cnbc--2020-06-04--Senate passes bill to give businesses flexibility in spending coronavirus aid, sends it to Trump

Chairman Ron Johnson ( R-WI ) speaks at the start of a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing on the government 's response to the novel coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) outbreak on March 5 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , tried to push the House-passed legislation through by unanimous consent Wednesday afternoon .
Any one senator can stop such a request , and Johnson initially opposed it .
When Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell brought up the bill again , he did not object .
It now heads to President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it last week .
The chamber approved the measure by voice vote hours after Sen. Ron Johnson blocked a Democratic effort to unanimously approve it .
The Wisconsin Republican got assurances assurances on making changes to the bill later .
He has said he wants the loan system known as the Paycheck Protection Program to expire earlier than initially planned .
The Senate passed a bill Wednesday to give small businesses more flexibility in how they spend federal loans given as part of a coronavirus aid program .
Schumer contended that the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it amended the bill and then had to go to a conference committee with the House to hash out final legislation .
The House passed the proposal by a 417-1 margin last week .
The legislation would make several changes to the PPP , which aims to help small businesses keep employees on payroll after public health measures designed to curb the pandemic forced them to shutter .
Congress created it as part of the $ 2 trillion rescue package passed in March , and it includes stipulations for how companies can spend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Under the proposal , small businesses would have to spend 60 % of the loan money on payroll instead of the previous 75 % .
They could use the funds for six months , a change from two months .
The proposal would extend a June 30 deadline to rehire workers .
It would also push back the timeline for repaying loans , and allow companies that get loan forgiveness to defer payroll taxes .
The House passed the bill nearly unanimously last week as Democrats and Republicans failed to reach agreement on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boost an economy devastated by the pandemic .
Congress put $ 350 billion into the small business loan program at first , but the money quickly ran out during a rocky start to the process marked by complaints about wealthier bank clients getting assistance more quickly .
Lawmakers then injected another $ 310 billion into the PPP , with $ 60 billion devoted to small lenders .

Chairman Ron Johnson (R-WI) speaks at the start of a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing on the government's response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak on March 5, 2020 in Washington, DC.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y., tried to push the House-passed legislation through by unanimous consent Wednesday afternoon. Any one senator can stop such a request, and Johnson initially opposed it. When Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell brought up the bill again, he did not object.
It now heads to President Donald Trump 's desk, as the House approved it last week.
The chamber approved the measure by voice vote hours after Sen. Ron Johnson blocked a Democratic effort to unanimously approve it. The Wisconsin Republican got assurances assurances on making changes to the bill later. He has said he wants the loan system known as the Paycheck Protection Program to expire earlier than initially planned.
The Senate passed a bill Wednesday to give small businesses more flexibility in how they spend federal loans given as part of a coronavirus aid program.
Schumer contended that the Senate risked "too much delay" if it amended the bill and then had to go to a conference committee with the House to hash out final legislation. The House passed the proposal by a 417-1 margin last week.
The legislation would make several changes to the PPP, which aims to help small businesses keep employees on payroll after public health measures designed to curb the pandemic forced them to shutter. Congress created it as part of the $2 trillion rescue package passed in March, and it includes stipulations for how companies can spend money and still get loan forgiveness.
Under the proposal, small businesses would have to spend 60% of the loan money on payroll instead of the previous 75%. They could use the funds for six months, a change from two months.
The proposal would extend a June 30 deadline to rehire workers. It would also push back the timeline for repaying loans, and allow companies that get loan forgiveness to defer payroll taxes.
The House passed the bill nearly unanimously last week as Democrats and Republicans failed to reach agreement on how to structure the next steps to boost an economy devastated by the pandemic.
Congress put $350 billion into the small business loan program at first, but the money quickly ran out during a rocky start to the process marked by complaints about wealthier bank clients getting assistance more quickly. Lawmakers then injected another $310 billion into the PPP, with $60 billion devoted to small lenders.
Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube.


cnbc--2020-06-03--3 more cops charged in George Floyd death, other officer's murder charge upgraded

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

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


cnbc--2020-06-03--Trump had no side effects after taking hydroxychloroquine, White House doctor says

U.S. President Donald Trump deplanes from Air Force One as he returns to Washington after travel to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at Joint Base Andrews , Maryland , May 27 , 2020 .
President Donald Trump finished a regimen of the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine `` without side effects , '' a White House doctor said Wednesday .
Trump , who revealed last month he was taking the drug to protect himself from contracting the coronavirus , completed his two-week regimen `` safely , '' White House physician Dr. Sean Conley said in a report on the president 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There is little definitive evidence proving hydroxychloroquine works either as an effective prophylactic or treatment for the coronavirus , though Trump has repeatedly touted its potential in the global efforts to combat the pandemic .
Numerous clinical trials are studying the efficacy of the drug on Covid-19 .
JAMA Network last month found that hydroxychloroquine appeared to not help Covid-19 patients and , instead , placed them at increased risk of cardiac arrest .
A study published in late May in medical journal The Lancet found that hospitalized Covid-19 patients treated with hydroxychloroquine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who did n't take it .
That study is now being reexamined .
The World Health Organization said Wednesday that it was resuming a trial of the drug after temporarily halting research over safety concerns .
Trump , who turns 74 this month , said on May 18 that he had been taking hydroxychloroquine , along with zinc and an initial dose of azithromycin , or Z-Pak .
The president told reporters at the time that he started taking hydroxychloroquine because `` I think it 's good , I 've heard a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evening , Conley released a memo saying he and Trump discussed the drug and concluded that `` the potential benefit from treatment outweighed the relative risks . ''
In his report released Wednesday , Conley said that Trump `` continues to receive regular COVID-19 testing , and to date all results have been negative . ''
Conley noted that Trump began his regimen after two West Wing staffers were diagnosed with the coronavirus .
One of those staffers included a personal valet for Trump , who among other things served meals to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a two-week `` course '' of hydroxychloroquine alongside zinc and Vitamin D. The report makes no reference to Z-Pak , of which Trump said he took an `` original dose . ''
`` Overall the president continues to benefit from a multi-disciplinary care team in assessing and promoting his health and wellness as he carries out the duties of the Presidency , '' Conley said in the report .
The president 's lab results were broadly listed as `` normal '' by the physician .
The memo says Trump is 6 feet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Medical guidance from NBC News noted that Trump is obese and his blood pressure , while normal , puts him on the cusp of hypertension .
The president `` remains healthy , '' Conley concluded in his report , which covered Trump 's physical exams between November and April .
Trump made a surprise trip to Walter Reed hospital in November , where he underwent what he called `` phase one of my yearly physical . ''
`` Will complete next year , '' Trump said in a tweet at the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ typically undergo a single annual physical toward the beginning of a new year .
The White House insisted in November that there was nothing unusual about Trump completing his third presidential physical in multiple stages .

U.S. President Donald Trump deplanes from Air Force One as he returns to Washington after travel to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, May 27, 2020.
President Donald Trump finished a regimen of the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine "without side effects," a White House doctor said Wednesday.
Trump, who revealed last month he was taking the drug to protect himself from contracting the coronavirus, completed his two-week regimen "safely," White House physician Dr. Sean Conley said in a report on the president's third physical exam while in office.
There is little definitive evidence proving hydroxychloroquine works either as an effective prophylactic or treatment for the coronavirus, though Trump has repeatedly touted its potential in the global efforts to combat the pandemic.
Numerous clinical trials are studying the efficacy of the drug on Covid-19. JAMA Network last month found that hydroxychloroquine appeared to not help Covid-19 patients and, instead, placed them at increased risk of cardiac arrest. A study published in late May in medical journal The Lancet found that hospitalized Covid-19 patients treated with hydroxychloroquine had a higher risk of death than those who didn't take it. That study is now being reexamined.
The World Health Organization said Wednesday that it was resuming a trial of the drug after temporarily halting research over safety concerns.
Trump, who turns 74 this month, said on May 18 that he had been taking hydroxychloroquine, along with zinc and an initial dose of azithromycin, or Z-Pak.
The president told reporters at the time that he started taking hydroxychloroquine because "I think it's good, I've heard a lot of good stories."
That evening, Conley released a memo saying he and Trump discussed the drug and concluded that "the potential benefit from treatment outweighed the relative risks."
In his report released Wednesday, Conley said that Trump "continues to receive regular COVID-19 testing, and to date all results have been negative."
Conley noted that Trump began his regimen after two West Wing staffers were diagnosed with the coronavirus. One of those staffers included a personal valet for Trump, who among other things served meals to the president.
The memo said Trump took a two-week "course" of hydroxychloroquine alongside zinc and Vitamin D. The report makes no reference to Z-Pak, of which Trump said he took an "original dose."
"Overall the president continues to benefit from a multi-disciplinary care team in assessing and promoting his health and wellness as he carries out the duties of the Presidency," Conley said in the report.
The president's lab results were broadly listed as "normal" by the physician. The memo says Trump is 6 feet, 3 inches tall and weighs 244 pounds.
Medical guidance from NBC News noted that Trump is obese and his blood pressure, while normal, puts him on the cusp of hypertension.
The president "remains healthy," Conley concluded in his report, which covered Trump's physical exams between November and April.
Trump made a surprise trip to Walter Reed hospital in November, where he underwent what he called "phase one of my yearly physical."
"Will complete next year," Trump said in a tweet at the time.
Multiple outlets have reported that presidents typically undergo a single annual physical toward the beginning of a new year. The White House insisted in November that there was nothing unusual about Trump completing his third presidential physical in multiple stages.


cnbc--2020-06-03--'We need a government as good as its people': Jimmy Carter calls for racial justice in aftermath of

'We need a government as good as its people': Jimmy Carter calls for racial justice in aftermath of Floyd killing

Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter speaks at a news conference at the Carter Center in Atlanta , Georgia .
Former President Jimmy Carter on Wednesday addressed the death of unarmed black man George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police , expressing sympathy for the Floyd family and condemning racial discrimination .
But he said of the protests raging across the nation in the aftermath of that killing , that `` violence , whether spontaneous or consciously incited , is not a solution . ''
`` Our hearts are with the victims ' families and all who feel hopeless in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outright cruelty , '' Carter said in a statement on behalf of himself and his wife Rosalynn .
`` We all must shine a spotlight on the immorality of racial discrimination . ''
`` We need a government as good as its people , and we are better than this , '' the Carters said .
The couple 's statement comes as protests nationwide continue into their ninth day , with organizers and demonstrators calling for police accountability .
Major cities , including New York , have begun enforcing curfews and beefing up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marked by violence and looting .
Floyd died as a white officer , Derek Chauvin , held him down by pressing a knee into his neck .
In a video of his arrest in Minneapolis , Floyd is heard repeatedly telling Chauvin and other cops , `` I ca n't breathe . ''
Carter is the latest former president to address Floyd 's death .
George W. Bush on Tuesday expressed a similar sentiment , saying , `` Looting is not liberation , and destruction is not progress . ''
Former President Barack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and `` should n't be 'normal ' in 2020 America . ''
President Donald Trump has also expressed sympathy for Floyd 's family while threatening multiple times to send the National Guard to quell the protests .
Trump said in a tweet that `` when the looting starts , the shooting starts , '' echoing a phrase used by a Miami police chief in the 1960s , widely interpreted as a violent threat against protesters .
All of the former officers involved with Floyd 's death have now been charged in the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tragic racial injustices and consequent backlash across our nation in recent weeks .
Our hearts are with the victims ' families and all who feel hopeless in the face of pervasive racial discrimination and outright cruelty .
We all must shine a spotlight on the immorality of racial discrimination .
But violence , whether spontaneous or consciously incited , is not a solution .
As a white male of the South , I know all too well the impact of segregation and injustice to African Americans .
As a politician , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my state and our country .
In my 1974 inaugural address as Georgia 's governor , I said : `` The time for racial discrimination is over . ''
With great sorrow and disappointment , I repeat those words today , nearly five decades later .
Dehumanizing people debases us all ; humanity is beautifully and almost infinitely diverse .
The bonds of our common humanity must overcome the divisiveness of our fears and prejudices .
Since leaving the White House in 1981 , Rosalynn and I have strived to advance human rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this quest , we have seen that silence can be as deadly as violence .
People of power , privilege , and moral conscience must stand up and say `` no more '' to a racially discriminatory police and justice system , immoral economic disparities between whites and blacks , and government actions that undermine our unified democracy .
We are responsible for creating a world of peace and equality for ourselves and future generations .
We need a government as good as its people , and we are better than this .

Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter speaks at a news conference at the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
Former President Jimmy Carter on Wednesday addressed the death of unarmed black man George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police, expressing sympathy for the Floyd family and condemning racial discrimination.
But he said of the protests raging across the nation in the aftermath of that killing, that "violence, whether spontaneous or consciously incited, is not a solution."
"Our hearts are with the victims' families and all who feel hopeless in the face of pervasive racial discrimination and outright cruelty," Carter said in a statement on behalf of himself and his wife Rosalynn. "We all must shine a spotlight on the immorality of racial discrimination."
"We need a government as good as its people, and we are better than this," the Carters said.
The couple's statement comes as protests nationwide continue into their ninth day, with organizers and demonstrators calling for police accountability. Major cities, including New York, have begun enforcing curfews and beefing up law enforcement resources after days of action marked by violence and looting.
Floyd died as a white officer, Derek Chauvin, held him down by pressing a knee into his neck. In a video of his arrest in Minneapolis, Floyd is heard repeatedly telling Chauvin and other cops, "I can't breathe."
Carter is the latest former president to address Floyd's death.
George W. Bush on Tuesday expressed a similar sentiment, saying, "Looting is not liberation, and destruction is not progress." Former President Barack Obama on Friday tweeted that racial inequality and "shouldn't be 'normal' in 2020 America."
President Donald Trump has also expressed sympathy for Floyd's family while threatening multiple times to send the National Guard to quell the protests. Trump said in a tweet that "when the looting starts, the shooting starts," echoing a phrase used by a Miami police chief in the 1960s, widely interpreted as a violent threat against protesters.
All of the former officers involved with Floyd's death have now been charged in the case.
Read Carter's full statement:
Rosalynn and I are pained by the tragic racial injustices and consequent backlash across our nation in recent weeks. Our hearts are with the victims' families and all who feel hopeless in the face of pervasive racial discrimination and outright cruelty. We all must shine a spotlight on the immorality of racial discrimination. But violence, whether spontaneous or consciously incited, is not a solution.
As a white male of the South, I know all too well the impact of segregation and injustice to African Americans. As a politician, I felt a responsibility to bring equity to my state and our country. In my 1974 inaugural address as Georgia's governor, I said: "The time for racial discrimination is over." With great sorrow and disappointment, I repeat those words today, nearly five decades later. Dehumanizing people debases us all; humanity is beautifully and almost infinitely diverse. The bonds of our common humanity must overcome the divisiveness of our fears and prejudices.
Since leaving the White House in 1981, Rosalynn and I have strived to advance human rights in countries around the world. In this quest, we have seen that silence can be as deadly as violence. People of power, privilege, and moral conscience must stand up and say "no more" to a racially discriminatory police and justice system, immoral economic disparities between whites and blacks, and government actions that undermine our unified democracy. We are responsible for creating a world of peace and equality for ourselves and future generations.
We need a government as good as its people, and we are better than this.


cnbc--2020-06-03--Esper is still Defense secretary 'as of right now,' White House says after reports say Trump was ang

Esper is still Defense secretary 'as of right now,' White House says after reports say Trump was angry with him

U.S. President Donald Trump listens as Mark Esper , U.S. Secretary of Defense , speaks during his swearing-in ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington , D.C. , U.S. , on Tuesday , July 23 , 2019 .
WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Mark Esper was still in his post , the White House said Wednesday , even as reports said President Donald Trump was displeased with the Pentagon chief 's public disagreement over the Insurrection Act .
`` I would say if he loses confidence in Secretary Esper I 'm sure you all will be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , Secretary Esper is still Secretary Esper , and should the president lose faith , we will all learn about that in the future , '' White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said at a press briefing .
Neither the Pentagon nor the White House immediately responded to requests for comment .
In an extraordinary break with Trump , Esper told reporters Wednesday at the Pentagon that he did not support the invoking the Insurrection Act , a law from 1807 that would allow Trump to deploy active-duty U.S. troops to respond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police brutality across the country .
`` I say this not only as secretary of Defense , but also as a former soldier and a former member of the National Guard , the option to use active-duty forces in a law enforcement role should only be used as a matter of last resort , and only in the most urgent and dire situations .
We are not in one of those situations now , '' Esper said .
`` I do not support invoking the Insurrection Act , '' he added .
McEnany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` sole authority '' to move forward with the measure .
`` If he chooses to use it he will do it , '' she said of the Insurrection Act .

U.S. President Donald Trump listens as Mark Esper, U.S. Secretary of Defense, speaks during his swearing-in ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Tuesday, July 23, 2019.
WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Mark Esper was still in his post, the White House said Wednesday, even as reports said President Donald Trump was displeased with the Pentagon chief's public disagreement over the Insurrection Act.
"I would say if he loses confidence in Secretary Esper I'm sure you all will be the first to know. As of right now, Secretary Esper is still Secretary Esper, and should the president lose faith, we will all learn about that in the future," White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said at a press briefing.
Neither the Pentagon nor the White House immediately responded to requests for comment.
In an extraordinary break with Trump, Esper told reporters Wednesday at the Pentagon that he did not support the invoking the Insurrection Act, a law from 1807 that would allow Trump to deploy active-duty U.S. troops to respond to civil unrest stemming from protests against police brutality across the country.
"I say this not only as secretary of Defense, but also as a former soldier and a former member of the National Guard, the option to use active-duty forces in a law enforcement role should only be used as a matter of last resort, and only in the most urgent and dire situations. We are not in one of those situations now," Esper said.
"I do not support invoking the Insurrection Act," he added.
McEnany responded by saying that Trump has the "sole authority" to move forward with the measure. "If he chooses to use it he will do it," she said of the Insurrection Act.


cnbc--2020-06-03--Biden blows past Trump in betting markets as protests over police brutality continue

Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Joe Biden speaks during an event in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , U.S. June 2 , 2020 .
Former Vice President Joe Biden has surged past President Donald Trump in online betting markets tied to the outcome of the 2020 presidential race as the U.S. continues to grapple with a deepening financial crisis , spreading pandemic and historic protests over police brutality .
Biden , the apparent Democratic nominee , has taken his biggest lead over Trump to date in Smarkets , a U.K.-based online gambling platform , as well as PredictIt , an online betting platform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As recently as last week , Trump was favored to win on both platforms .
Biden 's chances have risen to 50 % -43 % on Smarkets and 53 % -46 % on PredictIt .
Spokespeople for both companies confirmed that trading volume has risen to levels unseen since March , when the U.S. began shutting down major portions of its economy to halt the spread of the coronavirus .
Betting markets are distinct from polls , which have for months consistently shown Biden leading Trump and currently show Trump behind by about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask voters which candidate they support , betting markets allow users to wager on whom they think will ultimately win November 's election , taking into account factors such as the Electoral College .
Trump , who won the Electoral College in 2016 despite losing the popular vote , has typically performed better in betting markets than polls .
Representatives for the campaigns did not respond to requests for comment .
The shifting contours of the race , as played out in online betting markets , are a marked contrast to the relative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden briefly led Trump in March , but Trump carried a stable lead throughout April and May , even as tens of millions of Americans lost their jobs , sending unemployment numbers skyrocketing past those reached in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis .
The change in the race comes as Biden positions himself as Trump 's opposite when it comes to addressing grievances over historic injustices in policing black communities .
Trump , who has expressed some sympathy for the case of George Floyd , a black man who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week , has nonetheless called for police to `` dominate '' protesters with overwhelming force .
The four officers involved in the arrest have been fired and one has been charged with murder .
A dramatic example of the tactic came on Monday , when police backed by the National Guard forcefully ousted peaceful protesters gathered at a park near the White House so that Trump could walk across the street to have his photograph taken with a Bible at St. John 's Church .
Biden has accused Trump of `` calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment of pain for so many . ''
`` 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 during an address to the nation on Tuesday .
`` I wo n'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 . ''
Biden 's stance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his standing in the money race .
Supporters and bundlers for the candidate have reported a massive surge in contributions , CNBC reported Tuesday .
`` Nationwide protests in the wake of George Floyd 's killing and Trump 's response have seemingly had wide-reaching consequences for the 2020 election , '' Patrick Flynn , a political analyst at Smarkets , said in a statement .
Recent events have also shifted the odds for candidates to become Biden 's running mate , boosting black women who have been suggested for the job , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , D-Minn. , whose record as a prosecutor in Minnesota has come under renewed scrutiny .
Klobuchar , who ran against Biden for the nomination , saw her chances fall to 5 % from a May high of 29 % on Smarkets after critics accused her of failing to press for charges against police who used excessive force in her prior role , reprising criticism that surfaced during her own primary run .
Klobuchar has defended her record and said that ultimately the decision about who will be on the ticket is Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ betting markets for the role , with Sen. Kamala Harris of California and Florida Rep. Val Demings taking the top two slots as of Wednesday morning .
Harris , who feuded sharply with Biden during the campaign , endorsed him shortly after his victory on Super Tuesday in March .
Harris has faced scrutiny for her own record on race as the attorney general of California but has sought to position herself as a progressive .
She is the leading contender on Smarkets , with a 41 % chance of being tapped as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the chief of the Orlando Police Department , has seen her chances rise most precipitously in the wake of the protests over Floyd 's death .
She could face an uphill battle because of her low national profile , though coming from Florida , a key battleground , is an asset .
Demings has confirmed she is on Biden 's short list .
Demings ' chances rose to 13 % from 2 % in May on Smarkets .
Read more : How Joe Biden 's leading VP contenders stack up in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death

Former Vice President Joe Biden has surged past President Donald Trump in online betting markets tied to the outcome of the 2020 presidential race as the U.S. continues to grapple with a deepening financial crisis, spreading pandemic and historic protests over police brutality.
Biden, the apparent Democratic nominee, has taken his biggest lead over Trump to date in Smarkets, a U.K.-based online gambling platform, as well as PredictIt, an online betting platform established by researchers in New Zealand.
As recently as last week, Trump was favored to win on both platforms. Biden's chances have risen to 50%-43% on Smarkets and 53%-46% on PredictIt.
Spokespeople for both companies confirmed that trading volume has risen to levels unseen since March, when the U.S. began shutting down major portions of its economy to halt the spread of the coronavirus.
Betting markets are distinct from polls, which have for months consistently shown Biden leading Trump and currently show Trump behind by about 8 percentage points.
While polls typically ask voters which candidate they support, betting markets allow users to wager on whom they think will ultimately win November's election, taking into account factors such as the Electoral College. Trump, who won the Electoral College in 2016 despite losing the popular vote, has typically performed better in betting markets than polls.
Representatives for the campaigns did not respond to requests for comment.
The shifting contours of the race, as played out in online betting markets, are a marked contrast to the relative stability that has held in recent months.
Biden briefly led Trump in March, but Trump carried a stable lead throughout April and May, even as tens of millions of Americans lost their jobs, sending unemployment numbers skyrocketing past those reached in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.
The change in the race comes as Biden positions himself as Trump's opposite when it comes to addressing grievances over historic injustices in policing black communities.
Trump, who has expressed some sympathy for the case of George Floyd, a black man who was killed while in police custody in Minneapolis last week, has nonetheless called for police to "dominate" protesters with overwhelming force. The four officers involved in the arrest have been fired and one has been charged with murder.
A dramatic example of the tactic came on Monday, when police backed by the National Guard forcefully ousted peaceful protesters gathered at a park near the White House so that Trump could walk across the street to have his photograph taken with a Bible at St. John's Church.
Biden has accused Trump of "calling for violence against American citizens during a moment of pain for so many."
"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 during an address to the nation on Tuesday. "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."
Biden's stance during the crisis has also apparently boosted his standing in the money race. Supporters and bundlers for the candidate have reported a massive surge in contributions, CNBC reported Tuesday.
"Nationwide protests in the wake of George Floyd's killing and Trump's response have seemingly had wide-reaching consequences for the 2020 election," Patrick Flynn, a political analyst at Smarkets, said in a statement.
Recent events have also shifted the odds for candidates to become Biden's running mate, boosting black women who have been suggested for the job, and taking a toll on Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., whose record as a prosecutor in Minnesota has come under renewed scrutiny.
Klobuchar, who ran against Biden for the nomination, saw her chances fall to 5% from a May high of 29% on Smarkets after critics accused her of failing to press for charges against police who used excessive force in her prior role, reprising criticism that surfaced during her own primary run.
Klobuchar has defended her record and said that ultimately the decision about who will be on the ticket is Biden's.
Meanwhile, black women lead betting markets for the role, with Sen. Kamala Harris of California and Florida Rep. Val Demings taking the top two slots as of Wednesday morning.
Harris, who feuded sharply with Biden during the campaign, endorsed him shortly after his victory on Super Tuesday in March. Harris has faced scrutiny for her own record on race as the attorney general of California but has sought to position herself as a progressive. She is the leading contender on Smarkets, with a 41% chance of being tapped as vice president.
Demings, who served as the chief of the Orlando Police Department, has seen her chances rise most precipitously in the wake of the protests over Floyd's death. She could face an uphill battle because of her low national profile, though coming from Florida, a key battleground, is an asset. Demings has confirmed she is on Biden's short list.
Demings' chances rose to 13% from 2% in May on Smarkets.
Read more: How Joe Biden's leading VP contenders stack up in the wake of protests over George Floyd's death


cnbc--2020-06-03--North Carolina woman who was the last person to receive a Civil War-era pension dies at age 90, WSJ

North Carolina woman who was the last person to receive a Civil War-era pension dies at age 90, WSJ says

Union Army Gen. Robert Nugent and staff near Washington , D.C. Nugent helped form the Irish Brigade and was its last surviving officer in the waning days of the war .
WASHINGTON — The last person to receive a pension from the U.S. Civil War , has died at the age of 90 , The Wall Street Journal reported .
Irene Triplett , daughter of Civil War veteran Mose Triplett , died Sunday in Wilkesboro , North Carolina , following complications after surgery .
According to the newspaper , she received a pension of $ 73.13 a month from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's service , which began more than 155 years ago .
According to the Journal , Pvt .
Triplett enlisted in the Confederate 53rd North Carolina Infantry Regiment in May 1862 before defecting to a Union regiment two years later .
In 1924 , when he was 83 years old , he married 34-year-old Elida Hall and the two had Irene .
Mose Triplett died at the age of 92 in 1938 .
Irene Triplett lived a tough life .
As a child , she told the Journal in 2014 , she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alike .
After her father died , Triplette and her mother lived several years in the Wilkes County , North Carolina , poorhouse , the Journal said .
Medicaid and her small Civil War-era pension helped pay for her residence in care homes through the years , as well .
Click here to read the full Wall Street Journal story .

Union Army Gen. Robert Nugent and staff near Washington, D.C. Nugent helped form the Irish Brigade and was its last surviving officer in the waning days of the war.
WASHINGTON — The last person to receive a pension from the U.S. Civil War, has died at the age of 90, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Irene Triplett, daughter of Civil War veteran Mose Triplett, died Sunday in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, following complications after surgery. According to the newspaper, she received a pension of $73.13 a month from the Department of Veterans Affairs for her father's service, which began more than 155 years ago.
According to the Journal, Pvt. Triplett enlisted in the Confederate 53rd North Carolina Infantry Regiment in May 1862 before defecting to a Union regiment two years later.
In 1924, when he was 83 years old, he married 34-year-old Elida Hall and the two had Irene. Mose Triplett died at the age of 92 in 1938.
Irene Triplett lived a tough life. As a child, she told the Journal in 2014, she was beaten by her parents and her teachers alike. After her father died, Triplette and her mother lived several years in the Wilkes County, North Carolina, poorhouse, the Journal said. Medicaid and her small Civil War-era pension helped pay for her residence in care homes through the years, as well.
Click here to read the full Wall Street Journal story.


cnbc--2020-06-03--Defense Secretary Mark Esper opposes using Insurrection Act for George Floyd protest unrest, angerin

Defense Secretary Mark Esper opposes using Insurrection Act for George Floyd protest unrest, angering White House

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Mark Esper told reporters at the Pentagon on Wednesday that he does not support invoking the Insurrection Act , a law from 1807 that would allow President Donald Trump to deploy active-duty U.S. troops to respond to civil unrest in cities across the country .
`` I say this not only as Secretary of Defense , but also as a former soldier and a former member of the National Guard , the option to use active-duty forces in a law enforcement role should only be used as a matter of last resort , and only in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are not in one of those situations now , '' Esper said .
`` I do not support invoking the Insurrection Act , '' he added .
Meanwhile , NBC News , citing two White House officials , reported that Trump is backing off the idea of invoking the act , at least for now .
`` It has always been an option and remains an option , '' an official told NBC .
This person said things have improved `` because of the influx of National Guard and the president 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's remarks reportedly angered Trump and his aides at the White House , according to Bloomberg News .
The outlet , citing Trump aides , said the White House viewed Esper 's remarks as out of line .
Bloomberg said the aides did n't expect Trump to fire Esper .
A senior administration official later told NBC News that Esper 's comments `` were not well received '' inside the White House .
Esper met with Trump on Wednesday afternoon in a previously scheduled sitdown .

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Mark Esper told reporters at the Pentagon on Wednesday that he does not support invoking the Insurrection Act, a law from 1807 that would allow President Donald Trump to deploy active-duty U.S. troops to respond to civil unrest in cities across the country.
"I say this not only as Secretary of Defense, but also as a former soldier and a former member of the National Guard, the option to use active-duty forces in a law enforcement role should only be used as a matter of last resort, and only in the most urgent and dire situations. We are not in one of those situations now," Esper said.
"I do not support invoking the Insurrection Act," he added.
Meanwhile, NBC News, citing two White House officials, reported that Trump is backing off the idea of invoking the act, at least for now.
"It has always been an option and remains an option," an official told NBC. This person said things have improved "because of the influx of National Guard and the president's pressure on governors."
But Esper's remarks reportedly angered Trump and his aides at the White House, according to Bloomberg News.
The outlet, citing Trump aides, said the White House viewed Esper's remarks as out of line. Bloomberg said the aides didn't expect Trump to fire Esper.
A senior administration official later told NBC News that Esper's comments "were not well received" inside the White House. Esper met with Trump on Wednesday afternoon in a previously scheduled sitdown.


cnbc--2020-06-03--Steve King gets ousted, and key 2020 contests are set in Tuesday's primary elections

Rep. Steve King , R-Iowa on the East Front of the Capitol , to highlight crimes committed by illegal immigrants in the U.S. , on September 7 , 2018 .
Rep. Steve King , an Iowa Republican known for racist remarks , lost his primary election Tuesday on a night when states across the country voted .
The congressman , removed from House committees last year after he questioned why the phrases `` white nationalist '' and `` white supremacist '' were `` offensive , '' fell short against Randy Feenstra , a GOP state senator .
Feenstra will face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost to King in 2018 but likely faces a tougher race without the incumbent on the ballot .
During his 17 years in Congress representing the 4th District , King has repeatedly made racist comments about immigrants and helped to fuel nativist elements in the GOP .
At the 2016 Republican National Convention , he claimed no `` subgroup '' contributed as much to civilization as white people .
The race between King and Feenstra was not the only major contest on the ballot Tuesday as seven states and Washington , D.C. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and New Mexico , Americans voted in key races — with a larger-than-usual emphasis on mail-in ballots as the coronavirus pandemic rages on .
• Iowa Senate : Democrat Theresa Greenfield , the candidate supported by the national party , won the primary to face Republican Sen. Joni Ernst in November .
The senator and multiple GOP colleagues need to defend their seats in potentially competitive races in order for the party to keep its 53-47 majority in the Senate .
President Donald Trump won Iowa by about 10 percentage points in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the state in 2018 .
• Montana Senate : Democratic Gov .
Steve Bullock carried the Democratic primary in Montana and will face Republican Sen. Steve Daines in November .
The two-term governor boosted Democratic hopes of flipping the seat when he entered the race in March .
Trump won Montana by a whopping 20 percentage points in 2016 , though Bullock won reelection the same year .
• Presidential election : Apparent Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden continued his push to amass enough pledged delegates to take on Trump in November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,991 delegates needed to become the Democratic nominee after projected wins in Indiana , Washington , D.C. , Maryland , Pennsylvania , Rhode Island , New Mexico , South Dakota and Montana , according to NBC News .
He will likely hit the threshold after Georgia and West Virginia vote next week .
• House races : The primary elections set up some 2018 rematches in swing House seats that will help to determine whether Democrats can keep their majority .
Democratic Rep. Xochitl Torres Small , who flipped New Mexico 's 2nd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face Republican Yvette Herrell after beating her by about a percentage point in 2018 .
Democratic Rep. Cindy Axne of the 3rd District , who unseated GOP Rep. David Young two years ago , will face the former congressman again in November .
• Ferguson mayor : Ella Jones was the first black person and first woman elected as mayor of Ferguson , Missouri , on Tuesday .
Her election came during a week of nationwide protests over police-involved killings of black Americans , which echo the demonstrations seen in Ferguson after black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the hands of a white police officer .

Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa on the East Front of the Capitol, to highlight crimes committed by illegal immigrants in the U.S., on September 7, 2018.
Rep. Steve King, an Iowa Republican known for racist remarks, lost his primary election Tuesday on a night when states across the country voted.
The congressman, removed from House committees last year after he questioned why the phrases "white nationalist" and "white supremacist" were "offensive," fell short against Randy Feenstra, a GOP state senator. Feenstra will face Democrat J.D. Scholten, who narrowly lost to King in 2018 but likely faces a tougher race without the incumbent on the ballot.
During his 17 years in Congress representing the 4th District, King has repeatedly made racist comments about immigrants and helped to fuel nativist elements in the GOP. At the 2016 Republican National Convention, he claimed no "subgroup" contributed as much to civilization as white people.
The race between King and Feenstra was not the only major contest on the ballot Tuesday as seven states and Washington, D.C., held primaries. From Iowa to Montana and New Mexico, Americans voted in key races — with a larger-than-usual emphasis on mail-in ballots as the coronavirus pandemic rages on.
Iowa Senate: Democrat Theresa Greenfield, the candidate supported by the national party, won the primary to face Republican Sen. Joni Ernst in November. The senator and multiple GOP colleagues need to defend their seats in potentially competitive races in order for the party to keep its 53-47 majority in the Senate. President Donald Trump won Iowa by about 10 percentage points in 2016, but Democrats flipped two House seats in the state in 2018.
Democrat Theresa Greenfield, the candidate supported by the national party, won the primary to face Republican Sen. Joni Ernst in November. The senator and multiple GOP colleagues need to defend their seats in potentially competitive races in order for the party to keep its 53-47 majority in the Senate. President Donald Trump won Iowa by about 10 percentage points in 2016, but Democrats flipped two House seats in the state in 2018. Montana Senate: Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock carried the Democratic primary in Montana and will face Republican Sen. Steve Daines in November. The two-term governor boosted Democratic hopes of flipping the seat when he entered the race in March. Trump won Montana by a whopping 20 percentage points in 2016, though Bullock won reelection the same year.
Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock carried the Democratic primary in Montana and will face Republican Sen. Steve Daines in November. The two-term governor boosted Democratic hopes of flipping the seat when he entered the race in March. Trump won Montana by a whopping 20 percentage points in 2016, though Bullock won reelection the same year. Presidential election: Apparent Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden continued his push to amass enough pledged delegates to take on Trump in November. He now has 1,943 of the 1,991 delegates needed to become the Democratic nominee after projected wins in Indiana, Washington, D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, New Mexico, South Dakota and Montana, according to NBC News. He will likely hit the threshold after Georgia and West Virginia vote next week.
Apparent Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden continued his push to amass enough pledged delegates to take on Trump in November. He now has 1,943 of the 1,991 delegates needed to become the Democratic nominee after projected wins in Indiana, Washington, D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, New Mexico, South Dakota and Montana, according to NBC News. He will likely hit the threshold after Georgia and West Virginia vote next week. House races: The primary elections set up some 2018 rematches in swing House seats that will help to determine whether Democrats can keep their majority. Democratic Rep. Xochitl Torres Small, who flipped New Mexico's 2nd District in the midterms, will again face Republican Yvette Herrell after beating her by about a percentage point in 2018. Democratic Rep. Cindy Axne of the 3rd District, who unseated GOP Rep. David Young two years ago, will face the former congressman again in November.
The primary elections set up some 2018 rematches in swing House seats that will help to determine whether Democrats can keep their majority. Democratic Rep. Xochitl Torres Small, who flipped New Mexico's 2nd District in the midterms, will again face Republican Yvette Herrell after beating her by about a percentage point in 2018. Democratic Rep. Cindy Axne of the 3rd District, who unseated GOP Rep. David Young two years ago, will face the former congressman again in November. Ferguson mayor: Ella Jones was the first black person and first woman elected as mayor of Ferguson, Missouri, on Tuesday. Her election came during a week of nationwide protests over police-involved killings of black Americans, which echo the demonstrations seen in Ferguson after black teenager Michael Brown's 2014 shooting death at the hands of a white police officer.
Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube.


cnbc--2020-06-03--California sues Education Secretary DeVos, saying she has failed to implement student loan forgivene

California sues Education Secretary DeVos, saying she has failed to implement student loan forgiveness program

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos listens during a cabinet meeting in the East Room of the White House on May 19 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
Earlier in the day President Trump met with members of the Senate GOP .
California is suing Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and the U.S. Department of Education for what the state alleges is a failure to implement its student loan forgiveness program for people who took on public-service jobs .
`` Today 's lawsuit reminds Secretary DeVos that she is not above the law , '' California Attorney General Xavier Becerra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She is accountable to these college graduates who followed the rules and deserve better , especially amidst an economic crisis of historic proportions . ''
DeVos has been a lightning rod in the education world and in Washington .
Her critics have highlighted her multimillion-dollar wealth and connections to various industries , and pointed to her family 's previous donations to Republican efforts .
Consumer advocates have also said she 's made it harder for defrauded students to get their loans canceled .
Congress created the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program in 2007 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs , like education and firefighting , by promising forgiveness of the remaining balance of their federal student loans after a decade of on-time payments .
In 2013 , the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau estimated that one-quarter of American workers could be eligible .
Yet a complicated loan system and misinformation by lenders led to many borrowers hitting walls .
Ninety-nine percent of loan forgiveness applications under that program were rejected between May 2018 and May 2019 .
In 2018 , Congress set aside hundreds of millions of dollars to fix the troubled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deliver forgiveness to borrowers who had n't been told by their lender or did n't understand that they were enrolled in a payment plan that disqualified them .
In the lawsuit , Becerra said the Education Department continues to deny almost all borrowers who apply for debt forgiveness under the program .
California , the most populous state in the country , is home to the sprawling University of California system , which boasts 280,000 students and 2 million alumni living worldwide .
There are over 700 colleges in California , overall , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the nation 's college enrollment , more than any other state .
`` College graduates who put in a decade of hard work and made timely payments on their student loans earned their TEPSLF loan forgiveness .
But Education Secretary Betsy DeVos chose to ignore all of that , '' said Becerra , who has sued the Trump administration more than 80 times .
The Education Department has received more than 196,000 applications for public service loan forgiveness and has approved just around 3,400 , according to higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respond to a request for comment .

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos listens during a cabinet meeting in the East Room of the White House on May 19, 2020 in Washington, DC. Earlier in the day President Trump met with members of the Senate GOP.
California is suing Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and the U.S. Department of Education for what the state alleges is a failure to implement its student loan forgiveness program for people who took on public-service jobs.
"Today's lawsuit reminds Secretary DeVos that she is not above the law," California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in a statement Wednesday.
"She is accountable to these college graduates who followed the rules and deserve better, especially amidst an economic crisis of historic proportions."
DeVos has been a lightning rod in the education world and in Washington. Her critics have highlighted her multimillion-dollar wealth and connections to various industries, and pointed to her family's previous donations to Republican efforts. Consumer advocates have also said she's made it harder for defrauded students to get their loans canceled.
Congress created the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program in 2007 to encourage students to take public service jobs, like education and firefighting, by promising forgiveness of the remaining balance of their federal student loans after a decade of on-time payments. In 2013, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau estimated that one-quarter of American workers could be eligible.
Yet a complicated loan system and misinformation by lenders led to many borrowers hitting walls. Ninety-nine percent of loan forgiveness applications under that program were rejected between May 2018 and May 2019.
In 2018, Congress set aside hundreds of millions of dollars to fix the troubled program. The temporary expansion aimed to deliver forgiveness to borrowers who hadn't been told by their lender or didn't understand that they were enrolled in a payment plan that disqualified them.
In the lawsuit, Becerra said the Education Department continues to deny almost all borrowers who apply for debt forgiveness under the program. California, the most populous state in the country, is home to the sprawling University of California system, which boasts 280,000 students and 2 million alumni living worldwide. There are over 700 colleges in California, overall, and the state accounts for 10% of the nation's college enrollment, more than any other state.
"College graduates who put in a decade of hard work and made timely payments on their student loans earned their TEPSLF loan forgiveness. But Education Secretary Betsy DeVos chose to ignore all of that," said Becerra, who has sued the Trump administration more than 80 times.
The Education Department has received more than 196,000 applications for public service loan forgiveness and has approved just around 3,400, according to higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz.
The Education Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


cnbc--2020-06-03--Trump admits he went to White House bunker during George Floyd protests, but claims it was just for

Trump admits he went to White House bunker during George Floyd protests, but claims it was just for a brief 'inspection'

President Donald Trump walks into the Rose Garden at the White House May 29 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
President Donald Trump on Wednesday denied multiple news reports that he took refuge for his personal safety in an underground White House bunker Friday night during intense protests outside the building over George Floyd 's death , claiming he only visited the bunker during the day for `` a short inspection . ''
`` It was a false report .
I was n't down [ in the bunker ] , '' on Friday evening , Trump said on Fox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I went down during the day and I was there for a tiny , little short period of time and it was much more for an inspection , there was no problem during the day , '' the president said .
Kilmeade , referring to the Secret Service , asked Trump : `` They did n't say to you , 'You have to go downstairs , my responsibility is your welfare ? '
'' The president replied , `` Nope , they did n't tell me that at all . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secret Service agents rushed Trump to the bunker , also known as the Presidential Emergency Operations Center , on Friday night as protests outside the White House grew hotter .
A senior administration official told NBC News on Sunday that Trump was in the bunker for a `` very short period '' out of an abundance of caution .
Trump returned to his residence in the White House within an hour , the official said .

President Donald Trump walks into the Rose Garden at the White House May 29, 2020 in Washington, DC.
President Donald Trump on Wednesday denied multiple news reports that he took refuge for his personal safety in an underground White House bunker Friday night during intense protests outside the building over George Floyd's death, claiming he only visited the bunker during the day for "a short inspection."
"It was a false report. I wasn't down [in the bunker]," on Friday evening, Trump said on Fox News Radio host Brian Kilmeade's show.
"I went down during the day and I was there for a tiny, little short period of time and it was much more for an inspection, there was no problem during the day," the president said.
Kilmeade, referring to the Secret Service, asked Trump: "They didn't say to you, 'You have to go downstairs, my responsibility is your welfare?'"
The president replied, "Nope, they didn't tell me that at all."
The New York Times first reported that Secret Service agents rushed Trump to the bunker, also known as the Presidential Emergency Operations Center, on Friday night as protests outside the White House grew hotter.
A senior administration official told NBC News on Sunday that Trump was in the bunker for a "very short period" out of an abundance of caution. Trump returned to his residence in the White House within an hour, the official said.


cnbc--2020-06-03--Black voters are more worried than others about health and economic damage from coronavirus, poll fi

Black voters are more worried than others about health and economic damage from coronavirus, poll finds

A man votes at McKinley Technology High School on primary election day on June 2 , 2020 in Washington , @ @ @ @ @ nine states and the District of Columbia are holding primaries , most of which were @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic .
Black voters in swing states worry more than other groups about the @ @ @ @ @ by the coronavirus pandemic , according to a new CNBC/Change Research poll .
Black respondents @ @ @ @ @ of Arizona , Florida , Michigan , North Carolina , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are more @ @ @ @ @ have been diagnosed with the coronavirus or know someone who has , the survey found @ @ @ @ @ , 42 % of black voters said they or a member of their household lost @ @ @ @ @ furloughed because of the pandemic — higher than the 37 % of Hispanic and 29 @ @ @ @ @ respectively .
The CNBC/Change Research poll surveyed 3,958 likely voters in the six states from @ @ @ @ @ a margin of error of plus or minus 1.6 percentage points .

A man votes at McKinley Technology High School on primary election day on June 2, 2020 in Washington, DC. On Tuesday, nine states and the District of Columbia are holding primaries, most of which were previously delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Black voters in swing states worry more than other groups about the health and economic crises created by the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new CNBC/Change Research poll.
Black respondents in the key 2020 states of Arizona, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are more likely than white voters to have been diagnosed with the coronavirus or know someone who has, the survey found.
At the same time, 42% of black voters said they or a member of their household lost their job or have been furloughed because of the pandemic — higher than the 37% of Hispanic and 29% of white respondents, respectively.
The CNBC/Change Research poll surveyed 3,958 likely voters in the six states from Friday through Sunday and has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.6 percentage points.


cnbc--2020-06-03--Trump's response to George Floyd protests could complicate efforts to shore up his Christian voter b

Trump's response to George Floyd protests could complicate efforts to shore up his Christian voter base

WASHINGTON – Within a 24-hour period , President Donald Trump has made two visits to Christian religious sites .
On Monday , Trump visited an historic church near the White House , and on Tuesday he laid a wreath at a shrine in honor of Saint Pope John Paul II .
Both events offered Trump an opportunity to highlight his administration 's support for Christians in the United States and around the world , long a priority for the president , who won 81 % of white evangelical Protestant voters in the 2016 presidential election .
Trump 's 2020 reelection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign advisory boards specifically aimed at shoring up Trump 's support among Christians : Evangelicals for Trump launched on Jan. 3 , and Catholics for Trump on Apr .
2 .
Nonetheless , both of Trump 's visits to Christian sites this week were fraught with controversy .
Rather than garner praise from prominent Christians , both events drew condemnation from the leaders of their respective denominations.They accused Trump of using holy spaces as political props .
They also objected to Trump 's demand that police and soldiers crack down on protests that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the killing of George Floyd , an unarmed black man who died in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25 .
While this was happening , Trump was giving a hastily arranged public address inside the White House Rose Garden , where he threatened to deploy active-duty troops to U.S. cities if local leaders did not succeed in quelling the protests , some of which have turned violent .
At first it was unclear why police outside the White House were suddenly firing rubber bullets and throwing pepper spray canisters at protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address , the president and a retinue of staffers emerged from the White House gates , crossed the cleared-out square on foot , and arrived at St. John 's Church .
The historic Episcopal Church had suffered minor damage in protests the night before .
Standing in front of the church , Trump held aloft a Bible that his daughter Ivanka Trump had reportedly brought with her from the White House .
Brandishing the Bible like a sword , Trump posed for photographs with staff and said , `` We have the greatest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep it nice and safe . ''
The White House group included top military officers dressed in battle fatigues , Cabinet secretaries , Secret Service snipers and West Wing aides .
After the photos , they all walked back to the White House through a phalanx of riot police .
The Park Police later said that the escalation in tactics at Lafayette Park was triggered by protesters throwing things at the police , and was unrelated to Trump 's walk moments later .
In a statement to CNBC about the event , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a powerful statement that God will always prevail by standing before the burned church , Bible in hand . ''
But at St. John 's Church , the clergy and parishioners said they were shocked .
No one had told them the president would be visiting their church , and it soon emerged that some of the people who were forcibly removed to clear the square for were clergy members affiliated with St. John 's .
The Rt .
Rev .
Michael Curry , presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church , said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the President of the United States stood in front of St. John 's Episcopal Church , lifted up a Bible , and had pictures of himself taken .
In so doing , he used a church building and the Holy Bible for partisan political purposes .
This was done in a time of deep hurt and pain in our country , and his action did nothing to help us or to heal us . ''
On Capitol Hill Tuesday , even loyal Republicans struggled to defend Trump 's apparent photo op .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been to an event where I 've stood outside a building and held up a Bible like that before , and I 'm a person who reads the Bible every day , '' Oklahoma Republican Sen. James Lankford told reporters .
`` I do n't think I 've ever done that , so it did n't make sense in that context .
Visiting that site , I thought was significant , '' Lankford said .
`` The time , I did n't think was helpful .
If [ Trump had ] gone the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ folks out there , that would have been a better time . ''
Any suggestion of a schism between the White House and faith communities right now comes at a particularly fraught time for Trump 's reelection campaign .
A series of recent polls show the president losing ground among Christian voters , and they have reportedly triggered alarm bells within the Trump 2020 campaign .
Christians have long been a pillar of Trump 's political base , with white evangelical Christians making up a major slice of the U.S. electorate , roughly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But this year Christians may be especially important to Trump because his challenger , former Vice President Joe Biden , is currently leading in both national polls and in most battleground state polls .
Biden has also shown that , as a candidate , he can cut into Trump 's support among white , working-class voters , making voters who reliably vote Republican , like evangelical Christians , all the more important in Trump 's path to victory .
`` The President has an extraordinary record on conservative and faith issues , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` He has appointed over 190 solid , conservative federal judges , including two exemplary Supreme Court justices .
He has defended religious freedoms and stood as the most pro-life president we 've ever had . ''
Ahead of November , said Matthews , `` Our faith-based coalitions will engage and mobilize voters for whom these issues are important . ''
First , Trump and first lady Melania Trump visited a shrine in Northeast Washington , erected to honor the late Pope John Paul II .
The shrine is not operated directly by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Knights of Columbus , a fraternal organization known for its conservative political bent .
But just as Trump was arriving at the shrine , Washington 's Catholic Archbishop , Wilton Gregory , slammed Trump 's visit in a statement to the press .
`` I find it baffling and reprehensible that any Catholic facility would allow itself to be so egregiously misused and manipulated in a fashion that violates our religious principles , which call us to defend the rights of all people , even those with whom we might disagree , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paul II was an ardent defender of the rights and dignity of human beings .
His legacy bears vivid witness to that truth , '' Gregory said .
`` He certainly would not condone the use of tear gas and other deterrents to silence , scatter or intimidate them for a photo opportunity in front of a place of worship and peace . ''
Later in the day , Trump signed an Executive Order at the White House directing the Secretary of State to dedicate taxpayer funds to protecting and promoting `` religious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' is a phrase and an issue that has been embraced by evangelical Christians in the United States .
In practice , it usually refers to protecting Christian minorities in majority Muslim nations .
During a speech at conservative Liberty University in January of 2016 , Trump fumbled as he tried to cite Scripture .
`` Two Corinthians 3:17 , that 's the whole ballgame .
... Is that the one you like ? ''
Trump asked the crowd of students .
`` Now the Lord is that Spirit : and where the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is liberty . ''
The audience snickered , acutely aware that the chapter Trump was trying to quote is known as `` Second Corinthians '' — not `` Two Corinthians . ''
At other points in the 2016 campaign , Trump said that he had never asked God for forgiveness , effectively revealing that he had never practiced a basic pillar of Christian faith .
`` I have great relationship with God .
I have great relationship with the Evangelicals , '' Trump said in an interview with CNN shortly before the 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be good .
I do n't like to have to ask for forgiveness .
And I am good .
I do n't do a lot of things that are bad .
I try to do nothing that is bad , '' Trump said .
If 2016 is any indication , Trump 's stumbles are unlikely to seriously harm his support among evangelical Christians in November .
An April survey by the Public Religion Research Institute found that Trump 's favorability rating among evangelical Protestants still exceeds his overall approval rating by more than @ @ @

US President Donald Trump holds up a bible in front of boarded up St John's Episcopal church after walking across Lafayette Park from the White House in Washington, DC on June 1, 2020. Brendan Smialowski | AFP | Getty Images
WASHINGTON – Within a 24-hour period, President Donald Trump has made two visits to Christian religious sites. On Monday, Trump visited an historic church near the White House, and on Tuesday he laid a wreath at a shrine in honor of Saint Pope John Paul II. Both events offered Trump an opportunity to highlight his administration's support for Christians in the United States and around the world, long a priority for the president, who won 81% of white evangelical Protestant voters in the 2016 presidential election. Trump's 2020 reelection effort has already created at least two campaign advisory boards specifically aimed at shoring up Trump's support among Christians: Evangelicals for Trump launched on Jan. 3, and Catholics for Trump on Apr. 2. Nonetheless, both of Trump's visits to Christian sites this week were fraught with controversy. Rather than garner praise from prominent Christians, both events drew condemnation from the leaders of their respective denominations.They accused Trump of using holy spaces as political props. They also objected to Trump's demand that police and soldiers crack down on protests that have erupted across the nation in response to the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25.
St. John's Church
The more controversial of Trump's two visits was on Monday night. At around 6:30 p.m., riot police and military police abruptly and violently cleared out a peaceful crowd of protesters near the White House with pepper spray and rubber bullets, more than a half-hour before the start of a citywide curfew in Washington.
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
While this was happening, Trump was giving a hastily arranged public address inside the White House Rose Garden, where he threatened to deploy active-duty troops to U.S. cities if local leaders did not succeed in quelling the protests, some of which have turned violent. At first it was unclear why police outside the White House were suddenly firing rubber bullets and throwing pepper spray canisters at protesters. But moments after Trump finished his address, the president and a retinue of staffers emerged from the White House gates, crossed the cleared-out square on foot, and arrived at St. John's Church. The historic Episcopal Church had suffered minor damage in protests the night before. Standing in front of the church, Trump held aloft a Bible that his daughter Ivanka Trump had reportedly brought with her from the White House. Brandishing the Bible like a sword, Trump posed for photographs with staff and said, "We have the greatest country in the world, we'll keep it nice and safe."
President Donald Trump holds up a Bible in front of St John's Episcopal Church after walking across Lafayette Park from the White House in Washington, DC on June 1, 2020. Brendan Smialowski | AFP via Getty Images
The White House group included top military officers dressed in battle fatigues, Cabinet secretaries, Secret Service snipers and West Wing aides. After the photos, they all walked back to the White House through a phalanx of riot police. The Park Police later said that the escalation in tactics at Lafayette Park was triggered by protesters throwing things at the police, and was unrelated to Trump's walk moments later. In a statement to CNBC about the event, the Trump campaign said the president "made a powerful statement that God will always prevail by standing before the burned church, Bible in hand." But at St. John's Church, the clergy and parishioners said they were shocked. No one had told them the president would be visiting their church, and it soon emerged that some of the people who were forcibly removed to clear the square for were clergy members affiliated with St. John's.
'Outraged' clergy
The Rt. Rev. Mariann Budde, the bishop of Washington, told the Religion News Service Trump's event left her "outraged." "The symbolism of him holding a Bible … as a prop and standing in front of our church as a backdrop when everything that he has said is antithetical to the teachings of our traditions and what we stand for as a church — I was horrified," she said.
Clergy pray in front the St. John's Episcopal Church across the street from Lafayette Square and near the White House in Washington, DC on June 2, 2020. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds | AFP | Getty Images
The Rt. Rev. Michael Curry, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, said in a statement: "This evening, the President of the United States stood in front of St. John's Episcopal Church, lifted up a Bible, and had pictures of himself taken. In so doing, he used a church building and the Holy Bible for partisan political purposes. This was done in a time of deep hurt and pain in our country, and his action did nothing to help us or to heal us." On Capitol Hill Tuesday, even loyal Republicans struggled to defend Trump's apparent photo op. "I don't think I've ever been to an event where I've stood outside a building and held up a Bible like that before, and I'm a person who reads the Bible every day," Oklahoma Republican Sen. James Lankford told reporters. "I don't think I've ever done that, so it didn't make sense in that context. Visiting that site, I thought was significant," Lankford said. "The time, I didn't think was helpful. If [Trump had] gone the next morning, when there weren't folks out there, that would have been a better time." Any suggestion of a schism between the White House and faith communities right now comes at a particularly fraught time for Trump's reelection campaign. A series of recent polls show the president losing ground among Christian voters, and they have reportedly triggered alarm bells within the Trump 2020 campaign. Christians have long been a pillar of Trump's political base, with white evangelical Christians making up a major slice of the U.S. electorate, roughly one-quarter of all voters in 2016. But this year Christians may be especially important to Trump because his challenger, former Vice President Joe Biden, is currently leading in both national polls and in most battleground state polls.
A priest holds protest signs reading "Jesus Is Lord Not Trump" and "The Way of Jesue is Non-violent" as demonstrators protest while President Donald Trump visits the nearby Saint John Paul II National Shrine, while protests continue against the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in Washington, U.S., June 2, 2020. Kevin Lemarque | Reuters
Biden has also shown that, as a candidate, he can cut into Trump's support among white, working-class voters, making voters who reliably vote Republican, like evangelical Christians, all the more important in Trump's path to victory. "The President has an extraordinary record on conservative and faith issues," said Trump campaign spokeswoman Sarah Matthews. "He has appointed over 190 solid, conservative federal judges, including two exemplary Supreme Court justices. He has defended religious freedoms and stood as the most pro-life president we've ever had." Ahead of November, said Matthews, "Our faith-based coalitions will engage and mobilize voters for whom these issues are important."
Catholic shrine
After his controversial trip to St. John's on Monday, Trump had two more scheduled events on Tuesday designed to highlight his administration's support for Christians.
U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump pose during a visit to the Saint John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, U.S., June 2, 2020. Tom Brenner | Reuters
First, Trump and first lady Melania Trump visited a shrine in Northeast Washington, erected to honor the late Pope John Paul II. The shrine is not operated directly by the Catholic Church, but by the Knights of Columbus, a fraternal organization known for its conservative political bent. But just as Trump was arriving at the shrine, Washington's Catholic Archbishop, Wilton Gregory, slammed Trump's visit in a statement to the press. "I find it baffling and reprehensible that any Catholic facility would allow itself to be so egregiously misused and manipulated in a fashion that violates our religious principles, which call us to defend the rights of all people, even those with whom we might disagree," Gregory said. "Saint Pope John Paul II was an ardent defender of the rights and dignity of human beings. His legacy bears vivid witness to that truth," Gregory said. "He certainly would not condone the use of tear gas and other deterrents to silence, scatter or intimidate them for a photo opportunity in front of a place of worship and peace." Later in the day, Trump signed an Executive Order at the White House directing the Secretary of State to dedicate taxpayer funds to protecting and promoting "religious freedom" abroad. "Religious freedom" is a phrase and an issue that has been embraced by evangelical Christians in the United States. In practice, it usually refers to protecting Christian minorities in majority Muslim nations.
This week is not the first time that Trump has seemingly struggled to hit the right note with Christian leaders and voters. During his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump marketed himself as a devout Christian. But he frequently revealed his own unfamiliarity with the practice and teachings of the Christian faith.
Protestors hold up signs as President Donald Trump's motorcade passes the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (at rear) and Catholic University on the way to the nearby Saint John Paul II National Shrine while protests continue against the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in Washington, U.S., June 2, 2020. Kevin Lemarque | Reuters
During a speech at conservative Liberty University in January of 2016, Trump fumbled as he tried to cite Scripture. "Two Corinthians 3:17, that's the whole ballgame. ... Is that the one you like?" Trump asked the crowd of students. "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." The audience snickered, acutely aware that the chapter Trump was trying to quote is known as "Second Corinthians" — not "Two Corinthians." At other points in the 2016 campaign, Trump said that he had never asked God for forgiveness, effectively revealing that he had never practiced a basic pillar of Christian faith. "I have great relationship with God. I have great relationship with the Evangelicals," Trump said in an interview with CNN shortly before the 2016 Iowa caucuses. "I like to be good. I don't like to have to ask for forgiveness. And I am good. I don't do a lot of things that are bad. I try to do nothing that is bad," Trump said. If 2016 is any indication, Trump's stumbles are unlikely to seriously harm his support among evangelical Christians in November. An April survey by the Public Religion Research Institute found that Trump's favorability rating among evangelical Protestants still exceeds his overall approval rating by more than 20 points.


cnbc--2020-06-03--Defense official resigns from Pentagon post, slams Esper for role in Trump photo op

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 — `` Where will you draw the line , and when will you draw it ? ''
In an extraordinary resignation letter , provided to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from his post at the Pentagon 's Defense Science Board .
Miller , a former undersecretary of defense for policy , cited Secretary of Defense Mark Esper 's participation in President Donald Trump 's Monday night photo op in front of St. John 's Church .
The resignation comes as the nation braced for its eighth night of protests sparked by the police killing of George Floyd .
Here is part of the letter : When I joined the Board in early 2014 , after leaving government service as Under Secretary of Defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oath of office , one familiar to you , that includes the commitment to `` support and defend the Constitution of the United States .
.
.
and to bear true faith and allegiance to the same . ''
You recited that same oath on July 23 , 2019 , when you were sworn in as Secretary of Defense .
On Monday , June 1 , 2020 , I believe that you violated that oath .
Law-abiding protesters just outside the White House were dispersed using tear gas and rubber bullets — not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to clear a path for a presidential photo op .
You then accompanied President Trump in walking from the White House to St. John 's Episcopal Church for that photo .
President Trump 's actions Monday night violated his oath to `` take care that the laws be faithfully executed , '' as well as the First Amendment `` right of the people peaceably to assemble . ''
You may not have been able to stop President Trump from directing this appalling use of force , but you could have chosen to oppose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
Anyone who takes the oath of office must decide where he or she will draw the line : What are the things that they will refuse to do ?
Secretary Esper , you have served honorably for many years , in active and reserve military duty , as Secretary of the Army , and now as Secretary of Defense .
You must have thought long and hard about where that line should be drawn .
I must now ask : If last night 's blatant violations do not cross the line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ended the letter by saying , `` I wish you the best , in very difficult times .
The sanctity of the U.S. Constitution , and the lives of Americans , may depend on your choices . ''
The Pentagon did not respond to CNBC 's request for comment .

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 — "Where will you draw the line, and when will you draw it?"
In an extraordinary resignation letter, provided to The Washington Post, James Miller resigned from his post at the Pentagon's Defense Science Board.
Miller, a former undersecretary of defense for policy, cited Secretary of Defense Mark Esper's participation in President Donald Trump's Monday night photo op in front of St. John's Church.
The resignation comes as the nation braced for its eighth night of protests sparked by the police killing of George Floyd. Here is part of the letter:
When I joined the Board in early 2014, after leaving government service as Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, I again swore an oath of office, one familiar to you, that includes the commitment to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States . . . and to bear true faith and allegiance to the same."
You recited that same oath on July 23, 2019, when you were sworn in as Secretary of Defense. On Monday, June 1, 2020, I believe that you violated that oath. Law-abiding protesters just outside the White House were dispersed using tear gas and rubber bullets — not for the sake of safety, but to clear a path for a presidential photo op. You then accompanied President Trump in walking from the White House to St. John's Episcopal Church for that photo.
President Trump's actions Monday night violated his oath to "take care that the laws be faithfully executed," as well as the First Amendment "right of the people peaceably to assemble." You may not have been able to stop President Trump from directing this appalling use of force, but you could have chosen to oppose it. Instead, you visibly supported it.
Anyone who takes the oath of office must decide where he or she will draw the line: What are the things that they will refuse to do? Secretary Esper, you have served honorably for many years, in active and reserve military duty, as Secretary of the Army, and now as Secretary of Defense. You must have thought long and hard about where that line should be drawn. I must now ask: If last night's blatant violations do not cross the line for you, what will?
Miller ended the letter by saying, "I wish you the best, in very difficult times. The sanctity of the U.S. Constitution, and the lives of Americans, may depend on your choices."
The Pentagon did not respond to CNBC's request for comment.