usatoday--2020-06-11--Gov. Andrew Cuomo pledges support for Christopher Columbus statue in Manhattan

ALBANY , N.Y. – New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo on Thursday pledged support for allowing a statue of Christopher Columbus to remain at the center of Manhattan 's Columbus Circle , calling it a symbol of the `` Italian American legacy . ''
The Democratic governor reiterated his support for the statue Thursday after similar Columbus monuments have been vandalized or toppled in cities across the country amid protests following the police killing of George Floyd .
Protesters , who have also targeted Confederate monuments across the country , say Columbus ' exploration should n't be idolized because it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Native Americans .
But Cuomo , who speaks frequently of his Italian-American heritage and upbringing , said he supports the iconic Manhattan monument because it has come to represent the assimilation of Italian-American people .
Columbus was born in what is now modern day Italy .
`` I understand the feelings about Christopher Columbus and some of his acts , which nobody would support , '' Cuomo said at his daily coronavirus briefing .
`` But the statue has come to represent and signify appreciation for the Italian-American contribution to New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it . ''
Cuomo ’ s comments drew an immediate rebuke from Betty Lyons , president of the American Indian Law Alliance , who said those who ignore Columbus ' role in promoting racism and dehumanizing indigenous people `` must be called to task . ''
`` Governor Cuomo ’ s eloquence in response to the anti-racism movement sparked by the murder of George Floyd apparently does not extend to the genocide and enslavement those first transatlantic voyages initiated and which continue to underpin the oppression of Indigenous peoples to this day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizen .
Cuomo and his administration have long pledged support for Columbus statues in New York .
In 2018 , the New York State Board for Historic Preservation listed a Central Park monument to Christopher Columbus on the State Register of Historic Places and recommended it for the National Register of Historic Places .
`` This designation sends a strong message of the statue 's importance to our state 's history and how worthy it is of preservation so that future generations cans see it , appreciate it and learn from it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time .
The monument is separate from the Columbus Circle statue , which was erected in 1892 and was already on the National Register of Historic Places .

Gov. Andrew Cuomo pledges support for Christopher Columbus statue in Manhattan
Show Caption Hide Caption Andrew Cuomo: Why I support the Christopher Columbus statue New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo discusses why he supports the Christopher Columbus statue in Manhattan's Columbus Circle; June 11, 2020. Video courtesy NYS Governor's Office. Jon Campbell, jcampbell1@gannett.com
ALBANY, N.Y. – New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday pledged support for allowing a statue of Christopher Columbus to remain at the center of Manhattan's Columbus Circle, calling it a symbol of the "Italian American legacy."
The Democratic governor reiterated his support for the statue Thursday after similar Columbus monuments have been vandalized or toppled in cities across the country amid protests following the police killing of George Floyd.
Protesters, who have also targeted Confederate monuments across the country, say Columbus' exploration shouldn't be idolized because it led to the massacre and forced migration of Native Americans.
But Cuomo, who speaks frequently of his Italian-American heritage and upbringing, said he supports the iconic Manhattan monument because it has come to represent the assimilation of Italian-American people.
Confederates toppled, Columbus beheaded: Protesters rip down controversial statues
Columbus was born in what is now modern day Italy.
"I understand the feelings about Christopher Columbus and some of his acts, which nobody would support," Cuomo said at his daily coronavirus briefing.
"But the statue has come to represent and signify appreciation for the Italian-American contribution to New York, so for that reason I support it."
Cuomo’s comments drew an immediate rebuke from Betty Lyons, president of the American Indian Law Alliance, who said those who ignore Columbus' role in promoting racism and dehumanizing indigenous people "must be called to task."
"Governor Cuomo’s eloquence in response to the anti-racism movement sparked by the murder of George Floyd apparently does not extend to the genocide and enslavement those first transatlantic voyages initiated and which continue to underpin the oppression of Indigenous peoples to this day," said Lyons, an Onondaga Nation citizen.
Cuomo and his administration have long pledged support for Columbus statues in New York.
In 2018, the New York State Board for Historic Preservation listed a Central Park monument to Christopher Columbus on the State Register of Historic Places and recommended it for the National Register of Historic Places.
"This designation sends a strong message of the statue's importance to our state's history and how worthy it is of preservation so that future generations cans see it, appreciate it and learn from it," Cuomo said in a statement at the time.
The monument is separate from the Columbus Circle statue, which was erected in 1892 and was already on the National Register of Historic Places.
Follow Jon Campbell on Twitter at @JonCampbellGAN.


usatoday--2020-06-11--Anti-protester fencing around Lafayette Park near White House comes down

WASHINGTON – The White House anti-protester wall is tumbling down .
Workers began dismantling the tall iron fence put up to keep protesters away from the area around the White House – a big area that runs for more than a mile-and-a-half along H Street , 15th Street , Constitution Avenue , and 17th Street .
`` It was a defense mechanism to keep people out , '' said Dorothy Clark , 74 , a retired mental health therapist from Alexandria , Virginia .
Vising downtown D.C. to check out the scene , Clark applauded removal of the fence : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The fence removal meant the re-opening of Lafayette Park in front of the White House , a prime location for demonstrators in the early days of protests over the deaths of George Floyd and other African Americans at the hands of police .
In a statement , the Secret Service said it is `` currently removing the temporary fencing around Lafayette Park .
Though that process is still ongoing , Lafayette Park is currently accessible to the public . ''
Parts of the fencing will remain in place `` around damaged areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) to allow the National Park Service to make repairs , '' the statement said .
It did n't say how long the process might take .
Pennsylvania Avenue will remain closed temporarily in front of the White House and the neighboring Treasury Building , the Secret Service said .
Many protesters blamed President Donald Trump for putting up the fence , saying he was trying to hide from people critical of his leadership .
In retaliation , protesters decorated the fence at Lafayette Park with signs , including a giant Black Lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were critical of Trump , such as one saying `` Tyrant , We Will Vote You Out . ''
Before the fence removal , curators of local Smithsonian museums , including the National Museum of African American History and Culture , claimed some of the signs and other artifacts for their collections .
More : White House was locked down as protests over Floyd 's death reach nation 's capital The signs – particularly the anti-Trump ones – are the real reason the fence is coming down , said some residents .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people are putting signs on it , basically , '' said one woman who refused to give her name because she is a federal employee .
`` He put it up to send a message .
He took it down because people sent a message back . ''

Anti-protester fencing around Lafayette Park near White House comes down
Show Caption Hide Caption George Floyd: White House fence covered with protesters' signs Protesters have covered the fence outside the White House with messages honoring George Floyd and speaking out against racism. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – The White House anti-protester wall is tumbling down.
Workers began dismantling the tall iron fence put up to keep protesters away from the area around the White House – a big area that runs for more than a mile-and-a-half along H Street, 15th Street, Constitution Avenue, and 17th Street.
"It was a defense mechanism to keep people out," said Dorothy Clark, 74, a retired mental health therapist from Alexandria, Virginia.
Vising downtown D.C. to check out the scene, Clark applauded removal of the fence: "It makes people feel free."
USA TODAY Poll: Forceful clearing of Lafayette Square protest was defining moment
The fence removal meant the re-opening of Lafayette Park in front of the White House, a prime location for demonstrators in the early days of protests over the deaths of George Floyd and other African Americans at the hands of police.
In a statement, the Secret Service said it is "currently removing the temporary fencing around Lafayette Park. Though that process is still ongoing, Lafayette Park is currently accessible to the public."
Parts of the fencing will remain in place "around damaged areas (such as the Lafayette Lodge House) to allow the National Park Service to make repairs," the statement said.
It didn't say how long the process might take.
Pennsylvania Avenue will remain closed temporarily in front of the White House and the neighboring Treasury Building, the Secret Service said.
Many protesters blamed President Donald Trump for putting up the fence, saying he was trying to hide from people critical of his leadership.
In retaliation, protesters decorated the fence at Lafayette Park with signs, including a giant Black Lives Matter banner. Many of the signs were critical of Trump, such as one saying "Tyrant, We Will Vote You Out."
Before the fence removal, curators of local Smithsonian museums, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture, claimed some of the signs and other artifacts for their collections.
More: Secret Service tightens White House security on south side
More: White House was locked down as protests over Floyd's death reach nation's capital
The signs – particularly the anti-Trump ones – are the real reason the fence is coming down, said some residents.
"He's only taking it down because people are putting signs on it, basically," said one woman who refused to give her name because she is a federal employee. "He put it up to send a message. He took it down because people sent a message back."


usatoday--2020-06-11--General Mark Milley says it was a 'mistake' to accompany Trump on walk to church

Gen. Mark Milley says accompanying Trump to St. John 's was 'mistake' General Mark Milley said it was a mistake @ @ @ @ @ his walk to St. John 's Church .

Gen. Mark Milley says accompanying Trump to St. John's was 'mistake'
General Mark Milley said it was a mistake to accompany President Trump on his walk to St. John's Church.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-06-11--Trump will return to rallying, starting with a Juneteenth event in Tulsa, site of horrific attack on

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump will kick off his first political rallies in more than three months in Tulsa , Oklahoma – a city with a brutal history of racial violence , on a date set aside to mark the end of slavery .
The selection of a rally in Tulsa , site of a 1921 massacre by whites that claimed at least 100 black lives , on June 19 – or Juneteenth , the date honoring the Emancipation Proclamation – did not go unnoticed .
`` 99 years ago a white mob massacred hundreds of Black people in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rep. Joe Kennedy , D-Mass .
`` The most racist President of my lifetime knows exactly what message he ’ s sending when he goes there on Juneteenth . ''
Trump told reporters `` they 've done a great job with the COVID '' in Oklahoma , one of the reasons he picked Tulsa to lead off a string of rallies also planned for Texas , Florida , Arizona and North Carolina .
The last three of those states are key battlegrounds that could decide whether he remains in the White House .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ entering a new phase of the race in which he has fallen behind Democratic challenger Joe Biden in several states .
`` We 're going to start our rallies back up now , '' Trump told reporters at the White House on Wednesday .
`` We 've had a tremendous run at rallies .
...
It 's been an amazing thing to behold . ''
Tulsa is the site of one of the most notorious acts of racial violence in American history , the 1921 attack by a white mob on a predominantly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , most of them African-American .
The attack centered on a prominent area known as `` Black Wall Street . ''
Trump 's Tulsa rally is being scheduled on Juneteenth , a holiday to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States .
`` So maybe they just did n't get the significance of June 19 and Tulsa put together , '' said Michael Tomasky , editor of `` Democracy : A Journal of Ideas . ''
`` But if they did – it 's a sick , vile , aggressively white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senior advisor to the Trump Campaign , said in a statement : `` As the party of Lincoln , Republicans are proud of the history of Juneteenth , which is the anniversary of the last reading of the Emancipation Proclamation . ''
Her statement did not mention the Tulsa attack on black citizens in 1921 .
Olivia Hooker , one of the last survivors of the 1921 Tulsa riot , recalled the terror of the attack in a 2017 interview with the Journal News of New York .
“ They were furious when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mother was cooking and not running away , '' she said .
`` They took the food and dumped it in the mud and then they came back and took her nice flaky biscuits out of the oven and dumped them out on the dirt ... We were hiding under the table where she put us and we could see all this ; well , it didn ’ t astonish my older sister and brother because they knew about things . ''
Historians are still learning things about the Tulsa attack , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Watchmen . ''
Just last year , researchers discovered what appeared to be a mass grave of victims from the massacre .
Tulsa and the others will be Trump 's first rallies since a March 2 event in Charlotte , North Carolina , right before nationwide lockdowns to limit the spread of COVID-19 .
Since then , the presidential race has been transformed by Trump 's handling of the pandemic and nationwide protests sparked by a police killing of George Floyd , an African American man who died when a white Minneapolis police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nine minutes .
Trump has long been itching to return to the campaign trail and has credited rallies – and television coverage of them – with fueling his 2016 win over Democrat Hillary Clinton .
He and his aides hope revival of them will improve his standing as polls show Biden building a steady lead over the incumbent .
The president said there will be future rallies in Florida , Arizona and North Carolina – all states he carried in 2016 but which are expected to be closely contested this time around .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Texas , he said , a state that is viewed as reliably Republican but where recent polls show a tight race with Biden .
Officials declined to discuss details of the rallies , including how they might assure the safety of Trump 's crowds as the coronavirus continues to spread .
They would not say whether masks or social distancing would be required , though Trump said `` they 've done a great job with COVID , as you know , in the state of Oklahoma . ''
Some analysts questioned whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after all , they are held mainly for the benefit of him and his most fervent supporters .
Critics also said Trump may be risking the health of his fans .
`` I think he ’ s going to wind up with more of his core base voters getting COVID-19 and dying , '' said Liz Mair , a Republican strategist .
`` Which is a bad way to win an election . ''
Frank Luntz , a pollster and communications adviser , said the rallies will probably be both good and bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will likely draw huge crowds and prove he retains intense support ; bad in that he 'll be given the chance to say things that will be used against him with undecided voters he desperately needs to win over .
`` He does n't have the messaging or the discipline to reach the people he needs , '' Luntz said .
More : Trump seeks to tie Biden to 'defund the police ' demands even though former vice president rejects idea More : 'Law and order ' : Trump returns to 2016 theme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More : White House mood darkens as Trump battles with James Mattis , criticism over Bible photo op The campaign is also looking at rallies in a series of battleground states in the months ahead , particularly the ones that Trump narrowly carried in 2016 and provided him the margin of victory over Clinton in the Electoral College .
That group includes Florida as well as Pennsylvania , Michigan and Wisconsin , officials said .
It also includes states where Trump was once considered a heavy favorite , such as Ohio , Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ races in those states .
Things also look tight in Republican-run Texas ; Trump is headlining a fundraiser in Dallas on Thursday .
North Carolina was to have been the state where Trump accepted re-nomination by the Republican Party .
But the president and his aides said the acceptance speech will be moved elsewhere because North Carolina will not permit a capacity crowd because of concerns about the spread of coronavirus .
Instead , Trump said he will rally in North Carolina `` at the appropriate time . ''
While Trump is seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aides are quick note that Clinton led in polls late in the 2016 election .
Trump loves the rallies as a chance to deliver his message unfiltered , aides said .
The Real Clear Politics website poll averages give Biden an 8 percentage point lead over Trump nationally .
Poll averages in states give Biden leads of more than 3 points in the pivotal states of Pennsylvania , Florida , Michigan , and Arizona , all within the margins of error of most polls .
`` The great American comeback is real and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale said in a statement .
“ You ’ ll again see the kind of crowds and enthusiasm that sleepy Joe Biden can only dream of.
” Democrats said they are unconcerned about Trump 's rallies because they appeal mainly to people who already support him – and Trump 's off-the-cuff rants and attacks on opponents may turn off moderates .
`` The things Trump says to fire up the crowds at his rallies turn off swing voters , so this isn ’ t going to help him with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Josh Schwerin of Priorities USA Action , a political action committee that supports Democratic candidates .
Anthony Scaramucci , once Trump 's communications director and now a fierce critic of the president , said the rallies `` will help him psychologically , '' but the election itself will be decided by issues .

Trump will return to rallying, starting with a Juneteenth event in Tulsa, site of horrific attack on African Americans
Show Caption Hide Caption President Donald Trump gets defensive at coronavirus briefing President Donald Trump turned a coronavirus White House briefing into a defense of his response actions to the deadly pandemic and confronted media. USA TODAY, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump will kick off his first political rallies in more than three months in Tulsa, Oklahoma – a city with a brutal history of racial violence, on a date set aside to mark the end of slavery.
The selection of a rally in Tulsa, site of a 1921 massacre by whites that claimed at least 100 black lives, on June 19 – or Juneteenth, the date honoring the Emancipation Proclamation – did not go unnoticed.
"99 years ago a white mob massacred hundreds of Black people in the Greenwood District of Tulsa," tweeted Rep. Joe Kennedy, D-Mass. "The most racist President of my lifetime knows exactly what message he’s sending when he goes there on Juneteenth."
Trump told reporters "they've done a great job with the COVID" in Oklahoma, one of the reasons he picked Tulsa to lead off a string of rallies also planned for Texas, Florida, Arizona and North Carolina.
The last three of those states are key battlegrounds that could decide whether he remains in the White House. In scheduling the rallies, Trump is entering a new phase of the race in which he has fallen behind Democratic challenger Joe Biden in several states.
"We're going to start our rallies back up now," Trump told reporters at the White House on Wednesday. "We've had a tremendous run at rallies. ... It's been an amazing thing to behold."
Tulsa is the site of one of the most notorious acts of racial violence in American history, the 1921 attack by a white mob on a predominantly black neighborhood that killed hundreds of people, most of them African-American. The attack centered on a prominent area known as "Black Wall Street."
Trump's Tulsa rally is being scheduled on Juneteenth, a holiday to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States.
"So maybe they just didn't get the significance of June 19 and Tulsa put together," said Michael Tomasky, editor of "Democracy: A Journal of Ideas." "But if they did – it's a sick, vile, aggressively white supremacist gesture."
Katrina Pierson, senior advisor to the Trump Campaign, said in a statement : "As the party of Lincoln, Republicans are proud of the history of Juneteenth, which is the anniversary of the last reading of the Emancipation Proclamation."
Her statement did not mention the Tulsa attack on black citizens in 1921.
Olivia Hooker, one of the last survivors of the 1921 Tulsa riot, recalled the terror of the attack in a 2017 interview with the Journal News of New York.
“They were furious when they came in our home and my mother was cooking and not running away," she said. "They took the food and dumped it in the mud and then they came back and took her nice flaky biscuits out of the oven and dumped them out on the dirt... We were hiding under the table where she put us and we could see all this; well, it didn’t astonish my older sister and brother because they knew about things."
Historians are still learning things about the Tulsa attack, which featured prominently in the HBO series "Watchmen." Just last year, researchers discovered what appeared to be a mass grave of victims from the massacre.
Tulsa and the others will be Trump's first rallies since a March 2 event in Charlotte, North Carolina, right before nationwide lockdowns to limit the spread of COVID-19. Since then, the presidential race has been transformed by Trump's handling of the pandemic and nationwide protests sparked by a police killing of George Floyd, an African American man who died when a white Minneapolis police office knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.
Trump has long been itching to return to the campaign trail and has credited rallies – and television coverage of them – with fueling his 2016 win over Democrat Hillary Clinton. He and his aides hope revival of them will improve his standing as polls show Biden building a steady lead over the incumbent.
The president said there will be future rallies in Florida, Arizona and North Carolina – all states he carried in 2016 but which are expected to be closely contested this time around.
The campaign is also planning a rally in Texas, he said, a state that is viewed as reliably Republican but where recent polls show a tight race with Biden.
Officials declined to discuss details of the rallies, including how they might assure the safety of Trump's crowds as the coronavirus continues to spread. They would not say whether masks or social distancing would be required, though Trump said "they've done a great job with COVID, as you know, in the state of Oklahoma."
BIG DEMAND! Starting up again soon, maybe next week! https://t.co/ToNLAGl5Fz — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 9, 2020
Some analysts questioned whether the rallies will help Trump much – after all, they are held mainly for the benefit of him and his most fervent supporters. Critics also said Trump may be risking the health of his fans.
"I think he’s going to wind up with more of his core base voters getting COVID-19 and dying," said Liz Mair, a Republican strategist. "Which is a bad way to win an election."
Frank Luntz, a pollster and communications adviser, said the rallies will probably be both good and bad for Trump – good in that he will likely draw huge crowds and prove he retains intense support; bad in that he'll be given the chance to say things that will be used against him with undecided voters he desperately needs to win over.
"He doesn't have the messaging or the discipline to reach the people he needs," Luntz said.
More: Trump seeks to tie Biden to 'defund the police' demands even though former vice president rejects idea
More: 'Law and order': Trump returns to 2016 theme as violence spreads after George Floyd death
More: White House mood darkens as Trump battles with James Mattis, criticism over Bible photo op
The campaign is also looking at rallies in a series of battleground states in the months ahead, particularly the ones that Trump narrowly carried in 2016 and provided him the margin of victory over Clinton in the Electoral College.
That group includes Florida as well as Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, officials said.
It also includes states where Trump was once considered a heavy favorite, such as Ohio, Georgia and Arizona. Polls now show close races in those states. Things also look tight in Republican-run Texas; Trump is headlining a fundraiser in Dallas on Thursday.
North Carolina was to have been the state where Trump accepted re-nomination by the Republican Party. But the president and his aides said the acceptance speech will be moved elsewhere because North Carolina will not permit a capacity crowd because of concerns about the spread of coronavirus.
Instead, Trump said he will rally in North Carolina "at the appropriate time."
While Trump is seen as struggling in polls right now, aides are quick note that Clinton led in polls late in the 2016 election. Trump loves the rallies as a chance to deliver his message unfiltered, aides said.
The Real Clear Politics website poll averages give Biden an 8 percentage point lead over Trump nationally. Poll averages in states give Biden leads of more than 3 points in the pivotal states of Pennsylvania, Florida, Michigan, and Arizona, all within the margins of error of most polls.
"The great American comeback is real and the rallies will be tremendous,” Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale said in a statement. “You’ll again see the kind of crowds and enthusiasm that sleepy Joe Biden can only dream of.”
Democrats said they are unconcerned about Trump's rallies because they appeal mainly to people who already support him – and Trump's off-the-cuff rants and attacks on opponents may turn off moderates.
"The things Trump says to fire up the crowds at his rallies turn off swing voters, so this isn’t going to help him with the people who have been leaving him," said Josh Schwerin of Priorities USA Action, a political action committee that supports Democratic candidates.
Anthony Scaramucci, once Trump's communications director and now a fierce critic of the president, said the rallies "will help him psychologically," but the election itself will be decided by issues.


usatoday--2020-06-11--'Go back to your bunker': Seattle mayor, Washington governor fire back at Trump threat to handle pro

President Donald Trump called on Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee and Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan to `` take back '' the city from protesters , whom he called `` domestic terrorists , '' threatening to handle the demonstrators if they do not in a pair of late-night tweets Wednesday .
`` Radical Left Governor @ JayInslee and the Mayor of Seattle are being taunted and played at a level that our great Country has never seen before , ' '' the president tweeted .
`` Take back your city NOW .
If you don ’ t do it , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
These ugly Anarchists must be stooped IMMEDIATELY .
MOVE FAST ! ''
`` Domestic Terrorists have taken over Seattle , run by Radical Left Democrats , of course .
LAW & ORDER ! ''
he added in another post just before midnight .
Inslee responded with a tweet of his own , telling Trump to stay out of the state and mocking the president 's Twitter typo .
`` A man who is totally incapable of governing should stay out of Washington state ’ s business .
'Stoop ' tweeting , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a reference to Trump 's May 29 trip to a White House bunker as people demonstrated in Lafayette Square outside .
`` Make us all safe .
Go back to your bunker , '' Durkan tweeted .
After critics painted Trump 's move to the bunker as cowardly , the president insisted he only went there for a quick `` inspection . ''
But Attorney General William Barr later told Fox News that the Secret Service had recommended taking him there because of security concerns about the escalating protests .
Seattle , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen daily demonstrations after George Floyd , an African-American man , was killed by a white Minneapolis police officer who knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes .
Most of the protests have been peaceful after some initial violence .
In response to outcries against the tactics used by police in Seattle to control the crowds , Durkan promised at a Friday news conference there would be a 30-day ban on the use of CS gas , commonly known as tear gas .
Despite that ban , police used tear gas to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new wave of outrage from activists and City Council members .
In response , the Seattle Police Department removed barricades from outside the East Precinct building in the Capitol Hill neighborhood , where protesters and riot squads have faced off nightly .
Police also have remained scarce in that area since then and protests have continued peacefully .
The diverse neighborhood popular with young residents has now become known as the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone , where demonstrators have pitched tents and on Wednesday began painting what looked to be Black Lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as was done last week in Washington , D.C .
The Seattle Times described the liberal community that has sprung up since the police left as a `` new protest society , '' reminiscent of the Occupy movement of 2011 .
Trump 's threat to intervene in Seattle 's handling of the protests follows his previous pledge to use federal forces to quell unrest in cities he believes are failing to do the job themselves .
Many have objected to the potential invocation of the 1807 Insurrection Act – which gives the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ troops against civilians – including Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and his predecessor , retired Gen. James Mattis .
Contributing : Kristine Phillips and David Jackson , USA TODAY ; The Associated Press

'Go back to your bunker': Seattle mayor, Washington governor fire back at Trump threat to handle protests
Show Caption Hide Caption Seattle protesters occupy city hall calling on mayor to defund police Demonstrators flooded Seattle City Hall on June 9 to protest police brutality and racism and to call for a defunding of the police department. Storyful
President Donald Trump, in a pair of late-night tweets Wednesday, called on Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan to "take back" the city from protesters, whom he called "domestic terrorists," threatening to handle the demonstrators himself if local leaders do not
"Radical Left Governor @JayInslee and the Mayor of Seattle are being taunted and played at a level that our great Country has never seen before,'" the president tweeted. "Take back your city NOW. If you don’t do it, I will. This is not a game. These ugly Anarchists must be stooped IMMEDIATELY. MOVE FAST!"
"Domestic Terrorists have taken over Seattle, run by Radical Left Democrats, of course. LAW & ORDER!" he added in another post just before midnight.
Inslee responded with a tweet of his own, telling Trump to stay out of the state and mocking the president's Twitter typo.
"A man who is totally incapable of governing should stay out of Washington state’s business. 'Stoop' tweeting," Inslee said.
Durkan also shot back with a reference to Trump's May 29 trip to a White House bunker as people demonstrated in Lafayette Square outside.
"Make us all safe. Go back to your bunker," Durkan tweeted.
Make us all safe. Go back to your bunker. #BlackLivesMatter https://t.co/H3TXduhlY4 — Mayor Jenny Durkan (@MayorJenny) June 11, 2020
After critics painted Trump's move to the bunker as cowardly, the president insisted he went there only for a quick "inspection." But Attorney General William Barr later told Fox News that the Secret Service had recommended taking him there because of security concerns about the escalating protests.
Seattle, like cities across the U.S., has seen daily demonstrations after George Floyd, an African-American man, was killed by a white Minneapolis police officer who knelt on Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes. Most of the protests have been peaceful after some initial violence.
What Trump could do under the Insurrection Act and martial law President Trump threatened to implement the Insurrection Act to quell protests. What are the limits to his power and could he implement martial law? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
In response to outcries against the tactics used by police in Seattle to control the crowds, Durkan promised at a Friday news conference that there would be a 30-day ban on the use of CS gas, commonly known as tear gas.
Despite that ban, police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators over the weekend, prompting a new wave of outrage from activists and City Council members. In response, the Seattle Police Department removed barricades from outside the East Precinct building in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, where protesters and riot squads have faced off nightly.
Police also have remained scarce in that area since then and protests have continued peacefully.
The diverse neighborhood popular with young residents has now become known as the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone, where demonstrators have pitched tents and on Wednesday began painting what looked to be Black Lives Matter on one block of the street, as was done last week in Washington, D.C.
The Seattle Times described the liberal community that has sprung up since the police left as a "new protest society," reminiscent of the Occupy movement of 2011.
Trump's threat to intervene in Seattle's handling of the protests follows his previous pledge to use federal forces to quell unrest in cities he believes are failing to do the job themselves.
Many have objected to the potential invocation of the 1807 Insurrection Act – which gives the president the authority to use active-duty U.S. military troops against civilians – including Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and his predecessor, retired Gen. James Mattis.
Contributing: Kristine Phillips and David Jackson, USA TODAY; The Associated Press


usatoday--2020-06-12--2020 Republican National Convention is moving to Jacksonville, Florida

The Republican National Committee announced it has picked Jacksonville , Florida , as the location for its convention .

2020 Republican National Convention is moving to Jacksonville, Florida
The Republican National Committee announced it has picked Jacksonville, Florida, as the location for its convention.
USA TODAY, Wochit


usatoday--2020-06-12--House ethics panel to probe Guam congressional delegate over sex with staffer, improper contribution

WASHINGTON – The House Committee on Ethics announced Friday it was moving forward with an investigation into Guam 's lone member of Congress over allegations he had sexual relations with a staff member and accepted improper political contributions .
The member , Del .
Michael F.Q .
San Nicolas , said he was ready to `` disprove the allegations . ''
The bipartisan panel had been looking at the allegations against San Nicolas since last fall and decided in March to launch a full investigation .
News of that unanimous vote to move forward was announced Friday by the committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the panel would probe the freshman Democrat for engaging in a sexual relationship with a member of his congressional staff ; converting campaign funds to personal use ; accepting improper and/or excessive campaign contributions ; and reporting campaign disbursements that may not be legitimate and verifiable campaign expenditures .
The panel will also probe whether San Nicolas omitted required information from – or disclosed false information in – reports filed with the Federal Election Commission ; made false statements to government investigators or agencies ; and/or improperly interfered or attempted to interfere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the release .
The issue was referred to the committee by the Office of Congressional Ethics , a separate , non-partisan body of the House .
The release does not list the specific circumstances of the allegations .
'Baseless ' claim : Complaint filed on alleged illegal use of campaign funds , San Nicolas says it 's baseless But in September , San Nicolas ' former manager of his 2018 congressional campaign , John Paul L. Manuel , filed a compliant with the Guam Election Commission alleging the delegate received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businessman – an amount above the legal campaign limit , according to the Pacific Daily News in Guam .
Manuel also alleged San Nicolas reimbursed himself from federal campaign funds after using money to carry on an extra-marital affair with a woman he later hired as a member of his congressional staff .
He also alleged San Nicolas forged his own father 's signature on campaign checks , the newspaper reported .
`` This is just a part of the process that we are required to go through in order to disprove the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nicolas said in a statement released Friday to USA TODAY through his office .
`` We will continue to cooperate and thank the people for their patience and support during this time . ''
The House banned members from having sexual relations with their staff members in 2018 as part of sweeping ethics rules adopted after several lawmakers resigned over accusation of sexual harassment .
The probe will be led by two Democrats – Grace Meng of New York and Darren Soto of Florida – and two Republicans - Jackie Walorski of Indiana @ @ @ @ @ @

House ethics panel to probe Guam congressional delegate over sex with staffer, improper contributions allegations
Show Caption Hide Caption Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez calls out America’s ‘fundamentally broken’ campaign finance laws During a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing, the freshman congresswoman from New York pointed out a lack of ethical standards for the President of the United States. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – The House Committee on Ethics announced Friday it was moving forward with an investigation into Guam's lone member of Congress over allegations he had sexual relations with a staff member and accepted improper political contributions.
The member, Del. Michael F.Q. San Nicolas, said he was ready to "disprove the allegations."
The bipartisan panel had been looking at the allegations against San Nicolas since last fall and decided in March to launch a full investigation. News of that unanimous vote to move forward was announced Friday by the committee in a news release.
The release said the panel would probe the freshman Democrat for engaging in a sexual relationship with a member of his congressional staff; converting campaign funds to personal use; accepting improper and/or excessive campaign contributions; and reporting campaign disbursements that may not be legitimate and verifiable campaign expenditures.
The panel will also probe whether San Nicolas omitted required information from – or disclosed false information in – reports filed with the Federal Election Commission; made false statements to government investigators or agencies; and/or improperly interfered or attempted to interfere in a government investigation of related allegations, according to the release.
The issue was referred to the committee by the Office of Congressional Ethics, a separate, non-partisan body of the House.
The release does not list the specific circumstances of the allegations.
'Baseless' claim: Complaint filed on alleged illegal use of campaign funds, San Nicolas says it's baseless
But in September, San Nicolas' former manager of his 2018 congressional campaign, John Paul L. Manuel, filed a compliant with the Guam Election Commission alleging the delegate received a $10,000 contribution from a Guam businessman – an amount above the legal campaign limit, according to the Pacific Daily News in Guam.
Manuel also alleged San Nicolas reimbursed himself from federal campaign funds after using money to carry on an extra-marital affair with a woman he later hired as a member of his congressional staff. He also alleged San Nicolas forged his own father's signature on campaign checks, the newspaper reported.
"This is just a part of the process that we are required to go through in order to disprove the allegations made against us," San Nicolas said in a statement released Friday to USA TODAY through his office. "We will continue to cooperate and thank the people for their patience and support during this time."
More: Democratic Rep. Katie Hill announces resignation amid allegations of relationship with staff member
The House banned members from having sexual relations with their staff members in 2018 as part of sweeping ethics rules adopted after several lawmakers resigned over accusation of sexual harassment.
The probe will be led by two Democrats – Grace Meng of New York and Darren Soto of Florida – and two Republicans - Jackie Walorski of Indiana and Vicky Hartzler of Missouri.


usatoday--2020-06-12--Coronavirus: Fauci says attending rallies or protests is 'risky' as Trump plans return to campaign t

WASHINGTON – The nation 's top infectious disease expert warned on Friday that attending large-scale events such as campaign rallies is `` risky '' and `` a danger , '' citing the looming coronavirus pandemic , just days after President Donald Trump said he would return to the campaign trail beginning next week .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , expressed concern for people attending mass protests across the country , touched off by the death of George Floyd , a black man who died after a white Minnesota police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nine minutes .
Fauci said that while he understands why people feel compelled to attend protests , spreading the contagious respiratory disease at such large-scale events poses a real threat .
`` You know , it 's a danger to the people who are trying to control the demonstration , '' he told ABC 's Jonathan Karl on the `` Powerhouse Politics '' podcast .
`` And it 's a danger to the people who are demonstrating .
So at the end of the day , it is a risky procedure . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Americans who want to attend one of Trump 's upcoming rallies , including next week 's planned rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma , Fauci said yes .
`` I am consistent .
I stick by what I say , '' he said .
Fauci , a member of the White House coronavirus task force , reiterated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on limiting the spread of COVID-19 , adding that the safest practice is to `` avoid crowded places , to wear a mask whenever you 're outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , avoid the congregation of people and do the mask , that 's great . ''
`` When you start to chant and shout , even though the instinct is to pull the mask down , which you see , do n't do that because there is a risk there and it 's a real risk , '' he said .
Fauci 's comments come as his boss , Trump , has sought to downplay the threat of a resurgence of the virus as states begin loosening restrictions put in place in March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week Trump announced he would revive his campaign rallies beginning on June 19 in Tulsa , even as some states continue to see a rise in cases across the country .
More : Why are states seeing a sudden increase in coronavirus cases ?
Here 's what experts say While Trump has played down the threat of coronavirus , the sign-up page for free tickets to the Tulsa rally comes with a liability waiver that says the campaign or other parties associated with the event next Friday can not be held liable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have discussed providing hand sanitizer and masks at the arena , which holds about 19,000 people .
Coronavirus cases in Oklahoma dropped in May but have spiked over the past couple of weeks .
The Oklahoma State Department of Health reported 222 new COVID-19 cases across the state Friday , bringing the total number of the state ’ s positive cases to 7,848 .
More : Trump stirs anger with plans for Juneteenth rally in Tulsa , site of huge massacre of African Americans Trump said he plans to hold rallies in Arizona @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently seen an uptick in COVID-19 cases .
The U.S. surpassed 2 million COVID-19 cases earlier this week , with more than 114,000 deaths reported .
Health officials warn such large scale events could lead to a virus resurgence .
Fauci , previously a prominent voice at coronavirus task force briefings , has been seen less frequently since the White House dramatically decreased the group 's operations .
The once daily coronavirus task force briefings have ceased since the White House has shifted its attention to promoting an economic recovery .
Fauci told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since last week but task force officials remain in contact .
`` We have not thrown in the towel , '' he said .
Earlier this week Fauci told the annual conference of biotechnology executives thatSARS-CoV-2 , the virus that causes COVID-19 , was his `` worst nightmare , '' given that it jumped from animals , was highly contagious and deadly .
While a vaccine is n't expected until 2021 , Fauci said Friday that he expects one will be identified by the end of the year .
His advice for Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety measures , but to take commonsense steps such as wearing a mask and avoiding crowds .
`` My message is for people to please hang in there .
We will get through this .
This will end , '' he told ABC .
`` It will end with a combination of public health measures and ultimately science coming in and getting durable solutions such as treatments and vaccines . ''

Coronavirus: Fauci says attending rallies or protests is 'risky' as Trump plans return to campaign trail
Show Caption Hide Caption Dr. Fauci’s response to COVID-19, 27 points more than President Trump Dr. Anthony Fauci’s response to the coronavirus is 27 points higher with voters than President Trump’s. Veuer’s Justin Kircher has the numbers. Buzz60
WASHINGTON – The nation's top infectious disease expert warned on Friday that attending large-scale events such as campaign rallies is "risky" and "a danger," citing the looming coronavirus pandemic, just days after President Donald Trump said he would return to the campaign trail beginning next week.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, expressed concern for people attending mass protests across the country, touched off by the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after a white Minnesota police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. Fauci said that while he understands why people feel compelled to attend protests, spreading the contagious respiratory disease at such large-scale events poses a real threat.
"You know, it's a danger to the people who are trying to control the demonstration," he told ABC's Jonathan Karl on the "Powerhouse Politics" podcast. "And it's a danger to the people who are demonstrating. So at the end of the day, it is a risky procedure."
When asked whether he extends that advice to Americans who want to attend one of Trump's upcoming rallies, including next week's planned rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Fauci said yes.
"I am consistent. I stick by what I say," he said.
Fauci, a member of the White House coronavirus task force, reiterated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on limiting the spread of COVID-19, adding that the safest practice is to "avoid crowded places, to wear a mask whenever you're outside. And if you can do both, avoid the congregation of people and do the mask, that's great."
"When you start to chant and shout, even though the instinct is to pull the mask down, which you see, don't do that because there is a risk there and it's a real risk," he said.
Fauci's comments come as his boss, Trump, has sought to downplay the threat of a resurgence of the virus as states begin loosening restrictions put in place in March to stem the spread COVID-19. Earlier this week Trump announced he would revive his campaign rallies beginning on June 19 in Tulsa, even as some states continue to see a rise in cases across the country.
More: Why are states seeing a sudden increase in coronavirus cases? Here's what experts say
While Trump has played down the threat of coronavirus, the sign-up page for free tickets to the Tulsa rally comes with a liability waiver that says the campaign or other parties associated with the event next Friday cannot be held liable for exposure to coronavirus. Campaign officials have discussed providing hand sanitizer and masks at the arena, which holds about 19,000 people.
Coronavirus cases in Oklahoma dropped in May but have spiked over the past couple of weeks. The Oklahoma State Department of Health reported 222 new COVID-19 cases across the state Friday, bringing the total number of the state’s positive cases to 7,848.
More: Trump stirs anger with plans for Juneteenth rally in Tulsa, site of huge massacre of African Americans
Trump said he plans to hold rallies in Arizona and Florida, two states that have recently seen an uptick in COVID-19 cases.
The U.S. surpassed 2 million COVID-19 cases earlier this week, with more than 114,000 deaths reported. Health officials warn such large scale events could lead to a virus resurgence.
Fauci, previously a prominent voice at coronavirus task force briefings, has been seen less frequently since the White House dramatically decreased the group's operations. The once daily coronavirus task force briefings have ceased since the White House has shifted its attention to promoting an economic recovery. Fauci told Karl he hasn't met with Trump since last week but task force officials remain in contact.
"We have not thrown in the towel," he said.
Earlier this week Fauci told the annual conference of biotechnology executives thatSARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, was his "worst nightmare," given that it jumped from animals, was highly contagious and deadly.
While a vaccine isn't expected until 2021, Fauci said Friday that he expects one will be identified by the end of the year. His advice for Americans is not to completely self-isolate or dismiss safety measures, but to take commonsense steps such as wearing a mask and avoiding crowds.
"My message is for people to please hang in there. We will get through this. This will end," he told ABC. "It will end with a combination of public health measures and ultimately science coming in and getting durable solutions such as treatments and vaccines."
Contributing: Michael Collins


usatoday--2020-06-12--U.S. border agency misused congressional funds meant for migrant care, watchdog says

TUCSON , Ariz. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection , the nation 's border enforcement agency , violated congressional guidelines by misusing emergency funds earmarked in 2019 to care for a drastic surge in migrants border officials processed along the U.S.-Mexico border , instead spending that money on items such as dog supplies , dirt bikes and facility maintenance , an audit from a federal watchdog agency found .
The audit by the U.S. Government Accountability Office , Congress ' nonpartisan watchdog arm , came at the request of the House Homeland Security Committee .
The GAO reviewed CBP 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a report made public Thursday .
`` We conclude that CBP violated the purpose statute when it obligated the line item appropriations in the 2019 Emergency Supplemental for goods and services that were not within the purpose availability of such line items , '' the document read .
Congress approved the 2019 Emergency Supplemental funding bill in July 2019 in response to a massive spike in the number of migrants , especially asylum-seeking families from Central America , arriving to the southwestern U.S. border .
Border : The Trump administration is turning away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first six months of the year , border agents apprehended more than 534,000 people along the U.S.-Mexico border .
Customs officers processed an additional 60,000 migrants at land ports of entry , while thousands more waited in line at Mexican border cities for their turn to file their claims .
Their arrival overwhelmed U.S. Border Patrol officials , especially in the three busiest transit corridors in Yuma , Arizona , and in El Paso and the Rio Grande Valley in Texas .
The situation led to overcrowding and prolonged detention times at temporary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release of migrant families directly to border communities , unleashing chaos in some instances and forcing local officials to deal with the fallout .
To help reinforce the border agency , the 2019 emergency supplemental bill allocated an additional $ 112 million to CBP to use explicitly for `` consumables and medical care '' for migrants and another $ 708 million to be used for `` establishing and operating migrant care and processing facilities . ''
The Government Accountability Office 's audit noted many expenses – for items such as `` hygiene products @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supplies '' – did meet the regulations established by Congress .
But the report also listed items that the GAO determined did not .
Some of those examples included spending funds on `` supplies and services for CBP ’ s canine program '' or transportation items for Border Patrol , `` including vehicles such as ATVs , motorcycles , dirt bikes , boats , passenger vans , and small utility vehicles , '' the audit said .
Other expenses the audit singled out are for improvements to CBP 's permanent facilities , such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help process migrants , or upgrades to its air-conditioning or sewer systems in buildings where migrants are held .
Although the Government Accountability Office recognized that some of the items benefit the well-being of migrants , `` we conclude that CBP violated the purpose statute when it obligated the establishing and operating migrant care and processing facilities appropriation for such items , '' they said .
The document does not say how much of the $ 820 million that CBP received in emergency funding was misused .
Customs and Border Protection said on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GAO 's audit and that `` CBP charged a small subset of expenses in fiscal year 2019 to the incorrect account . ''
The border agency said it is working to adjust its account and correctly itemize expenses , based on the recommendation from the Government Accountability Office .
`` We emphasize that , and GAO ’ s opinion does not suggest otherwise , all of CBP ’ s obligations were for lawful objects related to agency operations and the care of those in our custody ; the violations identified are technical in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken , ” CBP 's statement said .
Rep. Bennie Thompson , D-Miss.
, the House Homeland Security Committee chairman who requested the audit , released a statement Thursday saying Congress had appropriated the emergency funding bill to address the humanitarian crisis that he accused the administration of President Donald Trump of creating and exacerbating through his `` politically charged , anti-immigrant policies . ''
The main purpose for the money , he said , was to help improve conditions for migrants apprehended at the border , and receiving appropriate medical care after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ custody .
`` Instead of helping migrants and improving conditions on the ground , CBP then broke the law by spending this taxpayer money on things that were not authorized – such as ATVs , dirt bikes , and computer systems , '' Thompson said .
`` This callous disregard for the law is yet another example of this Administration ’ s continuing failure to carry out its duty to provide humane conditions and medical care for migrants in its care . ''
Community groups along the border criticized CBP for the misuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director for Southern Border Communities Coalition , a collective of 60 community and legal advocacy groups covering communities all along the U.S.-Mexico border , said the audit revealed another example of impunity and lack of accountability with CBP .
`` With upcoming negotiations for Fiscal Year 2021 budgets , Congress should consider cutting funds to this agency that has demonstrated time and again its misuse of taxpayer dollars , '' she said .
`` We must rein in CBP and hold them accountable for this egregious misuse of funds and for their complete @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conditions at border facilities for migrants began to improve toward the second half of 2019 when the number of migrants reaching the U.S.-Mexico border decreased .
Under pressure from the U.S. , Mexico began its crackdown on migrants and deployed its National Guard to its borders to stop migrants .
At the peak of arrivals and apprehensions , facilities along the border were routinely over capacity .
In the Yuma Sector in southwestern Arizona , agents had the capacity to hold 400 migrants at once at all of their permanent facilities .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 800 people .
Other sectors along the border , such as El Paso and the Rio Grande Valley , had similar capacity issues .
Conditions at holding facilities – commonly referred to as hieleras or iceboxes – deteriorated along the border as the number of migrants arriving at the border swelled .
The watchdog office for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security reported squalid conditions at facilities in El Paso and the Rio Grande Valley , including showers not working properly or a lack of toiletries .
Accusations from underage minors of sexual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yuma during this time .
A January trial in Tucson revealed the extent of the issue for the Tucson Sector , which covers most of southern Arizona .
Migrants testified that they slept near toilets because there was no room and of inadequate medical care and food , like expired burritos .
The federal judge presiding over the case sided with migrants in ruling that conditions there were `` presumptively punitive '' and in violation of the Constitution .
He mandated additional requirements for Border Patrol , such as forbidding migrants from sleeping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid having migrants using only wet wipes .

U.S. border agency misused congressional funds meant for migrant care, watchdog says
TUCSON, Ariz. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the nation's border enforcement agency, violated congressional guidelines by misusing emergency funds earmarked in 2019 to care for a drastic surge in migrants border officials processed along the U.S.-Mexico border, instead spending that money on items such as dog supplies, dirt bikes and facility maintenance, an audit from a federal watchdog agency found.
The audit by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, Congress' nonpartisan watchdog arm, came at the request of the House Homeland Security Committee. The GAO reviewed CBP's documented expenses and compiled their findings in a report made public Thursday.
"We conclude that CBP violated the purpose statute when it obligated the line item appropriations in the 2019 Emergency Supplemental for goods and services that were not within the purpose availability of such line items," the document read.
Congress approved the 2019 Emergency Supplemental funding bill in July 2019 in response to a massive spike in the number of migrants, especially asylum-seeking families from Central America, arriving to the southwestern U.S. border.
Border: The Trump administration is turning away unaccompanied children because of coronavirus
In the first six months of the year, border agents apprehended more than 534,000 people along the U.S.-Mexico border. Customs officers processed an additional 60,000 migrants at land ports of entry, while thousands more waited in line at Mexican border cities for their turn to file their claims.
Their arrival overwhelmed U.S. Border Patrol officials, especially in the three busiest transit corridors in Yuma, Arizona, and in El Paso and the Rio Grande Valley in Texas.
The situation led to overcrowding and prolonged detention times at temporary holding facilities and to the sudden mass release of migrant families directly to border communities, unleashing chaos in some instances and forcing local officials to deal with the fallout.
To help reinforce the border agency, the 2019 emergency supplemental bill allocated an additional $112 million to CBP to use explicitly for "consumables and medical care" for migrants and another $708 million to be used for "establishing and operating migrant care and processing facilities."
The Government Accountability Office's audit noted many expenses – for items such as "hygiene products, food, clothing, and baby supplies" – did meet the regulations established by Congress.
But the report also listed items that the GAO determined did not.
Some of those examples included spending funds on "supplies and services for CBP’s canine program" or transportation items for Border Patrol, "including vehicles such as ATVs, motorcycles, dirt bikes, boats, passenger vans, and small utility vehicles," the audit said.
Other expenses the audit singled out are for improvements to CBP's permanent facilities, such as security cameras and office equipment to help process migrants, or upgrades to its air-conditioning or sewer systems in buildings where migrants are held.
Although the Government Accountability Office recognized that some of the items benefit the well-being of migrants, "we conclude that CBP violated the purpose statute when it obligated the establishing and operating migrant care and processing facilities appropriation for such items," they said.
The document does not say how much of the $820 million that CBP received in emergency funding was misused. Customs and Border Protection said on Thursday that it cooperated fully with the GAO's audit and that "CBP charged a small subset of expenses in fiscal year 2019 to the incorrect account."
The border agency said it is working to adjust its account and correctly itemize expenses, based on the recommendation from the Government Accountability Office.
"We emphasize that, and GAO’s opinion does not suggest otherwise, all of CBP’s obligations were for lawful objects related to agency operations and the care of those in our custody; the violations identified are technical in nature and prompt remedial action will be taken,” CBP's statement said.
Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., the House Homeland Security Committee chairman who requested the audit, released a statement Thursday saying Congress had appropriated the emergency funding bill to address the humanitarian crisis that he accused the administration of President Donald Trump of creating and exacerbating through his "politically charged, anti-immigrant policies."
The main purpose for the money, he said, was to help improve conditions for migrants apprehended at the border, and receiving appropriate medical care after multiple high-profile deaths of minors in CBP custody.
"Instead of helping migrants and improving conditions on the ground, CBP then broke the law by spending this taxpayer money on things that were not authorized – such as ATVs, dirt bikes, and computer systems," Thompson said. "This callous disregard for the law is yet another example of this Administration’s continuing failure to carry out its duty to provide humane conditions and medical care for migrants in its care."
Community groups along the border criticized CBP for the misuse of funds.
Vicki Gaubeca, the director for Southern Border Communities Coalition, a collective of 60 community and legal advocacy groups covering communities all along the U.S.-Mexico border, said the audit revealed another example of impunity and lack of accountability with CBP.
"With upcoming negotiations for Fiscal Year 2021 budgets, Congress should consider cutting funds to this agency that has demonstrated time and again its misuse of taxpayer dollars," she said. "We must rein in CBP and hold them accountable for this egregious misuse of funds and for their complete disregard for people or laws."
Conditions at border facilities for migrants began to improve toward the second half of 2019 when the number of migrants reaching the U.S.-Mexico border decreased. Under pressure from the U.S., Mexico began its crackdown on migrants and deployed its National Guard to its borders to stop migrants.
At the peak of arrivals and apprehensions, facilities along the border were routinely over capacity.
In the Yuma Sector in southwestern Arizona, agents had the capacity to hold 400 migrants at once at all of their permanent facilities. But on some days they apprehended as many 800 people. Other sectors along the border, such as El Paso and the Rio Grande Valley, had similar capacity issues.
Conditions at holding facilities – commonly referred to as hieleras or iceboxes – deteriorated along the border as the number of migrants arriving at the border swelled.
The watchdog office for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security reported squalid conditions at facilities in El Paso and the Rio Grande Valley, including showers not working properly or a lack of toiletries. Accusations from underage minors of sexual abuse and misconduct against agents surfaced in Yuma during this time.
A January trial in Tucson revealed the extent of the issue for the Tucson Sector, which covers most of southern Arizona. Migrants testified that they slept near toilets because there was no room and of inadequate medical care and food, like expired burritos.
The federal judge presiding over the case sided with migrants in ruling that conditions there were "presumptively punitive" and in violation of the Constitution. He mandated additional requirements for Border Patrol, such as forbidding migrants from sleeping near toilets, and defining showers to avoid having migrants using only wet wipes.
Follow Rafael Carranza on Twitter at @RafaelCarranza.


usatoday--2020-06-12--DOJ signals it will release a less-redacted version of Mueller report concerning Roger Stone

WASHINGTON – The Justice Department said Friday it is weighing whether to release a less-redacted version of former special counsel Robert Mueller 's report on Russian election interference .
In a three-page filing Friday , the Justice Department said it is reevaluating whether redacted portions of the report related to Roger Stone , an ally of President Donald Trump , should be revealed now that the criminal case has concluded .
The department said it anticipates releasing an updated version of the report by next Friday .
The portion related to Stone could reveal more information about his communications with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential race .
The Justice Department 's filing was part of a lawsuit brought by the Electronic Privacy Information Center and Buzzfeed reporter Jason Leopold , who sued in 2019 to get the unredacted version of the Mueller report .
Last month , they said the justifications to keep certain portions redacted are no longer valid because Stone has been convicted and sentenced .
The Justice Department redacted portions of the Mueller report that it says would invade someone 's personal privacy , would interfere with an ongoing investigation and would deprive someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The agency said Friday it is reviewing whether those exemptions still apply to parts of the report related to Stone .
The longtime GOP operative was sentenced in February to three years and four months in federal prison for repeatedly lying to the House Intelligence Committee and obstructing its investigation into Russia 's meddling in the 2016 election .
Stone had requested a new trial , arguing that one of the jurors was not truthful about alleged bias against him and the president .
U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson denied the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the juror had lied .
Stone is appealing his conviction , as well as Jackson 's denial of his request for a new trial .
He 's supposed to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons by June 30 .
'Truth still matters ' : Judge sentences Roger Stone to 3 years in prison for obstructing Congress ' Russia probe The charges against Stone stemmed from his interactions with the Trump campaign in the summer of 2016 , around the time that the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks began publishing troves of damaging emails about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hillary Clinton .
Rick Gates , a former campaign official , testified that he overheard then-candidate Trump talking to Stone on the phone in July 2016 , shortly after WikiLeaks began publishing the DNC emails .
`` More information is coming , '' Trump told Gates after hanging up , according to testimony .
In written responses to Mueller , Trump said he did not recall being told about discussions of the hacked emails .
Stone is one of half a dozen former Trump allies and aides who were indicted as a result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flynn saga : Appeals court seems unwilling to force dismissal of Michael Flynn case , attorneys face tough questioning The investigation found a systemic effort by the Russia government to interfere in the election to help Trump win .
The probe , however , did not find evidence of a conspiracy with the Kremlin , although it found the Trump campaign to be eager beneficiaries of Russia 's effort .
Mueller 's voluminous report also outlined several instances of possible obstruction of justice by Trump during the course of the Russia investigation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Mueller report has been a target for Democrats , who argued it could reveal new information that would warrant new articles of impeachment against the president .

DOJ signals it will release a less-redacted version of Mueller report concerning Roger Stone
Show Caption Hide Caption Mueller report: Key takeaways from William Barr's redacted version The redacted version of the Mueller report is now available from the attorney general. Here are the key takeaways from it. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department said Friday it is weighing whether to release a less-redacted version of former special counsel Robert Mueller's report on Russian election interference.
In a three-page filing Friday, the Justice Department said it is reevaluating whether redacted portions of the report related to Roger Stone, an ally of President Donald Trump, should be revealed now that the criminal case has concluded. The department said it anticipates releasing an updated version of the report by next Friday.
The portion related to Stone could reveal more information about his communications with Trump and his campaign during the 2016 presidential race.
The Justice Department's filing was part of a lawsuit brought by the Electronic Privacy Information Center and Buzzfeed reporter Jason Leopold, who sued in 2019 to get the unredacted version of the Mueller report. Last month, they said the justifications to keep certain portions redacted are no longer valid because Stone has been convicted and sentenced.
The Justice Department redacted portions of the Mueller report that it says would invade someone's personal privacy, would interfere with an ongoing investigation and would deprive someone of a right to a fair trial. The agency said Friday it is reviewing whether those exemptions still apply to parts of the report related to Stone.
A year long battle by @EPICprivacy @BuzzFeedNews and me to force the govt to unredact portions of the Mueller report.
This #FOIA victory today comes as Judge Walton said earlier this week he has questions about certain redactions and he wants the govt to explain it. https://t.co/ktVHP2UogR — Jason Leopold (@JasonLeopold) June 12, 2020
The longtime GOP operative was sentenced in February to three years and four months in federal prison for repeatedly lying to the House Intelligence Committee and obstructing its investigation into Russia's meddling in the 2016 election.
Stone had requested a new trial, arguing that one of the jurors was not truthful about alleged bias against him and the president. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson denied the request, saying Stone failed to show that the juror had lied.
Stone is appealing his conviction, as well as Jackson's denial of his request for a new trial. He's supposed to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons by June 30.
'Truth still matters': Judge sentences Roger Stone to 3 years in prison for obstructing Congress' Russia probe
The charges against Stone stemmed from his interactions with the Trump campaign in the summer of 2016, around the time that the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks began publishing troves of damaging emails about the Democratic National Committee and then-presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
Rick Gates, a former campaign official, testified that he overheard then-candidate Trump talking to Stone on the phone in July 2016, shortly after WikiLeaks began publishing the DNC emails. "More information is coming," Trump told Gates after hanging up, according to testimony. In written responses to Mueller, Trump said he did not recall being told about discussions of the hacked emails.
Stone is one of half a dozen former Trump allies and aides who were indicted as a result of the Mueller investigation.
The Michael Flynn saga: Appeals court seems unwilling to force dismissal of Michael Flynn case, attorneys face tough questioning
The investigation found a systemic effort by the Russia government to interfere in the election to help Trump win. The probe, however, did not find evidence of a conspiracy with the Kremlin, although it found the Trump campaign to be eager beneficiaries of Russia's effort.
Mueller's voluminous report also outlined several instances of possible obstruction of justice by Trump during the course of the Russia investigation.
Releasing the full, unredacted version of the Mueller report has been a target for Democrats, who argued it could reveal new information that would warrant new articles of impeachment against the president.


usatoday--2020-06-12--Appeals court seems unwilling to force dismissal of Michael Flynn case, attorneys face tough questio

WASHINGTON – A federal appeals court panel seemed unwilling Friday to force a lower court judge to dismiss the case against Michael Flynn , President Donald Trump 's former national security adviser .
U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan , who has been presiding over the case , has appointed a third party to challenge the Justice Department 's bid to abandon its prosecution of Flynn .
The move set off an unusual legal fight in the federal appeals court in Washington , D.C. , where Flynn 's attorneys asked the higher court judges to force Sullivan to dismiss the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as prosecutor , which goes beyond his authority .
During oral arguments Friday , the judges seemed skeptical that Sullivan has no such authority to seek advice from a third party .
`` But you also know that the courts have said he 's not merely a rubber stamp either , '' D.C .
Circuit Court Judge Karen Henderson , a George H.W .
Bush appointee , asked Flynn 's attorney , Sidney Powell .
She also called Sullivan an `` excellent '' trial judge and said he may ultimately decide to dismiss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the appeals court unnecessary .
'Gross abuse ' of power : Justice Department abused its power in Michael Flynn case , court-appointed arbiter says The Flynn saga : Retired judge to examine if Michael Flynn should be held in contempt , challenge DOJ 's bid to drop case The hearing is the latest in the protracted and fraught prosecution of Flynn .
The former Army general pleaded guilty in 2017 to lying to the FBI about his communications with a former Russian ambassador and later reversed course , claiming investigators entrapped him into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too , reversed course , and sought to dismiss the case .
The Justice Department , which tapped an outside prosecutor to review the case , argued that the January 2017 interview , during which Flynn made false statements to the FBI , was `` unjustified . ''
The interview did not have `` a legitimate investigative basis , '' making Flynn 's statements irrelevant `` even if untrue , '' the department argued .
Instead of granting dismissal , Sullivan appointed a third party , known as amicus , to challenge the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to examine whether Flynn had committed perjury for pleading guilty to a crime of which he now claims to be innocent .
A day before the hearing , Sullivan 's court-appointed arbiter recommended that he deny the motion to dismiss , saying Flynn 's guilt is `` plain '' and accusing the Justice Department of `` gross abuse of prosecutorial power . ''
`` The Department of Justice has a solemn responsibility to prosecute this case – like every other case – without fear or favor , ” retired federal judge John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that responsibility through a gross abuse of prosecutorial power , attempting to provide special treatment to a favored friend and political ally of the President of the United States .
It has treated the case like no other , and in doing so has undermined the public ’ s confidence in the rule of law . ''
DOJ drops prosecution : DOJ drops case against former Trump adviser Michael Flynn in boldest step yet to undermine Mueller probe Gleeson also concluded that Flynn committed perjury , but stopped short of recommending that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead , urged Sullivan to move forward with the long-postponed sentencing for the crime to which Flynn pleaded guilty earlier .
Gleeson said Sullivan should consider the perjury offense in deciding how to sentence Flynn .
During the hearing Friday , Powell argued that Sullivan is intruding on the power of the Justice Department to decide whether or not to prosecute a case .
`` The judge has no authority to do anything further on the case ...
The government has quit .
He also has no authority to go into reasons behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case , '' Powell said , citing exculpatory evidence and misconduct by the FBI .
`` The only thing left to do is for the judge to order dismissal of the case . ''
Pressed by D.C .
Circuit Court Judge Robert Wilkins , a Barack Obama appointee , on whether Sullivan has the authority to independently review the case , Powell acknowledged he does .
But she said appointing an amicus to examine new issues , such as whether Flynn had committed perjury , is too far .
Jeff Wall , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department , argued that Sullivan 's appointment of Gleeson is `` improper '' because it threatens the prosecutorial power of the Justice Department .
He said the case is now `` playing out in a politicized environment '' in which Gleeson has accused the Justice Department of abusing its power in favor of a presidential ally .
Wall argued the government will then be forced to defend itself against the allegations , which creates a conflict between the executive and judiciary – `` exactly what the court should n't be doing . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government , for racist reasons , refuses to prosecute a white officer who used excessive force against a black man .
`` The district court ca n't do anything , or force the prosecutor to prosecute the case ? ''
the judge asked .
Wall said such a situation is different from the Flynn case because it poses potential constitutional violations .
Beth Wilkinson , who represents Sullivan , argued because the government and the defense team agreed , the adversarial process that 's critical in criminal cases is gone .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counterarguments .
`` All this court is doing is getting advice ...
The district court is not acting as a prosecutor nor has he made up his mind '' on the issues , Wilkinson said .
Wilkinson did not receive much push back from two of the judges .
But D.C .
Circuit Court Judge Neomi Rao , who was appointed by Trump , pressed Wilkinson on the role of the third party .
`` Who is the amicus representing here ?
When the government decides to drop the prosecution and the defendant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behalf of ? ''
Rao asked .
Rao also questioned how the government , if Sullivan decides to deny the motion to dismiss , moves forward with sentencing Flynn when it already said it did n't want to prosecute in the first place .

Appeals court seems unwilling to force dismissal of Michael Flynn case, attorneys face tough questioning
Show Caption Hide Caption Justice Department dropping its case against Gen. Michael Flynn The DOJ will drop the criminal case against Gen. Michael Flynn for lying to the FBI about contact with a Russian Ambassador. Flynn pleaded guilty. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – A federal appeals court panel seemed unwilling Friday to force a lower court judge to dismiss the case against Michael Flynn, President Donald Trump's former national security adviser.
U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan, who has been presiding over the case, has appointed a third party to challenge the Justice Department's bid to abandon its prosecution of Flynn. The move set off an unusual legal fight in the federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., where Flynn's attorneys asked the higher court judges to force Sullivan to dismiss the case, arguing that Sullivan has positioned himself as prosecutor, which goes beyond his authority.
During oral arguments Friday, the judges seemed skeptical that Sullivan has no such authority to seek advice from a third party.
"But you also know that the courts have said he's not merely a rubber stamp either," D.C. Circuit Court Judge Karen Henderson, a George H.W. Bush appointee, asked Flynn's attorney, Sidney Powell.
She also called Sullivan an "excellent" trial judge and said he may ultimately decide to dismiss the case, making an intervention from the appeals court unnecessary.
'Gross abuse' of power: Justice Department abused its power in Michael Flynn case, court-appointed arbiter says
The Flynn saga: Retired judge to examine if Michael Flynn should be held in contempt, challenge DOJ's bid to drop case
The hearing is the latest in the protracted and fraught prosecution of Flynn. The former Army general pleaded guilty in 2017 to lying to the FBI about his communications with a former Russian ambassador and later reversed course, claiming investigators entrapped him into making false statements.
The government, too, reversed course, and sought to dismiss the case. The Justice Department, which tapped an outside prosecutor to review the case, argued that the January 2017 interview, during which Flynn made false statements to the FBI, was "unjustified." The interview did not have "a legitimate investigative basis," making Flynn's statements irrelevant "even if untrue," the department argued.
Instead of granting dismissal, Sullivan appointed a third party, known as amicus, to challenge the government's motion to drop the case and to examine whether Flynn had committed perjury for pleading guilty to a crime of which he now claims to be innocent.
A day before the hearing, Sullivan's court-appointed arbiter recommended that he deny the motion to dismiss, saying Flynn's guilt is "plain" and accusing the Justice Department of "gross abuse of prosecutorial power."
"The Department of Justice has a solemn responsibility to prosecute this case – like every other case – without fear or favor,” retired federal judge John Gleeson argued. “It has abdicated that responsibility through a gross abuse of prosecutorial power, attempting to provide special treatment to a favored friend and political ally of the President of the United States. It has treated the case like no other, and in doing so has undermined the public’s confidence in the rule of law."
DOJ drops prosecution: DOJ drops case against former Trump adviser Michael Flynn in boldest step yet to undermine Mueller probe
Gleeson also concluded that Flynn committed perjury, but stopped short of recommending that he face an additional charge. Gleeson, instead, urged Sullivan to move forward with the long-postponed sentencing for the crime to which Flynn pleaded guilty earlier. Gleeson said Sullivan should consider the perjury offense in deciding how to sentence Flynn.
During the hearing Friday, Powell argued that Sullivan is intruding on the power of the Justice Department to decide whether or not to prosecute a case.
"The judge has no authority to do anything further on the case ... The government has quit. He also has no authority to go into reasons behind the executive's determination to dismiss the case," Powell said, citing exculpatory evidence and misconduct by the FBI. "The only thing left to do is for the judge to order dismissal of the case."
President Trump claims Michael Flynn exonerated by FBI notes President Trump says newly released FBI notes show that Gen. Michael Flynn was unfairly ousted. During a White House event, Trump fielded questions. USA TODAY
Pressed by D.C. Circuit Court Judge Robert Wilkins, a Barack Obama appointee, on whether Sullivan has the authority to independently review the case, Powell acknowledged he does. But she said appointing an amicus to examine new issues, such as whether Flynn had committed perjury, is too far.
Jeff Wall, the principal deputy solicitor general for the Justice Department, argued that Sullivan's appointment of Gleeson is "improper" because it threatens the prosecutorial power of the Justice Department.
He said the case is now "playing out in a politicized environment" in which Gleeson has accused the Justice Department of abusing its power in favor of a presidential ally. Wall argued the government will then be forced to defend itself against the allegations, which creates a conflict between the executive and judiciary – "exactly what the court shouldn't be doing."
Wilkins posed a hypothetical example in which the government, for racist reasons, refuses to prosecute a white officer who used excessive force against a black man. "The district court can't do anything, or force the prosecutor to prosecute the case?" the judge asked.
Wall said such a situation is different from the Flynn case because it poses potential constitutional violations.
Beth Wilkinson, who represents Sullivan, argued because the government and the defense team agreed, the adversarial process that's critical in criminal cases is gone. She said all Sullivan is doing is seeking counterarguments.
"All this court is doing is getting advice ... The district court is not acting as a prosecutor nor has he made up his mind" on the issues, Wilkinson said.
Wilkinson did not receive much push back from two of the judges. But D.C. Circuit Court Judge Neomi Rao, who was appointed by Trump, pressed Wilkinson on the role of the third party.
"Who is the amicus representing here? When the government decides to drop the prosecution and the defendant agree ... who are they arguing on behalf of?" Rao asked.
Rao also questioned how the government, if Sullivan decides to deny the motion to dismiss, moves forward with sentencing Flynn when it already said it didn't want to prosecute in the first place.
Contributing: Kevin Johnson


usatoday--2020-06-12--Trump dismisses controversy over Tulsa rally, says it will be a 'celebration' of his campaign

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said in an interview that aired Friday that his decision to hold a rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma – the site of a horrific 1921 attack on African Americans , on the holiday marking the end of U.S. slavery – was not deliberate .
Fox News host Harris Faulkner asked Trump whether he chose the location and date on purpose , to which the president said `` no , '' even though his campaign has trumpeted the Juneteenth holiday when asked about its timing .
`` Think about it as a celebration .
My rally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of politics , I think I can say there 's never been any group or any person that 's had rallies like I do , '' Trump said .
`` I go and I just say , give me the biggest stadium and we fill it up every time .
We 've never had a vacancy . ''
The president sparked outrage after he revealed he would return to the campaign trail for his first rally in more than three months in Tulsa and on June 19th .
In 1921 , a white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighborhood killing hundreds of people , most of them African-American , one of the most notorious acts of racial violence in U.S. history .
.
June 19 , or Juneteenth , is also known as Emancipation Day and commemorates the date in 1865 when Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger traveled to Galveston , Texas , to inform residents that President Abraham Lincoln had freed the slaves and that slave owners had to comply with the Emancipation Proclamation .
Despite Trump denying the significance of Tulsa , he 's never held a rally there and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won by 36 percentage points in the 2016 election .
The trip comes after weeks of protests over the death of George Floyd , an unarmed black man who was pinned to the ground for nearly nine minutes under the knee of a white Minneapolis police officer .
The rally announcement prompted backlash , with some suggesting he was being insensitive about holding an event on such a highly symbolic day amid nationwide demonstrations over racial inequality , but the campaign appeared to standby its timing .
More : Trump stirs anger with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ site of huge massacre of African Americans When asked about why the campaign decided to hold the rally in Tulsa and on Juneteenth , senior Trump campaign adviser Katrina Pierson said in a statement Thursday , “ as the party of Lincoln , Republicans are proud of the history of Juneteenth . ''
White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany later told reporters Juneteenth was very `` meaningful '' for Trump .
`` The African American community is very near and dear to his heart , '' McEnany said .
`` At these rallies he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done for minority communities . ''
The rally will be Trump 's first in more than three months after coronavirus restrictions halted large-scale public events .
Former Vice President Joe Biden criticized Trump ’ s scheduled rally in Tulsa during a teleconference call with thousands of AFSCME union members Friday .
But a day after mistakenly saying the rally was in Texas , Biden said it was Arizona .
“ Now , did you hear what this guy just did ?
He ’ s having a rally on Juneteenth in Arizona and guess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to his rally have to sign a piece of paper saying if they get COVID in this , they will not sue the campaign .
I mean come on , man , ” Biden said .
“ Can ’ t sue the campaign , yet he won ’ t fund ?
I ’ m sorry , I ’ m getting a little frustrated .
Quite frankly , I ’ m getting angry about it.
” During the Fox interview , Trump also called a much-criticized photo of him posing with a bible in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beautiful picture . ''
The president came under fire for using police and National Guard forces to remove peaceful protesters from the area just before the photo was taken .
`` I think it was a beautiful picture .
I 'll tell you , I think Christians think it was a beautiful picture , '' he told Fox 's Faulkner .
His comments came a day after Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley said it was a `` mistake '' to accompany the president and other top administration officials on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ St. John 's Church , adding that his `` presence in that moment and in that environmentcreated a perception of the military involved in domestic politics . ''
USA TODAY Poll : Forceful clearing of Lafayette Square was defining moment for president and protests Defense Secretary Mark Esper also distanced himself from the president 's walk to St. John 's , saying he had nothing to do with the decision to clear the protesters .
He told NBC News he did n't know they were going to the church , then clarified the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were going but not about the president 's planned `` photo op '' with the Bible .
`` I mean , if that 's the way they feel , I think that 's fine .
I have good relationships with the military , '' Trump told Faulkner .
The photograph of Milley , in his camouflage combat uniform , and Defense Secretary Mark Esper walking along a path in Lafayette Square with Trump and other administration officials was condemned by a chorus of former military officials .
Former Defense Secretary James Mattis slammed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force for a photo op .
Attorney General William Barr has since said his decision to clear the square was over safety concerns and unrelated to the president 's walk .

Trump dismisses controversy over Tulsa rally, says it will be a 'celebration' of his campaign
Show Caption Hide Caption Gen. Mark Milley says accompanying Trump to St. John's was 'mistake' General Mark Milley said it was a mistake to accompany President Trump on his walk to St. John's Church. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said in an interview that aired Friday that his decision to hold a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma – the site of a horrific 1921 attack on African Americans, on the holiday marking the end of U.S. slavery – was not deliberate.
Fox News host Harris Faulkner asked Trump whether he chose the location and date on purpose, to which the president said "no," even though his campaign has trumpeted the Juneteenth holiday when asked about its timing.
"Think about it as a celebration. My rally is a celebration. In the history of politics, I think I can say there's never been any group or any person that's had rallies like I do," Trump said. "I go and I just say, give me the biggest stadium and we fill it up every time. We've never had a vacancy."
The president sparked outrage after he revealed he would return to the campaign trail for his first rally in more than three months in Tulsa and on June 19th.
In 1921, a white mob in Tulsa attacked a predominantly black neighborhood killing hundreds of people, most of them African-American, one of the most notorious acts of racial violence in U.S. history. . June 19, or Juneteenth, is also known as Emancipation Day and commemorates the date in 1865 when Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger traveled to Galveston, Texas, to inform residents that President Abraham Lincoln had freed the slaves and that slave owners had to comply with the Emancipation Proclamation.
Despite Trump denying the significance of Tulsa, he's never held a rally there and Oklahoma is a firmly red state he won by 36 percentage points in the 2016 election.
The trip comes after weeks of protests over the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who was pinned to the ground for nearly nine minutes under the knee of a white Minneapolis police officer. The rally announcement prompted backlash, with some suggesting he was being insensitive about holding an event on such a highly symbolic day amid nationwide demonstrations over racial inequality, but the campaign appeared to standby its timing.
More: Trump stirs anger with plans for Juneteenth rally in Tulsa, site of huge massacre of African Americans
When asked about why the campaign decided to hold the rally in Tulsa and on Juneteenth, senior Trump campaign adviser Katrina Pierson said in a statement Thursday, “as the party of Lincoln, Republicans are proud of the history of Juneteenth."
White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany later told reporters Juneteenth was very "meaningful" for Trump.
"The African American community is very near and dear to his heart," McEnany said. "At these rallies he often shares the great work he has done for minority communities."
The rally will be Trump's first in more than three months after coronavirus restrictions halted large-scale public events.
Former Vice President Joe Biden criticized Trump’s scheduled rally in Tulsa during a teleconference call with thousands of AFSCME union members Friday. But a day after mistakenly saying the rally was in Texas, Biden said it was Arizona.
“Now, did you hear what this guy just did? He’s having a rally on Juneteenth in Arizona and guess what? All of the people coming to his rally have to sign a piece of paper saying if they get COVID in this, they will not sue the campaign. I mean come on, man,” Biden said. “Can’t sue the campaign, yet he won’t fund? I’m sorry, I’m getting a little frustrated. Quite frankly, I’m getting angry about it.”
During the Fox interview, Trump also called a much-criticized photo of him posing with a bible in front of a historic church "a beautiful picture." The president came under fire for using police and National Guard forces to remove peaceful protesters from the area just before the photo was taken.
"I think it was a beautiful picture. I'll tell you, I think Christians think it was a beautiful picture," he told Fox's Faulkner.
His comments came a day after Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley said it was a "mistake" to accompany the president and other top administration officials on the walk across Lafayette Square to historic St. John's Church, adding that his "presence in that moment and in that environment created a perception of the military involved in domestic politics."
USA TODAY Poll:Forceful clearing of Lafayette Square was defining moment for president and protests
Defense Secretary Mark Esper also distanced himself from the president's walk to St. John's, saying he had nothing to do with the decision to clear the protesters. He told NBC News he didn't know they were going to the church, then clarified the next day that he knew where they were going but not about the president's planned "photo op" with the Bible.
"I mean, if that's the way they feel, I think that's fine. I have good relationships with the military," Trump told Faulkner.
The photograph of Milley, in his camouflage combat uniform, and Defense Secretary Mark Esper walking along a path in Lafayette Square with Trump and other administration officials was condemned by a chorus of former military officials. Former Defense Secretary James Mattis slammed his former boss for ordering use of force for a photo op. Attorney General William Barr has since said his decision to clear the square was over safety concerns and unrelated to the president's walk.
Graphic: How police pushed aside protesters before Trump's controversial church photo
Contributing: William Cummings, Tom Vanden Brook