cnbc--2020-06-02--GOP donor-run hedge fund has seat on Twitter board but can't say anything about tech firm's policies

Powerful GOP donor Paul Singer is founder and co-CEO of a hedge fund with a seat on Twitter 's board .
But that does n't mean Singer can influence the social media giant 's policies to be more sympathetic to his party or President Donald Trump – even as the commander in chief rails against Twitter .
As part of a deal with Twitter earlier this year , the fund , Elliott Management , agreed that it will neither share its opinion on Twitter policy nor try to influence its decisions .
That 's despite Elliott 's track record of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Singer 's own history of making his political and policy views known on issues ranging from the Dodd-Frank bank reform bill to taxation .
Twitter has begun to take a more active role in political discourse , stamping warning signs on content it deems inflammatory , dangerous or wrong .
The company recently turned heads when it applied the standards to some of Trump 's tweets .
Last week , it slapped warning labels on two of the president 's tweets that made misleading claims about mail-in voting .
It later hid a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence , when he tweeted , `` when the looting starts , the shooting starts , '' after protests and riots broke out in Minneapolis following 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 .
Trump , in turn , has threatened the social media giant and other tech firms with an executive order he says would crackdown on censorship .
Opponents say the move threatens the First Amendment .
Twitter CEO Jack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to back down to Trump 's threats , tweeting on Monday a demand for `` police reform now , '' following a weekend of protests and riots in the wake of Floyd 's death .
Elliott Management and private equity firm Silver Lake Capital , which both have representatives on Twitter 's board , have been silent on the company 's recent policy moves .
The funds won the seats after Elliott , which had a roughly 4 % stake in Twitter as of March , threatened to wage a proxy fight against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Dorsey .
Legally , neither Elliott nor Silver Lake can say a thing .
To stave off a likely brutal fight between Elliott and Twitter , the two struck a deal in March that added Elliott partner Jesse Cohn and Silver Lake co-CEO Egon Durban to the Twitter board .
The board agreed to the creation of a subcommittee to review the company 's leadership structure − including its succession plan − and publicly disclose the results of that review by the end of the year .
Twitter on Tuesday appointed former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company 's new chairman of the board .
The deal also included a $ 1 billion investment in Twitter from Silver Lake , which the social media company said would fund a $ 2 billion share repurchase program .
And − according to documents Twitter filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission − it ensured that Silver Lake and Elliott will not `` comment on nor influence , nor attempt to influence , directly or indirectly '' any company policy , rules , or enforcement decisions `` with respect to the independence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moderation on the Twitter platform or access to Twitter user data . ''
That stipulation was pushed for by Twitter , a person familiar with the situation told CNBC .
It was also supported by Elliott , which did not want added speculation about the firm 's influence on Twitter 's policies , another person said .
The deal for Twitter means two fewer voices to listen to , as the political landscape grows more heated five months out from the presidential election .
It also gives Twitter assurances to offer its employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without pressure from its new investors .
That safeguard comes as Facebook employees hold virtual walkouts in protest over Facebook 's decisions to let Trump 's controversial stay on the social media website .
For Elliott and Silver Lake , the effect is hazier .
Financially , it 's not clear that there will be any impact from the policy dispute on Twitter 's bottom line , which is usually the primary focus of investors like Elliott and Silver Lake .
Still , Singer , the billionaire founder of Elliott , is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poured millions into supporting the Republican Party .
He was , at one point , a staunch Trump opponent , financing a conservative website that hired Fusion GPS to dig up dirt on the president when he was still a candidate .
Since Trump has become president , though , Singer has continued to fund the GOP .
In a speech last year at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research , the free market think tank he chairs , he attacked policies pushed by the Democratic presidential candidates as `` left-wing statism lubricated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politicians who believe that money comes from a printing press rather than the productive efforts of business people and workers . ''
The political views of Jesse Cohn , the Elliott representative on Twitter 's board are less well known .
Cohn worked in the mergers and acquisitions group at Morgan Stanley and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania 's Wharton School of Business .
He is also a board member of eBay .
Elliott and Silver Lake declined to comment .
Twitter did n't immediately respond to a request for comment .

Powerful GOP donor Paul Singer is founder and co-CEO of a hedge fund with a seat on Twitter's board.
But that doesn't mean Singer can influence the social media giant's policies to be more sympathetic to his party or President Donald Trump – even as the commander in chief rails against Twitter.
As part of a deal with Twitter earlier this year, the fund, Elliott Management, agreed that it will neither share its opinion on Twitter policy nor try to influence its decisions.
That's despite Elliott's track record of pushing for large corporate actions, and Singer's own history of making his political and policy views known on issues ranging from the Dodd-Frank bank reform bill to taxation.
Twitter has begun to take a more active role in political discourse, stamping warning signs on content it deems inflammatory, dangerous or wrong. The company recently turned heads when it applied the standards to some of Trump's tweets.
Last week, it slapped warning labels on two of the president's tweets that made misleading claims about mail-in voting. It later hid a post from Trump that it said glorifies violence, when he tweeted, "when the looting starts, the shooting starts," after protests and riots broke out in Minneapolis following 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.
Trump, in turn, has threatened the social media giant and other tech firms with an executive order he says would crackdown on censorship. Opponents say the move threatens the First Amendment. Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has shown no indications of plans to back down to Trump's threats, tweeting on Monday a demand for "police reform now," following a weekend of protests and riots in the wake of Floyd's death.
Tweet
Elliott Management and private equity firm Silver Lake Capital, which both have representatives on Twitter's board, have been silent on the company's recent policy moves. The funds won the seats after Elliott, which had a roughly 4% stake in Twitter as of March, threatened to wage a proxy fight against the company and push for the removal of Dorsey.
Legally, neither Elliott nor Silver Lake can say a thing.
To stave off a likely brutal fight between Elliott and Twitter, the two struck a deal in March that added Elliott partner Jesse Cohn and Silver Lake co-CEO Egon Durban to the Twitter board. The board agreed to the creation of a subcommittee to review the company's leadership structure − including its succession plan − and publicly disclose the results of that review by the end of the year. Twitter on Tuesday appointed former Google Chief Financial Officer Patrick Pichette as the company's new chairman of the board.
The deal also included a $1 billion investment in Twitter from Silver Lake, which the social media company said would fund a $2 billion share repurchase program.
And − according to documents Twitter filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission − it ensured that Silver Lake and Elliott will not "comment on nor influence, nor attempt to influence, directly or indirectly" any company policy, rules, or enforcement decisions "with respect to the independence or impartiality of decisions related to content moderation on the Twitter platform or access to Twitter user data."
That stipulation was pushed for by Twitter, a person familiar with the situation told CNBC. It was also supported by Elliott, which did not want added speculation about the firm's influence on Twitter's policies, another person said.
The deal for Twitter means two fewer voices to listen to, as the political landscape grows more heated five months out from the presidential election. It also gives Twitter assurances to offer its employees that its executives are making their decisions without pressure from its new investors.
That safeguard comes as Facebook employees hold virtual walkouts in protest over Facebook's decisions to let Trump's controversial stay on the social media website.
For Elliott and Silver Lake, the effect is hazier. Financially, it's not clear that there will be any impact from the policy dispute on Twitter's bottom line, which is usually the primary focus of investors like Elliott and Silver Lake.
Still, Singer, the billionaire founder of Elliott, is not known for staying quiet.
Singer has poured millions into supporting the Republican Party. He was, at one point, a staunch Trump opponent, financing a conservative website that hired Fusion GPS to dig up dirt on the president when he was still a candidate.
Since Trump has become president, though, Singer has continued to fund the GOP. In a speech last year at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, the free market think tank he chairs, he attacked policies pushed by the Democratic presidential candidates as "left-wing statism lubricated by showers of free stuff promised by politicians who believe that money comes from a printing press rather than the productive efforts of business people and workers."
The political views of Jesse Cohn, the Elliott representative on Twitter's board are less well known. Cohn worked in the mergers and acquisitions group at Morgan Stanley and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business. He is also a board member of eBay.
Elliott and Silver Lake declined to comment. Twitter didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.


cnbc--2020-06-02--Pentagon official walks back Trump claim that top military officer is in charge of protest response

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media , as Mark Milley , chairman of the joint chiefs of staff , right , listens during a briefing with senior military leaders in Washington , D.C. , U.S. , on Monday , Oct. 7 , 2019 .
WASHINGTON — A senior Defense official told reporters Tuesday that the nation 's highest-ranking military officer 's role had not changed , a day after President Donald Trump told governors he was putting the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff `` in charge '' of efforts to quell demonstrations .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved , Gen. Milley remains an advisor to the president , remains an advisor to the Secretary , his role has not changed , '' the Defense official said , speaking on the condition of anonymity .
In a contentious call with the nation 's governors Monday , Trump described Joint Chiefs Chairman U.S. Army Gen. Mark Milley as `` a warrior '' with `` a lot of victories and no losses , '' according to audio obtained by NBC .
`` He hates to see the way it 's being handled in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just put him in charge , '' Trump added .
It was not immediately clear what Milley would be tasked with as it relates to the domestic unrest across the nation , sparked by the police killing of George Floyd .
When asked to elaborate , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said on Monday that she would not `` get ahead of any actions that will be announced '' on the matter .
The Pentagon , also on Monday , added few details .
`` The chairman will continue to advise the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Army Lt. Col. Chris Mitchell said .

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media, as Mark Milley, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, right, listens during a briefing with senior military leaders in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Monday, Oct. 7, 2019.
WASHINGTON — A senior Defense official told reporters Tuesday that the nation's highest-ranking military officer's role had not changed, a day after President Donald Trump told governors he was putting the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff "in charge" of efforts to quell demonstrations.
"Although the military and the Department are involved, Gen. Milley remains an advisor to the president, remains an advisor to the Secretary, his role has not changed," the Defense official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
In a contentious call with the nation's governors Monday, Trump described Joint Chiefs Chairman U.S. Army Gen. Mark Milley as "a warrior" with "a lot of victories and no losses," according to audio obtained by NBC.
"He hates to see the way it's being handled in the various states. And I've just put him in charge," Trump added.
It was not immediately clear what Milley would be tasked with as it relates to the domestic unrest across the nation, sparked by the police killing of George Floyd.
When asked to elaborate, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said on Monday that she would not "get ahead of any actions that will be announced" on the matter.
The Pentagon, also on Monday, added few details. "The chairman will continue to advise the secretary of Defense," Pentagon spokesperson U.S. Army Lt. Col. Chris Mitchell said.


cnbc--2020-06-02--These two charts show the lack of diversity in the House and Senate

The House has become more diverse at a faster rate than the Senate , a CNBC analysis shows , but both chambers are still predominantly white .
The number of nonwhite lawmakers has gradually increased in the House at a faster rate than in the Senate .
Congress overall is the most diverse it 's ever been , according to a CNBC visualization of data from the Brookings Institution .
In the House and Senate , at least 114 lawmakers are either African American , Asian or Hispanic , meaning that more than 1 in 5 lawmakers in the 116th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 8 in 10 are white .
The data also shows there are far more Democratic than Republican people of color .
Here is a breakdown of the number of people in Congress by race : Since 1870 , 162 African Americans have served in Congress , according to congressional data from EveryCRSReport.com .
Of those , 152 have served in the House while nine have served in the Senate .
One has served in both chambers .
Though both chambers appear to be getting more diverse with each election cycle , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the racial breakdown of Americans in the United States .
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that in 2019 , 60.4 % of Americans identified as white only , excluding those who identified as Hispanic or Latino .
But about 79 % of Congress is white , according to the Brookings data .

Reps Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez D-N.Y., Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., hold a news conference after congressional Democrats moved to formally condemn President Donald Trump's attacks on the four, July 15, 2019. Erin Scott | Reuters
The House has become more diverse at a faster rate than the Senate, a CNBC analysis shows, but both chambers are still predominantly white. The number of nonwhite lawmakers has gradually increased in the House at a faster rate than in the Senate. Congress overall is the most diverse it's ever been, according to a CNBC visualization of data from the Brookings Institution.
Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards
In the House and Senate, at least 114 lawmakers are either African American, Asian or Hispanic, meaning that more than 1 in 5 lawmakers in the 116th Congress is a person of color and nearly 8 in 10 are white. The data also shows there are far more Democratic than Republican people of color. Here is a breakdown of the number of people in Congress by race: African American: 53 representatives, 3 senators
Asian American: 12 representatives, 3 senators
Hispanic American: 39 representatives, 4 senators
Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards


cnbc--2020-06-02--Australia opens investigation into U.S. police violence against journalists covering protests in DC

Demonstrators hold up placards protest outside of the White House , over the death of George Floyd in Washington D.C. @ @ @ @ @ .
WASHINGTON — Australia 's foreign minister said Tuesday that the nation will open an @ @ @ @ @ of an Australian news crew covering protests Monday night near the White House .
`` @ @ @ @ @ States will approach the relevant authorities , and Channel Seven will also provide us with @ @ @ @ @ wish to deal with it , '' Foreign Minister Marise Payne said Tuesday .
While @ @ @ @ @ , Channel 7 correspondent Amelia Brace and cameraman Tim Myers were hit with rubber bullets @ @ @ @ @ forcibly cleared their position .
The pair are then seen running from the scene while @ @ @ @ @ with a baton .
Before Brace was struck , she was heard telling officers that @ @ @ @ @ the media .
`` You heard us yelling that we were media but they do @ @ @ @ @ indiscriminate at the moment , '' Brace said during the live broadcast .

Demonstrators hold up placards protest outside of the White House, over the death of George Floyd in Washington D.C. on June 1, 2020.
WASHINGTON — Australia's foreign minister said Tuesday that the nation will open an investigation into the apparent assault of an Australian news crew covering protests Monday night near the White House.
"Our embassy in the United States will approach the relevant authorities, and Channel Seven will also provide us with their views on how they wish to deal with it," Foreign Minister Marise Payne said Tuesday.
While broadcasting live during a protest, Channel 7 correspondent Amelia Brace and cameraman Tim Myers were hit with rubber bullets and a shield as police forcibly cleared their position. The pair are then seen running from the scene while another policeman swung at them with a baton. Before Brace was struck, she was heard telling officers that she was a member of the media.
"You heard us yelling that we were media but they don't care, they are indiscriminate at the moment," Brace said during the live broadcast.


cnbc--2020-06-02--Pentagon official says Defense Secretary Esper and Chairman Milley were not aware of Trump church ph

Pentagon official says Defense Secretary Esper and Chairman Milley were not aware of Trump church photo-op plan

President Donald Trump walks with US Attorney General William Barr ( L ) , US Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper ( C ) , Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark A. Milley ( R ) , and others from the White House to visit St. John 's Church after the area was cleared of people protesting the death of George Floyd June 1 , 2020 , in Washington , DC .
WASHINGTON — A senior Defense official told reporters Tuesday that Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and the nation 's highest-ranking military officer did not intend to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in front of St. John 's Church , which had been set on fire by protesters the night before .
`` The Secretary and the chairman were both actually heading to the Washington Field Office of the FBI to be co-located with the director of the FBI and the Attorney General to observe and provide leadership for response efforts last evening , '' explained a senior Defense official on a call with Pentagon reporters .
`` They were not aware that the Park Police and law enforcement had made a decision to clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that walk off the White House grounds with the president , their understanding was that they were going out of the White House to go into Lafayette Park to review the efforts to address the protests , '' said the official , who spoke on the condition of anonymity .

President Donald Trump walks with US Attorney General William Barr (L), US Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper (C), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark A. Milley (R), and others from the White House to visit St. John's Church after the area was cleared of people protesting the death of George Floyd June 1, 2020, in Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON — A senior Defense official told reporters Tuesday that Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and the nation's highest-ranking military officer did not intend to participate in President Donald Trump's photo-op in front of St. John's Church, which had been set on fire by protesters the night before.
"The Secretary and the chairman were both actually heading to the Washington Field Office of the FBI to be co-located with the director of the FBI and the Attorney General to observe and provide leadership for response efforts last evening," explained a senior Defense official on a call with Pentagon reporters.
"They were not aware that the Park Police and law enforcement had made a decision to clear the square. And once they began that walk off the White House grounds with the president, their understanding was that they were going out of the White House to go into Lafayette Park to review the efforts to address the protests," said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.


cnbc--2020-06-02--Joe Biden expected to attend George Floyd funeral, family lawyer says

U.S. Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a visit to the Bethel AME Church in @ @ @ @ @ June 1 , 2020 .
Former Vice President Joe Biden is expected to attend the @ @ @ @ @ Floyd , the black man who died at the hands of a white Minneapolis police @ @ @ @ @ Floyd 's family said Tuesday .
The lawyer , Ben Crump , said Floyd 's @ @ @ @ @ in Houston , Texas , on June 9 , after holding memorial services in Minneapolis @ @ @ @ @ in North Carolina on Saturday .
`` And we understand Vice President Biden will be @ @ @ @ @ funeral , said Crump .
A spokesman for Biden 's campaign had no immediate comment @ @ @ @ @ 's statement .
CNBC has requested comment from Crump on whether President Donald Trump has @ @ @ @ @ as well .
The White House had no immediate comment when asked if Trump planned @ @ @ @ @

U.S. Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a visit to the Bethel AME Church in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. June 1, 2020. Jim Bourg | Reuters
Former Vice President Joe Biden is expected to attend the funeral next week of George Floyd, the black man who died at the hands of a white Minneapolis police officer, a lawyer for Floyd's family said Tuesday. The lawyer, Ben Crump, said Floyd's family will hold the funeral in Houston, Texas, on June 9, after holding memorial services in Minneapolis on Thursday and another memorial in North Carolina on Saturday. "And we understand Vice President Biden will be in attendance" at the funeral, said Crump. Biden is the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. A spokesman for Biden's campaign had no immediate comment when asked to confirm Crump's statement. CNBC has requested comment from Crump on whether President Donald Trump has been invited to the funeral as well. The White House had no immediate comment when asked if Trump planned to attend the funeral.
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Floyd died on Memorial Day after a police officer who was arresting him on suspicion of using a counterfeit bill to make a purchase kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes, even after Floyd repeatedly said, "I can't breathe" and called out to his mother, who has been dead for several years. The officer, Derek Chauvin, has been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter. None of the three other police officers involved in the arrest has been criminally charged. All of them have been fired from the Minneapolis Police Department, along with Chauvin. But Crump said Tuesday that he expects the other three officers to be arrested before Floyd's funeral. Floyd's death has led to widespread protests across the United States.
Former vice president and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden meets with clergy members and community activists at Bethel AME Church in Wilmington, Delaware on June 1, 2020. Jim Watson | AFP | Getty Images


cnbc--2020-06-02--North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper tells RNC a full-scale convention is 'very unlikely'

North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper answers a question during a briefing on the coronavirus pandemic at the Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh , N.C. , Tuesday , May 26 , 2020 .
After weeks of tense correspondence between Republican National Convention organizers and North Carolina Democratic Gov .
Roy Cooper about the size and scope of the party 's planned convention in August , Cooper on Tuesday finally told the GOP he would not provide the guarantee that President Donald Trump has demanded .
In a letter to Republican officials , Cooper said it 's `` very unlikely '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
`` Neither public health officials nor I will risk the health and safety of North Carolinians by providing the guarantee you seek . ''
Trump had repeatedly demanded a guarantee from Cooper , a Democrat , that his renominating convention in Charlotte be allowed to occur without strict social distancing or limitations on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the city 's convention center .
But Cooper made it clear Tuesday that he did not envision the same convention Trump does .
The letter puts pressure on convention organizers to find another city willing to host tens of thousands of Trump supporters later this summer .
This task was made infinitely more difficult this week after the nationwide outbreak of violent protests against police brutality .
National political conventions have traditionally drawn thousands of protesters even in years without the added crises of a pandemic , 40 million Americans out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
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 .
Cooper 's office did not immediately return a request for comment .
In a tweet , Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel shifted the blame on Cooper , saying he 's `` dragging his feet '' on providing guidance on moving forward with the convention .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our convention in Charlotte , but we have an obligation to our delegates and nominee to begin visiting the multiple cities who have reached out in recent days about hosting an historic event to show that America is open for business , '' she added .
Tweet When the saga over the location of the convention first broke out , multiple governors and GOP officials from places such as Texas and Georgia offered their states as potential hosts .
The development comes after weeks of strongly worded letters in which officials from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come up with a detailed plan on how to carry out the convention safely while adhering to social distancing guidelines to minimize the spread of the coronavirus .
Just last week , North Carolina asked again in a letter for the RNC to provide details on its plans to enforce social distancing .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 , according to the latest tallies .

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper answers a question during a briefing on the coronavirus pandemic at the Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh, N.C., Tuesday, May 26, 2020.
After weeks of tense correspondence between Republican National Convention organizers and North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper about the size and scope of the party's planned convention in August, Cooper on Tuesday finally told the GOP he would not provide the guarantee that President Donald Trump has demanded.
In a letter to Republican officials, Cooper 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. "Neither public health officials nor I will risk the health and safety of North Carolinians by providing the guarantee you seek."
Trump had repeatedly demanded a guarantee from Cooper, a Democrat, that his renominating convention in Charlotte be allowed to occur without strict social distancing or limitations on the number of attendees allowed to pack into the city's convention center.
But Cooper made it clear Tuesday that he did not envision the same convention Trump does.
The letter puts pressure on convention organizers to find another city willing to host tens of thousands of Trump supporters later this summer. This task was made infinitely more difficult this week after the nationwide outbreak of violent protests against police brutality.
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. Cooper's office did not immediately return a request for comment.
In a tweet, Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel shifted the blame on Cooper, saying he's "dragging his feet" on providing guidance on moving forward with the convention.
"We hope to still conduct the business of our convention in Charlotte, but we have an obligation to our delegates and nominee to begin visiting the multiple cities who have reached out in recent days about hosting an historic event to show that America is open for business," she added.
Tweet
When the saga over the location of the convention first broke out, multiple governors and GOP officials from places such as Texas and Georgia offered their states as potential hosts.
The development comes after weeks of strongly worded letters in which officials from North Carolina repeatedly asked the RNC to come up with a detailed plan on how to carry out the convention safely while adhering to social distancing guidelines to minimize the spread of the coronavirus.
Just last week, North Carolina asked again in a letter for the RNC to provide details on its plans to enforce social distancing. 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, according to the latest tallies.


cnbc--2020-06-02--Biden slams Trump's response to George Floyd protests: 'More interested in power than principle'

WASHINGTON — Former Vice President Joe Biden addressed the ongoing civil unrest across the nation Tuesday , calling it a `` wake-up call '' for America .
Biden slammed President Donald Trump 's handling of the multiple crises plaguing the country , including the protests against police brutality and the coronavirus .
Biden also laid out his own plan for police reform , and he pressed Congress to pass legislation that would prohibit the use of chokeholds by police .
The solemn , rousing speech in Philadelphia ranged from sweeping references to historical injustice and broadsides against Trump , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden 's death .
It was Biden 's first formal address in public since March , when the coronavirus forced him and millions of other Americans to shelter in place .
`` Look , the presidency is a big job .
Nobody will get everything right .
And I wo n't either .
But I promise you this .
I wo n't traffic in fear and division , '' Biden said .
`` I wo n't fan the flames of hate .
I will seek to heal the racial wounds that have long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for political gain . ''
The eight days of unrest were sparked by the killing of George Floyd , 46 , an unarmed black man in police custody in Minneapolis .
Floyd died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes .
The officer was charged with third-degree murder , and an independent autopsy found that asphyxiation was the cause of Floyd 's death .
The ensuing demonstrations , some of which turned violent , have prompted Trump to called for governors to use harsher tactics and greater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd 's memory on Tuesday by repeating his last words .
`` ' I ca n't breathe . '
George Floyd 's last words , '' said Biden .
`` But they did n't die with him .
They 're still being heard .
They 're echoing across this nation . ''
`` They speak to a nation where too often just the color of your skin puts your life at risk .
They speak to a nation where more than 100,000 people have lost their lives to a virus and 40 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a disproportionate number of these deaths and job losses concentrated in the black and minority communities , '' he added .
Over the past 24 hours , the split-screen image that has been created by the two major party nominees for the White House in November , Biden and Trump , is as stark as any from a presidential race in recent memory .
On Monday , Trump threatened to deploy active-duty U.S. military if states failed to quell the demonstrations in response response to Floyd 's death .
As the president spoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House used tear gas to clear protesters out of Lafayette Square , a public park in front of the president 's residence .
Once the protesters were forcibly cleared , Trump walked through the square and stood in front of St. John 's Church , which had been set on fire by protesters the night before .
The president stood in front of the church holding a Bible and then later motioned for members of his Cabinet to stand alongside him for a photograph .
Biden addressed the move on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` power than in principle . ''
`` When peaceful protesters are dispersed by the order of the president from the doorstep of the people 's house , the White House — using tear gas and flash grenades — in order to stage a photo op at a noble church , we can be forgiven for believing that the president is more interested in power than in principle , '' Biden said .
The former vice president drew a sharp contrast on Tuesday between Trump 's leadership style and his own .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibility .
I wo n't blame others .
I 'll never forget that the job is n't about me .
It 's about you , '' said Biden .
`` And I 'll work to not only rebuild this nation .
But to build it better than it was . ''
A White House spokesman declined to comment on Biden 's remarks .
The Trump campaign accused Biden of using `` the politics of racial division '' while defending the president 's response to the protest .
`` President Trump is restoring the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader we need to return the country to peace and prosperity , '' said campaign advisor Katrina Pierson .
As coronavirus lockdowns across the country are lifted , the 2020 presidential campaign is poised to enter a new phase , more closely resembling a traditional campaign with both candidates giving speeches and personally appealing to voters .
As of Tuesday , Biden held a 6-point lead over Trump in the Real Clear Politics average of national presidential polls .
Trump is the underdog in his reelection race , having trailed Biden in every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden , who was vice president under Barack Obama , the first black U.S. president , has previously said that he decided to run for the White House after hearing Trump say there were `` very fine people on both sides '' of the violence in Charlottesville , Virginia , where white supremacists and neo-Nazis marched in 2017 .
On Tuesday , Biden placed Trump 's leadership squarely in the category of `` enemies '' confronting the United States .
`` We 're facing formidable enemies .
They include not only the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives and livelihoods , but also the selfishness and fear that have loomed over our national life for the last three years , '' said Biden .
`` I wish I could say that hate began with Donald Trump and will end with him .
It did n't , and it wo n't .
American history is n't a fairy tale with a guaranteed happy ending , '' Biden said .
`` The battle for the soul of this nation has been a constant push and pull for more than 240 years .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ideal that we 're all created equal , and the harsh reality that racism has torn us apart . ''
`` The honest truth is both elements are part of the American character .
Both elements .
At our best , the American ideal wins out .
But it 's never a rout .
It 's always a fight .
And the battle is never fully won , '' Biden continued .
`` But we ca n't ignore the truth that we 're at our best when we open our hearts , rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has turned this country into a battlefield riven by old resentments and fresh fears .
He thinks division helps him .
His narcissism has become more important than the nation 's well-being that he leads , '' he added .
`` I ask every American .
Look at where we are now , and think anew .
Is this who we are ?
Is this who we want to be ? ''

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WASHINGTON — Former Vice President Joe Biden addressed the ongoing civil unrest across the nation Tuesday, calling it a "wake-up call" for America. Biden slammed President Donald Trump's handling of the multiple crises plaguing the country, including the protests against police brutality and the coronavirus. Biden also laid out his own plan for police reform, and he pressed Congress to pass legislation that would prohibit the use of chokeholds by police. The solemn, rousing speech in Philadelphia ranged from sweeping references to historical injustice and broadsides against Trump, to the personal story of his son Beau Biden's death. It was Biden's first formal address in public since March, when the coronavirus forced him and millions of other Americans to shelter in place. "Look, the presidency is a big job. Nobody will get everything right. And I won't either. But I promise you this. I won't traffic in fear and division," Biden said. "I won't fan the flames of hate. I will seek to heal the racial wounds that have long plagued this country – not use them for political gain." The eight days of unrest were sparked by the killing of George Floyd, 46, an unarmed black man in police custody in Minneapolis. Floyd died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. The officer was charged with third-degree murder, and an independent autopsy found that asphyxiation was the cause of Floyd's death. The ensuing demonstrations, some of which turned violent, have prompted Trump to called for governors to use harsher tactics and greater force when confronting protesters.
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Biden invoked Floyd's memory on Tuesday by repeating his last words. "'I can't breathe.' George Floyd's last words," said Biden. "But they didn't die with him. They're still being heard. They're echoing across this nation." "They speak to a nation where too often just the color of your skin puts your life at risk. They speak to a nation where more than 100,000 people have lost their lives to a virus and 40 million Americans have filed for unemployment – with a disproportionate number of these deaths and job losses concentrated in the black and minority communities," he added. Over the past 24 hours, the split-screen image that has been created by the two major party nominees for the White House in November, Biden and Trump, is as stark as any from a presidential race in recent memory. On Monday, Trump threatened to deploy active-duty U.S. military if states failed to quell the demonstrations in response response to Floyd's death. As the president spoke, riot police and military police outside the White House used tear gas to clear protesters out of Lafayette Square, a public park in front of the president's residence. Once the protesters were forcibly cleared, Trump walked through the square and stood in front of St. John's Church, which had been set on fire by protesters the night before. The president stood in front of the church holding a Bible and then later motioned for members of his Cabinet to stand alongside him for a photograph. Biden addressed the move on Tuesday, saying Trump is more interested in "power than in principle."
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"When peaceful protesters are dispersed by the order of the president from the doorstep of the people's house, the White House — using tear gas and flash grenades — in order to stage a photo op at a noble church, we can be forgiven for believing that the president is more interested in power than in principle," Biden said. The former vice president drew a sharp contrast on Tuesday between Trump's leadership style and his own. "I'll do my job and take responsibility. I won't blame others. I'll never forget that the job isn't about me. It's about you," said Biden. "And I'll work to not only rebuild this nation. But to build it better than it was." A White House spokesman declined to comment on Biden's remarks. The Trump campaign accused Biden of using "the politics of racial division" while defending the president's response to the protest. "President Trump is restoring the nation to order and is clearly the leader we need to return the country to peace and prosperity," said campaign advisor Katrina Pierson. As coronavirus lockdowns across the country are lifted, the 2020 presidential campaign is poised to enter a new phase, more closely resembling a traditional campaign with both candidates giving speeches and personally appealing to voters. As of Tuesday, Biden held a 6-point lead over Trump in the Real Clear Politics average of national presidential polls. Trump is the underdog in his reelection race, having trailed Biden in every major national poll since early February. Biden, who was vice president under Barack Obama, the first black U.S. president, has previously said that he decided to run for the White House after hearing Trump say there were "very fine people on both sides" of the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, where white supremacists and neo-Nazis marched in 2017. On Tuesday, Biden placed Trump's leadership squarely in the category of "enemies" confronting the United States.
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cnbc--2020-06-02--Cuomo urges de Blasio to use more cops against looters after night of intense protests in NYC

New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo slammed Mayor Bill de Blasio on Tuesday for not deploying enough police officers to stem looting in the state 's most populous city after a night of widespread property destruction and hundreds of arrests .
`` I believe the mayor underestimates the scope of the problem .
I believe he underestimates the duration of the problem , and I do n't think they 've used enough police to address the situation , '' Cuomo said .
`` You have 38,000 police officers .
Deploy them .
Give them support .
On the video tape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of looting , and not enough police presence , '' he added .
Cuomo , a Democrat , said that he had offered to send the National Guard to New York City and that de Blasio , who is also a Democrat , had not accepted the offer .
In comments that at times appeared to be thinly veiled threats , Cuomo repeatedly noted that a way to override de Blasio on the matter would be to `` displace the mayor . ''
`` Can you displace a mayor ?
Yes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has not happened .
I ca n't find a precedent .
But theoretically it is legally possible , '' Cuomo said at one point .
`` It is a bizarre thing to try to do in this situation .
I think it would make a bad situation worse .
Also , I do n't think it 's necessary , because I believe the NYPD can do this , because the NYPD has done this . ''
New York City was put under its strictest curfew since the 1940s on Monday as protests over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unarmed black man , in police custody in Minneapolis last week continue to shake the city and the nation .
Monday night into Tuesday morning saw the highest number of arrests in New York City since the protests began , according to NBC New York , with 700 arrested in all .
The curfew , which lasts from 8 p.m to 5 a.m. , will continue through the rest of the week .
In a statement , Freddi Goldstein , a spokesperson for the mayor , said Cuomo 's comments `` are offensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NYPD , who are out there every night trying to keep New Yorkers safe .
It would be nice if our officers knew they had the respect of their Governor . ''
De Blasio has said that bringing in the National Guard could make things worse .
`` When outside armed forces go into communities , no good comes from it , '' de Blasio said Tuesday when asked about the prospect .
`` They are not trained for the circumstances here . ''
De Blasio , whose 25-year-old daughter Chiara was among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has defended the New York Police Department while criticizing some whom he said `` use violence when they should n't . ''
The mayor came under fire after initially defending the department after two NYPD vehicles were caught on tape driving into a crowd of protesters in Brooklyn over the weekend , but later called the incident `` dangerous '' and `` unacceptable . ''
He has said the city is investigating .
In addition to his call for more policing , Cuomo also emphasized his support for those protesting Floyd 's killing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's arrest have been fired .
One of the former officers , Derek Chauvin , who was filmed kneeling on Floyd 's neck for nearly nine minutes as he lay handcuffed and became nonresponsive , has been charged with murder .
`` On the protesters , they are outraged .
And , by the way , I agree with them , '' Cuomo said .
`` What happened to Mr. Floyd was a disgrace , was repugnant to America , was repugnant to any good policing perspective , or strategy , or approach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` a totally different situation that has nothing to do with the protesters . ''
`` They have no right to wrap themselves in the flag of righteous indignation over Mr. Floyd 's murder , '' Cuomo said .
-- CNBC 's Kevin Breuninger and Noah Higgins-Dunn contributed to this report .

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo slammed Mayor Bill de Blasio on Tuesday for not deploying enough police officers to stem looting in the state's most populous city after a night of widespread property destruction and hundreds of arrests.
"I believe the mayor underestimates the scope of the problem. I believe he underestimates the duration of the problem, and I don't think they've used enough police to address the situation," Cuomo said.
"You have 38,000 police officers. Deploy them. Give them support. On the video tape, to me, you see a lot of looting, and not enough police presence," he added.
Cuomo, a Democrat, said that he had offered to send the National Guard to New York City and that de Blasio, who is also a Democrat, had not accepted the offer. In comments that at times appeared to be thinly veiled threats, Cuomo repeatedly noted that a way to override de Blasio on the matter would be to "displace the mayor."
"Can you displace a mayor? Yes. A mayor can be removed. It has not happened. I can't find a precedent. But theoretically it is legally possible," Cuomo said at one point. "It is a bizarre thing to try to do in this situation. I think it would make a bad situation worse. Also, I don't think it's necessary, because I believe the NYPD can do this, because the NYPD has done this."
New York City was put under its strictest curfew since the 1940s on Monday as protests over the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, in police custody in Minneapolis last week continue to shake the city and the nation. Monday night into Tuesday morning saw the highest number of arrests in New York City since the protests began, according to NBC New York, with 700 arrested in all.
The curfew, which lasts from 8 p.m to 5 a.m., will continue through the rest of the week.
In a statement, Freddi Goldstein, a spokesperson for the mayor, said Cuomo's comments "are offensive to the men and women of the NYPD, who are out there every night trying to keep New Yorkers safe. It would be nice if our officers knew they had the respect of their Governor."
De Blasio has said that bringing in the National Guard could make things worse.
"When outside armed forces go into communities, no good comes from it," de Blasio said Tuesday when asked about the prospect. "They are not trained for the circumstances here."
De Blasio, whose 25-year-old daughter Chiara was among the protesters arrested over the weekend, has defended the New York Police Department while criticizing some whom he said "use violence when they shouldn't."
The mayor came under fire after initially defending the department after two NYPD vehicles were caught on tape driving into a crowd of protesters in Brooklyn over the weekend, but later called the incident "dangerous" and "unacceptable." He has said the city is investigating.
In addition to his call for more policing, Cuomo also emphasized his support for those protesting Floyd's killing. The four officers involved in Floyd's arrest have been fired. One of the former officers, Derek Chauvin, who was filmed kneeling on Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes as he lay handcuffed and became nonresponsive, has been charged with murder.
"On the protesters, they are outraged. And, by the way, I agree with them," Cuomo said. "What happened to Mr. Floyd was a disgrace, was repugnant to America, was repugnant to any good policing perspective, or strategy, or approach."
Cuomo said that looters were "a totally different situation that has nothing to do with the protesters."
"They have no right to wrap themselves in the flag of righteous indignation over Mr. Floyd's murder," Cuomo said.
-- CNBC's Kevin Breuninger and Noah Higgins-Dunn contributed to this report.


cnbc--2020-06-02--Treasury slaps fresh sanctions on entities supporting Venezuela's oil sector and Maduro regime

Nicolas Maduro , Venezuela 's president , waits to greet Michelle Bachelet , high commissioner for human rights at the United Nations , not pictured , at Miraflores Palace in Caracas , Venezuela , on Friday , June 21 , 2019 .
WASHINGTON — The Department of Treasury slapped fresh sanctions on four companies operating in Venezuela 's oil sector , a frequent target of the Trump administration for its financial support to President Nicolas Maduro 's regime .
`` The illegitimate Maduro regime has enlisted the help of maritime companies and their vessels to continue the exploitation of Venezuela @ @ @ @ @ @ @ profit , '' Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement Tuesday .
`` The United States will continue to target those who support this corrupt regime and contribute to the suffering of the Venezuelan people . ''
`` Maduro 's corrupt regime is directly responsible for the political , economic , and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela , '' Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement , adding that `` the international community should increase pressure against the Maduro regime until it relinquishes its illegitimate hold on power . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to Treasury : • Afranav Maritime is based in the Marshall Islands and is the registered owner of the vessel Athens Voyager .
Athens Voyager is a Panamanian-flagged crude oil tanker that has continued to lift oil cargoes from Venezuelan ports as recently as mid-February .
• Seacomber is based in Greece and is the registered owner of the vessel Chios I. Chios I is a Maltese-flagged crude oil tanker that has continued to lift oil cargoes from Venezuelan ports as recently as mid- to late February .
• Adamant Maritime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the registered owner of the vessel Seahero .
Seahero is a Bahamian-flagged crude oil tanker that has continued to lift oil cargoes from Venezuelan ports as recently as late February .
• Sanibel Shiptrade is based in the Marshall Islands and is the registered owner of the vessel Voyager I. Voyager I is a Marshall Islands-flagged crude oil tanker that has continued to lift oil cargoes from Venezuelan ports as recently as late April .
The latest revelation comes as the last of five Iranian tankers carrying gasoline was escorted by Venezuela @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's waters this week .
The Iranian tankers brought approximately 1.5 million barrels to the gas-starved country , which was once a prominent fuel exporter .
Gasoline is scarce in Venezuela due to a near-complete breakdown of the OPEC nation 's 1.3 million barrel-per-day refining network .
The move was likely to anger Washington as Tehran and Caracas sidestep U.S. sanctions .
The Trump administration has previously said that it was considering a response to the shipments .
The two OPEC nations have previously helped each other in the face of U.S. sanctions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil company , PDVSA , sent fuel to Iran , which was targeted by sanctions aimed at stifling its nuclear weapons program .

Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela's president, waits to greet Michelle Bachelet, high commissioner for human rights at the United Nations, not pictured, at Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela, on Friday, June 21, 2019.
WASHINGTON — The Department of Treasury slapped fresh sanctions on four companies operating in Venezuela's oil sector, a frequent target of the Trump administration for its financial support to President Nicolas Maduro's regime.
"The illegitimate Maduro regime has enlisted the help of maritime companies and their vessels to continue the exploitation of Venezuela's natural resources for the regime's profit," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement Tuesday. "The United States will continue to target those who support this corrupt regime and contribute to the suffering of the Venezuelan people."
"Maduro's corrupt regime is directly responsible for the political, economic, and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement, adding that "the international community should increase pressure against the Maduro regime until it relinquishes its illegitimate hold on power."
The sanctions are targeted at the following entities, according to Treasury:
Afranav Maritime is based in the Marshall Islands and is the registered owner of the vessel Athens Voyager. Athens Voyager is a Panamanian-flagged crude oil tanker that has continued to lift oil cargoes from Venezuelan ports as recently as mid-February.
Seacomber is based in Greece and is the registered owner of the vessel Chios I. Chios I is a Maltese-flagged crude oil tanker that has continued to lift oil cargoes from Venezuelan ports as recently as mid- to late February.
Adamant Maritime is based in the Marshall Islands and is the registered owner of the vessel Seahero. Seahero is a Bahamian-flagged crude oil tanker that has continued to lift oil cargoes from Venezuelan ports as recently as late February.
Sanibel Shiptrade is based in the Marshall Islands and is the registered owner of the vessel Voyager I. Voyager I is a Marshall Islands-flagged crude oil tanker that has continued to lift oil cargoes from Venezuelan ports as recently as late April.
The latest revelation comes as the last of five Iranian tankers carrying gasoline was escorted by Venezuela's navy through the South American nation's waters this week.
The Iranian tankers brought approximately 1.5 million barrels to the gas-starved country, which was once a prominent fuel exporter. Gasoline is scarce in Venezuela due to a near-complete breakdown of the OPEC nation's 1.3 million barrel-per-day refining network.
The move was likely to anger Washington as Tehran and Caracas sidestep U.S. sanctions. The Trump administration has previously said that it was considering a response to the shipments.
The two OPEC nations have previously helped each other in the face of U.S. sanctions. In 2010-2011, Venezuela's state-run oil company, PDVSA, sent fuel to Iran, which was targeted by sanctions aimed at stifling its nuclear weapons program.


cnbc--2020-06-02--'Domination': Trump thanks self in tweet, takes credit for curbing DC, Minnesota protests over Georg

'Domination': Trump thanks self in tweet, takes credit for curbing DC, Minnesota protests over George Floyd death

President Donald Trump personally thanked himself Tuesday on Twitter for what he said was the `` Domination '' and `` overwhelming force '' that kept relative peace on the streets of Washington and Minneapolis the previous night after days of protests over the death of George Floyd .
Trump 's boast came a day after police violently cleared the area of protesters in front of the White House with tear gas , flash grenades and batons so that the president could walk out and pose for photos at the nearby St. John 's Episcopal Church .
Trump held a Bible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standing grim-faced in front of the historic church , where priests and other religious workers were forced to flee the area by the authorities ' actions .
Part of the church had been set on fire by protesters the previous night .
`` D.C. had no problems last night .
Many arrests .
Great job done by all .
Overwhelming force .
Domination .
Likewise , Minneapolis was great ( thank you President Trump ! )
, '' he tweeted .
Before his church visit Monday , Trump had announced that he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — to respond to the protests .
He said that if any city or state refused to take steps to defend lives and property , he would deploy the U.S. military to those areas .
In another Twitter post Tuesday , Trump criticized New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo and his brother , CNN journalist Chris Cuomo .
Trump suggested that violence and looting seen on the streets of New York City on Monday night was the result of the governor 's failure to accept the president 's offer to deploy the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day for the Cuomo Brothers .
New York was lost to the looters , thugs , Radical Left , and all others forms of Lowlife & Scum , '' Trump wrote .
`` The Governor refuses to accept my offer of a dominating National Guard .
NYC was ripped to pieces .
Likewise , Fredo 's ratings are down 50 % ! ''
Fredo was the inept Corleone brother played in `` The Godfather . ''
Former Vice President Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , criticized Trump 's response Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dispersed by the order of the president from the doorstep of the people 's house , the White House — using tear gas and flash grenades — in order to stage a photo op at a noble church , we can be forgiven for believing that the president is more interested in power than in principle , '' Biden said .
The Right Rev .
Mariann Budde , the Episcopal bishop of Washington , said in an interview with The Washington Post that despite her position she `` was not given even a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clearing [ the area ] with tear gas so they could use one of our churches as a prop . ''
`` He did not pray , '' Budde told The New York Times .
`` He did not mention George Floyd , he did not mention the agony of people who have been subjected to this kind of horrific expression of racism and white supremacy for hundreds of years .
We need a president who can unify and heal .
He has done the opposite of that , and we are left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Later Tuesday , Attorney General William Barr issued a statement saying , `` Last night was a more peaceful night in the District of Columbia .
Working together , federal and local law enforcement made significant progress in restoring order to the nation 's capital . ''
`` There will be even greater law enforcement resources and support in the region tonight , '' Barr said .
`` The most basic function of government is to provide security for people to live their lives and exercise their rights , and we will meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capital . ''
Protests over Floyd 's death have taken place in many U.S. cities since he died on Memorial Day during an arrest by Minneapolis police .
Floyd , who was black , died while a white police officer kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes , despite him repeatedly saying , `` I ca n't breathe . ''
Police were arresting him on suspicion of using a $ 20 counterfeit bill to make a purchase .
The police officer , Derek Chauvin , has been charged with third-degree murder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three other officers were fired by the Minneapolis Police Department after video of the arrest became public and sparked the protests .

Riot police chase a man as they rush protestors to clear Lafayette Park and the area around it across from the White House for President Donald Trump to be able to walk through for a photo opportunity in front of St. John's Episcopal Church, during a rally against the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, near the White House, in Washington, U.S. June 1, 2020. Ken Cedeno | Reuters
President Donald Trump personally thanked himself Tuesday on Twitter for what he said was the "Domination" and "overwhelming force" that kept relative peace on the streets of Washington and Minneapolis the previous night after days of protests over the death of George Floyd. Trump's boast came a day after police violently cleared the area of protesters in front of the White House with tear gas, flash grenades and batons so that the president could walk out and pose for photos at the nearby St. John's Episcopal Church. Trump held a Bible aloft as cameras captured images of him standing grim-faced in front of the historic church, where priests and other religious workers were forced to flee the area by the authorities' actions. Part of the church had been set on fire by protesters the previous night.
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"D.C. had no problems last night. Many arrests. Great job done by all. Overwhelming force. Domination. Likewise, Minneapolis was great (thank you President Trump!)," he tweeted. Tweet Before his church visit Monday, Trump had announced that he was mobilizing federal resources — civilian and military — to respond to the protests. He said that if any city or state refused to take steps to defend lives and property, he would deploy the U.S. military to those areas.
U.S. President Donald Trump returns to the White House after posing with a bible outside St. John's Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Monday, June 1, 2020. Shawn Thew | Bloomberg | Getty Images
In another Twitter post Tuesday, Trump criticized New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his brother, CNN journalist Chris Cuomo. Trump suggested that violence and looting seen on the streets of New York City on Monday night was the result of the governor's failure to accept the president's offer to deploy the National Guard. "Yesterday was a bad day for the Cuomo Brothers. New York was lost to the looters, thugs, Radical Left, and all others forms of Lowlife & Scum," Trump wrote. "The Governor refuses to accept my offer of a dominating National Guard. NYC was ripped to pieces. Likewise, Fredo's ratings are down 50%!" Fredo was the inept Corleone brother played in "The Godfather." CUOMO TWEET Former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, criticized Trump's response Tuesday morning.
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"When peaceful protestors are dispersed by the order of the president from the doorstep of the people's house, the White House — using tear gas and flash grenades — in order to stage a photo op at a noble church, we can be forgiven for believing that the president is more interested in power than in principle," Biden said. Biden Tweet The Right Rev. Mariann Budde, the Episcopal bishop of Washington, said in an interview with The Washington Post that despite her position she "was not given even a courtesy call, that they would be clearing [the area] with tear gas so they could use one of our churches as a prop." "He did not pray," Budde told The New York Times. "He did not mention George Floyd, he did not mention the agony of people who have been subjected to this kind of horrific expression of racism and white supremacy for hundreds of years. We need a president who can unify and heal. He has done the opposite of that, and we are left to pick up the pieces." Later Tuesday, Attorney General William Barr issued a statement saying, "Last night was a more peaceful night in the District of Columbia. Working together, federal and local law enforcement made significant progress in restoring order to the nation's capital." "There will be even greater law enforcement resources and support in the region tonight," Barr said. "The most basic function of government is to provide security for people to live their lives and exercise their rights, and we will meet that responsibility here in the nation's capital." Protests over Floyd's death have taken place in many U.S. cities since he died on Memorial Day during an arrest by Minneapolis police. Floyd, who was black, died while a white police officer kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes, despite him repeatedly saying, "I can't breathe." Police were arresting him on suspicion of using a $20 counterfeit bill to make a purchase. The police officer, Derek Chauvin, has been charged with third-degree murder in the killing. He and the three other officers were fired by the Minneapolis Police Department after video of the arrest became public and sparked the protests.
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cnbc--2020-06-02--Op-ed: It's time to invest in community infrastructure

Police officers arrest protestors right after the curfew time during a protest demanding justice for George Floyd , an unarmed black man who died after being pinned down by a white police officer in Minneapolis , in Manhattan , New York City , United States on June 01 , 2020 .
The South Bronx , where I grew up in the fifties and sixties , was the epitome of an urban ghetto .
I hated living there .
Housing was deplorable , rodents were everywhere , and crime came with the heroin epidemic in the sixties .
I wanted out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Many of my friends and their families gave up .
They saw no way out .
With few jobs and little education , life was lived from moment to moment and surviving another day was cause for celebration .
I was fifteen in 1967 when the riots began .
It started in Newark and spread to other cities like a contagion .
The Riots went on to claim 159 communities that summer .
We did n't know it then , but the riots of 1967 coined the term `` long , hot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't understand why people rioted .
I remember thinking `` What do they hope to gain by burning and looting in their own communities ? ''
My best understanding of the why was , people had given up hope , felt things would never get better , and they had nothing to lose .
When I came back to Harlem in 1983 to work at the not-for-profit that would become the Harlem Children 's Zone , I saw the same conditions there that I experienced in the sixties .

Police officers arrest protestors right after the curfew time during a protest demanding justice for George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died after being pinned down by a white police officer in Minneapolis, in Manhattan, New York City, United States on June 01, 2020.
The South Bronx, where I grew up in the fifties and sixties, was the epitome of an urban ghetto. I hated living there. Housing was deplorable, rodents were everywhere, and crime came with the heroin epidemic in the sixties.
I wanted out but a way out seemed almost impossible. Many of my friends and their families gave up. They saw no way out.
With few jobs and little education, life was lived from moment to moment and surviving another day was cause for celebration.
I was fifteen in 1967 when the riots began. It started in Newark and spread to other cities like a contagion. The Riots went on to claim 159 communities that summer. We didn't know it then, but the riots of 1967 coined the term "long, hot summer."
At fifteen I didn't understand why people rioted. I remember thinking "What do they hope to gain by burning and looting in their own communities?" My best understanding of the why was, people had given up hope, felt things would never get better, and they had nothing to lose.
When I came back to Harlem in 1983 to work at the not-for-profit that would become the Harlem Children's Zone, I saw the same conditions there that I experienced in the sixties.


cnbc--2020-06-02--Trump threatens to deploy military as George Floyd protests continue to shake the U.S.

WASHINGTON -- As the nation prepared for another night of violent protests sparked by the police killing of George Floyd , President Donald Trump threatened to deploy the military if states and cities failed to quell the demonstrations .
`` I am mobilizing all federal and local resources , civilian and military , to protect the rights of law abiding Americans , '' Trump said during a hastily arranged address at the White House .
`` Today I have strongly recommended to every governor to deploy the National Guard in sufficient numbers that we dominate the streets .
Mayors and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the violence is quelled , '' Trump said .
`` If a city or state refuses to take the actions necessary to defend the life and property of their residents , then I will deploy the United States military and quickly solve the problem for them , '' said the president .
Trump stopped short of invoking the Insurrection Act , an archaic law from 1807 that would allow Trump to deploy active-duty U.S. troops to respond to protests in cities across the country .
`` At this time , the president has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a senior Defense Department official told CNBC .
`` I refer you to the White House for more . ''
During his address , Trump said he was taking `` swift and decisive action to protect our great capital , Washington DC , '' adding , `` What happened in this city last night was a total disgrace . ''
`` As we speak , I am dispatching thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers , military personnel and law enforcement officers to stop the rioting , looting , vandalism , assaults and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As the president spoke , riot police and military police outside the White House were using tear gas to clear protesters out of Lafayette Square , a public square in front of the president 's residence .
Following his remarks , Trump left the White House and walked through the square , and it appeared strongly as though the riot police had forcibly cleared the square for the sole purpose of clearing a path for the president .
Once he reached the far side of the square , Trump raised a bible in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which had been set on fire by protesters the night before .
The president did not try to talk to any of the protesters , however , leaving little doubt as to where his sympathies lay .

WASHINGTON -- As the nation prepared for another night of violent protests sparked by the police killing of George Floyd, President Donald Trump threatened to deploy the military if states and cities failed to quell the demonstrations.
"I am mobilizing all federal and local resources, civilian and military, to protect the rights of law abiding Americans," Trump said during a hastily arranged address at the White House.
"Today I have strongly recommended to every governor to deploy the National Guard in sufficient numbers that we dominate the streets. Mayors and governors must establish an overwhelming presence until the violence is quelled," Trump said.
"If a city or state refuses to take the actions necessary to defend the life and property of their residents, then I will deploy the United States military and quickly solve the problem for them," said the president.
Trump stopped short of invoking the Insurrection Act, an archaic law from 1807 that would allow Trump to deploy active-duty U.S. troops to respond to protests in cities across the country. "At this time, the president has not enacted the Insurrection Act," a senior Defense Department official told CNBC. "I refer you to the White House for more."
During his address, Trump said he was taking "swift and decisive action to protect our great capital, Washington DC," adding, "What happened in this city last night was a total disgrace."
"As we speak, I am dispatching thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers, military personnel and law enforcement officers to stop the rioting, looting, vandalism, assaults and the wanton destruction of property."
As the president spoke, riot police and military police outside the White House were using tear gas to clear protesters out of Lafayette Square, a public square in front of the president's residence.
Following his remarks, Trump left the White House and walked through the square, and it appeared strongly as though the riot police had forcibly cleared the square for the sole purpose of clearing a path for the president.
Once he reached the far side of the square, Trump raised a bible in front of St. John's Church, which had been set on fire by protesters the night before. The president did not try to talk to any of the protesters, however, leaving little doubt as to where his sympathies lay.


cnbc--2020-06-02--Supreme Court hands hedge fund loss, rules Puerto Rico financial oversight board is legal

( L-R ) Natalie Jaresko Executive Director of for the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico , Noel Zamot Revitalization Coordinator for the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico and Angel Perez Otero Mayor of the City of Guaynabo at the House Natural Resources Committee Hearing on Examining Challenges in Puerto Rico 's Recovery efforts on Capital Hill on November 7 , 2017 in Washington , DC .
The Supreme Court on Monday ruled unanimously that appointments to Puerto Rico 's financial oversight board were lawful , finding that its members exercise `` primarily local powers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Senate under the Constitution .
The case was brought by a hedge fund run by the investor Mark Brodsky and a local Puerto Rico labor union whose arguments that Puerto Rico 's financial oversight board was improperly constituted threatened to disrupt more than $ 100 billion in debt restructuring proceedings that the panel has carried out since it was established in 2016 .
Congress created the Financial Oversight and Management Board to address a fiscal crisis on the island that was exacerbated the following year by Hurricanes Maria and Irma , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infrastructure .
Aurelius Capital Management , an owner of Puerto Rico 's debt , and UTIER , the workers union , alleged that appointments to the seven-member board were made unconstitutionally by President Barack Obama .
They argued that the members of the board are federal officials who must be confirmed by the Senate under the Constitution 's Appointments Clause .
The oversight board , backed by the Trump administration 's Department of Justice , countered that the board members are local officers and therefore do not require Senate confirmation .
Justice Stephen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the court , wrote that some of the board 's actions `` of course , may have nationwide consequences . ''
`` But the same can be said of many actions taken by many Governors or other local officials .
Taking actions with nationwide consequences does not automatically transform a local official into an 'Officer of the United States , ' '' he wrote .
Breyer said that the law that established the oversight board gave it `` a structure , a set of duties , and related powers all of which are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the local Puerto Rican government .
`` In short , the Board possesses considerable power — including the authority to substitute its own judgment for the considered judgment of the Governor and other elected officials .
But this power primarily concerns local matters , '' Breyer wrote .
A federal appeals court sided against the board last year , but refused to erase its past actions on the basis that doing otherwise would have `` negative consequences for the many , if not thousands , of innocent third parties . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ officially sent nominations of members of the board to the Senate .
Ahead of Monday 's ruling , those nominations remained under consideration .
Attorneys for Aurelius Capital Management , UTIER and the oversight board did not immediately respond to requests for comment .
The case is Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico v. Aurelius Investment , No .
18-1334 .

(L-R) Natalie Jaresko Executive Director of for the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico ,Noel Zamot Revitalization Coordinator for the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico and Angel Perez Otero Mayor of the City of Guaynabo at the House Natural Resources Committee Hearing on Examining Challenges in Puerto Rico's Recovery efforts on Capital Hill on November 7, 2017 in Washington, DC.
The Supreme Court on Monday ruled unanimously that appointments to Puerto Rico's financial oversight board were lawful, finding that its members exercise "primarily local powers" and therefore do not require confirmation by the Senate under the Constitution.
The case was brought by a hedge fund run by the investor Mark Brodsky and a local Puerto Rico labor union whose arguments that Puerto Rico's financial oversight board was improperly constituted threatened to disrupt more than $100 billion in debt restructuring proceedings that the panel has carried out since it was established in 2016.
Congress created the Financial Oversight and Management Board to address a fiscal crisis on the island that was exacerbated the following year by Hurricanes Maria and Irma, which destroyed much of Puerto Rico's infrastructure.
Aurelius Capital Management, an owner of Puerto Rico's debt, and UTIER, the workers union, alleged that appointments to the seven-member board were made unconstitutionally by President Barack Obama.
They argued that the members of the board are federal officials who must be confirmed by the Senate under the Constitution's Appointments Clause.
The oversight board, backed by the Trump administration's Department of Justice, countered that the board members are local officers and therefore do not require Senate confirmation.
Justice Stephen Breyer, who authored the opinion of the court, wrote that some of the board's actions "of course, may have nationwide consequences."
"But the same can be said of many actions taken by many Governors or other local officials. Taking actions with nationwide consequences does not automatically transform a local official into an 'Officer of the United States,'" he wrote.
Breyer said that the law that established the oversight board gave it "a structure, a set of duties, and related powers all of which are consistent" with making the board a part of the local Puerto Rican government.
"In short, the Board possesses considerable power — including the authority to substitute its own judgment for the considered judgment of the Governor and other elected officials. But this power primarily concerns local matters," Breyer wrote.
A federal appeals court sided against the board last year, but refused to erase its past actions on the basis that doing otherwise would have "negative consequences for the many, if not thousands, of innocent third parties."
Following the ruling, President Donald Trump officially sent nominations of members of the board to the Senate. Ahead of Monday's ruling, those nominations remained under consideration.
Attorneys for Aurelius Capital Management, UTIER and the oversight board did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The case is Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico v. Aurelius Investment, No. 18-1334.


cnbc--2020-06-04--Former Defense Secretary Mattis breaks silence and tears into Trump: 'He tries to divide us'

WASHINGTON — Former Secretary of Defense James Mattis ripped into his former boss President Donald Trump in a scathing Wednesday night statement .
`` 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 , '' Mattis wrote in a statement published by The Atlantic .
`` We are witnessing the consequences of three years of this deliberate effort .
We are witnessing the consequences of three years without mature leadership , '' he wrote , adding that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , angry and appalled . ''
Mattis ' statement comes as the nation braces for the ninth day of protests sparked by the police killing of George Floyd .
Floyd died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes .
The ensuing civil unrest , some of which turned violent , prompted Trump to call for governors to use harsher tactics and greater force when confronting protesters .
On a Monday call with state governors , a recording of which was obtained by NBC News , Secretary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dominate the battle space '' when dealing with the demonstrations .
Trump also said on the same call that he was putting the nation 's highest-ranking military officer , Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Army Gen. Mark Milley `` in charge '' of protest response efforts .
Mattis , who resigned from the Trump administration in December 2018 , criticized Esper 's terminology .
`` We must reject any thinking of our cities as a 'battlespace ' that our uniformed military is called upon to 'dominate , '' he explained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 . ''
On Wednesday , Esper told reporters at the Pentagon that he was using military lexicon but regretted using the term .
Mattis also took issue with a Monday night incident in which protestors were forcibly cleared from Lafayette Square @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president 's residence .
`` 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 , '' Mattis explained .
Trump walked through the square with several members of his Cabinet to stand in front of St. John 's Church while holding a Bible and posing for photographs .
He later motioned to members of his Cabinet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Esper , who has previously said he would preserve the U.S. military 's apolitical nature , entered the frame and stood alongside Trump for the photo op .
In a Tuesday night interview with NBC News , Esper said : `` I did n't know where I was going '' when asked about the highly criticized photo opportunity .
`` I thought I was going to do two things : to see some damage and to talk to the troops . ''

WASHINGTON — Former Secretary of Defense James Mattis ripped into his former boss President Donald Trump in a scathing Wednesday night statement.
"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," Mattis wrote in a statement published by The Atlantic. "We are witnessing the consequences of three years of this deliberate effort. We are witnessing the consequences of three years without mature leadership," he wrote, adding that he "watched this week's unfolding events, angry and appalled."
Mattis' statement comes as the nation braces for the ninth day of protests sparked by the police killing of George Floyd. Floyd died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.
The ensuing civil unrest, some of which turned violent, prompted Trump to call for governors to use harsher tactics and greater force when confronting protesters.
On a Monday call with state governors, a recording of which was obtained by NBC News, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper told states "to dominate the battle space" when dealing with the demonstrations. Trump also said on the same call that he was putting the nation's highest-ranking military officer, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Army Gen. Mark Milley "in charge" of protest response efforts.
Mattis, who resigned from the Trump administration in December 2018, criticized Esper's terminology.
"We must reject any thinking of our cities as a 'battlespace' that our uniformed military is called upon to 'dominate," he explained. "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."
On Wednesday, Esper told reporters at the Pentagon that he was using military lexicon but regretted using the term.
Mattis also took issue with a Monday night incident in which protestors were forcibly cleared from Lafayette Square, a small park in front of the president's residence.
"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," Mattis explained.
Trump walked through the square with several members of his Cabinet to stand in front of St. John's Church while holding a Bible and posing for photographs. He later motioned to members of his Cabinet to join him for more pictures.
Esper, who has previously said he would preserve the U.S. military's apolitical nature, entered the frame and stood alongside Trump for the photo op. In a Tuesday night interview with NBC News, Esper said: "I didn't know where I was going" when asked about the highly criticized photo opportunity. "I thought I was going to do two things: to see some damage and to talk to the troops."


cnbc--2020-06-03--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