usatoday--2020-05-29--Sen. Bob Casey says positive coronavirus antibody test means he 'likely had COVID-19 at some point'

WASHINGTON — Sen. Bob Casey , D-Pa. , announced Friday he had tested positive for coronavirus antibodies after taking an antibody test last week .
`` This positive test means that I likely had COVID-19 at some point over the last several months and have since developed an antibody response to the virus , '' he said in a press release issued Friday .
Casey said he had experienced `` a low-grade fever and some mild flu-like symptoms for a number of days '' earlier in the spring .
He self-quarantined and worked from home in Scranton , Pennsylvania , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his doctor .
His family was out of town at the time , so they were not exposed .
He did not seek treatment because the symptoms were mild , and the fever went away by mid-April , Casey said .
More : Minneapolis police at center of George Floyd ’ s death had a history of complaints The Pennsylvania Democrat said he would be donating his plasma in Taylor , Pennsylvania , to help coronavirus patients .
Casey 's announcement came after Sen. Tim Kaine , D-Va. , said Thursday he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus antibodies after experiencing flu-like symptoms earlier in the year .
More : Sen. Tim Kaine says he and his wife Anne Holton tested positive for coronavirus antibodies CDC guidelines on coronavirus antibody tests note that positive antibody test results do not necessarily indicate immunity from the virus , and false-positive results are possible .
`` Serologic test results do not indicate with certainty the presence or absence of current or previous infection with SARS-CoV-2 , '' the CDC writes .

Sen. Bob Casey says positive coronavirus antibody test means he 'likely had COVID-19 at some point'
Show Caption Hide Caption Coronavirus survivors fight obstacles after beating deadly virus Kevin Rathel deals with vision problems and memory issues even after beating coronavirus. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., announced Friday he had tested positive for coronavirus antibodies after taking an antibody test last week.
"This positive test means that I likely had COVID-19 at some point over the last several months and have since developed an antibody response to the virus," he said in a press release issued Friday.
Casey said he had experienced "a low-grade fever and some mild flu-like symptoms for a number of days" earlier in the spring. He self-quarantined and worked from home in Scranton, Pennsylvania, for two weeks after discussing his symptoms with his doctor. His family was out of town at the time, so they were not exposed.
He did not seek treatment because the symptoms were mild, and the fever went away by mid-April, Casey said.
More: Minneapolis police at center of George Floyd’s death had a history of complaints
The Pennsylvania Democrat said he would be donating his plasma in Taylor, Pennsylvania, to help coronavirus patients.
Casey's announcement came after Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said Thursday he and his wife also tested positive for coronavirus antibodies after experiencing flu-like symptoms earlier in the year.
More: Sen. Tim Kaine says he and his wife Anne Holton tested positive for coronavirus antibodies
CDC guidelines on coronavirus antibody tests note that positive antibody test results do not necessarily indicate immunity from the virus, and false-positive results are possible.
"Serologic test results do not indicate with certainty the presence or absence of current or previous infection with SARS-CoV-2," the CDC writes.


usatoday--2020-05-29--Texas Supreme Court: Lack of coronavirus immunity doesn't qualify voters for mail-in ballots

Rejecting claims raised by state Democrats , the Texas Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that a lack of immunity to the coronavirus does not entitle voters to a mail-in ballot under state law .
Texas election law limits mail-in ballots to specific categories of voters , such as those with a disability that prevents them from safely traveling to a polling place .
Backing arguments made by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton , the state ’ s highest civil court said the law ’ s definition of disability applies to a `` sickness or physical condition , '' not a generalized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Disabled '' normally means being incapacitated by an injury or illness , Chief Justice Nathan Hecht wrote in an opinion joined by six other justices , including Justice Debra Lehrmann , who announced last week that she and her husband had contracted COVID-19 despite taking numerous precautions .
`` In no sense can a lack of immunity be said to be such an incapacity , '' he wrote .
`` Accordingly , we conclude that a lack of immunity to COVID-19 is not itself a physical condition for being eligible to vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , rejected Paxton ’ s request to order county election clerks to reject applications for mail-in ballots from voters who fear exposure to the coronavirus .
Election 2020 and COVID-19 : Republicans sue to block California Gov .
Newsom from mailing ballots to all voters County officials lack the authority to question or investigate claims of disability , Hecht noted , adding that clerks are expected to faithfully convey the ruling ’ s outcome to voters .
`` The Clerks have assured us that they will fully discharge their duty to follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they will follow the guidance we have provided here , '' Hecht wrote .
`` Accordingly , we conclude that ( ordering ) them to do so is unwarranted . ''
The Texas Democratic Party , which has filed state and federal lawsuits to expand mail-in voting during the pandemic , criticized the ruling by the all-Republican court , noting that it followed oral arguments held in an online forum last week – instead of inside the Supreme Court ’ s Austin courtroom – over concerns about coronavirus exposure .
`` This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago failed to serve Texans ’ needs and interests , '' state party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa said .
`` Now , it is up to the federal court to ensure basic constitutional rights still exist in Texas and ensure that Texans have a right to vote safely and not put their health at risk . ''
More : Republicans , Democrats push ahead on absentee voting even as Trump blasts Michigan over it '' Election officials have a duty to reject mail-in ballot applications from voters who are not entitled to vote by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In-person voting is the surest way to maintain the integrity of our elections , prevent voter fraud and guarantee that every voter is who they claim to be . ''
Fear of contracting COVID-19 is a normal emotional reaction , Paxton said , but it does not amount to an actual disability that qualifies a voter to receive a ballot by mail .
In addition to canceling in-person oral arguments , the Supreme Court issued an emergency order Tuesday extending requirements that most lower-court hearings be held remotely over concerns about the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until at least Aug. 1 .

Chuck Lindell, Austin American-Statesman

Texas Supreme Court: Lack of coronavirus immunity doesn't qualify voters for mail-in ballots
Show Caption Hide Caption Elections 2020: Mail-in voting could decide next president Many states are planning on drastically different elections this year and mail-in ballots could be a big game changer. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Rejecting claims raised by state Democrats, the Texas Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that a lack of immunity to the coronavirus does not entitle voters to a mail-in ballot under state law.
Texas election law limits mail-in ballots to specific categories of voters, such as those with a disability that prevents them from safely traveling to a polling place.
Backing arguments made by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the state’s highest civil court said the law’s definition of disability applies to a "sickness or physical condition," not a generalized fear of contracting a deadly disease.
"Disabled" normally means being incapacitated by an injury or illness, Chief Justice Nathan Hecht wrote in an opinion joined by six other justices, including Justice Debra Lehrmann, who announced last week that she and her husband had contracted COVID-19 despite taking numerous precautions.
"In no sense can a lack of immunity be said to be such an incapacity," he wrote. "Accordingly, we conclude that a lack of immunity to COVID-19 is not itself a physical condition for being eligible to vote by mail."
The court, however, rejected Paxton’s request to order county election clerks to reject applications for mail-in ballots from voters who fear exposure to the coronavirus.
Election 2020 and COVID-19: Republicans sue to block California Gov. Newsom from mailing ballots to all voters
AP-NORC Poll: Virus woes push mail voting approval Americans’ support for mail-in voting jumps amid safety concerns during the virus pandemic. As Ohio holds its virtually all-mail primary Tuesday, a new AP-NORC poll finds Dems more likely than the GOP to support elections exclusively by mail. (April 27) AP
County officials lack the authority to question or investigate claims of disability, Hecht noted, adding that clerks are expected to faithfully convey the ruling’s outcome to voters.
"The Clerks have assured us that they will fully discharge their duty to follow the law. We are confident that they will follow the guidance we have provided here," Hecht wrote. "Accordingly, we conclude that (ordering) them to do so is unwarranted."
The Texas Democratic Party, which has filed state and federal lawsuits to expand mail-in voting during the pandemic, criticized the ruling by the all-Republican court, noting that it followed oral arguments held in an online forum last week – instead of inside the Supreme Court’s Austin courtroom – over concerns about coronavirus exposure.
"This is reflective of Texas Republican leadership that long ago failed to serve Texans’ needs and interests," state party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa said. "Now, it is up to the federal court to ensure basic constitutional rights still exist in Texas and ensure that Texans have a right to vote safely and not put their health at risk."
More: Republicans, Democrats push ahead on absentee voting even as Trump blasts Michigan over it
Paxton praised the ruling.
"Election officials have a duty to reject mail-in ballot applications from voters who are not entitled to vote by mail," he said. "In-person voting is the surest way to maintain the integrity of our elections, prevent voter fraud and guarantee that every voter is who they claim to be."
Fear of contracting COVID-19 is a normal emotional reaction, Paxton said, but it does not amount to an actual disability that qualifies a voter to receive a ballot by mail.
In addition to canceling in-person oral arguments, the Supreme Court issued an emergency order Tuesday extending requirements that most lower-court hearings be held remotely over concerns about the coronavirus. The order also banned jury trials until at least Aug. 1.
'Draconian'? 'House arrest'?: Coronavirus lockdowns prompt raft of lawsuits against states
USA TODAY/Suffolk Poll: Americans overwhelmingly support vote-by-mail push, but Republicans more wary


usatoday--2020-05-30--Mayor in Mississippi receives death threats after George Floyd comments, but won't resign

PETAL , Miss .
-- Petal Mayor Hal Marx apologized Saturday that comments he made have caused so much pain to the city he leads and its people , but he denied his comments were racist , and said he wo n't resign .
`` I admit that my comments on the recent tragic death of George Floyd in Minnesota were made in haste and not well-thought out or expressed , '' he said .
`` Because of this , my words were taken out of the context in which they were meant .
For that , I apologize .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to be insensitive , and I apologize to the people of our city . ''
The mayor affirmed he would continue in office in an exclusive interview with the Hattiesburg American , also a part of the USA TODAY Network .
`` I will not resign , '' he said from his home .
`` The people elected me to serve until July 1 , 2021 .
I can not resign over something which I did not do .
I did not make racist comments and I have not mistreated anyone .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Facebook and Twitter about Floyd 's death drew local protest , and even national media attention .
`` If you can say you can ’ t breathe , you ’ re breathing , '' Marx wrote .
`` Most likely that man died of overdose or heart attack .
Video doesn ’ t show his resistance that got him in that position .
Police being crucified . ''
The tweet and his account have since been deleted .
The Facebook post was shared only to friends , but screen shots of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sites .
The comments prompted a storm on social media .
Marx and his family also began receiving threats of violence and even death , he said .
He said he was dismayed and surprised by the city aldermen 's lack of support for him , since some of them share his views .
`` My greatest disappointment over the last three days has been in our Board of Aldermen , '' he said .
`` Instead of simply saying they disagreed with my comments , they have allowed me to be subjected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a racist , all the time knowing that is not the truth . ''
Marx said he regrets making the statement as it was written , but no one from the Board of Aldermen has said they found his words offensive in the past , even though they said Thursday in a censure of the mayor that some of his prior posts have been equally offensive .
`` During my time as a public official , I have frequently used social media to comment on issues and events affecting our city , state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , reading from a statement before answering questions .
`` Some were simply meant as personal viewpoints , others were made to express my policy views and political opinions … not everyone , of course , agrees with me on my opinions and that 's what our nation is supposed to be about .
The freedom to have and express one 's opinion without fear or retribution . ''
Aldermen also passed a resolution at a special meeting Thursday asking , like others , for the mayor to resign .
Before Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were planned for Friday , Saturday and Sunday at Petal City Hall .
The protests have so far been mostly peaceful as people stood or sat in the hot sun , calling for justice for Floyd 's death , but also for Marx 's resignation .
Some protesters later showed up at Marx 's house Friday and Saturday as police and others watched .
`` He 's not at City Hall , he 's here , '' protester Anthony Dunn said .
`` I 'm going to make him feel as uncomfortable as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dunn said he feels the comment Marx made shows his true character .
`` When you 're in a position ( of authority ) and you make such an insensitive statement , it says a lot about them , '' he said .
`` I 'm here because I do n't feel he represents the city of Petal .
I am angry not only with his sensitivity , but with his cockiness of saying what you 're not going to do ( as in resign ) .
`` Resign and everything will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have to come out here day to day , that 's what I 'm going to do .
You messed up .
You had a chance to apologize but you did n't .
You 're human .
Everybody makes mistakes .
I completely understand that . ''
Dunn carried a gun on his hip while standing outside the mayor 's house .
He said it was for his personal protection .
Mississippi law allows open carry of firearms without a permit .
`` When we came ( Friday ) , the majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
`` There was a couple that would come out and say they were idiots .
That leads me to believe I 've got to protect myself . ''
Marx 's wife Mindy also spoke with the Hattiesburg American .
She said her family is now living in fear .
Their children , who have also received threats , have been told to stay away from the family home .
`` I think that it is absolutely ridiculous that our family is being targeted , '' she said .
`` Life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago will never return .
I do n't think we will ever feel as safe .
Where are we going to go ?
We are safer here than anywhere .
I do n't trust anybody at this point .
`` Having protesters in front of your house with a gun on their hip saying that your wife has to pay for what you did , I think that it is absolutely ridiculous . ''
Mindy Marx 's place of employment in Ellisville was threatened and police had to monitor the area in case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't deserve this kind of attention , '' Hal Marx said .
Contact Lici Beveridge at 601-584-3104 or lbeveridge @ gannett.com .
Follow her on Twitter @ licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge .

Lici Beveridge, Mississippi Clarion Ledger

Mayor in Mississippi receives death threats after George Floyd comments, but won't resign
Show Caption Hide Caption EXCLUSIVE: Full interview with Mayor Hal Marx Mayor Hal Marx gave a statement to the Hattiesburg American and an interview regarding the calls for his resignation over George Floyd death comments. Cam Bonelli, Hattiesburg American
PETAL, Miss. -- Petal Mayor Hal Marx apologized Saturday that comments he made have caused so much pain to the city he leads and its people, but he denied his comments were racist, and said he won't resign.
"I admit that my comments on the recent tragic death of George Floyd in Minnesota were made in haste and not well-thought out or expressed," he said. "Because of this, my words were taken out of the context in which they were meant. For that, I apologize.
"I apologize to those who found them to be insensitive, and I apologize to the people of our city."
The mayor affirmed he would continue in office in an exclusive interview with the Hattiesburg American, also a part of the USA TODAY Network.
"I will not resign," he said from his home. "The people elected me to serve until July 1, 2021. I cannot resign over something which I did not do. I did not make racist comments and I have not mistreated anyone."
Marx's comments earlier this week on Facebook and Twitter about Floyd's death drew local protest, and even national media attention.
"If you can say you can’t breathe, you’re breathing," Marx wrote. "Most likely that man died of overdose or heart attack. Video doesn’t show his resistance that got him in that position. Police being crucified."
The tweet and his account have since been deleted. The Facebook post was shared only to friends, but screen shots of what he said are circulating on social networking sites.
The comments prompted a storm on social media. Marx and his family also began receiving threats of violence and even death, he said.
He said he was dismayed and surprised by the city aldermen's lack of support for him, since some of them share his views.
"My greatest disappointment over the last three days has been in our Board of Aldermen," he said. "Instead of simply saying they disagreed with my comments, they have allowed me to be subjected to the horrible slander of being called a racist, all the time knowing that is not the truth."
Marx said he regrets making the statement as it was written, but no one from the Board of Aldermen has said they found his words offensive in the past, even though they said Thursday in a censure of the mayor that some of his prior posts have been equally offensive.
"During my time as a public official, I have frequently used social media to comment on issues and events affecting our city, state, nation and world," he said, reading from a statement before answering questions. "Some were simply meant as personal viewpoints, others were made to express my policy views and political opinions … not everyone, of course, agrees with me on my opinions and that's what our nation is supposed to be about. The freedom to have and express one's opinion without fear or retribution."
Aldermen also passed a resolution at a special meeting Thursday asking, like others, for the mayor to resign.
WATCH: Mississippi mayor on calls for resignation over Floyd comments Petal Mayor Hal Marx discusses protests at City Hall and calls for his resignation in Petal, Mississippi, Saturday May 30, 2020. Cam Bonelli, Hattiesburg American
Before Thursday's aldermen meeting was called, protests were planned for Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Petal City Hall. The protests have so far been mostly peaceful as people stood or sat in the hot sun, calling for justice for Floyd's death, but also for Marx's resignation.
Some protesters later showed up at Marx's house Friday and Saturday as police and others watched.
"He's not at City Hall, he's here," protester Anthony Dunn said. "I'm going to make him feel as uncomfortable as (George Floyd) felt."
Dunn said he feels the comment Marx made shows his true character.
"When you're in a position (of authority) and you make such an insensitive statement, it says a lot about them," he said. "I'm here because I don't feel he represents the city of Petal. I am angry not only with his sensitivity, but with his cockiness of saying what you're not going to do (as in resign).
"Resign and everything will be fine. But until then, if I have to come out here day to day, that's what I'm going to do. You messed up. You had a chance to apologize but you didn't. You're human. Everybody makes mistakes. I completely understand that."
Dunn carried a gun on his hip while standing outside the mayor's house. He said it was for his personal protection. Mississippi law allows open carry of firearms without a permit.
"When we came (Friday), the majority of the residents were welcoming," he said. "There was a couple that would come out and say they were idiots. That leads me to believe I've got to protect myself."
Marx's wife Mindy also spoke with the Hattiesburg American. She said her family is now living in fear. Their children, who have also received threats, have been told to stay away from the family home.
"I think that it is absolutely ridiculous that our family is being targeted," she said. "Life as we knew it a couple days ago will never return. I don't think we will ever feel as safe. Where are we going to go? We are safer here than anywhere. I don't trust anybody at this point.
"Having protesters in front of your house with a gun on their hip saying that your wife has to pay for what you did, I think that it is absolutely ridiculous."
Mindy Marx's place of employment in Ellisville was threatened and police had to monitor the area in case the threat was realized.
"We don't deserve this kind of attention," Hal Marx said.
Contact Lici Beveridge at 601-584-3104 or lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge.


usatoday--2020-05-30--'An enormous red flag': After George Floyd's death, some call for a broader federal investigation

WASHINGTON – The death of George Floyd , a black man who was captured in a viral video lying facedown on the ground while a white officer presses his left knee into his neck , was not the first police killing to rile Minneapolis .
Two years ago , Thurman Blevins was fatally shot as he ran from two officers with what appeared to be a gun in his hand .
Six months ago , Chiasher Fong Vue was killed in a massive shootout .
Authorities said he fired the first shot , prompting nine officers to fire back .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ first time someone raised questions about the Minneapolis Police Department 's practices .
The Justice Department did so in 2015 , after the then-police chief asked for a review of the agency 's policies in preventing misconduct .
Their report found systemic weaknesses in the department 's ability to identify and correct troubling behavior .
It found that the community believed officers treated people of color unfairly .
A majority of citizen complaints were dismissed .
Now , five years later , Floyd 's death – now remembered by his last words , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has not only renewed criticisms of a police department that has yet to gain the trust of the community it polices , but has also cast a spotlight on what police accountability looks like under the Trump administration .
While the Justice Department still investigates individual police officers , it has significantly scaled back its investigations of police agencies .
One of the last actions of then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions was to curtail the use of consent decrees , which are enforcement tools the department had long relied on to reform police agencies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kept the same policy , leaving civil rights advocates to worry that systemic abuse is left unchecked .
Since Floyd 's death – and as protests erupted in Minneapolis and other cities – the Justice Department has launched a federal civil rights investigation of Derek Chauvin , the officer seen with his knee on Floyd ’ s neck , and the three other officers who were involved .
One of the officers can be seen in the video standing nearby as Chauvin placed his knee on Floyd 's neck for about eight minutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` harrowing '' and `` deeply disturbing , '' said the federal investigation is `` proceeding quickly . ''
`` I am confident justice will be served , '' Barr said .
But advocates and lawmakers have urged the department to launch a broader investigation into whether the incident is part of a pattern of unconstitutional police practices and unlawful use of force by the agency .
“ The fact that you have one officer engaged in this really horrible conduct , but the other officers were standing around … exposed real weaknesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department , '' said Jonathan Smith , a former Justice Department lawyer who supervised investigations of police agencies under the Obama administration .
`` Even if you don ’ t have a history of problems in this police department , when you see an officer does this , when you see other officers stand around and not intervening to prevent it , that ’ s an enormous red flag that this is a systemic problem.
” In a letter to Barr and Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband , who heads the Civil Rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death and other recent officer-involved killings should force the Justice Department to rethink its policy .
`` The police killing of George Floyd – and countless other police-caused fatalities throughout the country – warrant the Department of Justice reversing course on pattern-or-practice investigations , '' said Kanya Bennett , senior legislative counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union .
`` The Minneapolis Police Department has earlier been criticized for unlawful and failed police practices and this Department of Justice should have intervened there well before the murder of George Floyd . ''
Still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and say that what the Justice Department is doing is enough , at least for now .
`` I think the investigation of the officers involved is warranted .
I think you should do that first ... look at the actions of the officers first , see if their actions are criminal and civil rights violations , '' Chuck Wexler , executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum .
`` If you have a situation where it looked like the police department was in denial , I think you 'd have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Medaria Arradondo immediately fired Chauvin and the three other officers : Thomas Lane , Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng .
Chauvin has been arrested and charged in Hennepin County , Minnesota , with third-degree murder and manslaughter .
George Floyd : Experts say knee-to-neck restraint is dangerous .
Minneapolis allows it The swift action by local officials suggests there might not be a need for a broader , federal investigation of the police department , said Arthur Rizer , a former Justice Department lawyer and senior fellow at the public policy research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such action is warranted `` if we see that the local government authorities dropped the ball or we feel there ’ s an unfair skewing of an investigation . ''
Christy Lopez , a former Justice Department lawyer who investigated the Ferguson Police Department under the Obama administration , said it 's difficult to say whether Minneapolis police should be the subject of a consent decree absent more information .
Racial tension : George Floyd 's death another wound for Minneapolis ' black community : 'Why ca n't I just be black in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On the one hand , there have been a lot of incidents involving this police department for many years , '' she said .
`` On the other hand , you have the mayor and the chief responding very quickly , very aggressively on their own . ''
Jon Shane , a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice , cautions against having a `` mob mentality . ''
He warns that the swift actions of Minneapolis officials maybe hasty .
`` It seems highly unlikely that the police department conducted a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers , '' Shane said .
`` I have no problem whatsoever terminating everybody that ’ s been given due process ... Justice that proceeds too swiftly is efficient , but it is not effective . ''
Prosecution will not 'prevent the next tragedy' Even if the Justice Department ultimately charged the officers , securing a federal conviction is difficult , experts say .
Prosecutors must show that the officers intended to deprive Floyd of his constitutional rights .
`` That 's an extremely high standard .
It 's difficult to go in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guy 's intent , '' said Smith , the former Justice Department lawyer who 's also executive director of the Washington Lawyers ’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs .
And even if the prosecution is successful , it would not address the systemic issues that allowed such misconduct to happen in the first place , Smith said : `` That 's not going prevent the next tragedy . ''
In the past , the Justice Department has intervened when controversies and scandals rocked local law enforcement agencies .
Under President George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use-of-force policies of several agencies , including the Miami , Detroit and Austin police departments .
Under President Barack Obama , the Justice Department launched probes of police departments mired in racial tensions with the communities they policed .
It investigated the Maricopa County Sheriff 's Office for unlawfully detaining Hispanics during raids of local businesses .
It investigated the Chicago Police Department after the death of LaQuan McDonald , a black teen who was shot by a white officer as he appeared to be turning away from police .
It found that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pattern of bias against the LGBT community .
The Trump administration has not launched any investigations of police agencies .
In 2018 , Sessions directed the Justice Department to `` exercise special caution '' before resorting to consent decrees , saying they can be a burden on state and local budgets and can deprive local officials of control over their own agencies .
Last year , the Justice Department decided not to bring federal charges over the death of Eric Garner , who six years ago gasped `` I ca n't breathe '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become a symbol of anger and frustration in the black community – as a New York City police officer held him around the head and neck .
'Police know better than that' The officers involved in Floyd 's death were the subjects of a combined 13 complaints since 2012 .
They were repeatedly accused of treating victims of crimes with callousness or indifference , failing to file a report when a crime was alleged and , in at least one case , using an unnecessary amount of force .
The Justice Department 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems within the agency .
The most common types of citizen complaints against officers involved not treating residents with respect , using unprofessional behavior and lack of sensitivity to different cultures , according to the report .
Experts say the Justice Department should look more deeply into that history .
Floyd 's death also underscores the need to train officers on how to stop a colleague from using excessive force , said Lopez , the former Justice Department lawyer who 's now a professor at Georgetown University .
Police departments in New Orleans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undergoing such training .
In Floyd 's case , had one of the officers intervened , Floyd would have gotten medical treatment sooner , and the incident may have been perceived differently , Lopez said .
Troubling history : Minneapolis police at center of George Floyd ’ s death had a history of complaints Across the country , Floyd 's death has prompted a chorus of condemnation from law enforcement officials and experts .
`` It ’ s hard to watch this video and not feel tremendous despair and outrage because we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come so far .
And yet you see this and you just say , 'How could this have happened ? '
'' said Wexler , of the Police Executive Research Forum .
`` In 2020 , police know better than that .
...
This is not what professional policing looks like in 2020 . ''
Steven Casstevens , president of the International Association of Police Chiefs , said there 's no `` exact science '' in determining whether an agency should be the subject of a consent decree .
`` I think what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the business world , everybody says the customer is always right .
In the law enforcement world , that 's not the reality .
The people we deal with are usually wrong , '' said Casstevens , police chief in Buffalo Grove , Illinois .
`` However , the customer is allowed to be wrong with dignity .
If my officers stop you , I expect them to treat you with respect regardless of the fact that you 've done something wrong . ''

'An enormous red flag': After George Floyd's death, some call for a broader federal investigation
Show Caption Hide Caption FBI investigates death of George Floyd who died after police restraint The FBI is investigating the death of George Floyd after he was restrained by police in Minneapolis. USA TODAY, Storyful
WASHINGTON – The death of George Floyd, a black man who was captured in a viral video lying facedown on the ground while a white officer presses his left knee into his neck, was not the first police killing to rile Minneapolis.
Two years ago, Thurman Blevins was fatally shot as he ran from two officers with what appeared to be a gun in his hand. Six months ago, Chiasher Fong Vue was killed in a massive shootout. Authorities said he fired the first shot, prompting nine officers to fire back.
Floyd's death also wasn't the first time someone raised questions about the Minneapolis Police Department's practices.
The Justice Department did so in 2015, after the then-police chief asked for a review of the agency's policies in preventing misconduct.
Their report found systemic weaknesses in the department's ability to identify and correct troubling behavior. It found that the community believed officers treated people of color unfairly. A majority of citizen complaints were dismissed.
Now, five years later, Floyd's death – now remembered by his last words, "I can't breathe" – has not only renewed criticisms of a police department that has yet to gain the trust of the community it polices, but has also cast a spotlight on what police accountability looks like under the Trump administration.
While the Justice Department still investigates individual police officers, it has significantly scaled back its investigations of police agencies.
One of the last actions of then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions was to curtail the use of consent decrees, which are enforcement tools the department had long relied on to reform police agencies. Current Attorney General William Barr has kept the same policy, leaving civil rights advocates to worry that systemic abuse is left unchecked.
Since Floyd's death – and as protests erupted in Minneapolis and other cities – the Justice Department has launched a federal civil rights investigation of Derek Chauvin, the officer seen with his knee on Floyd’s neck, and the three other officers who were involved. One of the officers can be seen in the video standing nearby as Chauvin placed his knee on Floyd's neck for about eight minutes.
Floyd's death: Former police officer Derek Chauvin arrested, charged with murder
Barr, who called the video "harrowing" and "deeply disturbing," said the federal investigation is "proceeding quickly."
"I am confident justice will be served," Barr said.
But advocates and lawmakers have urged the department to launch a broader investigation into whether the incident is part of a pattern of unconstitutional police practices and unlawful use of force by the agency.
“The fact that you have one officer engaged in this really horrible conduct, but the other officers were standing around … exposed real weaknesses in the supervision and culture of the department," said Jonathan Smith, a former Justice Department lawyer who supervised investigations of police agencies under the Obama administration.
"Even if you don’t have a history of problems in this police department, when you see an officer does this, when you see other officers stand around and not intervening to prevent it, that’s an enormous red flag that this is a systemic problem.”
Surveillance: George Floyd's first contact with police Surveillance video in Minneapolis shows the first moments of George Floyd's police interaction. USA TODAY
In a letter to Barr and Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband, who heads the Civil Rights Division, Democratic lawmakers said Floyd's death and other recent officer-involved killings should force the Justice Department to rethink its policy.
"The police killing of George Floyd – and countless other police-caused fatalities throughout the country – warrant the Department of Justice reversing course on pattern-or-practice investigations," said Kanya Bennett, senior legislative counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union. "The Minneapolis Police Department has earlier been criticized for unlawful and failed police practices and this Department of Justice should have intervened there well before the murder of George Floyd."
Some urge caution
Still, some caution against a broader investigation and say that what the Justice Department is doing is enough, at least for now.
"I think the investigation of the officers involved is warranted. I think you should do that first ... look at the actions of the officers first, see if their actions are criminal and civil rights violations," Chuck Wexler, executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum. "If you have a situation where it looked like the police department was in denial, I think you'd have a different case."
Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo immediately fired Chauvin and the three other officers: Thomas Lane, Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng. Chauvin has been arrested and charged in Hennepin County, Minnesota, with third-degree murder and manslaughter.
George Floyd: Experts say knee-to-neck restraint is dangerous. Minneapolis allows it
George Floyd: Attorney Mike Freeman promises justice after video Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman promises to "not rush to justice" in the George Floyd case. USA TODAY, Wochit
The swift action by local officials suggests there might not be a need for a broader, federal investigation of the police department, said Arthur Rizer, a former Justice Department lawyer and senior fellow at the public policy research firm R Street Institute.
He said such action is warranted "if we see that the local government authorities dropped the ball or we feel there’s an unfair skewing of an investigation."
Christy Lopez, a former Justice Department lawyer who investigated the Ferguson Police Department under the Obama administration, said it's difficult to say whether Minneapolis police should be the subject of a consent decree absent more information.
Racial tension: George Floyd's death another wound for Minneapolis' black community: 'Why can't I just be black in the state of Minnesota?'
"On the one hand, there have been a lot of incidents involving this police department for many years," she said. "On the other hand, you have the mayor and the chief responding very quickly, very aggressively on their own."
Jon Shane, a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, cautions against having a "mob mentality." He warns that the swift actions of Minneapolis officials maybe hasty.
"It seems highly unlikely that the police department conducted a thorough internal affairs investigation before firing the officers," Shane said. "I have no problem whatsoever terminating everybody that’s been given due process ... Justice that proceeds too swiftly is efficient, but it is not effective."
Prosecution will not 'prevent the next tragedy'
Even if the Justice Department ultimately charged the officers, securing a federal conviction is difficult, experts say. Prosecutors must show that the officers intended to deprive Floyd of his constitutional rights.
"That's an extremely high standard. It's difficult to go in front of a jury to prove the guy's intent," said Smith, the former Justice Department lawyer who's also executive director of the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs.
And even if the prosecution is successful, it would not address the systemic issues that allowed such misconduct to happen in the first place, Smith said: "That's not going prevent the next tragedy."
In the past, the Justice Department has intervened when controversies and scandals rocked local law enforcement agencies.
Under President George W. Bush, the department investigated the use-of-force policies of several agencies, including the Miami, Detroit and Austin police departments.
Under President Barack Obama, the Justice Department launched probes of police departments mired in racial tensions with the communities they policed.
It investigated the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office for unlawfully detaining Hispanics during raids of local businesses. It investigated the Chicago Police Department after the death of LaQuan McDonald, a black teen who was shot by a white officer as he appeared to be turning away from police. It found that the New Orleans Police Department had a pattern of bias against the LGBT community.
Trump condemns protesters: President says violent protests dishonor George Floyd’s memory
Obama reacts: Former president says George Floyd's death shouldn't be 'normal'
The Trump administration has not launched any investigations of police agencies. In 2018, Sessions directed the Justice Department to "exercise special caution" before resorting to consent decrees, saying they can be a burden on state and local budgets and can deprive local officials of control over their own agencies.
Last year, the Justice Department decided not to bring federal charges over the death of Eric Garner, who six years ago gasped "I can't breathe" – the same three words that have become a symbol of anger and frustration in the black community – as a New York City police officer held him around the head and neck.
'Police know better than that'
The officers involved in Floyd's death were the subjects of a combined 13 complaints since 2012. They were repeatedly accused of treating victims of crimes with callousness or indifference, failing to file a report when a crime was alleged and, in at least one case, using an unnecessary amount of force.
The Justice Department's 2015 report on Minneapolis police suggests broader problems within the agency. The most common types of citizen complaints against officers involved not treating residents with respect, using unprofessional behavior and lack of sensitivity to different cultures, according to the report.
Experts say the Justice Department should look more deeply into that history.
Floyd's death also underscores the need to train officers on how to stop a colleague from using excessive force, said Lopez, the former Justice Department lawyer who's now a professor at Georgetown University. Police departments in New Orleans and Washington, D.C., have been undergoing such training.
In Floyd's case, had one of the officers intervened, Floyd would have gotten medical treatment sooner, and the incident may have been perceived differently, Lopez said.
Troubling history: Minneapolis police at center of George Floyd’s death had a history of complaints
Across the country, Floyd's death has prompted a chorus of condemnation from law enforcement officials and experts.
"It’s hard to watch this video and not feel tremendous despair and outrage because we’ve come so far. Policing has come so far. And yet you see this and you just say, 'How could this have happened?'" said Wexler, of the Police Executive Research Forum. "In 2020, police know better than that. ... This is not what professional policing looks like in 2020."
Steven Casstevens, president of the International Association of Police Chiefs, said there's no "exact science" in determining whether an agency should be the subject of a consent decree.
"I think what it comes down to is this: In the business world, everybody says the customer is always right. In the law enforcement world, that's not the reality. The people we deal with are usually wrong," said Casstevens, police chief in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. "However, the customer is allowed to be wrong with dignity. If my officers stop you, I expect them to treat you with respect regardless of the fact that you've done something wrong."
Analysis: Trump's tweet injects civil rights era into presidential race, protests of George Floyd's death
Contributing: Kelley Benham French, Kevin Crowe and Katie Wedell


usatoday--2020-05-30--Reps. Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley introduce resolution condemning  police brutality after George Flo

WASHINGTON –Reps .
Ilhan Omar , D-Minn. , and Ayanna Pressley , D-Mass.
, introduced a resolution Friday asking the House of Representatives to condemn `` police brutality , racial profiling and the excessive use of force '' following the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor by police officers .
Floyd , a black man , died in Minneapolis police custody this week after a white officer pinned him to the ground under his knee .
His death has sparked demonstrations against police brutality and racial discrimination in cities across the United States .
Taylor was a 26-year-old emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Louisville Metro Police in March while they were executing a search warrant at her apartment as part of a narcotics investigation .
Taylor 's boyfriend said he did not hear officers announce themselves and fired a single shot , striking Sgt .
Jonathan Mattingly in the femoral artery .
In turn , Mattingly and other officers shot more than 20 rounds , striking Taylor at least eight times .
She died in the hallway of her apartment .
“ For too long , Black and brown bodies have been profiled , surveilled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brutalized and murdered at the hands of police officers , ” said Pressley .
“ We can not allow these fatal injustices to go unchecked any longer .
There can be no justice for George Floyd , Breonna Taylor , or any of the human beings who have been killed by law enforcement , for in a just world , they would still be alive .
There must , however , be accountability.
” More : What to know about the investigations into the police shooting of Breonna Taylor More : FBI opens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman killed in her apartment Omar , who represents the district that includes all of Minneapolis , and Pressley partnered with Reps. Barbara Lee , D-Calif. , and Karen Bass , D-Calif. , who is the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus .
Soon after the congresswomen announced their resolution , Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee , announced his committee would hold a hearing on police use of force , saying , they intend `` to call a wide variety of witnesses on the topics of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the use of force , as well as building stronger bonds between communities and police .
“ We intend to shine a bright light on the problems associated with Mr. Floyd ’ s death , with the goal of finding a better way forward for our nation , ” he continued .
The resolution calls for policies and reforms `` at all levels of government , '' including improvements to independent investigations `` to hold individual law officers and police departments accountable ; '' calling on DOJ to reaffirm its statutory authority for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and unbiased law enforcement policies '' to reduce uses of force that disproportionately impact `` Black and Brown people and other historically marginalized communities . ''
' A country with an open wound ' : Biden says he spoke with George Floyd 's family , promises 'justice' Omar wrote , “ From slavery to lynching to Jim Crow , Black people in this country have been brutalized and dehumanized for centuries.
” “ The murder of George Floyd in my district is not a one-off event .
We can not fully right these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problem .
As the People ’ s House , the House of Representatives must acknowledge these historical injustices and call for a comprehensive solution .
There are many steps on the path to justice , but we must begin to take them , ” she continued .
Separately , Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee sent a letter Thursday calling on the U.S. Justice Department to investigate whether there ’ s a “ pattern or practice ” in the conduct of police officers involving the death of Floyd .
They also called for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia , who was shot and killed by two white men , and Taylor .
“ The fair , transparent , and equal administration of justice is a bedrock principle for citizens to maintain the trust required to govern themselves in an ordered society , ’ ’ they wrote .
Bass said the caucus will also address “ these renewed attacks ’ ’ against communities of color , including at a town hall next week , along with press conferences and resolutions .
“ It is really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ’ said Bass .
George Floyd death : Experts say knee-to-neck restraint is dangerous , but Minneapolis allows it More : Minneapolis police at center of George Floyd ’ s death had a history of complaints On the House floor Thursday , Rep. Hakeem Jeffries , chairman of the Democratic Caucus , said he respected police officers protecting their communities .
“ But we can not tolerate police violence and we can not tolerate police brutality .
George Floyd was murdered by an out-of-control police officer , ’ ’ he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Jeffries named other black men killed by police who were not found guilty .
“ Congress must do everything in its power to stop this type of tragedy from ever happening again , ” he said .

Reps. Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley introduce resolution condemning police brutality after George Floyd death
Show Caption Hide Caption Demonstrators in Minneapolis where George Floyd died Demonstrators gather on the corner where George Floyd died after being pinned to the ground by a police officer. Zach Boyden-Holmes, DesMoines
WASHINGTON –Reps. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., introduced a resolution Friday asking the House of Representatives to condemn "police brutality, racial profiling and the excessive use of force" following the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor by police officers.
Floyd, a black man, died in Minneapolis police custody this week after a white officer pinned him to the ground under his knee. His death has sparked demonstrations against police brutality and racial discrimination in cities across the United States.
More: Trump says violent Minneapolis protests dishonor George Floyd’s memory, Twitter labels ‘shooting’ tweet as ‘glorifying violence’
Taylor was a 26-year-old emergency room technician who was shot and killed by Louisville Metro Police in March while they were executing a search warrant at her apartment as part of a narcotics investigation. Taylor's boyfriend said he did not hear officers announce themselves and fired a single shot, striking Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly in the femoral artery. In turn, Mattingly and other officers shot more than 20 rounds, striking Taylor at least eight times. She died in the hallway of her apartment.
“For too long, Black and brown bodies have been profiled, surveilled, policed, lynched, choked, brutalized and murdered at the hands of police officers,” said Pressley. “We cannot allow these fatal injustices to go unchecked any longer. There can be no justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, or any of the human beings who have been killed by law enforcement, for in a just world, they would still be alive. There must, however, be accountability.”
More: What to know about the investigations into the police shooting of Breonna Taylor
More: FBI opens investigation into fatal police shooting of Louisville woman killed in her apartment
Omar, who represents the district that includes all of Minneapolis, and Pressley partnered with Reps. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., and Karen Bass, D-Calif., who is the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Soon after the congresswomen announced their resolution, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, announced his committee would hold a hearing on police use of force, saying, they intend "to call a wide variety of witnesses on the topics of better policing, addressing racial discrimination regarding the use of force, as well as building stronger bonds between communities and police.
“We intend to shine a bright light on the problems associated with Mr. Floyd’s death, with the goal of finding a better way forward for our nation,” he continued.
The resolution calls for policies and reforms "at all levels of government," including improvements to independent investigations "to hold individual law officers and police departments accountable;" calling on DOJ to reaffirm its statutory authority for such investigations; and adopting "sound and unbiased law enforcement policies" to reduce uses of force that disproportionately impact "Black and Brown people and other historically marginalized communities."
'A country with an open wound': Biden says he spoke with George Floyd's family, promises 'justice'
Omar wrote, “From slavery to lynching to Jim Crow, Black people in this country have been brutalized and dehumanized for centuries.”
“The murder of George Floyd in my district is not a one-off event. We cannot fully right these wrongs until we admit we have a problem. As the People’s House, the House of Representatives must acknowledge these historical injustices and call for a comprehensive solution. There are many steps on the path to justice, but we must begin to take them,” she continued.
More: Obama says George Floyd's death shouldn't be 'normal'
We must end the targeting of black and brown bodies by our law enforcement. Today, I introduced a resolution to condemn police brutality, racial profiling and excessive use of force with my sister in service @RepPressley. https://t.co/wegblwfLJ2 pic.twitter.com/opBxVFsR2a — Rep. Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan) May 29, 2020
Separately, Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee sent a letter Thursday calling on the U.S. Justice Department to investigate whether there’s a “pattern or practice” in the conduct of police officers involving the death of Floyd. They also called for the agency to look into patterns in the case of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia, who was shot and killed by two white men, and Taylor.
“The fair, transparent, and equal administration of justice is a bedrock principle for citizens to maintain the trust required to govern themselves in an ordered society,’’ they wrote.
Bass said the caucus will also address “these renewed attacks’’ against communities of color, including at a town hall next week, along with press conferences and resolutions.
“It is really unprecedented the attacks across our communities,’’ said Bass.
George Floyd death: Experts say knee-to-neck restraint is dangerous, but Minneapolis allows it
More: Minneapolis police at center of George Floyd’s death had a history of complaints
On the House floor Thursday, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, chairman of the Democratic Caucus, said he respected police officers protecting their communities.
“But we cannot tolerate police violence and we cannot tolerate police brutality. George Floyd was murdered by an out-of-control police officer,’’ he said. “When will it end?’’
Jeffries named other black men killed by police who were not found guilty. “Congress must do everything in its power to stop this type of tragedy from ever happening again,” he said.
Contributing: Deborah Berry


usatoday--2020-05-31--Joe Biden on George Floyd protests: 'We must not allow this pain to destroy us'

Former Vice President Joe Biden urged calm late Saturday as protests continued across the country , saying in a statement : `` The act of protesting should never be allowed to overshadow the reason we protest . ''
Protests again turned to unrest across the country Saturday , a day after a Minneapolis police officer was arrested and charged with the third-degree murder and manslaughter of George Floyd .
Police cars and government buildings were set on fire , curfews were instituted , and the National Guard was deployed .
Former officer Derek Chauvin faces the charges , which activist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bystander showed Chauvin pressing his knee on Floyd 's neck for more than eight minutes .
The demonstrations Saturday were part of a National Day of Protest against Chauvin and police brutality inflicted nationwide .
Protesters also called out the names of other people of color killed by police , including Louisville 's Breonna Taylor , a 26-year-old ER tech who was shot and killed by police in March .
George Floyd protests : How did we get here ?
Biden , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , called protesting that brutality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s an utterly American response . ''
But , he said , `` needless destruction is not .
Violence that endangers lives is not . ''
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said even peaceful protests were n't welcome after an 8 p.m. curfew Saturday .
Highways were closed and officials urged all residents to stay home , saying it was necessary to separate peaceful protesters from those intending to cause further damage to a city reeling after days of fiery demonstrations .
After curfew began , law enforcement started using tear gas , smoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gatherings .
In Washington : D.C. Mayor Bowser responds to Trump 's criticism over police after George Floyd protests President Donald Trump attended the historic SpaceX rocket launch in Florida Saturday and returned to the White House on Marine One at around 8:30 p.m. as protests raged outside .
He used his address at the Kennedy Space Center to offer a stern warning against violence by `` rioters , looters and anarchists . ''
Biden 's statement late Saturday came a day after he said he spoke to Floyd 's family .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday afternoon .
In Saturday 's statement , he referenced that conversation , saying : `` As President , I will help lead this conversation — and more importantly , I will listen .
I will keep the commitment I made to George ’ s brother , Philonise , that George will not just be a hashtag .
... '' Please stay safe .
Please take care of each other . ''

Joe Biden on George Floyd protests: 'We must not allow this pain to destroy us'
Show Caption Hide Caption George Floyd death protests mark violence, destruction across cities Protests across America turned violent as demonstrators expressed anger over George Floyd's death by police. USA TODAY
Former Vice President Joe Biden urged calm late Saturday as protests continued across the country, saying in a statement, "The act of protesting should never be allowed to overshadow the reason we protest."
Protests again turned to unrest Saturday, a day after a Minneapolis police officer was arrested and charged with the third-degree murder and manslaughter of George Floyd. Police cars and government buildings were set on fire, curfews were instituted and the National Guard was deployed.
Former officer Derek Chauvin faces the charges, which activist groups said are inadequate. Video from a bystander showed Chauvin pressing his knee on Floyd's neck for more than eight minutes.
The demonstrations Saturday were part of a National Day of Protest against Chauvin and police brutality nationwide. Protesters called out the names of other people of color killed by police, including Louisville's Breonna Taylor, 26, an ER tech who was shot and killed by police in March.
George Floyd protests: How did we get here?
Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, called protesting "right and necessary. It’s an utterly American response." But, he said, "needless destruction is not. Violence that endangers lives is not."
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said even peaceful protests weren't welcome after an 8 p.m. curfew Saturday. Highways were closed, and officials urged all residents to stay home, saying it was necessary to separate peaceful protesters from those intending to cause further damage to a city reeling after days of fiery demonstrations. After curfew began, law enforcement started using tear gas, smoke grenades and nonlethal projectiles to break up gatherings.
In Washington: D.C. Mayor Bowser responds to Trump's criticism over police after George Floyd protests
President Donald Trump attended the historic SpaceX rocket launch in Florida Saturday and returned to the White House on Marine One at around 8:30 p.m. as protests raged outside. He used his address at the Kennedy Space Center to offer a stern warning against violence by "rioters, looters and anarchists."
Biden calls for justice in 'horrific' Floyd death Former Vice President Joe Biden called for justice and accountability in the death of George Floyd, a black man who died shortly after his arrest by four Minneapolis police officers. "George Floyd's life matters," Biden said. (May 27) AP
Biden's statement late Saturday came a day after he said he spoke to Floyd's family. He made a short address afterward, on Friday afternoon.
In Saturday's statement, he referred to that conversation: "As president, I will help lead this conversation – and more importantly, I will listen. I will keep the commitment I made to George’s brother, Philonise, that George will not just be a hashtag. ... Please stay safe. Please take care of each other."
Contributing: John Fritze, Nicholas Wu, David Jackson, Matthew Brown, Maureen Groppe, Jordan Culver, Grace Hauck, Trevor Hughes, Joel Shannon, Tyler Davis


usatoday--2020-05-31--Consoler in chief or confronter in chief? Combination of crises tests Trump's leadership: Analysis

At times of national trauma , commanders in chief have often seen themselves as consolers in chief : Barack Obama after the Sandy Hook massacre .
George W. Bush after 9/11 .
Bill Clinton after the Oklahoma City bombings .
FDR during the Great Depression .
In the middle of the busiest intersection of disasters in modern times , President Trump on Sunday presented himself more as the confronter in chief .
He denounced the media as “ FAKE NEWS ” and labeled protesters in the streets – some peaceful and some not – as “ Radical Left Anarchists ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guard .
His model was more like Richard Nixon , whose unyielding law-and-order stance against Vietnam War protesters helped him win the White House in 1968 .
Now the combination of crises has overshadowed even that historically tumultuous year .
The moment has underscored the power of the White House as a bully pulpit and the difficulty of any other voice to fill the role of national unifier if the president does not .
Instead , on display Sunday were America 's divisions at a time of death , fear and violence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , one calamity has been stacked on top of another : The COVID-19 pandemic with a deadly toll that has topped 100,000 Americans .
The economic consequences of responding to the health emergency that has thrown an astonishing 40 million out of work .
The death of a handcuffed black man in Minneapolis after a police officer knelt on his neck , a brutal reminder of an long-standing injustice .
The video of George Floyd pleading for breath prompted protests in Minneapolis and across the country that began largely peacefully and then exploded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including in the streets around the White House .
The protests in downtown Washington started after Trump tweeted words with a racist history : `` When the looting starts , the shooting starts . ''
Mayors in Chicago and Atlanta scolded the protesters , and governors in at least a dozen states and the District of Columbia called up the National Guard to restore order .
Religious leaders prayed for calm .
But not even Joe Biden , Trump ’ s presumptive Democratic opponent in this fall 's presidential election , could clearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are a nation furious at injustice , '' the former vice president said in an emotional statement posted on Medium.com that decried both police brutality and violent protests .
Nor could a former president ; Barack Obama on Friday issued a statement saying he shares the `` anguish '' many feel about Floyd 's death .
No one has the platform of the president , or the power to set the tone of the national debate .
On Saturday , Trump issued a warning to protesters that they would face `` vicious dogs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an extraordinary rebuke from the mayor of the town in which he lives , Muriel Bowser .
`` There are no vicious dogs & ominous weapons , '' the mayor of Washington , D.C. , said in a tweet Sunday .
In one more sign of the anger and contempt in the national conversation , she added , `` There is just a scared man .
Afraid/alone . ''
At the White House , the president 's advisers reportedly were divided over whether he should deliver an address to the nation , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times .
In March , Trump himself had delivered an 11-minute Oval Office address on the coronavirus , although independent fact-checkers said the speech was filled with misleading information and it was blamed for travel chaos and a stock-market plunge that followed .
“ Whether he has an address from the Oval or he speaks to the press , '' national security adviser Robert O'Brien said on CNN 's State of the Union , `` he ’ s accessible and will continue to be accessible to the country and give his views on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country.
” Indeed , Trump was giving his views on these events on his favorite communications channel , his Twitter feed .
They seemed designed not to unify but to sharpen the cultural divide and stoke his partisan base .
“ Congratulations to our National Guard for the great job they did immediately upon arrived in Minneapolis , Minnesota , last night , ” he said , saying “ ANTIFA led anarchists , among others , were shut down quickly.
” He posted another tweet that said : “ The United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Terrorist Organization , '' a reference to a loosely affiliated movement of anti-facist provocateurs .
And another : “ The Lamestream Media is doing everything within their power to foment hatred and anarchy , ” he tweeted .
“ As long as everybody understands what they are doing , that they are FAKE NEWS and truly bad people with a sick agenda , we can easily work through them to GREATNESS.
” That tweet followed attacks on reporters by protesters in Detroit , Minneapolis , Phoenix and elsewhere .
Police officers fired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the demonstrations in Louisville and arrested journalists in Minneapolis and Las Vegas .
For the first time , Twitter itself added warning labels to two tweets by Trump and the White House about the Minneapolis protests , saying they glorified violence .
Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan , a Republican , described Trump 's rhetoric as `` not helpful . ''
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms , a Democrat , issued a public plea to the president .
`` There are times that you should just stop , and this is one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CBS ' Face the Nation .
`` He 's making it worse . ''
Wars , recessions , pandemics and civil unrest have left scars in American history that that change the country 's course , sometimes for better , sometimes for worse .
The challenges of today will surely reverberate through the year and beyond in ways that are impossible at the moment to predict .
Not to mention through November 's election .
Court review : Legal immunity for police misconduct may get Supreme Court review

Consoler in chief or confronter in chief? Combination of crises tests Trump's leadership: Analysis
At times of national trauma, commanders in chief have often seen themselves as consolers in chief: Barack Obama after the Sandy Hook massacre. George W. Bush after 9/11. Bill Clinton after the Oklahoma City bombings. FDR during the Great Depression.
Not Donald Trump.
In the middle of the busiest intersection of disasters in modern times, President Trump on Sunday presented himself more as the confronter in chief. He denounced the media as “FAKE NEWS” and labeled protesters in the streets – some peaceful and some not – as “Radical Left Anarchists” who should be crushed by the National Guard. His model was more like Richard Nixon, whose unyielding law-and-order stance against Vietnam War protesters helped him win the White House in 1968.
Now the combination of crises has overshadowed even that historically tumultuous year.
The moment has underscored the power of the White House as a bully pulpit and the difficulty of any other voice to fill the role of national unifier if the president does not. Instead, on display Sunday were America's divisions at a time of death, fear and violence.
Analysis: Trump's tweet injects civil rights era into presidential race, protests of George Floyd's death
In the space of a few months, one calamity has been stacked on top of another: The COVID-19 pandemic with a deadly toll that has topped 100,000 Americans. The economic consequences of responding to the health emergency that has thrown an astonishing 40 million out of work. The death of a handcuffed black man in Minneapolis after a police officer knelt on his neck, a brutal reminder of an long-standing injustice.
The video of George Floyd pleading for breath prompted protests in Minneapolis and across the country that began largely peacefully and then exploded Saturday night into arson and vandalism, including in the streets around the White House. The protests in downtown Washington started after Trump tweeted words with a racist history: "When the looting starts, the shooting starts."
Mayors in Chicago and Atlanta scolded the protesters, and governors in at least a dozen states and the District of Columbia called up the National Guard to restore order. Religious leaders prayed for calm.
But not even Joe Biden, Trump’s presumptive Democratic opponent in this fall's presidential election, could clearly break through the din. "We are a nation furious at injustice," the former vice president said in an emotional statement posted on Medium.com that decried both police brutality and violent protests. Nor could a former president; Barack Obama on Friday issued a statement saying he shares the "anguish" many feel about Floyd's death.
No one has the platform of the president, or the power to set the tone of the national debate. On Saturday, Trump issued a warning to protesters that they would face "vicious dogs and ominous weapons." That brought an extraordinary rebuke from the mayor of the town in which he lives, Muriel Bowser.
"There are no vicious dogs & ominous weapons," the mayor of Washington, D.C., said in a tweet Sunday. In one more sign of the anger and contempt in the national conversation, she added, "There is just a scared man. Afraid/alone."
Experts: 'Perfect storm' of civil unrest following George Floyd's death unique, effective
At the White House, the president's advisers reportedly were divided over whether he should deliver an address to the nation, as his predecessors have sometimes done at difficult times. In March, Trump himself had delivered an 11-minute Oval Office address on the coronavirus, although independent fact-checkers said the speech was filled with misleading information and it was blamed for travel chaos and a stock-market plunge that followed.
“Whether he has an address from the Oval or he speaks to the press," national security adviser Robert O'Brien said on CNN's State of the Union, "he’s accessible and will continue to be accessible to the country and give his views on these events, which are tragic for the country.”
Indeed, Trump was giving his views on these events on his favorite communications channel, his Twitter feed. They seemed designed not to unify but to sharpen the cultural divide and stoke his partisan base.
“Congratulations to our National Guard for the great job they did immediately upon arrived in Minneapolis, Minnesota, last night,” he said, saying “ANTIFA led anarchists, among others, were shut down quickly.” He posted another tweet that said: “The United States of America will be designating ANTIFA as a Terrorist Organization," a reference to a loosely affiliated movement of anti-facist provocateurs.
And another: “The Lamestream Media is doing everything within their power to foment hatred and anarchy,” he tweeted. “As long as everybody understands what they are doing, that they are FAKE NEWS and truly bad people with a sick agenda, we can easily work through them to GREATNESS.”
That tweet followed attacks on reporters by protesters in Detroit, Minneapolis, Phoenix and elsewhere. Police officers fired pepper spray at journalists who were covering the demonstrations in Louisville and arrested journalists in Minneapolis and Las Vegas.
For the first time, Twitter itself added warning labels to two tweets by Trump and the White House about the Minneapolis protests, saying they glorified violence.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, described Trump's rhetoric as "not helpful." Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, a Democrat, issued a public plea to the president. "There are times that you should just stop, and this is one of those times," she said on CBS' Face the Nation. "He's making it worse."
Wars, recessions, pandemics and civil unrest have left scars in American history that that change the country's course, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. The challenges of today will surely reverberate through the year and beyond in ways that are impossible at the moment to predict.
Not to mention through November's election.
Court review: Legal immunity for police misconduct may get Supreme Court review


usatoday--2020-05-31--'Just sometimes stop talking': Atlanta Mayor says Trump tweets making anger over George Floyd worse

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said Sunday President Donald Trump 's tweets have only helped to stoke the rage fueling the anti-police brutality protests that turned violent in multiple American cities .
`` There are times that you should just stop .
And this is one of those times .
He 's making it worse , '' Bottoms told CBS News ' `` Face the Nation . ''
Cities across the U.S. have seen violent protests in response to the May 25 death of George Floyd , an African-American man who died after a Minneapolis police officer restrained him by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his neck .
In his tweets , Trump has called for protesters to `` honor the memory of George Floyd '' by remaining peaceful , while also referring to those who acted unlawfully as `` thugs , '' threatening to unleash `` the unlimited power of our Military '' upon them and slamming Minnesota 's Democratic leaders for not being tough enough on them .
`` This is not about using military force .
This is about where we are in America .
We are beyond a tipping point in this country .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ And he should just sometimes stop talking , '' Bottoms said .
'Riots , ' 'violence , ' 'looting ' : Words matter when talking about race and unrest , experts say Twitter slapped one presidential tweet – which said , `` when the looting starts , the shooting starts '' – with a warning that it violated the company 's rules against `` glorifying violence . ''
The phrase was used by a Miami police chief more than 50 years ago about civil rights protesters , and some accused Trump of fanning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tactics of that era .
Trump later tweeted the expression was `` spoken as a fact , not as a statement . ''
And he said `` nobody should have any problem with this other than the haters , and those looking to cause trouble on social media . ''
Bottoms said the tweets were `` reminiscent of Charlottesville , when President Trump just made it worse , '' referring to his controversial comment that there were good people `` on both sides '' of a violent confrontation in 2017 between white supremacists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city leaders were also upset by the president 's tweets about the protests .
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot told reporters Friday she feels Trump 's `` goal is to polarize and destabilize local government and to inflame racists ' urges . ''
`` I think that the president has a responsibility to help calm the nation , and he can start by not sending divisive tweets that are meant to hearken to the segregationist past of our country , '' Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said Sunday on NBC News ' `` Meet the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take community and government to heal the hurt that people are feeling , '' Bowser said .
So what you see in cities across our nations , what we saw last night , there are people who are angry and people who are hurting .
And some doing it in ways that are helpful to our cause .
But we still have to acknowledge that hurt and that anger . ''
Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar , whose district includes Minneapolis , said Trump `` has failed in really understanding the kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are feeling . ''
`` When you have a president who really is glorifying violence and was talking about the kind of vicious dogs and weapons that could be unleashed on citizens , it is quite appalling and disturbing , '' Omar said Sunday on ABC News ' `` This Week . ''
`` We condemn other nations when their presidents make those kind of statements , '' she added .
`` And we have to condemn our president at the highest sort of condemnation . ''
Republicans have also been critical of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Larry Hogan , R-Md.
, told CNN that Trump 's rhetoric was `` not helpful . ''
`` It 's not lowering the temperature , '' Hogan said .
`` And I think it 's just the opposite of the message that should have been coming out of the White House . ''
Bottoms told NBC News she would like to see leadership from Trump .
`` And I would like to hear a genuine care and concern for our communities and where we are with race relations in America , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ object to Trump addressing the nation from the Oval Office about the protests .
`` But I am concerned that this president has a history of making matters worse . ''

'It's not lowering the temperature': Republican Gov. Hogan blasts Trump tweets on George Floyd protests
Show Caption Hide Caption Atlanta mayor makes emotional plea to protesters: This is chaos Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms had an emotional message for violent protesters who brought 'chaos' to her city. USA TODAY, Wochit
Maryland's Republican Gov. Larry Hogan said Sunday that President Donald Trump's comments in response to the violence that has broken out at anti-police brutality protests across America have not helped calm the situation.
Hogan said on CNN'S "State of the Union" that "one of the most important things that a leader can do right now" is "lower the temperature."
Cities across the U.S. have seen violent protests in response to the May 25 death of George Floyd, an African-American man who died after a Minneapolis police officer restrained him by placing his knee on the back of his neck.
In his tweets, Trump has called for protesters to "honor the memory of George Floyd" by remaining peaceful, while also referring to those who acted unlawfully as "thugs," threatening to unleash "the unlimited power of our Military" upon them and slamming Minnesota's Democratic leaders for not being tough enough on them.
"And that's not helpful. It's not lowering the temperature," Hogan said. "It's sort of continuing to escalate the rhetoric. And I think it's just the opposite of the message that should have been coming out of the White House."
Hogan, was governor in 2015 when peaceful protests in Baltimore turned violent after the death of Freddie Gray, an African-American man who died in police custody. He is also a critic of Trump's who considered challenging him in the Republican primary this year.
"Inflammatory rhetoric, I just don’t think is helpful on either side," Hogan said Friday on NBC's "Today" show. "I do believe you’ve got to have law and order, that you’ve got to stop the burning and looting, but inciting violence with Twitter is not the way to go about it."
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said Trump's tweets have only helped to stoke the rage fueling the anti-police brutality protests that turned violent in multiple American cities.
"There are times that you should just stop. And this is one of those times. He's making it worse," Bottoms told CBS News' "Face the Nation" on Sunday.
"This is not about using military force. This is about where we are in America. We are beyond a tipping point in this country. And his rhetoric only inflames that. And he should just sometimes stop talking," Bottoms said.
'Riots,' 'violence,' 'looting': Words matter when talking about race and unrest, experts say
The National Guard has been released in Minneapolis to do the job that the Democrat Mayor couldn’t do. Should have been used 2 days ago & there would not have been damage & Police Headquarters would not have been taken over & ruined. Great job by the National Guard. No games! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 31, 2020
Twitter slapped one presidential tweet – which said, "when the looting starts, the shooting starts" – with a warning that it violated the company's rules against "glorifying violence." The phrase was used by a Miami police chief more than 50 years ago about civil rights protesters, and some accused Trump of fanning racial division by evoking the brutal police tactics of that era.
Trump later tweeted the expression was "spoken as a fact, not as a statement." And he said "nobody should have any problem with this other than the haters, and those looking to cause trouble on social media."
Bottoms said the tweets were "reminiscent of Charlottesville, when President Trump just made it worse," referring to his controversial comment that there were "very fine people on both sides" of a violent confrontation in 2017 between white supremacists marchers and counterprotesters in Virginia.
Other city leaders were also upset by the president's tweets about the protests.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot told reporters Friday she feels Trump's "goal is to polarize and destabilize local government and to inflame racists' urges."
"I think that the president has a responsibility to help calm the nation, and he can start by not sending divisive tweets that are meant to hearken to the segregationist past of our country," Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said Sunday on NBC News' "Meet the Press."
"It's going to take community and government to heal the hurt that people are feeling,"
Bowser said. So what you see in cities across our nations, what we saw last night, there are people who are angry and people who are hurting. And some doing it in ways that are helpful to our cause. But we still have to acknowledge that hurt and that anger."
Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, whose district includes Minneapolis, said Trump "has failed in really understanding the kind of pain and anguish many of his citizens are feeling."
"When you have a president who really is glorifying violence and was talking about the kind of vicious dogs and weapons that could be unleashed on citizens, it is quite appalling and disturbing," Omar said Sunday on ABC News' "This Week."
"We condemn other nations when their presidents make those kind of statements," she added. "And we have to condemn our president at the highest sort of condemnation."
Bottoms told NBC News she would like to see leadership from Trump.
"And I would like to hear a genuine care and concern for our communities and where we are with race relations in America," she said.
Bottoms said she would not object to Trump addressing the nation from the Oval Office about the protests.
"But I am concerned that this president has a history of making matters worse."
Contributing: Nicholas Wu


usatoday--2020-06-01--June 2 primaries: 6 races to watch as Democrats, Republicans vie for House, Senate nods

Eight states and Washington , D.C. , will hold primary elections Tuesday , several of which were rescheduled as the coronavirus pandemic disrupted the campaign cycle .
Of those states , several like Indiana and Rhode Island , also significantly expanded their vote-by-mail options amid safety concerns about voting in person .
The elections also come as protests have engulfed the nation following the death of George Floyd .
Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin has been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter after bystander video showed him kneeling on Floyd 's neck for nearly 9 minutes .
Although the results of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ races for offices down the ballot could help determine the battle for the House and Senate in November .
Here are some of the key races to watch : Scrambles to take on incumbents in Iowa The primary in Iowa 's 4th Congressional District will determine whether Republican voters in this largely rural district spanning northwest Iowa return Rep. Steve King to office .
King has represented the district since 2013 , but has drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle for a raft of controversial statements about race .
After seeming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supremacist '' were offensive in a 2019 New York Times interview , King was stripped of his committee assignments , including that on the House Agriculture Committee .
More : 'Battle against the swamp ' : Steve King fighting for his political life in competitive primary King faces a strong primary challenge from state Sen. Randy Feenstra , who has argued that King has lost his ability to advocate for residents of the district by losing his committee placements .
Feenstra 's campaign emphasizes `` Randy 's Results '' he can bring for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national groups like National Right to Life and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce .
One possible outcome is that the five Republicans running will split the vote , and under Iowa 's primary rules , if no candidate gets more than 35 % of the vote , the nomination will be decided at the party convention .
Former baseball player J.D .
Scholten is running uncontested on the Democratic side of the ballot .
Scholten ran against King in 2018 and lost by only three percentage points , King 's smallest margin of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heavily Republican .
Iowa has a competitive Democratic primary for the nomination to take on Republican incumbent Sen. Joni Ernst .
Real estate executive Theresa Greenfield has the backing of several national organizations , but former Navy Admiral Mike Franken won the endorsement of the state 's largest newspaper , The Des Moines Register , which is part of the USA TODAY Network .
Ernst 's seat is seen by some analysts as a pick-up opportunity for Democrats looking to take back the Senate .
Greenfield has significantly outraised the other Democratic candidates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the race .
At the end of the last quarter , she had $ 4.7 million cash on hand as compared to Franken 's $ 49,570 .
Greenfield has picked up support from the Senate Democrats ' campaign arm the democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee , Emily 's List , and Reps. Dave Loebsack and Abby Finkenauer .
Iowa did not move the date of its primary , but Secretary of State Paul Pete said his office would send absentee ballot applications to all registered voters .
Iowans will not vote for president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held in February .
A Republican brawl and a former spy in New Mexico New Mexico 's Second Congressional District sprawls across the southern half of the state and is represented by Democratic Rep. Xochitl Torres Small .
Republicans eye the district as a potential pickup opportunity given its general Republican lean .
Trump won the district by a large margin in 2016 , and Torres Small only won her seat by 1.8 percentage points in 2018 .
Three Republicans are running for the chance to take on Torres Small in November : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and entrepreneur Yvette Herrell , who narrowly lost to Torres Small in 2018 .
The race between Chase and Herrell has turned to mudslinging between the two and outside groups .
Both Chase and Harrell have accused each other of being `` never Trump '' Republicans .
Chase has accused Herrell of using taxpayer money to attend `` a California piñata party where they hung President Trump in effigy . ''
And in a Tea Party-backed Super PAC ad , a woman in an exaggerated voice read Chase ’ s old Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential primary campaign .
The commercial has been called sexist by some for its depiction of Chase , who is blonde .
The two candidates have released dueling ads in which they both assert their closeness to Trump .
Herrell touts herself as a `` Trump conservative '' backed by Trump allies , and Chase 's ad calls her a `` pro-Trump conservative . ''
Additionally , according to an Associated Press report , Chase also called for Herrell to drop out of the race over claims Herrell was spreading rumors about Chase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has also gotten involved in the Republican primary .
According to the Center for Responsive Politics , which tracks campaign spending , liberal PAC Patriot Majority spent about a quarter-million dollars on ads calling Chase `` opposed '' to Trump and Herrell `` 100 % loyal '' to Trump in an effort to boost Herrell as the general election nominee .
The Third Congressional District has attracted a crowded field of Democratic candidates to succeed Rep. Ben Ray Luján , who is running for Senate .
The contest has drawn national attention because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its candidates , former CIA officer Valerie Plame , who was the subject of a major espionage scandal during President George W. Bush 's administration .
Plame became a hero to some liberals after her cover was leaked allegedly by the Bush administration .
Attorney and activist Teresa Leger Fernandez , however , has won the backing of powerful national progressive groups like Emily 's List , the Sierra Club , NARAL Pro-Choice America , and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus ' BOLD PAC .
The heavily Democratic district , which straddles the northern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton by a large margin , is unlikely to be competitive in November .
Maryland , which rescheduled its primaries from April 28 , will vote in several congressional primaries on Tuesday .
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer faces a primary challenge from the left in McKayla Wilkes .
Wilkes has significantly trailed Hoyer in fundraising , but has run a campaign emphasizing the need for new leadership in the district .
And in one unusual race , after just voting in a February primary and April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the death of Rep. Elijah Cummings , voters in Maryland 's Seventh Congressional District will go back to the polls again to decide whether to re-elect Rep. Kweisi Mfune .
Mfune held the congressional seat before Cummings , from 1987 to 1996 , before resigning from Congress to run the NAACP .
Mfune won the special primary election in February with 43 % of the vote , with Cummings ' wife Maya Rockeymoore Cummings coming in second .
Maya Rockeymoore Cummings and former Elijah Cummings aide Harry Spikes are among the 19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

June 2 primaries: 6 races to watch as Democrats, Republicans vie for House, Senate nods
Show Caption Hide Caption Elections 2020: Mail-in voting could decide next president Many states are planning on drastically different elections this year and mail-in ballots could be a big game changer. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Eight states and Washington, D.C., will hold primary elections Tuesday, several of which were rescheduled as the coronavirus pandemic disrupted the campaign cycle.
Indiana and Rhode Island expanded their vote-by-mail options amid safety concerns about voting in person.
The elections come as protests have engulfed the nation after the death of George Floyd in police custody. Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter after bystander video showed him kneeling on Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes.
Although the results of the presidential primary have been settled, races for offices down the ballot could help determine the battle for the House and Senate in November.
Here are some of the races to watch:
Scrambles to take on incumbents in Iowa
Can Steve King retain his seat?: The primary in Iowa's 4th Congressional District will determine whether Republican voters in this largely rural district spanning northwest Iowa return Rep. Steve King to office. King has represented the district since 2013 but has drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle for controversial statements about race.
After asking why phrases such as "white supremacist" were offensive in a New York Times interview in 2019, King was stripped of his committee assignments, including on the House Agriculture Committee.
'Battle against the swamp': Steve King fighting for his political life in competitive primary
King faces a strong primary challenge from state Sen. Randy Feenstra, who argued that King has lost his ability to advocate for residents of the district by losing his committee placements. Feenstra's campaign emphasizes "Randy's Results" he can bring for the district and has drawn support from the National Right to Life and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
One possible outcome is that the five Republicans running will split the vote, and under Iowa's primary rules, if no candidate gets more than 35%, the nomination will be decided at the party convention.
Former baseball player J.D. Scholten is running uncontested on the Democratic side of the ballot. Scholten ran against King in 2018 and lost by only 3 percentage points, King's smallest margin of victory. The district skews heavily Republican.
Who will face Sen. Joni Ernst?: Iowa has a competitive Democratic primary for the nomination to take on Republican incumbent Sen. Joni Ernst. Real estate executive Theresa Greenfield has the backing of several national organizations, but former Navy Adm. Mike Franken won the endorsement of the state's largest newspaper, The Des Moines Register, which is part of the USA TODAY Network.
Ernst's seat could be a pickup opportunity for Democrats looking to take back the Senate.
Greenfield has significantly outraised the other Democratic candidates but has not taken a commanding lead in the race. At the end of the past quarter, she had $4.7 million cash on hand compared with Franken's $49,570.
Greenfield picked up support from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Emily's List and Reps. Dave Loebsack and Abby Finkenauer.
Iowa did not move the date of its primary, but Secretary of State Paul Pete said his office would send absentee ballot applications to all registered voters. Iowans will not vote for president Tuesday; their first-in-the-nation caucus was held in February.
A Republican brawl and a former spy in New Mexico
Republican primary sparks war of words: New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District sprawls across the southern half of the state and is represented by Democratic Rep. Xochitl Torres Small.
Republicans eye the district as a potential pickup opportunity given its general Republican lean. Donald Trump won the district by a large margin in 2016, and Torres Small won her seat by only 1.8 percentage points in 2018.
Three Republicans are running for the chance to take on Torres Small in November: businesswoman Claire Chase, businessman Chris Mathys and entrepreneur Yvette Herrell, who narrowly lost to Torres Small in 2018.
The race between Chase and Herrell has turned to mudslinging between the two and outside groups. Chase and Herrell accused each other of being "never Trump" Republicans.
Maybe this is why career politician Yvette Herrell has been running attack ads lying about me. She used our tax dollars to attend a California piñata party where they hung President Trump in effigy.
We deserve a refund. https://t.co/3zMYxOCpL3 — Claire Chase for Congress (@ClaireChaseNM) April 27, 2020
Chase accused Herrell of using taxpayer money to attend "a California piñata party where they hung President Trump in effigy." In a tea party-backed super PAC ad, a woman in an exaggerated voice read Chase’s old Facebook posts attacking Trump during the 2016 GOP presidential primary campaign. The commercial has been called sexist by some for its depiction of Chase, who is blonde.
The two candidates released dueling ads in which they both assert their closeness to Trump. Herrell touts herself as a "Trump conservative" backed by his allies, and Chase's ad calls her a "pro-Trump conservative."
According to The Associated Press, Chase called for Herrell to drop out of the race over claims Herrell spread false rumors about Chase's infidelity. Herrell denied the accusation.
A Democratic super PAC got involved in the Republican primary. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks campaign spending, liberal PAC Patriot Majority spent about a quarter-million dollars on ads calling Chase "opposed" to Trump and Herrell "100% loyal" to Trump in an effort to boost Herrell as the general election nominee.
New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District
The 3rd Congressional District has attracted a crowded field of Democratic candidates to succeed Rep. Ben Ray Luján, who is running for Senate. The contest has drawn national attention because of the high profile of one of its candidates, former CIA officer Valerie Plame, who was the subject of a major espionage scandal during President George W. Bush's administration. Plame became a hero to some liberals after her cover was leaked allegedly by the Bush administration.
Attorney and activist Teresa Leger Fernandez has won the backing of powerful national liberal groups such as Emily's List, the Sierra Club, NARAL Pro-Choice America and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus' BOLD PAC.
The heavily Democratic district, which straddles the northern half of New Mexico and was won by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton by a large margin, is unlikely to be competitive in November.
Maryland Democratic primaries
Maryland, which rescheduled its primaries from April 28, will vote in several congressional primaries Tuesday.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer faces a primary challenge from the left in McKayla Wilkes. Wilkes has significantly trailed Hoyer in fundraising but has run a campaign emphasizing the need for new leadership in the district.
In one unusual race, after voting in a primary in February, then in a general election in April to fill the seat vacated after the death of Rep. Elijah Cummings, voters in Maryland's 7th Congressional District will go back to the polls to decide whether to reelect Rep. Kweisi Mfume.
Mfume held the congressional seat before Cummings, from 1987 to 1996, before resigning from Congress to run the NAACP.
Mfume won the special primary election in February with 43% of the vote, and Cummings' wife, Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, came in second. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings and former Elijah Cummings aide Harry Spikes are among the 19 Democrats vying for the seat.
Contributing: The Associated Press