usatoday--2020-06-16--Ahmaud Arbery's relatives, other families have 'contentious' meeting with Trump on police

WASHINGTON –Relatives of Ahmaud Arbery , the 25-year-old Black man shot to death while jogging in Georgia , met privately with President Donald Trump on Tuesday but did not attend a subsequent event in which Trump signed an order on policing .
The closed-door meeting , which also included other victims ' families , became `` very contentious , '' according to a spokesman for an attorney representing some of the relatives .
The families did not appear at a Rose Garden event minutes later in which Trump vowed to seek justice in their cases but sidestepped concerns about systemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by police officials , Trump used the televised address to describe the families he had met with as `` incredible '' but also repeated his `` law and order '' mantra that has become a central theme of his response to protests and unrest in several cities .
`` All Americans mourn by your side .
Your loved ones will not have died in vain , '' Trump said during the event .
`` We are one nation .
We grieve together .
And we heal together . ''
Minutes before he walked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relatives of several Black men – some of whom had been killed by police .
Shaun King , a spokesman for an attorney representing some of the families , told USA TODAY that the meeting appeared to be `` arranged less to hear about these families that had been horribly impacted by this police violence '' and more about `` an opportunity for Trump and ( Attorney General William ) Barr and others to highlight police unions who were there . ''
King described the meeting as `` very contentious '' and tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive order signing event .
The White House declined to discuss the meeting .
The meeting and Trump 's order follows nationwide protests over the killing of George Floyd , a Black man who died after a police officer in Minneapolis knelt on his neck for nearly 9 minutes .
Lawmakers are considering a package of law enforcement changes .
Also included in the meeting was the family of Botham Jean , a 26-year-old Dallas accountant shot in 2018 in his apartment by an off-duty Dallas Police officer .
The family of Antwon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The 17-year-old was fatally shot by an East Pittsburgh police officer in 2018 .
King told USA TODAY that most of the family members in the room felt `` very uncomfortable because they were each sitting between police officers . ''
The setup felt `` poorly conceived '' to those in the room , he said , since those “ whose loved ones were killed by police ( were ) surrounded by police .
And police union leaders seemed really impervious to the stories and concerns of the those in the room.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ but said he spoke with participants afterward .
Lee Merritt , the attorney for the families , tweeted that news reports of a `` photo op with the president or standing with the White House '' during the signing of the executive order were `` false . ''
Arbery , 25 , was fatally shot in February while jogging a few miles from his home in a neighborhood outside Brunswick , Georgia .
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced the arrests of Gregory and Travis McMichael last month in the case .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bryan Jr. , who filmed the shooting death , was arrested on felony murder charges , according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation .
More : Ahmaud Arbery video : Legal experts explain how key frames may be used in murder trial More : Donald Trump to sign order to encourage police to limit deadly force Some civil rights activists questioned the need for the families ' meeting with Trump , fearing he might use them for political purposes .
The Georgia NAACP , from Arbery 's home state , took aim at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One said : `` To see @ meritlaw , an out-of-state lawyer who does not have deep relationships with our civil rights community , have Ahmaud 's family appear with @ realdonaldtrump , who does not have honest intentions about saving Black lives , could result in dangerous consequences for Black people . ''
`` Show me the civil rights leaders who are upset about families making a direct appeal for federal intervention after the murder of their loved one & I ’ ll show you a clown , '' he posted on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Trump signed covers three general areas : – The order calls for a national certification system for law enforcement agencies to encourage the use of best practices for de-escalating situations that have the potential to turn violent .
Officials did not detail how such a certification system could be set up or might work in practice .
– Creation of a database to track the use of excessive force by police officers , which would allow local departments avoid hiring officers with a history of abuse .
– Encourage police departments to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their response to certain calls .
These `` co-responders '' could help police with cases involving drug addiction , alcohol abuse , and homelessness .

David Jackson and Nicholas Wu, USA TODAY

'Contentious' or 'compassionate'? Ahmaud Arbery's relatives, other families meet with Donald Trump to talk police reform
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump: Chokeholds banned except when officer's life is at risk Amid Black Lives Matters protests across the country, President Trump signs an executive order that raises the standards for policing across the country. USA TODAY, Wochit
WASHINGTON — Relatives of Ahmaud Arbery, the 25-year-old Black man shot to death while jogging in Georgia, met privately with President Donald Trump on Tuesday but did not attend a subsequent event in which Trump signed an order on policing.
The closed-door meeting, which also included other victims' families, became "very contentious," according to a spokesman for an attorney representing some of the relatives. The families did not appear at a Rose Garden event minutes later in which Trump vowed to seek justice in their cases but sidestepped concerns about systemic racism in some police departments.
Flanked by police officials, Trump used the televised address to describe the families he had met with as "incredible" but also repeated his "law and order" mantra that has become a central theme of his response to protests and unrest in several cities.
"All Americans mourn by your side. Your loved ones will not have died in vain," Trump said during the event. "We are one nation. We grieve together. And we heal together."
More: Trump signs order on tracking police misconduct, officer training amid protests
Minutes before he walked into view, Trump met with the relatives of several Black men – some of whom had been killed by police. Shaun King, a spokesman for an attorney representing some of the families, told USA TODAY that the meeting appeared to be "arranged less to hear about these families that had been horribly impacted by this police violence" and more about "an opportunity for Trump and (Attorney General William) Barr and others to highlight police unions who were there."
King described the meeting as "very contentious" and tweeted that the families opted out of the executive order signing event. The White House declined to discuss the meeting.
The meeting and Trump's order follows nationwide protests over the killing of George Floyd, a Black man who died after a police officer in Minneapolis knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. Lawmakers are considering a package of law enforcement changes.
Also included in the meeting was the family of Botham Jean, a 26-year-old Dallas accountant shot in 2018 in his apartment by an off-duty Dallas Police officer. The family of Antwon Rose also attended, according to Trump. The 17-year-old was fatally shot by an East Pittsburgh police officer in 2018.
King told USA TODAY that most of the family members in the room felt "very uncomfortable because they were each sitting between police officers."
The setup felt "poorly conceived" to those in the room, he said, since those “whose loved ones were killed by police (were) surrounded by police. And police union leaders seemed really impervious to the stories and concerns of the those in the room.”
Ahmaud Arbery, Eric Garner’s families stand at George Floyd’s funeral Rev. Al Sharpton asked the families of Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Ahmaud Arbery and others to stand at George Floyd's funeral. USA TODAY
King did not attend the session but said he spoke with participants afterward.
Jean's sister Allisa Findley told USA TODAY later Tuesday she did not have issues sitting between police union leaders. To her, it was like many other meetings she had attended before where "you go to this meeting and someone says 'okay we're going to try our best, we're going to do this.' "
"To me, I've gotten to a point where I have to see it to believe it," she said.
Every family member shared their story at the beginning of the meeting, she said, and Trump, sitting in the middle of the room and ringed by two rows of attendees, listened and asked questions.
She said it looked like Trump was "responding to cues" when listening to the family members. She observed how the president would say to each family as they went through their story, "we are gonna have to do something about that," and would ask Barr questions about the cases.
Later, Arbery's mother, Wanda Cooper-Jones, told Fox News that Trump was "very compassionate" and "very receiving" of the families.
On Twitter, Trump called Cooper-Jones "a GREAT woman."
"Her son is looking down from heaven & is very proud of his wonderful & loving mom!!!" the president tweeted.
Lee Merritt, the attorney for the families, tweeted that news reports of a "photo op with the president or standing with the White House" during the signing of the executive order were "false."
Findley said she chose not to attend the executive order signing because she wanted to avoid the appearance of a "photo op."
"I was invited to tell my story and I would go anywhere to tell my brother's story," she said. "But it's not about, you know, turning into a photo op."
Arbery, 25, was fatally shot in February while jogging a few miles from his home in a neighborhood outside Brunswick, Georgia. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced the arrests of Gregory and Travis McMichael last month in the case.
A third man, William "Roddie" Bryan Jr., who filmed the shooting death, was arrested on felony murder charges, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
More: Ahmaud Arbery video: Legal experts explain how key frames may be used in murder trial
More: Donald Trump to sign order to encourage police to limit deadly force
Some civil rights activists questioned the need for the families' meeting with Trump, fearing he might use them for political purposes.
The Georgia NAACP, from Arbery's home state, took aim at Merritt in a series of tweets.
One said: "To see @meritlaw, an out-of-state lawyer who does not have deep relationships with our civil rights community, have Ahmaud's family appear with @realdonaldtrump, who does not have honest intentions about saving Black lives, could result in dangerous consequences for Black people."
Merritt dismissed that criticism.
"Show me the civil rights leaders who are upset about families making a direct appeal for federal intervention after the murder of their loved one & I’ll show you a clown," he posted on social media.
The police executive order that Trump signed covers three general areas:
– The order calls for a national certification system for law enforcement agencies to encourage the use of best practices for de-escalating situations that have the potential to turn violent. Officials did not detail how such a certification system could be set up or might work in practice.
– Creation of a database to track the use of excessive force by police officers, which would allow local departments avoid hiring officers with a history of abuse.
– Encourage police departments to embed mental health professionals with police in their response to certain calls. These "co-responders" could help police with cases involving drug addiction, alcohol abuse, and homelessness.


usatoday--2020-06-16--President Trump signs executive order on police reform amid protests

Trump : Chokeholds banned except when officer 's life is at risk Amid Black Lives Matters protests across the country @ @ @ @ @ executive order that raises the standards for policing across the country .

Trump: Chokeholds banned except when officer's life is at risk
Amid Black Lives Matters protests across the country, President Trump signs an executive order that raises the standards for policing across the country.
USA TODAY, Wochit


usatoday--2020-06-16--Poll: Trump leads Biden by 1 point in Iowa, a state Trump won by 9 points in 2016

Four years after Republican Donald Trump decisively won Iowa and the presidency , the state appears to be a toss-up as he seeks re-election this November , a new Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll shows .
Trump carried Iowa by 9 percentage points in his 2016 contest against Democrat Hillary Clinton .
But today , the Register ’ s Iowa Poll shows the president leading former Vice President Joe Biden by just 1 point — 44 % to 43 % .
The poll of 674 likely voters was conducted June 7-10 by Selzer & Co. of Des Moines .
Its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3.8 percentage points .
The Des Moines Register is a part of the USA TODAY Network .
The results — which come in the midst of a pandemic and widespread civil unrest — are among a wave of polling that indicates an increasingly unstable electoral map for the president .
States like Iowa that were expected to be safe territory for him after clear wins in 2016 now appear to be battlegrounds in 2020 .
“ I think it 's obviously nothing that Joe Biden should take for granted , because he 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ann Selzer .
“ But if the election were held today , Biden has a far better shot than anybody thought.
” The president ’ s re-election campaign booked more than $ 400,000 worth of television advertising in Iowa from early May to early June , according to the ad-tracking firm Advertising Analytics .
During that same time frame , the Lincoln Project , which is airing ads against the president , booked about $ 150,000 worth of television time .
The president 's Cabinet has also spent considerable time in Iowa .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ visited Des Moines and Urbandale to meet with religious and agricultural leaders .
Pence will return to Iowa on Tuesday , and Department of Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette will be in Ames on Wednesday .
A March Iowa Poll showed 41 % of likely Iowa voters would support Biden in a general election against the president , and 51 % said they would support Trump .
In the months since , Biden has become the Democratic Party ’ s de facto nominee — a title Democrats will formalize at a convention scheduled for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to coalesce around him .
The president , though , has faced consistent criticism for his management of the coronavirus pandemic and for his handling of protests surrounding the death of George Floyd , a Black resident of Minneapolis , at the hands of white police officers .
The president ’ s job approval rating has also fallen in that time .
In March , his approval rating was above water for the first time in a Register poll , with 50 % of Iowans saying they approved of the job he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 46 % of Iowans said the country was on the right track — another high-water mark for Trump ’ s presidency , and the highest that number had been recorded since May 2003 .
But both measures have fallen substantially , the new poll shows .
Today , just 22 % of Iowans say the nation is on the right track .
Another 63 % say the nation is on the wrong track , including a plurality of Republicans ( 45 % ) .
It ’ s rare for members of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president of the same party , Selzer said .
Trump ’ s approval rating has fallen 5 percentage points from March to 45 % today .
Now , a majority of Iowans — 52 % — disapprove of the job he ’ s doing .
That ratings dip coincides with disapproval of the president ’ s handling of two major current events .
Forty-five percent of Iowans say they approve of how he has addressed COVID-19 , while 53 % disapprove and 6 % are unsure .
Just 37 % approve of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and police actions .
Another 55 % disapprove and 8 % are unsure .
Carolyn Robinson , a 44-year-old Des Moines resident and poll respondent , is among those who have problems with the way the president has managed the coronavirus crisis .
“ I do n't think he 's done a very good job at all , ” she said .
“ I think we should have had more PPE ( personal protective equipment ) .
We should have been a lot more prepared than what we were .
And I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people for his mistakes .
He ca n't take responsibility for what he says and does.
” Robinson , a Democrat , said she ’ s excited to vote for Biden in November and hopes the former vice president can reverse course and get the country back on track .
But both Biden and Trump are underwater in their favorability ratings , with more Iowans viewing them unfavorably than viewing them favorably .
For Biden , 45 % of Iowans view him favorably and 50 % view him unfavorably .
For Trump , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a favorable view , while 52 % have an unfavorable view .
However , poll respondents were more likely to say they have a “ very unfavorable ” view of the president .
Forty-three percent say their views of Trump are “ very unfavorable , ” including 87 % of Democrats and 42 % of independents .
Thirty-two percent of Iowans say they have a “ very unfavorable ” view of Biden .
That includes 66 % of Republicans and 30 % of independents .
Selzer said that dynamic was critical in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disliked both candidates and ultimately chose between what many described as the “ lesser of two evils.
” She said she expects the Trump campaign to work to “ vilify Joe Biden to make him an unacceptable candidate ” in the same way they worked to make Hillary Clinton unacceptable to many voters .
“ But there 's some work to be done there , ” she said .
“ Because there 's a stronger revulsion to Trump among the Democrats than there is toward Biden by the Republicans.
” ‘ A mood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supporters have divided firmly along party lines , with the president retaining the support of 93 % of the Republican vote and Biden holding 92 % of the Democratic vote .
Independents lean slightly toward Biden , 39 % to 38 % .
Another 18 % say they would vote for someone other than Biden or Trump .
Trump holds an advantage among those who say their mind is made up , with 87 % of his supporters saying they are firm in their choice .
Among Biden ’ s supporters , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ) does what he says he 's going to do — Israel , building up the military , giving people tax breaks and voting in better judges , ” said Brad Blunt , a 55-year-old Ankeny resident and poll respondent .
Blunt said he considers himself an independent voter but tends to side with Republicans on most issues .
He plans to vote for Trump in November and has been pleased with the way he ’ s handled issues around the coronavirus and the protests .
“ It ’ s pretty much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues , ” he said .
“ I think he ’ s done about all he can do right now.
” Blunt is among the 53 % of men who side with the president — a 17-percentage-point lead over Biden , who earns 36 % with men .
The gender divide is significant among women as well .
Biden leads by 14 percentage points with women , 50 % to 36 % over Trump .
The gap is even larger among white men with no college degree — a key demographic that helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That group favors the president 64 % to 28 % over Biden — a 36-point spread .
White women with no college degree prefer Biden 53 % to 35 % over Trump — an 18-point margin .
Trump leads with the Republican Party ’ s core voters in Iowa : rural residents ( 56 % to 31 % ) , evangelicals ( 69 % to 20 % ) and those who live in Iowa ’ s heavily conservative 4th congressional district , in northwest and north central Iowa ( 59 % to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among those with no religious affiliation ( 62 % to 23 % ) and those who live in cities ( 51 % to 36 % ) .
In the other three congressional districts , he leads : • 3rd District , the Des Moines metro and southwest Iowa : 49 % to 41 % .
Overall , Selzer said this poll seems to indicate a climate that favors Democrats .
Likely voters preferred a Democratic U.S. House candidate over a Republican candidate in three of the state ’ s four congressional districts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Theresa Greenfield over Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst .
“ Having come out of 2018 ( when Democrats flipped two congressional seats ) and now , with these dynamics and the popularity of these Democratic candidates , including Theresa Greenfield , it creates a mood that feels more favorable to Democrats statewide , ” she said .
The Iowa Poll , conducted June 7-10 for the Des Moines Register and Mediacom by Selzer & Co. of Des Moines , is based on telephone interviews with 801 Iowans ages 18 or older .
Interviewers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selected landline and cellphone numbers supplied by Dynata .
Interviews were administered in English .
Responses were adjusted by age , sex , and congressional district to reflect the general population based on recent American Community Survey estimates .
Questions based on the sample of 801 Iowa adults have a maximum margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points , and questions based on the sample of 674 likely voters in the 2020 general election have a maximum margin of error of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points .
This means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same questions and the same methodology , 19 times out of 20 , the findings would not vary from the true population value by more than plus or minus 3.5 or 3.8 percentage points , respectively .
Results based on smaller samples of respondents — such as by gender or age — have a larger margin of error .
Republishing the copyright Iowa Poll without credit to the Des Moines Register and Mediacom is prohibited .
Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Register .
Reach her at bpfann @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter at @ brianneDMR .
Support reporters who follow your government by becoming a subscriber .
Sign up at DesMoinesRegister.com/Deal .

Brianne Pfannenstiel, Des Moines Register

Poll: Trump leads Biden by 1 point in Iowa, a state Trump won by 9 points in 2016
Show Caption Hide Caption How a contentious election affects a peaceful transition of power What history has shown us about contested elections and peaceful transitions of power. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
© Copyright 2020, Des Moines Register and Tribune Co.
Four years after Republican Donald Trump decisively won Iowa and the presidency, the state appears to be a toss-up as he seeks re-election this November, a new Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll shows.
Trump carried Iowa by 9 percentage points in his 2016 contest against Democrat Hillary Clinton. But today, the Register’s Iowa Poll shows the president leading former Vice President Joe Biden by just 1 point — 44% to 43%.
The poll of 674 likely voters was conducted June 7-10 by Selzer & Co. of Des Moines. Its margin of error is plus or minus 3.8 percentage points. The Des Moines Register is a part of the USA TODAY Network.
The results — which come in the midst of a pandemic and widespread civil unrest — are among a wave of polling that indicates an increasingly unstable electoral map for the president. States like Iowa that were expected to be safe territory for him after clear wins in 2016 now appear to be battlegrounds in 2020.
“I think it's obviously nothing that Joe Biden should take for granted, because he's not leading,” said pollster J. Ann Selzer. “But if the election were held today, Biden has a far better shot than anybody thought.”
The president’s re-election campaign booked more than $400,000 worth of television advertising in Iowa from early May to early June, according to the ad-tracking firm Advertising Analytics. During that same time frame, the Lincoln Project, which is airing ads against the president, booked about $150,000 worth of television time.
The president's Cabinet has also spent considerable time in Iowa. Last month, Vice President Mike Pence visited Des Moines and Urbandale to meet with religious and agricultural leaders. Pence will return to Iowa on Tuesday, and Department of Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette will be in Ames on Wednesday.
Trump’s approval rating falls
A March Iowa Poll showed 41% of likely Iowa voters would support Biden in a general election against the president, and 51% said they would support Trump.
In the months since, Biden has become the Democratic Party’s de facto nominee — a title Democrats will formalize at a convention scheduled for August — allowing the party to begin to coalesce around him. The president, though, has faced consistent criticism for his management of the coronavirus pandemic and for his handling of protests surrounding the death of George Floyd, a Black resident of Minneapolis, at the hands of white police officers.
The president’s job approval rating has also fallen in that time. In March, his approval rating was above water for the first time in a Register poll, with 50% of Iowans saying they approved of the job he was doing as president. At the time, 46% of Iowans said the country was on the right track — another high-water mark for Trump’s presidency, and the highest that number had been recorded since May 2003.
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But both measures have fallen substantially, the new poll shows.
Today, just 22% of Iowans say the nation is on the right track. Another 63% say the nation is on the wrong track, including a plurality of Republicans (45%). It’s rare for members of a political party to break with a sitting president of the same party, Selzer said.
Trump’s approval rating has fallen 5 percentage points from March to 45% today. Now, a majority of Iowans — 52% — disapprove of the job he’s doing.
That ratings dip coincides with disapproval of the president’s handling of two major current events.
Forty-five percent of Iowans say they approve of how he has addressed COVID-19, while 53% disapprove and 6% are unsure. Just 37% approve of the way he has addressed protests surrounding race and police actions. Another 55% disapprove and 8% are unsure.
Carolyn Robinson, a 44-year-old Des Moines resident and poll respondent, is among those who have problems with the way the president has managed the coronavirus crisis.
“I don't think he's done a very good job at all,” she said. “I think we should have had more PPE (personal protective equipment). We should have been a lot more prepared than what we were. And I don't think he should be blaming other people for his mistakes. He can't take responsibility for what he says and does.”
Robinson, a Democrat, said she’s excited to vote for Biden in November and hopes the former vice president can reverse course and get the country back on track.
But both Biden and Trump are underwater in their favorability ratings, with more Iowans viewing them unfavorably than viewing them favorably.
How polls work: The science behind gathering voter opinions The news cycle is jampacked with polls. But have you ever wondered how polls actually work and what they mean? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
For Biden, 45% of Iowans view him favorably and 50% view him unfavorably. For Trump, the same portion, 45%, have a favorable view, while 52% have an unfavorable view.
However, poll respondents were more likely to say they have a “very unfavorable” view of the president. Forty-three percent say their views of Trump are “very unfavorable,” including 87% of Democrats and 42% of independents.
Thirty-two percent of Iowans say they have a “very unfavorable” view of Biden. That includes 66% of Republicans and 30% of independents.
Selzer said that dynamic was critical in 2016, when voters regularly said they disliked both candidates and ultimately chose between what many described as the “lesser of two evils.”
She said she expects the Trump campaign to work to “vilify Joe Biden to make him an unacceptable candidate” in the same way they worked to make Hillary Clinton unacceptable to many voters.
“But there's some work to be done there,” she said. “Because there's a stronger revulsion to Trump among the Democrats than there is toward Biden by the Republicans.”
‘A mood that feels more favorable to Democrats’
Supporters have divided firmly along party lines, with the president retaining the support of 93% of the Republican vote and Biden holding 92% of the Democratic vote.
Independents lean slightly toward Biden, 39% to 38%. Another 18% say they would vote for someone other than Biden or Trump.
Trump holds an advantage among those who say their mind is made up, with 87% of his supporters saying they are firm in their choice. Among Biden’s supporters, that number is 80%.
“(Trump) does what he says he's going to do — Israel, building up the military, giving people tax breaks and voting in better judges,” said Brad Blunt, a 55-year-old Ankeny resident and poll respondent.
Blunt said he considers himself an independent voter but tends to side with Republicans on most issues. He plans to vote for Trump in November and has been pleased with the way he’s handled issues around the coronavirus and the protests.
“It’s pretty much just Democratic governors that are causing the issues,” he said. “I think he’s done about all he can do right now.”
Blunt is among the 53% of men who side with the president — a 17-percentage-point lead over Biden, who earns 36% with men.
The gender divide is significant among women as well. Biden leads by 14 percentage points with women, 50% to 36% over Trump.
The gap is even larger among white men with no college degree — a key demographic that helped propel Trump’s success in 2016. That group favors the president 64% to 28% over Biden — a 36-point spread. White women with no college degree prefer Biden 53% to 35% over Trump — an 18-point margin.
Trump leads with the Republican Party’s core voters in Iowa: rural residents (56% to 31%), evangelicals (69% to 20%) and those who live in Iowa’s heavily conservative 4th congressional district, in northwest and north central Iowa (59% to 28%).
Biden does best among those with no religious affiliation (62% to 23%) and those who live in cities (51% to 36%). In the other three congressional districts, he leads:
1st District, northeast Iowa: 48% to 43%.
2nd District, southeast Iowa: 48% to 34%.
3rd District, the Des Moines metro and southwest Iowa: 49% to 41%.
Overall, Selzer said this poll seems to indicate a climate that favors Democrats. Likely voters preferred a Democratic U.S. House candidate over a Republican candidate in three of the state’s four congressional districts, and they slightly favored Democratic Senate candidate Theresa Greenfield over Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst.
“Having come out of 2018 (when Democrats flipped two congressional seats) and now, with these dynamics and the popularity of these Democratic candidates, including Theresa Greenfield, it creates a mood that feels more favorable to Democrats statewide,” she said.
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About this poll
The Iowa Poll, conducted June 7-10 for the Des Moines Register and Mediacom by Selzer & Co. of Des Moines, is based on telephone interviews with 801 Iowans ages 18 or older. Interviewers with Quantel Research contacted households with randomly selected landline and cellphone numbers supplied by Dynata. Interviews were administered in English. Responses were adjusted by age, sex, and congressional district to reflect the general population based on recent American Community Survey estimates.
Questions based on the sample of 801 Iowa adults have a maximum margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points, and questions based on the sample of 674 likely voters in the 2020 general election have a maximum margin of error of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points. This means that if this survey were repeated using the same questions and the same methodology, 19 times out of 20, the findings would not vary from the true population value by more than plus or minus 3.5 or 3.8 percentage points, respectively. Results based on smaller samples of respondents — such as by gender or age — have a larger margin of error.
Republishing the copyright Iowa Poll without credit to the Des Moines Register and Mediacom is prohibited.
Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Register. Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244. Follow her on Twitter at @brianneDMR.
Support reporters who follow your government by becoming a subscriber. Sign up at DesMoinesRegister.com/Deal.


usatoday--2020-06-17--Trump golf club asks Palm Beach County to allow deferral of its rent because of pandemic

President Donald Trump ’ s golf club in West Palm Beach has asked Palm Beach County to defer some of the $ 88,338 monthly rent it pays to lease public land for the president ’ s private golf club , citing hardships caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
In a June 5 letter to the county , the club ’ s finance director , Ed Raymundo , cited the “ significant impact ” caused by county ’ s order shutting parks and golf courses during the pandemic .
The March 25 order coincided with the “ busiest part of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ county and its Department of Airports , which both hold leases on Trump ’ s 27-hole golf club on airport property , have taken no action on the club ’ s request for rent relief , according to county officials .
The club has paid rent through June .
Trump signed a lease with the county in 1996 and 2002 , after a long and controversial lawsuit over the land .
The 99-year lease agreement requires Trump to make monthly payments that had increased over the years to $ 54,534 for the main @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the smaller , nine-hole course .
More : China steps up emergency footing as coronavirus flares up again in Beijing The Palm Beach County Commission has already agreed to defer the rent for other tenants , including cafes and coffee shops that operate at county parks and buildings .
Rent relief for tenants with more complex leases , like those Trump negotiated to build his 27-hole golf club , must be approved by the commission .
According to the June 5 letter , the club is asking for rent relief similar to abatements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 5 letter follows an email Raymundo sent the county on March 25 — the day the county ordered parks and golf courses closed — inquiring how the county intended to handle the $ 88,338 monthly rent during the pandemic .
“ This mandate has resulted in the cancellation of events and forced the Club to close many of it ’ s ( sic ) amenities leaving limited services available to our members , ” Raymundo wrote .
“ In addition , with many New York based members , the Governor ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tri-state area to self-quarantine further hampers our operation .
Your direction in this is greatly appreciated.
” Of the three golf clubs Trump owns in South Florida , including Trump National Doral and Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter , the golf club in West Palm Beach is by far the one the president frequents the most .
Just a few miles from Mar-a-Lago , Trump has spent 83 of the 127 days he has visited Mar-a-Lago as president at Trump International .
Trump hosts his annual Super Bowl party at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legends , political allies and White House aides .
'Contentious ' or 'compassionate ?
'Ahmaud Arbery 's relatives , other families meet with Trump to talk police reform Trump ’ s businesses – mostly real estate , hotels , branding , resorts and golf clubs – are among the industries that have been hit hardest .
Trump ’ s empire was already suffering from a tarnished brand before coronavirus surfaced in the U.S. in January .
By early April , Forbes estimated Trump ’ s $ 3.1 billion net worth had dropped by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotel rooms remained empty , big-ticket events and campaign fundraisers at Mar-a-Lago and the Trump Hotel in Washington , DC were canceled .
At Trump ’ s businesses in Florida , the Trump Doral resort and golf clubs in West Palm Beach and Jupiter , more than 1,000 workers have been laid off .
Cost cutting at Trump hotels included eliminating flowers , chocolates and newspapers at its New York hotel and lights out in common areas in its Chicago hotel to save on electricity , according to letters obtained by the Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Trump golf club asks Palm Beach County to allow deferral of its rent because of pandemic
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump: Chokeholds banned except when officer's life is at risk Amid Black Lives Matters protests across the country, President Trump signs an executive order that raises the standards for policing across the country. USA TODAY, Wochit
President Donald Trump’s golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, has asked Palm Beach County to defer some of the $88,338 monthly rent it pays to lease public land, citing hardships caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
In a June 5 letter to the county, Trump International Golf Club's finance director, Ed Raymundo, cited the “significant impact” caused by the county’s order shutting parks and golf courses during the pandemic. The March 25 order coincided with the “busiest part of our season,” Raymundo wrote.
The county and its Department of Airports, which both hold leases on Trump’s 27-hole golf club on airport property, have taken no action on the club’s request for rent relief, according to county officials. The club has paid rent through June.
Trump signed a lease with the county in 1996 and 2002, after a long and controversial lawsuit over the land. The 99-year lease agreement requires Trump to make monthly payments that had increased over the years to $54,534 for the main 18-hole golf course and $33,804 for the smaller, nine-hole course.
More: China steps up emergency footing as coronavirus flares up again in Beijing
The Palm Beach County Commission has already agreed to defer the rent for other tenants, including cafes and coffee shops that operate at county parks and buildings.
Rent relief for tenants with more complex leases, like those Trump negotiated to build his 27-hole golf club, must be approved by the commission. According to the June 5 letter, the club is asking for rent relief similar to abatements already approved for other tenants.
The June 5 letter follows an email Raymundo sent the county on March 25 — the day the county ordered parks and golf courses closed — inquiring how the county intended to handle the $88,338 monthly rent during the pandemic.
“This mandate has resulted in the cancellation of events and forced the Club to close many of it’s (sic) amenities leaving limited services available to our members,” Raymundo wrote. “In addition, with many New York based members, the Governor’s most recent order requiring individuals traveling from the tri-state area to self-quarantine further hampers our operation. Your direction in this is greatly appreciated.”
DOJ sues Bolton over book: Trump Justice Department seeks to block publication
Of the three golf clubs Trump owns in south Florida, including Trump National Doral and Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter, the golf club in West Palm Beach is by far the one the president frequents the most.
Just a few miles from Mar-a-Lago, Trump has spent 83 of the 127 days he has visited Mar-a-Lago as president at Trump International. Trump hosts his annual Super Bowl party at the club and has played there with golf legends, political allies and White House aides.
'Contentious' or 'compassionate?' Ahmaud Arbery's relatives, other families meet with Trump to talk police reform
Trump’s businesses – mostly real estate, hotels, branding, resorts and golf clubs – are among the industries that have been hit hardest.
Trump’s empire was already suffering from a tarnished brand before coronavirus surfaced in the U.S. in January. By early April, Forbes estimated Trump’s $3.1 billion net worth had dropped by $1 billion.
As thousands of hotel rooms remained empty, big-ticket events and campaign fundraisers at Mar-a-Lago and the Trump Hotel in Washington, D.C., were canceled. At Trump’s businesses in Florida, the Trump Doral resort and golf clubs in West Palm Beach and Jupiter, more than 1,000 workers have been laid off.
Cost cutting at Trump hotels included eliminating flowers, chocolates and newspapers at its New York hotel and lights out in common areas in its Chicago hotel to save on electricity, according to letters obtained by the Washington Post that hotel management sent to investors.


usatoday--2020-06-17--Oklahoma health commissioner says Trump rally attendees face 'increased' coronavirus risk

Oklahoma ’ s top health official on Tuesday warned people planning to attend President Donald Trump ’ s rally in Tulsa that they face an increased risk of becoming infected and transmitting COVID-19 .
Meanwhile , Trump supporters slept outside the rally site and the campaign considered additional venues to accommodate more people .
Oklahoma Health Commissioner Lance Frye advised people to get tested before and after the rally scheduled for Saturday evening and to take the usual steps to stay safe , including wearing face coverings and minimizing social interactions .
“ As outlined by the CDC , individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or any other large-scale gathering , will face an increased risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 and becoming a transmitter of this novel virus , ” Frye said .
Meanwhile , a coalition of groups and individuals sought a court order in Tulsa County to mandate masks be worn and social distancing be enforced at the BOK Center , the 19,000-seat arena where the rally will be held .
The legal action requests that only a third of the seats be filled .
A judge rejected the group 's effort .
Fauci @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too deep into the fall Emergency footing in China : Coronavirus flares up again in Beijing The Trump campaign announced this week that masks and hand sanitizer would be distributed to those attending and temperatures checked .
However , it will not be mandatory to wear masks .
David McLain , chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party , said Monday that the intent was to fill up the BOK Center and that people attending could decide whether they want to wear masks .
The Trump campaign required people seeking tickets to the event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign or BOK Center management if they become infected with COVID-19 .
Frye said Tuesday , “ We appreciate the president and his team of advisers for preparing temperature checks , face coverings , and hand sanitizers for Saturday ’ s event , and we encourage the public to closely follow all public health guidance and procedures established for the event in order to protect yourself and loved ones.
” The campaign has claimed more than 1 million people have sought tickets to the event , Trump ’ s first campaign rally since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told reporters in Washington that the convention hall near the BOK Center would be used for overflow and hold another 40,000 people .
The downtown convention hall is the Cox Center .
McLain also cited that venue as one that might be used for overflow .
However , the campaign issued a statement Tuesday indicating that no additional sites had been chosen for the overflow .
“ The rally will be held at the BOK Center in Tulsa but the campaign is also considering other areas adjacent to the arena to allow the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the statement says .
The president ’ s visit comes at a time when the state in general , and Tulsa in particular , is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases .
The head of the Tulsa Health Department told the Tulsa World newspaper that he wished the rally could be postponed .
Trump and Vice President Mike Pence , who also plans to attend , have praised Gov .
Kevin Stitt for containing the novel coronavirus while reopening the economy and said that is one reason Tulsa was chosen for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House on Thursday `` to discuss the Administration ’ s plan to partner with states like Oklahoma to reopen small businesses and reignite our economy , '' according to the White House .
Tulsa Mayor G.T .
Bynum wrote on Facebook on Tuesday that he did not know about the rally until he was contacted by BOK Center management .
Bynum said he would have loved for another city to have hosted the first Trump rally in months but he would not try to block it by invoking local civic emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ balance between freedom and safety that is new for every city around the world , ” Bynum wrote .
“ We will continue to monitor hospital capacity and our positive case rate moving forward .
”

Oklahoma health commissioner says Trump rally attendees face 'increased' coronavirus risk
Show Caption Hide Caption Coronavirus: US hits two million cases as country opens back up Of the confirmed two million coronavirus cases, more than 113,000 Americans have died since the virus emerged here a few months ago. USA TODAY
Oklahoma’s top health official on Tuesday warned people planning to attend President Donald Trump’s rally in Tulsa that they face an increased risk of becoming infected and transmitting COVID-19. Meanwhile, Trump supporters slept outside the rally site and the campaign considered additional venues to accommodate more people.
Oklahoma Health Commissioner Lance Frye advised people to get tested before and after the rally scheduled for Saturday evening, and to take the usual steps to stay safe, including wearing face coverings and minimizing social interactions.
“As outlined by the CDC, individuals looking to attend Saturday’s event, or any other large-scale gathering, will face an increased risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 and becoming a transmitter of this novel virus,” Frye said.
Meanwhile, a coalition of groups and individuals sought a court order in Tulsa County to mandate masks be worn and social distancing be enforced at the BOK Center, the 19,000-seat arena where the rally will be held. The legal action requests that only a third of the seats be filled. A judge rejected the group's effort.
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Emergency footing in China: Coronavirus flares up again in Beijing
The Trump campaign announced this week that masks and hand sanitizer would be distributed to those attending, and that temperatures would be checked. However, it will not mandate mask wearing.
David McLain, chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party, said Monday that the intent was to fill the BOK Center and that people attending could decide whether they want to wear masks.
The Trump campaign required people seeking tickets to the event to waive their right to sue the campaign or BOK Center management if they become infected with COVID-19.
Frye said Tuesday, “We appreciate the president and his team of advisers for preparing temperature checks, face coverings, and hand sanitizers for Saturday’s event, and we encourage the public to closely follow all public health guidance and procedures established for the event in order to protect yourself and loved ones.”
The campaign has claimed that more than 1 million people have sought tickets to the event, Trump’s first campaign rally since early March.
On Monday, Trump told reporters in Washington that the convention hall near the BOK Center would be used for overflow and hold another 40,000 people. The downtown convention hall is the Cox Center. McLain also cited that venue as one that might be used for overflow.
However, the campaign issued a statement Tuesday indicating that no additional sites had been chosen for the overflow.
“The rally will be held at the BOK Center in Tulsa but the campaign is also considering other areas adjacent to the arena to allow the President to address even more people,” the statement says.
More: Trump Justice Department sues to block John Bolton from publishing book
The president’s visit comes at a time when the state in general, and Tulsa in particular, is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases. The head of the Tulsa Health Department told the Tulsa World newspaper that he wished the rally could be postponed.
Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, who also plans to attend, have praised Gov. Kevin Stitt for containing the novel coronavirus while reopening the economy and said that was one reason Tulsa was chosen for the rally. Stitt is expected to visit the White House on Thursday "to discuss the Administration’s plan to partner with states like Oklahoma to reopen small businesses and reignite our economy," according to the White House.
Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum wrote on Facebook on Tuesday that he did not know about the rally until he was contacted by BOK Center management.
Bynum said he would have loved for another city to have hosted the first Trump rally in months, but that he would not try to block it by invoking local civic emergency authority.
“We are navigating a balance between freedom and safety that is new for every city around the world,” Bynum wrote. “We will continue to monitor hospital capacity and our positive case rate moving forward.”


usatoday--2020-06-17--'Contentious' or 'compassionate'? Ahmaud Arbery's relatives, other families meet with Donald Trump t

'Contentious' or 'compassionate'? Ahmaud Arbery's relatives, other families meet with Donald Trump to talk police reform

WASHINGTON — Relatives of Ahmaud Arbery , the 25-year-old Black man shot to death while jogging in Georgia , met privately with President Donald Trump on Tuesday but did not attend a subsequent event in which Trump signed an order on policing .
The closed-door meeting , which also included other victims ' families , became `` very contentious , '' according to a spokesman for an attorney representing some of the relatives .
The families did not appear at a Rose Garden event minutes later in which Trump vowed to seek justice in their cases but sidestepped concerns about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flanked by police officials , Trump used the televised address to describe the families he had met with as `` incredible '' but also repeated his `` law and order '' mantra that has become a central theme of his response to protests and unrest in several cities .
`` All Americans mourn by your side .
Your loved ones will not have died in vain , '' Trump said during the event .
`` We are one nation .
We grieve together .
And we heal together . ''
Minutes before he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the relatives of several Black men – some of whom had been killed by police .
Shaun King , a spokesman for an attorney representing some of the families , told USA TODAY that the meeting appeared to be `` arranged less to hear about these families that had been horribly impacted by this police violence '' and more about `` an opportunity for Trump and ( Attorney General William ) Barr and others to highlight police unions who were there . ''
King described the meeting as `` very contentious '' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the executive order signing event .
The White House declined to discuss the meeting .
The meeting and Trump 's order follows nationwide protests over the killing of George Floyd , a Black man who died after a police officer in Minneapolis knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes .
Lawmakers are considering a package of law enforcement changes .
Also included in the meeting was the family of Botham Jean , a 26-year-old Dallas accountant shot in 2018 in his apartment by an off-duty Dallas Police officer .
The family of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump .
The 17-year-old was fatally shot by an East Pittsburgh police officer in 2018 .
King told USA TODAY that most of the family members in the room felt `` very uncomfortable because they were each sitting between police officers . ''
The setup felt `` poorly conceived '' to those in the room , he said , since those “ whose loved ones were killed by police ( were ) surrounded by police .
And police union leaders seemed really impervious to the stories and concerns of the those in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ session but said he spoke with participants afterward .
Jean 's sister Allisa Findley told USA TODAY later Tuesday she did not have issues sitting between police union leaders .
To her , it was like many other meetings she had attended before where `` you go to this meeting and someone says 'okay we 're going to try our best , we 're going to do this . '
`` '' To me , I 've gotten to a point where I have to see it to believe it , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ story at the beginning of the meeting , she said , and Trump , sitting in the middle of the room and ringed by two rows of attendees , listened and asked questions .
She said it looked like Trump was `` responding to cues '' when listening to the family members .
She observed how the president would say to each family as they went through their story , `` we are gon na have to do something about that , '' and would ask Barr questions about the cases .
Later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told Fox News that Trump was `` very compassionate '' and `` very receiving '' of the families .
`` Her son is looking down from heaven & is very proud of his wonderful & loving mom !
!
! ''
the president tweeted .
Lee Merritt , the attorney for the families , tweeted that news reports of a `` photo op with the president or standing with the White House '' during the signing of the executive order were `` false . ''
Findley said she chose not to attend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to avoid the appearance of a `` photo op . ''
`` I was invited to tell my story and I would go anywhere to tell my brother 's story , '' she said .
`` But it 's not about , you know , turning into a photo op . ''
Arbery , 25 , was fatally shot in February while jogging a few miles from his home in a neighborhood outside Brunswick , Georgia .
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced the arrests of Gregory and Travis McMichael last month in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ William `` Roddie '' Bryan Jr. , who filmed the shooting death , was arrested on felony murder charges , according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation .
More : Ahmaud Arbery video : Legal experts explain how key frames may be used in murder trial More : Donald Trump to sign order to encourage police to limit deadly force Some civil rights activists questioned the need for the families ' meeting with Trump , fearing he might use them for political purposes .
The Georgia NAACP , from Arbery 's home state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ series of tweets .
One said : `` To see @ meritlaw , an out-of-state lawyer who does not have deep relationships with our civil rights community , have Ahmaud 's family appear with @ realdonaldtrump , who does not have honest intentions about saving Black lives , could result in dangerous consequences for Black people . ''
`` Show me the civil rights leaders who are upset about families making a direct appeal for federal intervention after the murder of their loved one & I ’ ll show you a clown , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The police executive order that Trump signed covers three general areas : – The order calls for a national certification system for law enforcement agencies to encourage the use of best practices for de-escalating situations that have the potential to turn violent .
Officials did not detail how such a certification system could be set up or might work in practice .
– Creation of a database to track the use of excessive force by police officers , which would allow local departments avoid hiring officers with a history of abuse .
– @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professionals with police in their response to certain calls .
These `` co-responders '' could help police with cases involving drug addiction , alcohol abuse , and homelessness .


usatoday--2020-06-17--'Inaccurate and harmful': Texas Senators Cruz, Cornyn dismiss notions of systemic racism in police a

WASHINGTON – Texas Republican Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz on Tuesday rejected the notion that there 's systemic racism within policing , and beyond , in the United States .
Speaking during a Senate Judiciary hearing about police violence , both the Senators dismissed the idea of systemic racism to witnesses , which included S. Lee Merritt , an attorney representing George Floyd ’ s family .
More : Trump signs order addressing police misconduct , but some experts say it 's not enough “ I would like the witnesses to tell us if they believe that the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systemically racist , ” Cornyn asked the panel .
“ Would anybody like to raise their hand agreeing with that statement ?
” A few of the witnesses testifying appeared to raise their hands .
Cornyn responded by saying , “ And that means all 18,000 police departments , all 800,000 law enforcement officers ?
Is that true ?
” Cornyn said perhaps police officers play too many roles , and there needs to be a stronger emphasis on de-escalation training , but quickly turned back to `` a lack of trust with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ society .
'She has found her voice ' : Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms steps into national spotlight amid policing debate “ When we over-concentrate our communities - black and brown communities , specifically - with militarized policing , what you ’ re going to have is disproportionate use of force and incarceration of black and brown people ” he said .
The senator tried to distinguish between class and race , while witnesses testified that they often go hand-in-hand and are `` disentangled '' within American institutions .
“ You think systemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system that ... requires individual responsibility ?
” Cornyn asked .
“ Or do you think it ’ s one or the other ?
” Vanita Gupta , the president of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights , answered : “ I think every American institution has been , kind of , shaped by these forces.
” “ Do you believe that , basically , all Americans are racist ?
” Cornyn followed-up .
“ I think we all have implicit bias and racial bias , yes , I do , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Cornyn responded , prompting Gupta to say she thinks America is striving to be better .
But the senator replied , “ You lost me when you want to take the acts of a few misguided , perhaps malicious , individuals , and ascribe that to all Americans ” and not just to police officers .
More : Ahmaud Arbery 's relatives , other families have 'contentious ' meeting with Trump on police The hearings were focused on discussing reforms and legislation Congress could pass to address police brutality .
They follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the streets in the wake of Floyd 's death , demanding an end to police brutality and racism .
More : What is systemic racism ?
Here 's what it means and how you can help dismantle it NAACP President Derrick Johnson defined systemic racism , also called structural racism or institutional racism , as `` systems and structures that have procedures or processes that disadvantages African Americans . ''
Glenn Harris , president of Race Forward and publisher of the website Colorlines , said systemic racism creates disparities in many `` success @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice system , employment , housing , health care , politics and education .
He said although the concept dates back to work done by scholar and civil rights pioneer W. E. B .
Du Bois , the concept was first named during the civil rights movement of the 1960s and was further refined in the 1980s .
More : Medical bias : From pain pills to COVID-19 , racial discrimination in health care festers Cruz also renounced the idea of systemic racism in policing during Tuesday 's hearing .
`` I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used in the wake of Mr. Floyd 's killing has been inaccurate and harmful , '' Cruz said , continuing to focus on Democrats .
`` A great many of our colleagues , use the phrase 'systemic racism ' to suggest that the entire criminal justice system is imbued with racism .
I do n't believe that 's accurate . ''
He continued it was wrong `` to impugn the integrity of everyone working in law enforcement is a disservice to this nation . ''
More : What does 'defund the police ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not enough Cruz slammed the notion to `` defund the police '' and , citing an academic study , said if other members `` agreed that Black lives matter , demonizing the police and causing them to pull back from protecting people 's lives will predictably cause more black lives to be taken . ''
`` So , I urge that we proceed with caution , with a commitment to justice , and a commitment to truth , '' he concluded .

'Inaccurate and harmful': Texas Senators Cruz, Cornyn dismiss notions of systemic racism in police and society
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump: Chokeholds banned except when officer's life is at risk Amid Black Lives Matters protests across the country, President Trump signs an executive order that raises the standards for policing across the country. USA TODAY, Wochit
WASHINGTON – Texas Republican Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz on Tuesday rejected the notion that there's systemic racism within policing, and beyond, in the United States.
Speaking during a Senate Judiciary hearing about police violence, both the Senators dismissed the idea of systemic racism to witnesses, which included S. Lee Merritt, an attorney representing George Floyd’s family.
More: Trump signs order addressing police misconduct, but some experts say it's not enough
“I would like the witnesses to tell us if they believe that the police department and the police in America are systemically racist,” Cornyn asked the panel. “Would anybody like to raise their hand agreeing with that statement?”
A few of the witnesses testifying appeared to raise their hands. Cornyn responded by saying, “And that means all 18,000 police departments, all 800,000 law enforcement officers? Is that true?”
Cornyn said perhaps police officers play too many roles, and there needs to be a stronger emphasis on de-escalation training, but quickly turned back to "a lack of trust with the police" and systemic racism within society.
Qualified immunity: How it protects police from civil lawsuits The doctrine of qualified immunity has been used to protect police from civil lawsuits and trials. Here's why it was put in place. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
'She has found her voice': Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms steps into national spotlight amid policing debate
Merritt responded to Cornyn.
“When we over-concentrate our communities - black and brown communities, specifically - with militarized policing, what you’re going to have is disproportionate use of force and incarceration of black and brown people” he said.
The senator tried to distinguish between class and race, while witnesses testified that they often go hand-in-hand and are "disentangled" within American institutions.
“You think systemic or structural racism can exist in a system that... requires individual responsibility?” Cornyn asked. “Or do you think it’s one or the other?”
Vanita Gupta, the president of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, answered: “I think every American institution has been, kind of, shaped by these forces.”
“Do you believe that, basically, all Americans are racist?” Cornyn followed-up.
“I think we all have implicit bias and racial bias, yes, I do,” Gupta responded.
“Wow,” Cornyn responded, prompting Gupta to say she thinks America is striving to be better. But the senator replied, “You lost me when you want to take the acts of a few misguided, perhaps malicious, individuals, and ascribe that to all Americans” and not just to police officers.
More: Ahmaud Arbery's relatives, other families have 'contentious' meeting with Trump on police
WATCH: Sen. John Cornyn: "Do you believe that, basically, all Americans are racist?"
Former DOJ official Vanita Gupta: "I think we all have implicit bias and racial bias..."
Cornyn: "Wow."
Gupta: "And I think that we are an amazing country that strives to be better" every day. pic.twitter.com/5SxUox8mMA — PBS NewsHour (@NewsHour) June 16, 2020
The hearings were focused on discussing reforms and legislation Congress could pass to address police brutality.
They follow weeks and thousands of protesters taking to the streets in the wake of Floyd's death, demanding an end to police brutality and racism.
More: What is systemic racism? Here's what it means and how you can help dismantle it
What is systemic racism?
NAACP President Derrick Johnson defined systemic racism, also called structural racism or institutional racism, as "systems and structures that have procedures or processes that disadvantages African Americans."
Glenn Harris, president of Race Forward and publisher of the website Colorlines, said systemic racism creates disparities in many "success indicators" including wealth, the criminal justice system, employment, housing, health care, politics and education.
He said although the concept dates back to work done by scholar and civil rights pioneer W. E. B. Du Bois, the concept was first named during the civil rights movement of the 1960s and was further refined in the 1980s.
More: Medical bias: From pain pills to COVID-19, racial discrimination in health care festers
Cruz also renounced the idea of systemic racism in policing during Tuesday's hearing.
"I think some of the rhetoric that has been used in the wake of Mr. Floyd's killing has been inaccurate and harmful," Cruz said, continuing to focus on Democrats. "A great many of our colleagues, use the phrase 'systemic racism' to suggest that the entire criminal justice system is imbued with racism. I don't believe that's accurate."
He continued it was wrong "to impugn the integrity of everyone working in law enforcement is a disservice to this nation."
More: What does 'defund the police' mean and why some say 'reform' is not enough
Cruz slammed the notion to "defund the police" and, citing an academic study, said if other members "agreed that Black lives matter, demonizing the police and causing them to pull back from protecting people's lives will predictably cause more black lives to be taken."
"So, I urge that we proceed with caution, with a commitment to justice, and a commitment to truth," he concluded.
Contributing: N'dea Yancey-Bragg


usatoday--2020-06-17--Great American Outdoors Act, which would provide billions for national parks, passes Senate

WASHINGTON – Scores of long-neglected maintenance projects at Yellowstone , the Grand Canyon and hundreds of other national parks dotting the country are one step closer to being addressed .
The Senate on Wednesday passed a bipartisan bill that would dedicate billions in revenue paid to the federal government from oil and gas exploration fees through the Land and Water Conservation Fund to cover a mounting backlog of park projects now approaching $ 12 billion .
The vote was 73-25 .
The bill now heads to the House .
The money , up to $ 1.9 billion per year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but has often been diverted for other congressional priorities .
The Great American Outdoors Act the Senate passed would require half of those revenues be spent on park maintenance over the next five years .
`` This is n't a bill that just benefits the East or the West , a bill that just benefits the coastal states or the interior states , '' said Colorado GOP Sen. Cory Gardner , the bill 's lead sponsor .
`` The entire country , from Hawaii to Alaska ( and ) from Florida to Maine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Great American Outdoors Act . ''
West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin , who helped craft the measure , called it `` one of the most important things we 've done in the conservation world in the last 50 years .
So we 're very proud of that . ''
Some conservative groups and Republican lawmakers opposed the bill , saying that without cuts in other parts of the budget , the legislation would further add to the national debt .
`` This legislation will add over $ 17 billion to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Wyoming Republican Sen. Mike Enzi said Monday .
He had proposed a new fee on visas for foreign visitors to raise money for park maintenance but the Senate did not accept his amendment .
The bill 's passage , a rare moment of bipartisanship on Capitol Hill , marks a long-sought victory for preservationists who have fought for years to use money generated from fossil fuel production for environmental benefits .
`` Park roads and bridges are collapsing , water systems are failing , and visitor centers are crumbling , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Parks Conservation Association .
`` This momentous bill not only provides an opportunity to better care for these treasured places , it will help to increase access to public lands across the country , provide jobs and bring much-needed relief to local communities suffering through hard times . ''
Every state , several U.S. territories and the District of Columbia have projects on the list .
Nearly two dozen , including Yellowstone in Wyoming , the Grand Canyon in Arizona , the National Mall in Washington , Yosemite National Park in California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a backlog well above $ 100 million .
Examples of disrepair that ruin the park experience are commonplace , advocates say .
And it 's not just parkways offering majestic views or hiking trails that allow close encounters with wildlife .
Critical infrastructure – sewer systems , visitor centers , bathrooms and campgrounds – are on the list of expensive fixes .
The issue has broad appeal .
A Pew survey last year found that eight of 10 registered voters support using oil and gas revenues to cover the maintenance backlog .

Great American Outdoors Act, which would provide billions for national parks, passes Senate
Show Caption Hide Caption Woman illegally enters Yellowstone National Park and fell into a hot spring Yellowstone National Park has been closed since March 24th due to the coronavirus pandemic. One woman entered park illegally to check out the geysers. Buzz60
WASHINGTON – Scores of long-neglected maintenance projects at Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon and hundreds of other national parks dotting the country are one step closer to being addressed.
The Senate on Wednesday passed a bipartisan bill that would dedicate billions in revenue paid to the federal government from oil and gas exploration fees through the Land and Water Conservation Fund to cover a mounting backlog of park projects now approaching $12 billion.
The vote was 73-25. The bill now heads to the House.
The money, up to $1.9 billion per year, was always intended to cover maintenance projects but has often been diverted for other congressional priorities. The Great American Outdoors Act the Senate passed would require half of those revenues be spent on park maintenance over the next five years.
"This isn't a bill that just benefits the East or the West, a bill that just benefits the coastal states or the interior states," said Colorado GOP Sen. Cory Gardner, the bill's lead sponsor. "The entire country, from Hawaii to Alaska (and) from Florida to Maine, everywhere in between, benefits from the Great American Outdoors Act."
West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, who helped craft the measure, called it "one of the most important things we've done in the conservation world in the last 50 years. So we're very proud of that."
Some conservative groups and Republican lawmakers opposed the bill, saying that without cuts in other parts of the budget, the legislation would further add to the national debt.
"This legislation will add over $17 billion to the deficit over the next 10 years," Wyoming Republican Sen. Mike Enzi said Monday. He had proposed a new fee on visas for foreign visitors to raise money for park maintenance but the Senate did not accept his amendment.
The bill's passage, a rare moment of bipartisanship on Capitol Hill, marks a long-sought victory for preservationists who have fought for years to use money generated from fossil fuel production for environmental benefits.
"Park roads and bridges are collapsing, water systems are failing, and visitor centers are crumbling," said Theresa Pierno, president and CEO for National Parks Conservation Association. "This momentous bill not only provides an opportunity to better care for these treasured places, it will help to increase access to public lands across the country, provide jobs and bring much-needed relief to local communities suffering through hard times."
More: 'Game changing' conservation bill awaits vote in Congress
Every state, several U.S. territories and the District of Columbia have projects on the list. Nearly two dozen, including Yellowstone in Wyoming, the Grand Canyon in Arizona, the National Mall in Washington, Yosemite National Park in California and the Natchez Trace Parkway in Mississippi have a backlog well above $100 million.
Examples of disrepair that ruin the park experience are commonplace, advocates say. And it's not just parkways offering majestic views or hiking trails that allow close encounters with wildlife. Critical infrastructure – sewer systems, visitor centers, bathrooms and campgrounds – are on the list of expensive fixes.
The issue has broad appeal. A Pew survey last year found that eight of 10 registered voters support using oil and gas revenues to cover the maintenance backlog.


usatoday--2020-06-17--'Offended and angry as hell': Police reform hearing gets heated as lawmakers trade barbs

WASHINGTON – House lawmakers got their first chance on Wednesday to debate how the country should reform policing , which resulted in a heated committee hearing with spats of yelling , cursing and head shaking .
The House Judiciary Committee took up Democrats ' police reform legislation Wednesday and examined a host of potential changes to the bill , which aims to end protections that shield officers from civil lawsuits , ban chokeholds and no-knock warrants , and create a national database for officers with problematic records The panel is expected to approve the legislation Wednesday evening , teeing up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The legislation is n't expected to be taken up by the Senate as the chamber plans to vote on its own police reform bill next week , a bill that was unveiled Wednesday morning in the aftermath of George Floyd 's death and the national protests that followed .
Both chambers will have to negotiate out legislative differences in order to pass something that President Donald Trump will sign .
Throughout Wednesday 's hearing , Democrats argued that Republicans were n't taking the issue of police violence against Black Americans seriously following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election , abortion and antifa .
The veering away from discussions about the Black community led to a particularly heated exchange between Reps. Cedric Richmond , D-La.
, and Matt Gaetz , R-Fla. , where Richmond bluntly told Republicans that their amendments during the hearing left him `` offended and angry as hell . ''
More : GOP police bill would incentivize cities to stop using chokeholds but would n't ban them '' You all are white males , you never lived in my shoes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like to be an African American male , '' he said .
`` Please do not come in this committee room and make a mockery of the pain that exists in my community . ''
Gaetz , who is white and a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus , said he appreciated Richmond 's passion but questioned whether the Democrat was saying that no Republicans have non-white children and thus could n't understand his pain .
“ Matt , stop .
I am not about to get sidetracked by the color of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It is not about the color of your kids .
It is about Black males , Black people in the streets that are getting killed and if one of them happen to be your kid , I 'm concerned about him , too . ''
Richmond then said , `` And clearly , I 'm more concerned about him than you are . ''
Richmond 's comments led to a furious rebuttal from Gaetz , who yelled `` who in the hell do you think you are '' as the committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pounded his gavel calling the panel to order .
`` If the shoe fits , '' quipped Richmond as Gaetz continued yelling .
`` A kicked dog hollers . ''
Gaetz continued , calling for the Democrat to take down his comments .
`` You do n't know how much we care about our families , '' Gaetz yelled , swiveling his chair around and pointing at Richmond .
`` That is outrageous !
You should take those words down ! ''
While the episode marked one of the most contentious moments of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sparred multiple times , eventually turning into a debate over saying Black lives matter versus all lives matter .
At one point , Rep. Eric Swalwell , D-Calif. , specifically put Republicans on the spot and asked if any of them could say unequivocally that Black live matter without any qualifiers .
`` Black lives matter .
Period .
So I would yield to any of my colleagues on the Republican side who can unequivocally say , as we calibrate where we are right now , that Black lives matter , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Swalwell , `` Does the gentleman believe that all lives matter as well ?
I think Black lives matter .
I think all lives matter . ''
Swalwell , who was shaking his head , cut off Gaetz and again asked if anyone could say unequivocally that Black lives matter .

'Offended and angry as hell': Police reform hearing gets heated as lawmakers trade barbs
Show Caption Hide Caption Qualified immunity: How it protects police from civil lawsuits The doctrine of qualified immunity has been used to protect police from civil lawsuits and trials. Here's why it was put in place. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – House lawmakers got their first chance on Wednesday to debate how the country should reform policing, which resulted in a heated committee hearing with spats of yelling, cursing and head shaking.
The House Judiciary Committee took up Democrats' police reform legislation Wednesday and examined a host of potential changes to the bill, which aims to end protections that shield officers from civil lawsuits, ban chokeholds and no-knock warrants, and create a national database for officers with problematic records
The panel is expected to approve the legislation Wednesday evening, teeing up a full House vote for next week. The legislation isn't expected to be taken up by the Senate as the chamber plans to vote on its own police reform bill next week, a bill that was unveiled Wednesday morning in the aftermath of George Floyd's death and the national protests that followed. Both chambers will have to negotiate out legislative differences in order to pass something that President Donald Trump will sign.
Throughout Wednesday's hearing, Democrats argued that Republicans weren't taking the issue of police violence against Black Americans seriously following debate and several amendments related to the investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election, abortion and antifa. The veering away from discussions about the Black community led to a particularly heated exchange between Reps. Cedric Richmond, D-La., and Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., where Richmond bluntly told Republicans that their amendments during the hearing left him "offended and angry as hell."
More: Democrats unveil sweeping police reform bill, honor George Floyd with 8 minutes, 46 seconds of silence
More: GOP police bill would incentivize cities to stop using chokeholds but wouldn't ban them
"You all are white males, you never lived in my shoes and you do not know what it's like to be an African American male," he said. "Please do not come in this committee room and make a mockery of the pain that exists in my community."
Gaetz, who is white and a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, said he appreciated Richmond's passion but questioned whether the Democrat was saying that no Republicans have non-white children and thus couldn't understand his pain.
“Matt, stop. I am not about to get sidetracked by the color of our children,” Richmond shot back. "It is not about the color of your kids. It is about Black males, Black people in the streets that are getting killed and if one of them happen to be your kid, I'm concerned about him, too."
Richmond then said, "And clearly, I'm more concerned about him than you are."
A fiery exchange in the House police reform hearing just now.
Rep. Gaetz berates Rep. Richmond: “Who in the hell do you think you are?” pic.twitter.com/4czwRkhD5D — The Recount (@therecount) June 17, 2020
Richmond's comments led to a furious rebuttal from Gaetz, who yelled "who in the hell do you think you are" as the committee's chairman, Rep. Jerry Nadler, pounded his gavel calling the panel to order. "If the shoe fits," quipped Richmond as Gaetz continued yelling. "A kicked dog hollers."
Gaetz continued, calling for the Democrat to take down his comments. "You don't know how much we care about our families," Gaetz yelled, swiveling his chair around and pointing at Richmond. "That is outrageous! You should take those words down!"
While the episode marked one of the most contentious moments of the hours-long hearing, Democrats and Republicans sparred multiple times, eventually turning into a debate over saying Black lives matter versus all lives matter.
.@RepSwalwell: "Can anyone on the Republican side say unequivocally black lives matter?"
Rep. @MattGaetz: "Unequivocally, all lives matter." pic.twitter.com/Ukk0auQxw7 — The Hill (@thehill) June 17, 2020
At one point, Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., specifically put Republicans on the spot and asked if any of them could say unequivocally that Black live matter without any qualifiers.
"Black lives matter. Period. So I would yield to any of my colleagues on the Republican side who can unequivocally say, as we calibrate where we are right now, that Black lives matter," he said.
Gaetz jumped in and asked Swalwell, "Does the gentleman believe that all lives matter as well? I think Black lives matter. I think all lives matter."
Swalwell, who was shaking his head, cut off Gaetz and again asked if anyone could say unequivocally that Black lives matter.
"Unequivocally, all lives matter," Gaetz responded.


usatoday--2020-06-17--'Driven by re-election': John Bolton book accuses Donald Trump of seeking foreign help for political

WASHINGTON – During a meeting last year , President Donald Trump turned to Chinese President Xi Jinping and asked for an important favor : China should increase its purchase of American soybeans and wheat because aiding American farmers would help him win the upcoming 2020 election , according to excerpts of a new book by Trump 's former national security adviser John Bolton .
The request , made during the G20 summit in Osaka , Japan , is laid out in Bolton 's forthcoming book , `` The Room Where it Happened : A White House Memoir , '' according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Street Journal .
In it , the former adviser paints the president as someone consumed with winning a second term and willing to pressure , cajole and plead with foreign powers to aid his quest .
`` Trump ’ s conversations with Xi reflected not only the incoherence in his trade policy but also the confluence in Trump ’ s mind of his own political interests and U.S. national interests , '' Bolton writes according to an excerpt published in the Wall street Journal .
`` Trump commingled the personal and the national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the whole field of national security . ''
Bolton 's book , set for a June 23 release , is expected to detail other pressure campaigns on foreign governments beyond China and Ukraine , where the president 's efforts to pressure the East European government to publicly investigate former vice president – and now presumptive general election opponent – Joe Biden led to Trump 's impeachment last year , according to a book preview released last week by Bolton 's publisher , Simon & Schuster .
`` I am hard-pressed to identify any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tenure that wasn ’ t driven by reelection calculations , '' Bolton writes in the book .
On Tuesday , the Trump administration filed a lawsuit in federal court to stop the former national security adviser from publishing his long expected memoir .
The move came a day after Trump dismissed Bolton 's forthcoming book as `` highly inappropriate '' and said it would be a `` criminal problem '' if published .
`` This book is full of classified information , which is inexcusable , '' White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were published .
`` Former national security adviser John Bolton should know all too well that it 's unacceptable to have highly classified information from the government of the United States in a book that will be published . ''
White House officials did not immediately respond to the specific allegation that Trump raised his own reelection in a trade discussion with Xi .
Several media organizations , including the New York Times , the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal obtained the book and have published stories on it .
Among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that Trump did not seem to know Britain is a nuclear power and asked if Finland is part of Russia , according to The New York Times .
Bolton also writes that the president , who has clashed with the media that he often calls `` Fake News , '' told him reporters should be in prison .
`` These people should be executed .
They are scumbags , '' according to The Washington Post .
Guy Snodgrass , who served as chief speechwriter to Trump 's Former Defense Secretary James Mattis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirm '' the president shared similar feeling with the Pentagon .
Bolton , national security adviser from April 2018 until he was pushed out in September 2019 , was a central figure in the Senate impeachment trial of Trump earlier this year following the House 's decision to forward two charges to the Senate for consideration : abuse of power and obstruction of Congress After Bolton did n't appear voluntarily before a House impeachment hearing in November , his lawyer , Charles Cooper , told the investigating committees that his client was `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the inquiry into whether Trump withheld military aid to Ukraine for political reasons .
News outlets reported at the time that a manuscript for Bolton 's upcoming book says Trump explicitly told Bolton he did not want to release the aid until Ukraine helped with investigations related to the 2016 election and Democrats , including Biden , a political rival .
Bolton never testified and the president was acquitted on both charges by the Senate on a largely party-line vote .
Biden issued a statement Wednesday saying Trump `` sold out the American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his dealings with China that Bolton outlined .
`` He was willing to trade away our most cherished democratic values for the empty promise of a flimsy trade deal that bailed him out of his disastrous tariff war that did so much damage to our farmers , manufacturers , and consumers , '' Biden said .
Bolton aims his pen at Democrats as well , scolding them for being `` so obsessed with their Ukraine blitzkrieg , '' they missed a larger opportunity to put the president on trial for a raft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign policy , according to the excerpts .
The New York Times cites Bolton 's claims that Trump was willing to `` intervene in investigations '' into certain companies doing business with the U.S. `` to curry favor '' with leaders in Turkey and China .
Bolton also writes in the excerpts that the president seemed unmoved by the massive protests last year in Hong Kong against China 's communist government over human rights crackdowns .
`` I first heard Trump react on June 12 , upon hearing that some 1.5 million people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
'That ’ s a big deal , ' he said .
But he immediately added , ' I don ’ t want to get involved , ' and , 'We have human-rights problems too , ' Bolton writes , according to the excerpts .
`` I hoped Trump would see these Hong Kong developments as giving him leverage over China .
I should have known better , '' Bolton continues .
`` That same month , on the 30th anniversary of China ’ s massacre of pro-democracy demonstrators in Tiananmen Square , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
'That was 15 years ago , ' he said , inaccurately .
'Who cares about it ?
I ’ m trying to make a deal .
I don ’ t want anything . '
And that was that . ''

'Driven by re-election': John Bolton book accuses Donald Trump of seeking foreign help for political gain
Show Caption Hide Caption President Donald Trump: 'Nothing was ever said to John Bolton' President Donald Trump says a claim by former national security adviser John Bolton that Trump wanted to withhold security aid from Ukraine until it helped secure investigations into former Vice President Joe Biden is patently "false." (Jan. 27) AP
WASHINGTON – During a meeting last year, President Donald Trump turned to Chinese President Xi Jinping and asked for an important favor: China should increase its purchase of American soybeans and wheat because aiding American farmers would help him win the upcoming 2020 election, according to excerpts of a new book by Trump's former national security adviser John Bolton.
The request, made during the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan, is laid out in Bolton's forthcoming book, "The Room Where it Happened: A White House Memoir," according to an excerpt published by the Wall Street Journal. In it, the former adviser paints the president as someone consumed with winning a second term and willing to pressure, cajole and plead with foreign powers to aid his quest.
"Trump’s conversations with Xi reflected not only the incoherence in his trade policy but also the confluence in Trump’s mind of his own political interests and U.S. national interests," Bolton writes according to an excerpt published in the Wall street Journal. "Trump commingled the personal and the national not just on trade questions but across the whole field of national security."
Bolton's book, set for a June 23 release, is expected to detail other pressure campaigns on foreign governments beyond China and Ukraine, where the president's efforts to pressure the East European government to publicly investigate former vice president – and now presumptive general election opponent – Joe Biden led to Trump's impeachment last year, according to a book preview released last week by Bolton's publisher, Simon & Schuster.
"I am hard-pressed to identify any significant Trump decision during my White House tenure that wasn’t driven by reelection calculations," Bolton writes in the book.
More: Trump Justice Department sues to block John Bolton from publishing book
On Tuesday, the Trump administration filed a lawsuit in federal court to stop the former national security adviser from publishing his long expected memoir.
The move came a day after Trump dismissed Bolton's forthcoming book as "highly inappropriate" and said it would be a "criminal problem" if published.
"This book is full of classified information, which is inexcusable," White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany told reporters Wednesday, hours before the excerpts were published. "Former national security adviser John Bolton should know all too well that it's unacceptable to have highly classified information from the government of the United States in a book that will be published."
White House officials did not immediately respond to the specific allegation that Trump raised his own reelection in a trade discussion with Xi. The president fired back in a series of interviews Wednesday, telling the Wall Street Journal that Bolton is a "liar" who everybody in the White House "hated." He told Fox News in a late interview that Bolton was a "washed up guy" who "broke the law."
Several media organizations, including the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal obtained the book and have published stories on it.
Among the observations Bolton makes in the book is that Trump did not seem to know Britain is a nuclear power and asked if Finland is part of Russia, according to The New York Times.
Bolton also writes that the president, who has clashed with the media that he often calls "Fake News," told him reporters should be in prison .
"These people should be executed. They are scumbags," according to The Washington Post.
Guy Snodgrass, who served as chief speechwriter to Trump's Former Defense Secretary James Mattis, tweeted Wednesday that he "can confirm" the president shared similar feeling with the Pentagon.
"Bolton alleges Trump privately told him reporters deserve prison. "These people should be executed. They are scumbags.""
Can confirm. This sentiment expressed again during Trump's meeting with Mattis in the Pentagon.https://t.co/8JdBVA6xYU — Guy Snodgrass (@GuySnodgrass) June 17, 2020
More: President Trump acquitted on both impeachment charges, avoids removal
Bolton, national security adviser from April 2018 until he was pushed out in September 2019, was a central figure in the Senate impeachment trial of Trump earlier this year following the House's decision to forward two charges to the Senate for consideration: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress
After Bolton didn't appear voluntarily before a House impeachment hearing in November, his lawyer, Charles Cooper, told the investigating committees that his client was "personally involved" in meetings relevant to the inquiry into whether Trump withheld military aid to Ukraine for political reasons.
News outlets reported at the time that a manuscript for Bolton's upcoming book says Trump explicitly told Bolton he did not want to release the aid until Ukraine helped with investigations related to the 2016 election and Democrats, including Biden, a political rival.
Bolton never testified and the president was acquitted on both charges by the Senate on a largely party-line vote.
Biden issued a statement Wednesday saying Trump "sold out the American people to protect his political future" in his dealings with China that Bolton outlined.
"He was willing to trade away our most cherished democratic values for the empty promise of a flimsy trade deal that bailed him out of his disastrous tariff war that did so much damage to our farmers, manufacturers, and consumers," Biden said.
Bolton aims his pen at Democrats as well, scolding them for being "so obsessed with their Ukraine blitzkrieg," they missed a larger opportunity to put the president on trial for a raft of misconduct that stretched across his entire foreign policy, according to the excerpts.
The New York Times cites Bolton's claims that Trump was willing to "intervene in investigations" into certain companies doing business with the U.S. "to curry favor" with leaders in Turkey and China.
Bolton also writes in the excerpts that the president seemed unmoved by the massive protests last year in Hong Kong against China's communist government over human rights crackdowns.
"I first heard Trump react on June 12, upon hearing that some 1.5 million people had been at Sunday’s demonstrations. 'That’s a big deal,' he said. But he immediately added, 'I don’t want to get involved,' and, 'We have human-rights problems too,' Bolton writes, according to the excerpts.
"I hoped Trump would see these Hong Kong developments as giving him leverage over China. I should have known better," Bolton continues. "That same month, on the 30th anniversary of China’s massacre of pro-democracy demonstrators in Tiananmen Square, Trump refused to issue a White House statement. 'That was 15 years ago,' he said, inaccurately. 'Who cares about it? I’m trying to make a deal. I don’t want anything.' And that was that."
Contributing: John Fritze