rise in the polls comes even as the candidate himself has steered clear of in-person campaign events amid the coronavirus crisis.
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cnbc--2020-06-04--Nancy Pelosi calls on Trump to provide a list of federal agencies involved in policing DC protests

Trump and his administration have come under scrutiny for their handling of protests , not just in Washington , but across the country in the wake of George Floyd 's death at the hands of Minneapolis police officers .
Nationwide protests erupted last week , after Floyd , an unarmed black man , died after an officer kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes .
`` I am writing to request a full list of the agencies involved and clarifications of the roles and responsibilities of the troops and federal law enforcement resources operating in the city , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American people need to know who is in charge , what is the chain of command , what is the mission , and by what authority is the National Guard from other states operating in the capital . ''
Pelosi , in a letter to the president , said she also wanted to know the responsibilities of all the agencies involved in the effort , including the Bureau of Prisons .
Some of the unidentified and unmarked personnel have , at times , used force to push protesters out of certain areas of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday called on President Donald Trump to provide a list of federal agencies that have been staffing the effort to police the ongoing protests in the nation 's capital .
Trump was blasted by Democrats and some Republicans after federal officers forced out peaceful protesters in Lafayette Square , only to then walk from the White House to nearby St. John 's Church for a photo opportunity .
One of the issues during the protests has been that security personnel have sometimes not had clear identification showing what agency they 're from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other groups involved with pushing back the protests include the Secret Service , National Guard and agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation .
Attorney General William Barr addressed these concerns at a press conference on Thursday .
`` I could say a number of , out of the federal system , we do n't wear badges with our name , the agents do n't wear badges and their names and stuff like that , which many civilian police agencies , not federal police agencies do , and I had n't , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suddenly would n't want to talk to people about who they are .
If that was the case , '' Barr said .
The attorney general later put out a statement noting many of the organizations involved with acting as security during the protests .
`` We have deployed all the major law-enforcement components of the department in this mission , including the FBI , ATF , DEA , Bureau of Prisons , and U.S .
Marshals Service , '' Barr said .
The director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who had been asked to conceal their identity .
`` I 'm not aware of any specific Bureau of Prisons personnel being told not to identify themselves .
What I attribute that to is probably the fact that we normally operate within the confines of our institution and we do n't need to identify ourselves , '' Michael Carvajal , the head of the Bureau of Prisons , said at the same press conference .

Trump and his administration have come under scrutiny for their handling of protests, not just in Washington, but across the country in the wake of George Floyd's death at the hands of Minneapolis police officers. Nationwide protests erupted last week, after Floyd, an unarmed black man, died after an officer kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes.
"I am writing to request a full list of the agencies involved and clarifications of the roles and responsibilities of the troops and federal law enforcement resources operating in the city," Pelosi wrote. "Congress and the American people need to know who is in charge, what is the chain of command, what is the mission, and by what authority is the National Guard from other states operating in the capital."
Pelosi, in a letter to the president, said she also wanted to know the responsibilities of all the agencies involved in the effort, including the Bureau of Prisons. Some of the unidentified and unmarked personnel have, at times, used force to push protesters out of certain areas of the city.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday called on President Donald Trump to provide a list of federal agencies that have been staffing the effort to police the ongoing protests in the nation's capital.
Trump was blasted by Democrats and some Republicans after federal officers forced out peaceful protesters in Lafayette Square, only to then walk from the White House to nearby St. John's Church for a photo opportunity.
One of the issues during the protests has been that security personnel have sometimes not had clear identification showing what agency they're from. Beyond the Bureau of Prisons, other groups involved with pushing back the protests include the Secret Service, National Guard and agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Attorney General William Barr addressed these concerns at a press conference on Thursday.
"I could say a number of, out of the federal system, we don't wear badges with our name, the agents don't wear badges and their names and stuff like that, which many civilian police agencies, not federal police agencies do, and I hadn't, I could understand why some of these individuals suddenly wouldn't want to talk to people about who they are. If that was the case," Barr said.
The attorney general later put out a statement noting many of the organizations involved with acting as security during the protests.
"We have deployed all the major law-enforcement components of the department in this mission, including the FBI, ATF, DEA, Bureau of Prisons, and U.S. Marshals Service," Barr said.
The director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons said he didn't know of any prison guard who had been asked to conceal their identity.
"I'm not aware of any specific Bureau of Prisons personnel being told not to identify themselves. What I attribute that to is probably the fact that we normally operate within the confines of our institution and we don't need to identify ourselves," Michael Carvajal, the head of the Bureau of Prisons, said at the same press conference.
— CNBC's Amanda Macias contributed to this report.


cnbc--2020-06-04--George Floyd memorial in Minneapolis set for when 3 cops appear in court to face new charges in 'I c

George Floyd memorial in Minneapolis set for when 3 cops appear in court to face new charges in 'I can't breathe' death

The remains of George Floyd await a memorial service in his honor on June 4 , 2020 , at North Central University 's Frank J. Lindquist Sanctuary in Minneapolis , Minnesota .
A memorial for George Floyd , the black man whose death at the hands of Minneapolis police has sparked days of nationwide protests , is set to begin Thursday afternoon around the same time that three ex-cops are due to appear in court to face charges of aiding and abetting his alleged murder .
The memorial in Minneapolis , scheduled to start at 2 p.m .
ET , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to honor Floyd , which will conclude with his funeral in Houston on Tuesday .
The Rev .
Al Sharpton , a New York civil rights activist and the president of the National Action Network , will deliver the eulogy at the memorial Thursday at North Central University in downtown Minneapolis .
The service will be livestreamed , with in-person attendance limited to family and friends .
Fifteen minutes before the memorial is due to start , three former Minneapolis police officers will be arraigned on new charges of aiding and abetting second-degree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The three — 26-year-old J. Alexander Kueng , Thomas Lane , 37 , and 34-year-old Tou Thao — assisted a fourth officer , Derek Chauvin , in Floyd 's arrest May 25 , on suspicion that Floyd used a counterfeit $ 20 bill to make a purchase .
The murder-related charge they face carries a maximum possible prison sentence of 40 years if they are convicted .

The remains of George Floyd await a memorial service in his honor on June 4, 2020, at North Central University's Frank J. Lindquist Sanctuary in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
A memorial for George Floyd, the black man whose death at the hands of Minneapolis police has sparked days of nationwide protests, is set to begin Thursday afternoon around the same time that three ex-cops are due to appear in court to face charges of aiding and abetting his alleged murder.
The memorial in Minneapolis, scheduled to start at 2 p.m. ET, is the first in several planned events to honor Floyd, which will conclude with his funeral in Houston on Tuesday.
The Rev. Al Sharpton, a New York civil rights activist and the president of the National Action Network, will deliver the eulogy at the memorial Thursday at North Central University in downtown Minneapolis. The service will be livestreamed, with in-person attendance limited to family and friends.
Fifteen minutes before the memorial is due to start, three former Minneapolis police officers will be arraigned on new charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter.
The three — 26-year-old J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, 37, and 34-year-old Tou Thao — assisted a fourth officer, Derek Chauvin, in Floyd's arrest May 25, on suspicion that Floyd used a counterfeit $20 bill to make a purchase. The murder-related charge they face carries a maximum possible prison sentence of 40 years if they are convicted.


cnbc--2020-06-04--Barack Obama says protests across the country aren't like the 1968 riots, which some think helped el

Barack Obama says protests across the country aren't like the 1968 riots, which some think helped elect Nixon

Former President Barack Obama told America on Wednesday he does n't believe the protests that have erupted across the country are anything like those that reverberated in 1968 , which many believed helped elect President Richard Nixon .
`` I 've heard some people say that you have a pandemic , then you have these protests , this reminds people of the '60s and the chaos and the discord and distrust throughout the country .
I have to tell you , although I was very young ...
I know enough about that history to say there is something different , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoke Wednesday about police violence at a virtual town hall a week after George Floyd 's death .
Floyd , an unarmed black man , died after a police officer held his knee to his neck for more than eight minutes .
Four former policemen have now been charged in connection with his death , with one of them charged with murder .
In Obama 's speech , he echoed much of what he said in a previous blog post , urging reforms in the collective bargaining agreements with police that are negotiated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highlighted the role played by attorneys and district attorneys in leading prosecutions .

Former President Barack Obama told America on Wednesday he doesn't believe the protests that have erupted across the country are anything like those that reverberated in 1968, which many believed helped elect President Richard Nixon.
"I've heard some people say that you have a pandemic, then you have these protests, this reminds people of the '60s and the chaos and the discord and distrust throughout the country. I have to tell you, although I was very young ... I know enough about that history to say there is something different," Obama said.
Former President Obama spoke Wednesday about police violence at a virtual town hall a week after George Floyd's death. Floyd, an unarmed black man, died after a police officer held his knee to his neck for more than eight minutes. Four former policemen have now been charged in connection with his death, with one of them charged with murder.
In Obama's speech, he echoed much of what he said in a previous blog post, urging reforms in the collective bargaining agreements with police that are negotiated by mayors and county executives. He highlighted the role played by attorneys and district attorneys in leading prosecutions.


cnbc--2020-06-04--Defense Secretary Esper reverses decision to withdraw active-duty troops from DC area

U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper visits DC National Guard military officers guarding the White House amid nationwide unrest following the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd , in Washington , U.S. , June 1 , 2020 .
WASHINGTON — Hours after more than a thousand active-duty Army units arrived in the Washington , D.C. area to help local law enforcement with protest response efforts , Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said Wednesday he was going to send them home , only to then change his mind later in the day .
On Tuesday evening , the Pentagon confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bragg in North Carolina and Fort Drum in New York were flown into the Washington D.C. area , as the nation braced for another day of protests over the death of George Floyd .
The troops , who are `` postured '' on military bases near the District of Columbia , have so far not taken part in any support to `` civil authority operations , '' the Pentagon said in a Tuesday night statement .
On Wednesday , Esper told reporters at the Pentagon that while he ordered the deployment of 1,600 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not support invoking the Insurrection Act .
The law that would allow President Donald Trump to send the active-duty military to respond to civil unrest in cities across the country .
`` I say this not only as Secretary of Defense , but also as a former soldier and a former member of the National Guard , the option to use active-duty forces in a law enforcement role should only be used as a matter of last resort , and only in the most urgent and dire situations .
We are not in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Esper said .
`` I do not support invoking the Insurrection Act , '' he added .

U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper visits DC National Guard military officers guarding the White House amid nationwide unrest following the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in Washington, U.S., June 1, 2020.
WASHINGTON — Hours after more than a thousand active-duty Army units arrived in the Washington, D.C. area to help local law enforcement with protest response efforts, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said Wednesday he was going to send them home, only to then change his mind later in the day.
On Tuesday evening, the Pentagon confirmed that approximately 1,600 active-duty troops from Fort Bragg in North Carolina and Fort Drum in New York were flown into the Washington D.C. area, as the nation braced for another day of protests over the death of George Floyd.
The troops, who are "postured" on military bases near the District of Columbia, have so far not taken part in any support to "civil authority operations," the Pentagon said in a Tuesday night statement.
On Wednesday, Esper told reporters at the Pentagon that while he ordered the deployment of 1,600 troops to the region, he does not support invoking the Insurrection Act. The law that would allow President Donald Trump to send the active-duty military to respond to civil unrest in cities across the country.
"I say this not only as Secretary of Defense, but also as a former soldier and a former member of the National Guard, the option to use active-duty forces in a law enforcement role should only be used as a matter of last resort, and only in the most urgent and dire situations. We are not in one of those situations now," Esper said.
"I do not support invoking the Insurrection Act," he added.


cnbc--2020-06-05--Bail set at up to $1 million for three ex-Minneapolis police officers charged with abetting alleged