talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-07--Trump Admin Officials Continue Denying Systemic Racism In Law Enforcement

Trump administration officials on Sunday echoed White House National Security Adviser Robert O ’ Brien ’ s denial last week that systemic racism is an issue in law enforcement agencies across the country .
Acting Homeland Security Sec .
Chad Wolf , Attorney General Bill Barr , and Housing and Urban Development Sec .
Ben Carson were asked during Sunday morning interviews about whether systemic racism is an issue in the U.S. as protests against police brutality continue in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death .
Here ’ s how they weighed in : After ABC News ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed by police at more than twice the rate of white Americans , Wolf said that he does not think that the country has “ a systemic racism problem ” with law enforcement officers despite how there “ some ” law enforcement officers that abuse their jobs who need to be held accountable .
Wolf went on to argue that “ painting law enforcement with a broad brush of systemic racism is really a disservice to the men and women who put on the badge.
” When pressed by CBS News ’ Margaret @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systemic racism in law enforcement , Barr seemed to echo Wolf ’ s response to the same question .
“ I think there ’ s racism in the United States still but I don ’ t think that the law enforcement system is systemically racist , ” Barr said , before claiming that he “ understands the distrust of the African-American community.
” Barr later argued that he doesn ’ t think reduced immunity is needed to “ go after the bad cops ” due to how that “ would result certainly in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there are instances of bad cops , ” Barr said .
“ And I think we have to be careful about automatically assuming that the actions of an individual necessarily mean that their organization is rotten.
” Although he did not explicitly deny that systemic racism exists , Carson launched into a tangent about how he “ grew up at a time when there was real systemic racism ” when pressed by CNN ’ s Jake Tapper about whether he thinks there is systemic racism in police forces .
Carson went on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” still around but that most police officers are “ wonderful ” despite “ some who are rogue.
” The Housing and Urban Development secretary then repeated Trump ’ s baseless claim that “ antifa ” — which the President vowed to designate as a “ terrorist organization ” despite how it ’ s a loosely organized , left-wing movement against fascism — is behind the violence that has erupted during nationwide protests .
“ You want to abolish police departments ?
Are you kidding me ?
” Carson said .
“ What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goes out and arms themselves .
They start hiring vigilante groups to protect them .
We have total chaos going on .
You know , that makes absolutely no sense .
”

Trump administration officials on Sunday echoed White House National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien’s denial last week that systemic racism is an issue in law enforcement agencies across the country.
Acting Homeland Security Sec. Chad Wolf, Attorney General Bill Barr, and Housing and Urban Development Sec. Ben Carson were asked during Sunday morning interviews about whether systemic racism is an issue in the U.S. as protests against police brutality continue in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
Here’s how they weighed in:
Acting DHS Sec. Chad Wolf
After ABC News’ Martha Raddatz mentioned that black Americans are killed by police at more than twice the rate of white Americans, Wolf said that he does not think that the country has “a systemic racism problem” with law enforcement officers despite how there “some” law enforcement officers that abuse their jobs who need to be held accountable.
Wolf went on to argue that “painting law enforcement with a broad brush of systemic racism is really a disservice to the men and women who put on the badge.”
Watch Wolf’s remarks below:
Attorney General Bill Barr
When pressed by CBS News’ Margaret Brennan about whether he believes there is systemic racism in law enforcement, Barr seemed to echo Wolf’s response to the same question.
“I think there’s racism in the United States still but I don’t think that the law enforcement system is systemically racist,” Barr said, before claiming that he “understands the distrust of the African-American community.”
Barr later argued that he doesn’t think reduced immunity is needed to “go after the bad cops” due to how that “would result certainly in police pulling back.”
“I think that there are instances of bad cops,” Barr said. “And I think we have to be careful about automatically assuming that the actions of an individual necessarily mean that their organization is rotten.”
Watch Barr’s remarks below:
Attorney General Bill Barr: "I think there's racism in the United States still but I don't think that the law enforcement system is systemically racist." pic.twitter.com/YeEbzyh1q4 — Talking Points Memo (@TPM) June 7, 2020
Housing and Urban Development Sec. Ben Carson
Although he did not explicitly deny that systemic racism exists, Carson launched into a tangent about how he “grew up at a time when there was real systemic racism” when pressed by CNN’s Jake Tapper about whether he thinks there is systemic racism in police forces.
Carson went on to say that racists are “absolutely” still around but that most police officers are “wonderful” despite “some who are rogue.”
The Housing and Urban Development secretary then repeated Trump’s baseless claim that “antifa” — which the President vowed to designate as a “terrorist organization” despite how it’s a loosely organized, left-wing movement against fascism — is behind the violence that has erupted during nationwide protests.
“You want to abolish police departments? Are you kidding me?” Carson said. “What happens if you do that? Everybody goes out and arms themselves. They start hiring vigilante groups to protect them. We have total chaos going on. You know, that makes absolutely no sense.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-07--Ex-Bush Admin Officials Join Chorus Criticizing Trump’s Hostile Response To Protesters

Former Bush administration officials Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice joined fellow White House alums James Mattis , Mike Mullen and John Allen in criticizing President Trump ’ s aggressive response to protesters in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death .
Last week , three former White House officials — which so far include Trump ’ s former Defense Secretary James Mattis as well as Obama administration alums Adm. Mike Mullen and Gen. John Allen — issued scathing rebukes against the President ’ s call for the National Guard to “ dominate ” protesters amid nationwide unrest .
Here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretaries of state had to say : On Sunday morning , Powell told CNN ’ s Jake Tapper that he was “ very happy ” with the former generals ’ criticism against Trump because “ we have a Constitution ” that the President has “ drifted away from.
” Powell went on to say that he “ could not possibly ” vote for Trump due to being “ deeply troubled ” by his remarks stoking the Obama “ birther ” conspiracy and insulting Gold Star mothers , John McCain , immigrants and “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ And that is dangerous for our democracy .
It is dangerous for our country , ” Powell said .
“ And I think what we ’ re seeing now , the most massive protest movement I have ever seen in my life , I think this suggests that the country is getting wise to this , and we ’ re not going to put up with it anymore.
” Powell went on to add that “ you have to agree ” with Mattis ’ criticism of Trump because “ he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shortly after Powell ’ s interview on CNN aired , Trump took to Twitter to slam him for announcing that he plans to vote for former Vice President Joe Biden in November .
Rice shared a similar sentiment on CBS , saying that she has “ enormous respect ” for Mattis and that he “ spoke to something that he needed to speak to.
” Rice went on to say that she ’ s “ really grateful ” for the protesters “ who are going out now and saying , no , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked whether she agrees with the President ’ s call for governors to “ dominate ” protesters by activating the National Guard .
Rice responded that she “ would absolutely advise against it , particularly at this time.
” She later argued that “ our military isn ’ t trained to do this ” because it is “ trained for the battlefield ” and that “ this isn ’ t a battlefield in that sense .
”

Former Bush administration officials Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice joined fellow White House alums James Mattis, Mike Mullen and John Allen in criticizing President Trump’s aggressive response to protesters in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
Last week, three former White House officials — which so far include Trump’s former Defense Secretary James Mattis as well as Obama administration alums Adm. Mike Mullen and Gen. John Allen — issued scathing rebukes against the President’s call for the National Guard to “dominate” protesters amid nationwide unrest.
Here’s what the former Bush administration secretaries of state had to say:
Colin Powell
On Sunday morning, Powell told CNN’s Jake Tapper that he was “very happy” with the former generals’ criticism against Trump because “we have a Constitution” that the President has “drifted away from.”
Powell went on to say that he “could not possibly” vote for Trump due to being “deeply troubled” by his remarks stoking the Obama “birther” conspiracy and insulting Gold Star mothers, John McCain, immigrants and “anybody who dared to speak against him.”
“And that is dangerous for our democracy. It is dangerous for our country,” Powell said. “And I think what we’re seeing now, the most massive protest movement I have ever seen in my life, I think this suggests that the country is getting wise to this, and we’re not going to put up with it anymore.”
Powell went on to add that “you have to agree” with Mattis’ criticism of Trump because “he is insulting us throughout the world. ”
Shortly after Powell’s interview on CNN aired, Trump took to Twitter to slam him for announcing that he plans to vote for former Vice President Joe Biden in November.
Colin Powell, a real stiff who was very responsible for getting us into the disastrous Middle East Wars, just announced he will be voting for another stiff, Sleepy Joe Biden. Didn’t Powell say that Iraq had “weapons of mass destruction?” They didn’t, but off we went to WAR! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 7, 2020
Somebody please tell highly overrated Colin Powell that I will have gotten almost 300 Federal Judges approved (a record), Two Great Supreme Court Justices, rebuilt our once depleted Military, Choice for Vets, Biggest Ever Tax & Regulation Cuts, Saved Healthcare & 2A, & much more! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 7, 2020
Watch Powell’s remarks below:
Colin Powell: "You have to agree" with Mattis' criticism of Trump. pic.twitter.com/HGHV5c9XP0 — Talking Points Memo (@TPM) June 7, 2020
Condoleezza Rice
Rice shared a similar sentiment on CBS, saying that she has “enormous respect” for Mattis and that he “spoke to something that he needed to speak to.”
Rice went on to say that she’s “really grateful” for the protesters “who are going out now and saying, no, that is not acceptable,” before being asked whether she agrees with the President’s call for governors to “dominate” protesters by activating the National Guard.
Rice responded that she “would absolutely advise against it, particularly at this time.” She later argued that “our military isn’t trained to do this” because it is “trained for the battlefield” and that “this isn’t a battlefield in that sense.”
Watch Rice’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-07--Barr Defends Forceful Removal Of Protesters: Pepper Spray Is ‘Not Chemical’

Attorney General Bill Barr on Sunday vehemently defended the aggressive use of force used on peaceful protesters outside of the White House ahead of President Trump ’ s surprise photo-op in front of St. John ’ s Episcopal Church .
When asked by CBS ’ Margaret Brennan about whether he thinks it was appropriate for police to use smoke bombs , tear gas , pepper balls and projectiles at protesters who seemed to be peaceful , Barr hit back that they were “ not peaceful protesters ” and that the notion that they were is a “ big lie ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three of her CBS colleagues who were at the scene who didn ’ t hear warnings or see protesters throwing anything , before Barr pivoted to violent unrest in the area over the weekend .
Barr insisted that “ there were three warnings given ” before going on to explain that he approved a plan for law enforcement to “ increase the perimeter ” around Lafayette Park at 2 p.m. that day as “ park police was facing what they considered to be a very rowdy and non-compliant crowd.
” After Brennan once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not witness protesters throwing anything at the police , Barr insisted that he personally “ saw them thrown ” and that the removal of protesters “ was not an operation to respond to that particular crowd—it was an operation to move the perimeter one block.
” Asked again if he thought it was appropriate for police to use tear gas to disperse protesters ahead of Trump ’ s photo-op , Barr argued that “ there were not chemical irritants.
” “ Pepper spray is not a chemical irritant , ” Barr said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barr ’ s remarks were aired two days after Sgt .
Eduardo Delgado , a spokesperson for the Park Police , told CNN that it was a “ mistake ” to say the force didn ’ t use tear gas on protesters before the President and his allies walked over to St. John ’ s Episcopal Church on Monday .

Attorney General Bill Barr on Sunday vehemently defended the aggressive use of force used on peaceful protesters outside of the White House ahead of President Trump’s surprise photo-op in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church.
When asked by CBS’ Margaret Brennan about whether he thinks it was appropriate for police to use smoke bombs, tear gas, pepper balls and projectiles at protesters who seemed to be peaceful, Barr hit back that they were “not peaceful protesters” and that the notion that they were is a “big lie” by the media.
Brennan then cited three of her CBS colleagues who were at the scene who didn’t hear warnings or see protesters throwing anything, before Barr pivoted to violent unrest in the area over the weekend.
Barr insisted that “there were three warnings given” before going on to explain that he approved a plan for law enforcement to “increase the perimeter” around Lafayette Park at 2 p.m. that day as “park police was facing what they considered to be a very rowdy and non-compliant crowd.”
After Brennan once again pointed out that her colleagues did not witness protesters throwing anything at the police, Barr insisted that he personally “saw them thrown” and that the removal of protesters “was not an operation to respond to that particular crowd—it was an operation to move the perimeter one block.”
Asked again if he thought it was appropriate for police to use tear gas to disperse protesters ahead of Trump’s photo-op, Barr argued that “there were not chemical irritants.”
“Pepper spray is not a chemical irritant,” Barr said. “It’s not chemical.”
Barr’s remarks were aired two days after Sgt. Eduardo Delgado, a spokesperson for the Park Police, told CNN that it was a “mistake” to say the force didn’t use tear gas on protesters before the President and his allies walked over to St. John’s Episcopal Church on Monday.
Watch Barr’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-07--How An Abrupt U-Turn Signaled A POTUS At Odds With Pentagon Advisers

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — Defense Secretary Mark Esper was three blocks from the FBI ’ s Washington field office .
He had planned to confer there at a security command center , but plans changed with an unexpected call to divert immediately .
Go the White House .
President Donald Trump wanted a briefing from him and Gen. Mark Milley , chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , on how the military was handling security as protests grew on the streets of the nation ’ s capital .
Esper ’ s driver pulled a U-turn in the middle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flashing lights , and they rushed to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave .
It was late afternoon on Monday , June 1 — one of the more consequential days of Donald Trump ’ s presidency , when he was forced to reckon with rapidly swelling demonstrations in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death in the hands of Minneapolis police officers .
This account of Trump ’ s decision-making , based on a senior defense official as well as several others in the Trump administration , offers insight into how the president was pushing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while advisers at the Pentagon tried to persuade him that a more moderate approach would work .
The officials asked that their names not be used to describe sensitive deliberations .
At an Oval Office meeting late Monday morning , tempers were flaring .
Trump and some of his senior aides wanted federal troops on the streets , and fast .
Some Washington businesses had been vandalized Sunday night and St. John ’ s Church , near the White House , had sustained fire damage .
Trump was unhappy .
Some state governors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Columbia , were not doing enough to stop violence , Trump believed .
By Monday morning he was considering a dramatic move — invoking the Insurrection Act so that he could use federal troops to enforce the law .
According to a senior defense official , Trump wanted 10,000 federal troops immediately on the streets to control a situation some aides believed could escalate dangerously .
Esper and Milley , however , argued against calling out the active-duty forces , fearful that it would militarize a problem that should be handled by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the protest crowds , the two men believed , were too small and manageable to justify calling out the military .
The White House did not dispute or confirm the 10,000 figure .
A senior White House official recalled on Saturday that Trump had urged Esper and Milley to get as many troops as needed to secure the city .
The president stressed that Sunday night ’ s unrest had shown that security was inadequate .
With the president ’ s demands in mind , and hoping they could stall his move to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moved swiftly to try to get state governors to send as many National Guard troops as possible to supplement the roughly 1,300 District of Columbia National Guard members and a hodgepodge of Park Police , Secret Service and other federal law enforcement officers dealing with protesters .
Because of the District of Columbia ’ s special status and its dizzying mix of jurisdictions , the FBI field office had been selected to serve as a command post to coordinate the movements and roles of various security forces .
Attorney General William Barr was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Esper was headed there from the Pentagon on Monday afternoon when he got the call to go see Trump again .
Milley had gone to the command center , also .
And figuring he had seen the last of the White House for the day , he made a decision he later regretted — changing from his dress uniform , which is standard for a White House visit , to his battle fatigues , everyday wear at the Pentagon and when mixing with troops .
Milley figured he would have a long night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ street .
Another surprise was in store for Esper and Milley when they reached the White House .
After meetings , Trump went to the Rose Garden , where he noted Americans ’ revulsion at Floyd ’ s death and declared himself the “ president of law and order.
” “ In recent days , our nation has been gripped by professional anarchists , violent mobs , arsonists , looters , criminals , rioters , Antifa and others , ” he said .
“ A number of state and local governments have failed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents.
” That failure , in Trump ’ s view , made it urgent to get more security on the streets , even if it meant using active-duty forces , about 1,300 of which had been moved to military bases just outside of Washington , just in case .
Esper and Milley , joined by Barr , opposed the use of federal troops at that point .
To Esper , a failure to get more Guard troops called up would mean there would be active-duty troops all over the country confronting protesters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unwise and untenable .
After Trump finished his remarks in the Rose Garden he gathered aides and officials , including Esper and Milley , for a walk across Lafayette Park to St. John ’ s Church .
The president held up a Bible to pose for photographers .
Critics would slam both Esper and Milley for their presence at the photo op — especially with Milley in battle fatigues .
The scene fed a perception that Milley was giving tangible meaning to Trump ’ s threat to use the military on city streets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be used to advance a political agenda .

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Mark Esper was three blocks from the FBI’s Washington field office. He had planned to confer there at a security command center, but plans changed with an unexpected call to divert immediately.
Go the White House. President Donald Trump wanted a briefing from him and Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on how the military was handling security as protests grew on the streets of the nation’s capital.
Esper’s driver pulled a U-turn in the middle of the street and flipped on the flashing lights, and they rushed to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
It was late afternoon on Monday, June 1 — one of the more consequential days of Donald Trump’s presidency, when he was forced to reckon with rapidly swelling demonstrations in the wake of George Floyd’s death in the hands of Minneapolis police officers.
This account of Trump’s decision-making, based on a senior defense official as well as several others in the Trump administration, offers insight into how the president was pushing for the fastest, most extreme measures while advisers at the Pentagon tried to persuade him that a more moderate approach would work.
The officials asked that their names not be used to describe sensitive deliberations.
At an Oval Office meeting late Monday morning, tempers were flaring. Trump and some of his senior aides wanted federal troops on the streets, and fast.
Some Washington businesses had been vandalized Sunday night and St. John’s Church, near the White House, had sustained fire damage. Trump was unhappy. Some state governors, and local authorities in the District of Columbia, were not doing enough to stop violence, Trump believed.
By Monday morning he was considering a dramatic move — invoking the Insurrection Act so that he could use federal troops to enforce the law.
According to a senior defense official, Trump wanted 10,000 federal troops immediately on the streets to control a situation some aides believed could escalate dangerously.
Esper and Milley, however, argued against calling out the active-duty forces, fearful that it would militarize a problem that should be handled by civilian law enforcement. Violent elements among the protest crowds, the two men believed, were too small and manageable to justify calling out the military.
The White House did not dispute or confirm the 10,000 figure. A senior White House official recalled on Saturday that Trump had urged Esper and Milley to get as many troops as needed to secure the city. The president stressed that Sunday night’s unrest had shown that security was inadequate.
With the president’s demands in mind, and hoping they could stall his move to use federal troops, Esper and Milley moved swiftly to try to get state governors to send as many National Guard troops as possible to supplement the roughly 1,300 District of Columbia National Guard members and a hodgepodge of Park Police, Secret Service and other federal law enforcement officers dealing with protesters.
Because of the District of Columbia’s special status and its dizzying mix of jurisdictions, the FBI field office had been selected to serve as a command post to coordinate the movements and roles of various security forces. Attorney General William Barr was in charge. That’s why Esper was headed there from the Pentagon on Monday afternoon when he got the call to go see Trump again.
Milley had gone to the command center, also. And figuring he had seen the last of the White House for the day, he made a decision he later regretted — changing from his dress uniform, which is standard for a White House visit, to his battle fatigues, everyday wear at the Pentagon and when mixing with troops. Milley figured he would have a long night, including time with troops on the street.
Another surprise was in store for Esper and Milley when they reached the White House. After meetings, Trump went to the Rose Garden, where he noted Americans’ revulsion at Floyd’s death and declared himself the “president of law and order.”
“In recent days, our nation has been gripped by professional anarchists, violent mobs, arsonists, looters, criminals, rioters, Antifa and others,” he said. “A number of state and local governments have failed to take necessary action to safeguard their residents.”
That failure, in Trump’s view, made it urgent to get more security on the streets, even if it meant using active-duty forces, about 1,300 of which had been moved to military bases just outside of Washington, just in case.
Esper and Milley, joined by Barr, opposed the use of federal troops at that point. To Esper, a failure to get more Guard troops called up would mean there would be active-duty troops all over the country confronting protesters, a scene he and Milley saw an unwise and untenable.
After Trump finished his remarks in the Rose Garden he gathered aides and officials, including Esper and Milley, for a walk across Lafayette Park to St. John’s Church. The president held up a Bible to pose for photographers.
Critics would slam both Esper and Milley for their presence at the photo op — especially with Milley in battle fatigues. The scene fed a perception that Milley was giving tangible meaning to Trump’s threat to use the military on city streets, and that Esper was allowing himself to be used to advance a political agenda.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-07--Trump Now Agrees To Withdraw National Guard From DC After Spat With Mayor

President Trump announced in a Sunday morning tweet that he has ordered the National Guard to begin withdrawing from Washington , D.C. as nationwide protests continue in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death .
Trump ’ s announcement — which came after his Saturday night tweet thanking the National Guard , Secret Service and D.C. police for doing a “ fantastic job ” — claimed that “ everything is under control ” but that the National Guard “ can quickly return , if needed.
” The President ’ s announcement also comes just days after his fiery response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter requesting to withdraw “ all extraordinary federal law enforcement and military presence from Washington , D.C. ” Bowser wrote in the letter dated June 4 that federal police are “ inflaming demonstrators and adding to the grievances of those who , by and large , are peacefully protesting for change and for reforms to the racist and broken systems that are killing Black Americans.
” Trump fired back the following day in a series of tweets by railing against Bowser .
Bowser responded to Trump ’ s Sunday morning announcement by thanking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s announcement , Bowser said in an interview on ABC News that Trump ’ s call for the National Guard to “ dominate protesters ” prompted more people to turn out for peaceful protests .

President Trump announced in a Sunday morning tweet that he has ordered the National Guard to begin withdrawing from Washington, D.C. as nationwide protests continue in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
Trump’s announcement — which came after his Saturday night tweet thanking the National Guard, Secret Service and D.C. police for doing a “fantastic job” — claimed that “everything is under control” but that the National Guard “can quickly return, if needed.”
I have just given an order for our National Guard to start the process of withdrawing from Washington, D.C., now that everything is under perfect control. They will be going home, but can quickly return, if needed. Far fewer protesters showed up last night than anticipated! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 7, 2020
The President’s announcement also comes just days after his fiery response to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s letter requesting to withdraw “all extraordinary federal law enforcement and military presence from Washington, D.C.” Bowser wrote in the letter dated June 4 that federal police are “inflaming demonstrators and adding to the grievances of those who, by and large, are peacefully protesting for change and for reforms to the racist and broken systems that are killing Black Americans.”
Trump fired back the following day in a series of tweets by railing against Bowser.
…over the last number of nights. If she doesn’t treat these men and women well, then we’ll bring in a different group of men and women! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2020
.@MayorBowser is grossly incompetent, and in no way qualified to be running an important city like Washington, D.C. If the great men and women of the National Guard didn’t step forward, she would have looked no better than her counterpart Mayor in Minneapolis! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2020
Bowser responded to Trump’s Sunday morning announcement by thanking the Metropolitan Police Department.
The Metropolitan Police Department protects Washington, DC. Always has, always will. Thank you, @DCPoliceDept Also, thanks to the tens of thousands who came to peacefully demonstrate yesterday You all inspire me, our city & the world and give us hope for what lies ahead https://t.co/Sbys2bnM9a pic.twitter.com/JgiDDPz1nb — Muriel Bowser (@MurielBowser) June 7, 2020
Shortly before Trump’s announcement, Bowser said in an interview on ABC News that Trump’s call for the National Guard to “dominate protesters” prompted more people to turn out for peaceful protests.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-07--Carson Dodges When Pressed On Trump Retweeting Attack On George Floyd’s Character

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson on Sunday didn ’ t decry President Trump ’ s Friday night retweet of an interview that attacked George Floyd ’ s character .
On Friday evening , Trump retweeted an interview of conservative commentator Candace Owens telling Glenn Beck that it “ sickens ” her that Floyd “ has been held up as a martyr ” as nationwide protest and unrests mounted in the wake of his death .
The President ’ s retweet came just hours after he touted that it was a “ great day ” for Floyd in light @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNN ’ s Jake Tapper on Sunday mentioned that Carson called for everyone to “ take a step back on both sides ” earlier this week — a remark he made on Fox News as President Trump faced backlash for staging a surprise photo-op in front of St. John ’ s Episcopal Church after peaceful protesters were forcibly removed — the HUD secretary was asked if he thinks that helps the nation heal .
Carson responded that “ what will help the nation heal is if we will engage in dialogue together ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solution be a Democrat solution or a Republican solution ” before pivoting to how America is a “ destination country for other people.
” Tapper then circled back to his question , asking Carson again whether the President ’ s retweet as well as his “ incendiary statements ” contradict his call for healing .
“ I believe you ’ re going to be hearing from the President this week on this topic in some detail , ” Carson said .
“ And I would ask you maybe to reserve judgment until after @ @ @ @

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson on Sunday didn’t decry President Trump’s Friday night retweet of an interview that attacked George Floyd’s character.
On Friday evening, Trump retweeted an interview of conservative commentator Candace Owens telling Glenn Beck that it “sickens” her that Floyd “has been held up as a martyr” as nationwide protest and unrests mounted in the wake of his death. The President’s retweet came just hours after he touted that it was a “great day” for Floyd in light of the latest jobs report.
After CNN’s Jake Tapper on Sunday mentioned that Carson called for everyone to “take a step back on both sides” earlier this week — a remark he made on Fox News as President Trump faced backlash for staging a surprise photo-op in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church after peaceful protesters were forcibly removed — the HUD secretary was asked if he thinks that helps the nation heal.
Carson responded that “what will help the nation heal is if we will engage in dialogue together” and urged to “not make the solution be a Democrat solution or a Republican solution” before pivoting to how America is a “destination country for other people.”
Tapper then circled back to his question, asking Carson again whether the President’s retweet as well as his “incendiary statements” contradict his call for healing.
“I believe you’re going to be hearing from the President this week on this topic in some detail,” Carson said. “And I would ask you maybe to reserve judgment until after that time.”
Watch Carson’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-08--NYT Editorial Page Editor Resigns Amid Backlash Over Cotton’s ‘Send In the Troops’ Op-Ed

James Bennet , the editorial page editor at the New York Times , resigned on Sunday night amid backlash over the paper ’ s decision to publish Sen. Tom Cotton ’ s ( R-AR ) op-ed that called for militaristic force against the protests over police brutality rippling across the country .
“ The journalism of Times Opinion has never mattered more than in this time of crisis at home and around the world , and I ’ ve been honored to be part of it , ” Bennet said in the Times ’ press release on the resignation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the work my colleagues and I have done to focus attention on injustice and threats to freedom and to enrich debate about the right path forward by bringing new voices and ideas to Times readers.
” Times Publisher A.G. Sulzberger praised Bennet as a “ journalist of enormous talent and integrity who believes deeply in the mission of The Times.
” “ I ’ m grateful for his many contributions , ” Sulzberger said .
Cotton ’ s op-ed , titled “ Send in the Troops , ” sparked backlash last week among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writers , who argued that a powerful news outlet like the Times was putting black people in danger by boosting a senator ’ s call for military violence against protesters calling for an end to racial injustice .
Bennet had defended the publication of the op-ed at first , arguing that his section has “ committed to Times readers to “ provide a debate on important questions like this.
” Later , reports emerged that Bennet had admitted to Times ’ staff that he had not read the essay prior to its publication @ @ @ @ @ @ @ published , Times spokesperson Eileen Murphy said that “ a rushed editorial process led to the publication of an Op-Ed that did not meet our standards.
” A note was thus added to the op-ed that stated the piece “ fell short of our standards and should not have been published .
”

James Bennet, the editorial page editor at the New York Times, resigned on Sunday night amid backlash over the paper’s decision to publish Sen. Tom Cotton’s (R-AR) op-ed that called for militaristic force against the protests over police brutality rippling across the country.
“The journalism of Times Opinion has never mattered more than in this time of crisis at home and around the world, and I’ve been honored to be part of it,” Bennet said in the Times’ press release on the resignation. “I’m so proud of the work my colleagues and I have done to focus attention on injustice and threats to freedom and to enrich debate about the right path forward by bringing new voices and ideas to Times readers.”
Times Publisher A.G. Sulzberger praised Bennet as a “journalist of enormous talent and integrity who believes deeply in the mission of The Times.”
“I’m grateful for his many contributions,” Sulzberger said.
Cotton’s op-ed, titled “Send in the Troops,” sparked backlash last week among critics, particularly the Times’ black writers, who argued that a powerful news outlet like the Times was putting black people in danger by boosting a senator’s call for military violence against protesters calling for an end to racial injustice.
Bennet had defended the publication of the op-ed at first, arguing that his section has “committed to Times readers to “provide a debate on important questions like this.”
Later, reports emerged that Bennet had admitted to Times’ staff that he had not read the essay prior to its publication.
Several days after the op-ed was published, Times spokesperson Eileen Murphy said that “a rushed editorial process led to the publication of an Op-Ed that did not meet our standards.”
A note was thus added to the op-ed that stated the piece “fell short of our standards and should not have been published.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-08--Barr Defends Trump Church Photo-Op: POTUS ‘Should Be Able To Walk One Block From WH’

Attorney General Bill Barr on Monday evening defended President Trump ’ s surprise photo-op in front of St. John ’ s Episcopal Church last week that occurred after peaceful protesters outside the White House were forcibly dispersed .
When asked by Fox News ’ Bret Baier about whether he ’ d do anything differently about the President ’ s church photo-op that he and other Trump administration officials also participated in , Barr replied “ no ” before going on to argue that the image from the church photo-op “ has somewhat been created and miscreated , ” which he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ all the violence that was happening preceding that ” have not been aired .
After Barr claimed that he personally saw two projectiles thrown at him , Baier pressed him on whether he would do anything differently regarding the walk over to the church , saying that the visual of an “ all white , mostly male ” image prompted many to think that it “ wasn ’ t a good thing for the President in retrospect.
” Barr replied that the church photo-op was “ a decision for the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t say this as a critic of these kinds of leadership decisions made at the White House , but as I have said , the President of the United States should be able to walk one block from the White House out to the church of presidents , ” Barr said .
“ He should be able to do that .
And this canard that this exercise was done to make that possible is totally false .
I don ’ t see anything wrong with the President walking over to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters during a briefing that there are “ no regrets ” regarding the forcible removal of peaceful protesters ahead of Trump ’ s church photo-op last week .

Attorney General Bill Barr on Monday evening defended President Trump’s surprise photo-op in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church last week that occurred after peaceful protesters outside the White House were forcibly dispersed.
When asked by Fox News’ Bret Baier about whether he’d do anything differently about the President’s church photo-op that he and other Trump administration officials also participated in, Barr replied “no” before going on to argue that the image from the church photo-op “has somewhat been created and miscreated,” which he said was due to how videos capturing “all the violence that was happening preceding that” have not been aired.
After Barr claimed that he personally saw two projectiles thrown at him, Baier pressed him on whether he would do anything differently regarding the walk over to the church, saying that the visual of an “all white, mostly male” image prompted many to think that it “wasn’t a good thing for the President in retrospect.”
Barr replied that the church photo-op was “a decision for the White House and the President to make.”
“I don’t say this as a critic of these kinds of leadership decisions made at the White House, but as I have said, the President of the United States should be able to walk one block from the White House out to the church of presidents,” Barr said. “He should be able to do that. And this canard that this exercise was done to make that possible is totally false. I don’t see anything wrong with the President walking over to the church.”
Earlier Monday, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters during a briefing that there are “no regrets” regarding the forcible removal of peaceful protesters ahead of Trump’s church photo-op last week.
Watch Barr’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-08--Trump Resurrects ‘Unskew The Polls’ Push As Surveys Show Him Trailing Biden

It ’ s not just the news that ’ s fake and out to get President Trump — polling numbers can not be trusted either , according to Trump , especially when they show him trailing presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden by a whopping 15 points .
Now , Trump is trying to do something about it , resurrecting the “ unskew the polls ” push that was popularized by some conservatives in 2012 to argue that Mitt Romney wasn ’ t really trailing then-President Obama .
We all know how that turned out .
Trump announced on Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Associates to look into recent polls that show him running behind Joe Biden five months before Election Day .
“ The latest skewed media polls must be intentional , ” wrote Trump pollster John McLaughlin in a memo that contested a recent poll that shows 55 percent of registered voters support Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden , while only 41 percent back Trump .
McLaughlin accused pollsters from CNN of “ under-polling Republicans ” and discredited the results as “ biased.
” Public policy professor Charles Franklin , director of the Marquette Law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that while it ’ s common for campaigns to “ undermine the credibility of bad news , ” it ’ s difficult to do so successfully when the polls agree on results — and those results are unfavorable .
“ That leaves the campaign with the option of undermining the credibility of the polls or adopting more successful campaign strategies to win over more voters , ” Franklin added .
The President has long taken issue with the polling industry , which did not forecast his eventual election victory in 2016 .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as his reelection prospects appear to dim following a series of recent mishaps .
There was , for example , the recent resignation of a top Pentagon policy adviser and the opposition of his own defense secretary to activating the military to quell nationwide anti-racism protests .
To say nothing of ex-Bush administration officials who came out in strong numbers against Trump ’ s hostile treatment of protesters , some of whom have formed their own super PAC in opposition of the President .
John and Jim McLaughlin occupy seats on Trump campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tony Fabrizio .
A memo penned by John McLaughlin , and tweeted by Trump , takes jabs at a recent NBC News and Wall Street Journal poll , which McLaughlin said “ shorts ” Republicans who turned up in bigger numbers than projected in 2016 — as seen in exit polling data .
But it ’ s not up to pollsters to correct for party breakdown ahead of a poll .
As political polling ramps up as the calendar inches closer to November , expect Trump and his allies to scream “ unskew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show Biden with the edge .

It’s not just the news that’s fake and out to get President Trump — polling numbers cannot be trusted either, according to Trump, especially when they show him trailing presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden by a whopping 15 points.
Now, Trump is trying to do something about it, resurrecting the “unskew the polls” push that was popularized by some conservatives in 2012 to argue that Mitt Romney wasn’t really trailing then-President Obama. We all know how that turned out.
Trump announced on Twitter Monday that he had hired McLaughlin & Associates to look into recent polls that show him running behind Joe Biden five months before Election Day.
I have retained highly respected pollster, McLaughlin & Associates, to analyze todays CNN Poll (and others), which I felt were FAKE based on the incredible enthusiasm we are receiving. Read analysis for yourself. This is the same thing they and others did when we defeated… — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 8, 2020
“The latest skewed media polls must be intentional,” wrote Trump pollster John McLaughlin in a memo that contested a recent poll that shows 55 percent of registered voters support Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, while only 41 percent back Trump. McLaughlin accused pollsters from CNN of “under-polling Republicans” and discredited the results as “biased.”
Public policy professor Charles Franklin, director of the Marquette Law School poll in Milwaukee, told TPM that while it’s common for campaigns to “undermine the credibility of bad news,” it’s difficult to do so successfully when the polls agree on results — and those results are unfavorable.
“That leaves the campaign with the option of undermining the credibility of the polls or adopting more successful campaign strategies to win over more voters,” Franklin added.
The President has long taken issue with the polling industry, which did not forecast his eventual election victory in 2016. He is holding tight to that grudge today as his reelection prospects appear to dim following a series of recent mishaps.
There was, for example, the recent resignation of a top Pentagon policy adviser and the opposition of his own defense secretary to activating the military to quell nationwide anti-racism protests. To say nothing of ex-Bush administration officials who came out in strong numbers against Trump’s hostile treatment of protesters, some of whom have formed their own super PAC in opposition of the President.
John and Jim McLaughlin occupy seats on Trump campaign’s 2020 polling team led by Tony Fabrizio. A memo penned by John McLaughlin, and tweeted by Trump, takes jabs at a recent NBC News and Wall Street Journal poll, which McLaughlin said “shorts” Republicans who turned up in bigger numbers than projected in 2016 — as seen in exit polling data. But it’s not up to pollsters to correct for party breakdown ahead of a poll.
…Crooked Hillary Clinton in 2016. They are called SUPPRESSION POLLS, and are put out to dampen enthusiasm. Despite 3 ½ years of phony Witch Hunts, we are winning, and will close it out on November 3rd! pic.twitter.com/4IhuLUZjsv — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 8, 2020
As political polling ramps up as the calendar inches closer to November, expect Trump and his allies to scream “unskew” even louder if polls continue to show Biden with the edge.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-08--Law Enforcement ‘Strategically Deflated’ Tires During Minneapolis Protests

Law enforcement in Minneapolis on Monday acknowledged deliberately slashing the tires of parked cars in late May , as protests over the police killing of George Floyd threw the city into turmoil .
The admission came a couple days after Mother Jones flagged video footage of authorities slashing several cars ’ tires , including those belonging to journalists and others who just happened to park in the wrong spot at the wrong time — in this case , a Kmart parking lot and another location .
“ State Patrol troopers strategically deflated tires … in order to stop behaviors such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speeds in and around protesters and law enforcement , ” Bruce Gordon , a spokesperson for Minnesota ’ s Department of Public Safety , admitted to the Star Tribune .
Troopers also slashed tires of vehicles “ that contained items used to cause harm during violent protests , ” Gordon said .
“ While not a typical tactic , vehicles were being used as dangerous weapons and inhibited our ability to clear areas and keep areas safe where violent protests were occurring , ” he added .
Anoka County sheriff ’ s deputies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a department spokesperson acknowledged to the paper .
The spokesperson , Andy Knotz , told the Star Tribune that getting a tow truck wasn ’ t an option due to the crowd .
The Minneapolis Police Department and Hennepin County Sheriff ’ s office have maintained they were not involved in the tire slashing .
The slashings took place on May 30 and 31 , according to Mother Jones and the Star Tribune — just a couple days after a handful of protesters burned down Minneapolis ’ 3rd police precinct .

Law enforcement in Minneapolis on Monday acknowledged deliberately slashing the tires of parked cars in late May, as protests over the police killing of George Floyd threw the city into turmoil.
The admission came a couple days after Mother Jones flagged video footage of authorities slashing several cars’ tires, including those belonging to journalists and others who just happened to park in the wrong spot at the wrong time — in this case, a Kmart parking lot and another location.
“State Patrol troopers strategically deflated tires … in order to stop behaviors such as vehicles driving dangerously and at high speeds in and around protesters and law enforcement,” Bruce Gordon, a spokesperson for Minnesota’s Department of Public Safety, admitted to the Star Tribune.
Troopers also slashed tires of vehicles “that contained items used to cause harm during violent protests,” Gordon said.
“While not a typical tactic, vehicles were being used as dangerous weapons and inhibited our ability to clear areas and keep areas safe where violent protests were occurring,” he added.
Anoka County sheriff’s deputies also followed state orders to cut tires, a department spokesperson acknowledged to the paper. The spokesperson, Andy Knotz, told the Star Tribune that getting a tow truck wasn’t an option due to the crowd.

The Minneapolis Police Department and Hennepin County Sheriff’s office have maintained they were not involved in the tire slashing.
The slashings took place on May 30 and 31, according to Mother Jones and the Star Tribune — just a couple days after a handful of protesters burned down Minneapolis’ 3rd police precinct.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-08--VA County Weighing Hate Crime Charges After ‘KKK Leader’ Plowed Truck Into Protesters

Henrico County Commonwealth ’ s Attorney Shannon Taylor announced Monday that she is weighing hate crimes charges for an “ admitted leader of the Ku Klux Klan ” after he allegedly steered his pickup truck into a group of protesters .
“ The accused , by his own admission and by a cursory glance at social media , is an admitted leader of the Ku Klux Klan and a propagandist for Confederate ideology , ” she said in a statement provided to TPM .
“ We are investigating whether hate crimes charges are appropriate.
” Henrico County Police identified the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 36-year-old from nearby Hanover County , and said that he has so far been charged with attempted malicious wounding , felony vandalism and assault and battery .
He is being held without bond .
Per police , Rogers allegedly committed his offense on Sunday evening in Lakeside , Virginia .
Multiple witnesses reported that a vehicle revved its engine and “ drove through the protesters occupying the roadway.
” Police said that a victim was checked out at the scene but declined further treatment .
Taylor confirmed that the victim ’ s injuries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though she added that the attack on peaceful protesters was still “ heinous and despicable.
” Pictures provided to TPM by Justice RVA , a local activist group supporting anti-racism protests , show Rogers smoking a cigarette and talking with police officers .
The group told TPM that the pictures were taken while the officers were collecting witness statements after Rogers had drove into the crowd .
“ He was not put into handcuffs until after EVERY statement was taken , ” the group said in an email .
The Henrico Police division @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s questions about the pictures .
This is not the first time Rogers has made headlines in the commonwealth .
In 2016 , he created a stir by dressing in white robes emblazoned with a KKK insignia and waving a Confederate flag next to a war memorial in Colonial Heights , Virginia .
He identified himself then as “ Skip ” — the same nickname he uses for his business , Skip ’ s Firewood Service — and said that he was a member of the National Association for the Awakening of Confederate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acronym as the famous civil rights organization .
The group ’ s Facebook page , which hasn ’ t been active since 2015 , is littered with pictures of guns and grievances about the “ outlawing of American history ” in the form of removing Confederate iconography .

Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor announced Monday that she is weighing hate crimes charges for an “admitted leader of the Ku Klux Klan” after he allegedly steered his pickup truck into a group of protesters.
“The accused, by his own admission and by a cursory glance at social media, is an admitted leader of the Ku Klux Klan and a propagandist for Confederate ideology,” she said in a statement provided to TPM. “We are investigating whether hate crimes charges are appropriate.”
Henrico County Police identified the man publicly as Harry Rogers, a 36-year-old from nearby Hanover County, and said that he has so far been charged with attempted malicious wounding, felony vandalism and assault and battery. He is being held without bond.
Per police, Rogers allegedly committed his offense on Sunday evening in Lakeside, Virginia. Multiple witnesses reported that a vehicle revved its engine and “drove through the protesters occupying the roadway.” Police said that a victim was checked out at the scene but declined further treatment.
Taylor confirmed that the victim’s injuries did not seem “serious,” though she added that the attack on peaceful protesters was still “heinous and despicable.”
Pictures provided to TPM by Justice RVA, a local activist group supporting anti-racism protests, show Rogers smoking a cigarette and talking with police officers. The group told TPM that the pictures were taken while the officers were collecting witness statements after Rogers had drove into the crowd.
“He was not put into handcuffs until after EVERY statement was taken,” the group said in an email.
The Henrico Police division did not immediately respond to TPM’s questions about the pictures.
This is not the first time Rogers has made headlines in the commonwealth.
In 2016, he created a stir by dressing in white robes emblazoned with a KKK insignia and waving a Confederate flag next to a war memorial in Colonial Heights, Virginia.
He identified himself then as “Skip” — the same nickname he uses for his business, Skip’s Firewood Service — and said that he was a member of the National Association for the Awakening of Confederate Patriots, which uses the same NAACP acronym as the famous civil rights organization.
The group’s Facebook page, which hasn’t been active since 2015, is littered with pictures of guns and grievances about the “outlawing of American history” in the form of removing Confederate iconography.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-08--Top Dems Call On Trump To Reopen Lafayette Square After His ‘Regrettable Political Stunt’

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-NY ) on Monday demanded that President Trump reopen Lafayette Square a week after federal police forcibly dispersed peaceful protesters ahead of his surprise photo-op in front of St. John ’ s Episcopal Church .
In a letter sent to the President on Monday , Pelosi and Schumer urged the President to “ immediately reopen ” Lafayette Square to the public .
The top congressional Democrats also called out the President for the “ deeply offensive action ” of using tear gas on protesters to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” in front of the church that same evening .
Citing the steel fencing that walls off the Square , Pelosi and Schumer slammed Trump for converting the park into “ what looks like a militarized zone.
” “ Lafayette Square should be a symbol of freedom and openness , not a place behind which the leader of our Executive Branch cowers in fear of protesters who are crying out for justice , ” Pelosi and Schumer wrote .
The top Democrats added that it ’ s “ simply not credible to claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of George Floyd ’ s death , which have largely been peaceful in the past week , “ justify the oppressive walls ” the President erected in response .
Pelosi and Schumer ’ s letter comes a day after Trump announced in a tweet that he has ordered the National Guard to begin withdrawing from Washington , D.C. , claiming that “ everything is under perfect control.
” The President issued his announcement after firing back at D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser for her request to withdraw “ all extraordinary federal law enforcement and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shortly before Pelosi and Schumer ’ s letter was released on Monday afternoon , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters during a briefing that there are “ no regrets ” regarding the forcible removal of peaceful protesters ahead of Trump ’ s church photo-op last week .
“ I ’ d note that many of those decisions were not made here within the White House .
It was ( Attorney General ) Bill Barr who made the decision to move the perimeter , ” McEnany said , before adding that park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision on Monday night based on the violence that erupted in Lafayette Square last week .

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) on Monday demanded that President Trump reopen Lafayette Square a week after federal police forcibly dispersed peaceful protesters ahead of his surprise photo-op in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church.
In a letter sent to the President on Monday, Pelosi and Schumer urged the President to “immediately reopen” Lafayette Square to the public. The top congressional Democrats also called out the President for the “deeply offensive action” of using tear gas on protesters to make way for his “regrettable political stunt” in front of the church that same evening.
Citing the steel fencing that walls off the Square, Pelosi and Schumer slammed Trump for converting the park into “what looks like a militarized zone.”
“Lafayette Square should be a symbol of freedom and openness, not a place behind which the leader of our Executive Branch cowers in fear of protesters who are crying out for justice,” Pelosi and Schumer wrote.
The top Democrats added that it’s “simply not credible to claim” that the protests in the wake of George Floyd’s death, which have largely been peaceful in the past week, “justify the oppressive walls” the President erected in response.
Pelosi and Schumer’s letter comes a day after Trump announced in a tweet that he has ordered the National Guard to begin withdrawing from Washington, D.C., claiming that “everything is under perfect control.” The President issued his announcement after firing back at D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser for her request to withdraw “all extraordinary federal law enforcement and military presence” from the district.
Shortly before Pelosi and Schumer’s letter was released on Monday afternoon, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters during a briefing that there are “no regrets” regarding the forcible removal of peaceful protesters ahead of Trump’s church photo-op last week.
“I’d note that many of those decisions were not made here within the White House. It was (Attorney General) Bill Barr who made the decision to move the perimeter,” McEnany said, before adding that park police “independently” made the same decision on Monday night based on the violence that erupted in Lafayette Square last week.
Read the letter below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-08--Armed ‘Militia’ Saves California Town From Non-Existent BLM Protest

In what was perhaps a letdown for some members of the armed , unofficial organization known as the “ California State Militia , ” no Black Lives Matter protest took place in Oakdale on Saturday .
Instead , all the heavily armed group got was an earful from the cops .
The California State Militia ’ s “ Echo Company ” — part of a larger group of gun lovers with no actual law enforcement authority , just plenty of free time — did not come out to protest the police killing of George Floyd .
Rather , they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guard their property against a rumored protest that never actually took place , police told The Modesto Bee .
It ’ s not exactly clear where the speculation began , but a couple posts online suggested a flier that had , purposefully or not , incorrectly advertised a rally .
The small town of about 24,000 people is a two-hour drive east of San Francisco .
A group of men wearing camouflage fatigues and carrying long rifles guarded H-B Saloon and adjacent business on Saturday ; the building owner invited the militiamen to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Heller told The Modesto Bee .
Some from Echo Company stood guard from the roof , ever vigilant for what turned out to be non-existent threat .
The organization is well-known among the fringe armed groups in the state , and photos from Echo Company ’ s Facebook page show crowded shooting range sessions and other fun activities like wading through chest-high water — “ river crossing and navigation ” — and lugging comically large sniper rifles .
Last month , members of the group were present at protests of California ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve been seen lingering on the edges of George Floyd protests .
A website for the California State Militia declares it is “ not a hate group , ” “ not anti-government ” and “ not conspiracy nuts.
” “ The group wearing military attire were not members of the U.S. National Guard and they had no affiliation with the Oakdale Police Department or any of our partner agencies , ” the Oakdale Police Department said in a Facebook post Sunday , noting they had heard residents ’ concerns about “ people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a downtown business.
” The county sheriff said Sunday that the group ’ s presence “ was counterproductive to keeping the peace in the City of Oakdale ” and “ did nothing to protect the city.
” California is not really an open carry state , leaving some observers to wonder why members of the militia were allowed to carry their rifles … openly .
Lt. Jeff Henderson of the Oakdale Police Department told TPM Monday that “ we ’ re evaluating that situation , but during our contact with them , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If any new information becomes available , we ’ ll definitely look into that , ” he said .
The group dispersed “ a short time ” after a discussion with Oakdale police officers , the department said — but not before they “ distracted our officers from our primary goal , which was to provide a safe space for a potential demonstration , ” Oakdale ’ s police chief Scott Heller told the Bee .
The county sheriff , Dirske , told The Bee that he had received an email ahead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he didn ’ t respond .
“ If I need assistance , I will call other law-enforcement agencies or the National Guard , ” he said .
The California State Militia did not return TPM ’ s request for comment .

In what was perhaps a letdown for some members of the armed, unofficial organization known as the “California State Militia,” no Black Lives Matter protest took place in Oakdale on Saturday.
Instead, all the heavily armed group got was an earful from the cops.
The California State Militia’s “Echo Company” — part of a larger group of gun lovers with no actual law enforcement authority, just plenty of free time — did not come out to protest the police killing of George Floyd. Rather, they were invited by a local business owner to guard their property against a rumored protest that never actually took place, police told The Modesto Bee.
It’s not exactly clear where the speculation began, but a couple posts online suggested a flier that had, purposefully or not, incorrectly advertised a rally. The small town of about 24,000 people is a two-hour drive east of San Francisco.
A group of men wearing camouflage fatigues and carrying long guns guarded H-B Saloon and adjacent business on Saturday; the building owner invited the militiamen to stand guard, Oakdale Police Chief Scott Heller told The Modesto Bee. Some from Echo Company stood guard from the roof, ever vigilant for what turned out to be non-existent threat.
The organization is well-known among the fringe armed groups in the state, and photos from Echo Company’s Facebook page show crowded shooting range sessions and other fun activities like wading through chest-high water — “river crossing and navigation” — and lugging comically large sniper rifles.
Last month, members of the group were present at protests of California’s coronavirus-related public health orders, and they’ve been seen lingering on the edges of George Floyd protests. A website for the California State Militia declares it is “not a hate group,” “not anti-government” and “not conspiracy nuts.”
A militia has taken over #Oakdale #CA “to protect it”. Where’s Mayor JR McCarty and why is he allowing for “out-of-towners” to take over downtown? Or is this a coordinated effort between these minutemen, the city and OPD? @GavinNewsom @KristinOlsenCA @RepJoshHarder @sfchronicle pic.twitter.com/1mnKwVa8BW — Alejandro Carrillo (@CarrilloA1) June 7, 2020
“The group wearing military attire were not members of the U.S. National Guard and they had no affiliation with the Oakdale Police Department or any of our partner agencies,” the Oakdale Police Department said in a Facebook post Sunday, noting they had heard residents’ concerns about “people dressed in camouflage or ‘militia’ at a downtown business.”
The county sheriff said Sunday that the group’s presence “was counterproductive to keeping the peace in the City of Oakdale” and “did nothing to protect the city.”
California is not really an open carry state, leaving some observers to wonder why members of the militia were allowed to carry their rifles … openly.
Lt. Jeff Henderson of the Oakdale Police Department told TPM Monday that “we’re evaluating that situation, but during our contact with them, they were on private property.”
“If any new information becomes available, we’ll definitely look into that,” he said.
The group dispersed “a short time” after a discussion with Oakdale police officers, the department said — but not before they “distracted our officers from our primary goal, which was to provide a safe space for a potential demonstration,” Oakdale’s police chief Scott Heller told the Bee.
The county sheriff, Dirske, told The Bee that he had received an email ahead of time from the group, but that he didn’t respond.
“If I need assistance, I will call other law-enforcement agencies or the National Guard,” he said.
The California State Militia did not return TPM’s request for comment.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-08--Biden Won’t Back Calls To Defund The Police Amid Push After George Floyd’s Death

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden ’ s campaign on Monday said that he won ’ t support defunding police departments amid a nationwide push for just that in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death .
The former VP weighed in on the matter a day after a majority of the Minneapolis City Council vowed to support disbanding its police department in light of officers using aggressive tactics such as tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse peaceful protesters .
Earlier Monday , House Democrats unveiled a landmark police reform bill in response to nationwide protests calling for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) , however , denied a claim adopted by Republicans that the bill is a radical move to defund the police by telling MSNBC ’ s Craig Melvin that “ those are local decisions.
” Biden campaign director of rapid response Andrew Bates told TPM in a statement that the former VP ’ s position against defunding the police is a stance that his criminal justice proposal “ made clear months ago.
” Bates added that Biden “ hears and shares the deep grief and frustration of those calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ urgent need for reform ” — which includes public school funding , summer programs , mental health and substance abuse treatment separate from police funding — in order for officers to “ focus on the job of policing.
” In his statement , Bates said that “ funding community policing programs that improve relationships between officers and residents ” include the training “ needed to avert tragic , unjustifiable deaths , ” diversifying police departments and additional funding for body-worn cameras .
“ There are many police departments across the country who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changes , but haven ’ t had the resources to , ” Bates said in the statement .
“ And the Trump administration has in fact made obtaining those resources more difficult.
” The Biden campaign ’ s statement also comes after Rep. Steve Scalise ( R-LA ) accused the former vice president of secretly embracing the issue of defunding the police .
“ You ’ re even seeing on the left the debate , where the mayor of New York City and the governor of New York are not [ avoiding the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an interview on Fox and Friends Monday morning .
“ Joe Biden is trying to play both ends of this and then hide out in his bunker and not directly address it , while yet trying to quietly embrace the defund movement .
”

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s campaign on Monday said that he won’t support defunding police departments amid a nationwide push for just that in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
The former VP weighed in on the matter a day after a majority of the Minneapolis City Council vowed to support disbanding its police department in light of officers using aggressive tactics such as tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse peaceful protesters.
Earlier Monday, House Democrats unveiled a landmark police reform bill in response to nationwide protests calling for reforms in police departments. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), however, denied a claim adopted by Republicans that the bill is a radical move to defund the police by telling MSNBC’s Craig Melvin that “those are local decisions.”
Biden campaign director of rapid response Andrew Bates told TPM in a statement that the former VP’s position against defunding the police is a stance that his criminal justice proposal “made clear months ago.”
Bates added that Biden “hears and shares the deep grief and frustration of those calling out for change” and supports the “urgent need for reform” — which includes public school funding, summer programs, mental health and substance abuse treatment separate from police funding — in order for officers to “focus on the job of policing.”
In his statement, Bates said that “funding community policing programs that improve relationships between officers and residents” include the training “needed to avert tragic, unjustifiable deaths,” diversifying police departments and additional funding for body-worn cameras.
“There are many police departments across the country who are seeking to realize these kinds of changes, but haven’t had the resources to,” Bates said in the statement. “And the Trump administration has in fact made obtaining those resources more difficult.”
The Biden campaign’s statement also comes after Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) accused the former vice president of secretly embracing the issue of defunding the police.
“You’re even seeing on the left the debate, where the mayor of New York City and the governor of New York are not [avoiding the issue],” Scalise said during an interview on Fox and Friends Monday morning. “Joe Biden is trying to play both ends of this and then hide out in his bunker and not directly address it, while yet trying to quietly embrace the defund movement.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-08--Georgia Sees At Least 2,500% Increase In Absentee Voting

Georgia is the latest state to see a major surge in absentee voting in the midst of the pandemic .
Ahead of its primary Tuesday , elections officials by Sunday had received 943,000 ballots — a 2,500 percent increase from the 2016 presidential primary , the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported .
Of the 1.2 million who have already voted ( a number that includes in-person early voting , which ended Friday ) , there was close to an even split between Democrats and Republicans , according to the AJC report .
After some debacles in the states that held their primaries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see if Georgia can set the model for how states can quickly scale up their absentee ballot operations for the November election .
The state sent absentee ballot request forms to its 6.9 million active registered voters .
Ultimately , 1.6 million absentee ballots were sent out , meaning that some 657,000 have not been returned , according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution .
It ’ s not clear how many of those voters experienced delays in receiving their ballots that will prevent them from submitting them in time — a problem that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters in Pennsylvania , where absentee voting skyrocketed in last week ’ s primary .
Jeff Ellington — the president of Runbeck Election Services , which Georgia hired to send out its mail-in ballots — told TPM Monday that his company sent out the last batch of ballots on June 1 , having received the final tranche of absentee voter data from the state a few days prior to that .
Georgia ’ s election so far has not gone without its hiccups .
There was evidence of racial disparities in how was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Brennan Center analysis , while black voters reportedly made up a disproportionate percentage of the voters casting in-person early ballots .
There were major lines at early voting sites on Friday , with some voters waiting for more than six hours to cast a ballot .
Georgia , like many states , has had to reduce polling places because of the challenges COVID-19 poses , and social distancing requirements further limited the number of people who could be inside the voting sites that remained open .
Meanwhile , absentee voters in Fulton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia , experienced notable delays in receiving their mail-in ballots , causing confusion .
The delay was caused in part by the elections office being closed for several days after an employee died of COVID-19 .
Election officials also blamed technical issues in processing ballot requests submitted by mail , according to an AP report .

Georgia is the latest state to see a major surge in absentee voting in the midst of the pandemic.
Ahead of its primary Tuesday, elections officials by Sunday had received 943,000 ballots — a 2,500 percent increase from the 2016 presidential primary, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
Of the 1.2 million who have already voted (a number that includes in-person early voting, which ended Friday), there was close to an even split between Democrats and Republicans, according to the AJC report.
After some debacles in the states that held their primaries last week, election experts are looking to see if Georgia can set the model for how states can quickly scale up their absentee ballot operations for the November election.
The state sent absentee ballot request forms to its 6.9 million active registered voters.
Ultimately, 1.6 million absentee ballots were sent out, meaning that some 657,000 have not been returned, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
It’s not clear how many of those voters experienced delays in receiving their ballots that will prevent them from submitting them in time — a problem that plagued Washington, D.C. voters and some voters in Pennsylvania, where absentee voting skyrocketed in last week’s primary.
Jeff Ellington — the president of Runbeck Election Services, which Georgia hired to send out its mail-in ballots — told TPM Monday that his company sent out the last batch of ballots on June 1, having received the final tranche of absentee voter data from the state a few days prior to that.
Georgia’s election so far has not gone without its hiccups.
There was evidence of racial disparities in how was requesting to vote absentee, according to a Brennan Center analysis, while black voters reportedly made up a disproportionate percentage of the voters casting in-person early ballots.
There were major lines at early voting sites on Friday, with some voters waiting for more than six hours to cast a ballot. Georgia, like many states, has had to reduce polling places because of the challenges COVID-19 poses, and social distancing requirements further limited the number of people who could be inside the voting sites that remained open.
Meanwhile, absentee voters in Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia, experienced notable delays in receiving their mail-in ballots, causing confusion. The delay was caused in part by the elections office being closed for several days after an employee died of COVID-19. Election officials also blamed technical issues in processing ballot requests submitted by mail, according to an AP report.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-08--Democrats Unveil Major Police Reform Bill

House Democrats unveiled a landmark police reform bill on Monday as a response to nationwide protests that have called for widespread changes in police departments across the country .
The protests were sparked by the killing of George Floyd , an unarmed black man who died in police custody in Minneapolis two weeks ago .
The bill ’ s biggest reforms including banning chokeholds and no-knock warrants in drug cases — which were highly disputed police practices that led to the death of Floyd in Minneapolis and Breonna Taylor in Louisville , Kentucky .
Although Republicans have already branded the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defund the police , ” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) swatted down those claims in an MSNBC interview with Craig Melvin on Monday .
“ We ’ re not going to that place , ” Pelosi said .
“ Those are local decisions.
” Yet while she and other Democrats unveiled the bill to press on Monday while donning kente cloth scarves , House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy ( R-CA ) tweeted his support of police officers .
It ’ s unlikely Democrats will be able to shore up major Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ floor by early July .
“ I ’ m not over there , so I ’ m not sure , ” Rep. Karen Bass ( D-CA ) told Jake Tapper when asked about the bill ’ s anticipated Republican supporters in an interview Sunday .
“ Rand Paul is one who had been an ally before .
Once he gets past the lynching issue , hopefully , he will be an ally again.
” The legislation , however , would also make lynching a federal crime .
An anti-lynching proposal was stalled in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ally ” Bass describes — Sen. Rand Paul ( R-KY ) — argued over semantics to narrow the definition of lynching .
Presumptive Democrat presidential nominee Joe Biden called on Congress in remarks at Philadelphia City Hall last week to “ act this month ” by passing anti-chokehold legislation that was first introduced by Rep. Hakeem Jeffries ( D-NY ) in late April that would also classify the technique as an “ excessive use of force by police officers.
” Jeffries went a step further on Monday when he called the police chokehold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference that introduced the bill .

House Democrats unveiled a landmark police reform bill on Monday as a response to nationwide protests that have called for widespread changes in police departments across the country. The protests were sparked by the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died in police custody in Minneapolis two weeks ago.
The bill’s biggest reforms including banning chokeholds and no-knock warrants in drug cases — which were highly disputed police practices that led to the death of Floyd in Minneapolis and Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky.
Although Republicans have already branded the bill as a radical move to “defund the police,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) swatted down those claims in an MSNBC interview with Craig Melvin on Monday.
“We’re not going to that place,” Pelosi said. “Those are local decisions.”
Yet while she and other Democrats unveiled the bill to press on Monday while donning kente cloth scarves, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) tweeted his support of police officers.
To the police officers across the country who put on the uniform every day and uphold their oath—THANK YOU. Democrats want to defund you, but Republicans will never turn our backs on you. — Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) June 8, 2020
It’s unlikely Democrats will be able to shore up major Republican support when the bill hits the Senate floor by early July. “I’m not over there, so I’m not sure,” Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA) told Jake Tapper when asked about the bill’s anticipated Republican supporters in an interview Sunday. “Rand Paul is one who had been an ally before. Once he gets past the lynching issue, hopefully, he will be an ally again.”
The legislation, however, would also make lynching a federal crime. An anti-lynching proposal was stalled in the Senate last week when the “ally” Bass describes — Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) — argued over semantics to narrow the definition of lynching.
Presumptive Democrat presidential nominee Joe Biden called on Congress in remarks at Philadelphia City Hall last week to “act this month” by passing anti-chokehold legislation that was first introduced by Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) in late April that would also classify the technique as an “excessive use of force by police officers.”
Jeffries went a step further on Monday when he called the police chokehold “un-American,” during the press conference that introduced the bill.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-08--Minneapolis Mayor Won’t Throw Support Behind City Council Pledge To Dismantle Police Department

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey doubled down on his stance against dismantling the city ’ s police department during an ABC News interview on Monday morning .
Frey ’ s latest remarks come days after he was roundly booed by protesters for saying that he is “ absolutely for a massive shift , a structural shift in how the police department functions ” but that he is against abolishing the entire police department .
Shortly after Frey ’ s remarks aired , the Minneapolis City Council announced its support to dissolve its police department in light of officers using aggressive tactics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to disperse peaceful protesters in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death .
Frey reacted to the city council ’ s move by echoing his earlier remarks , saying that he supports a “ massive , structural and transformational reform ” to a system that “ has not for generations worked for black and brown people ” but that he ’ s against the notion of dismantling the police department .
“ We have failed them , and we need to entirely reshape the system , we need a full-on cultural shift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ departments throughout the country function , ” Frey said .
“ Am I for entirely abolishing the police department ?
No , I ’ m not.
” Frey said that in the coming days and weeks he will work with the city council and talking “ directly ” with them about “ deciphering what particularly they mean when they say ending and abolishing.
” The Minneapolis mayor went on to add that elected officials “ have been hamstrung for generations ” due to the difficulty involved with terminating and disciplining officers .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re going after the police union , police union contract , the arbitration provisions that mandate that we have arbitration at the end of the process and often times that reverts the officer right back to where they were to begin with , ” Frey said .
“ We need to be able to have the culture shift , and if we ’ re going to do that it also means we need to have the ability to discipline officers to begin with .
”

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey doubled down on his stance against dismantling the city’s police department during an ABC News interview on Monday morning.
Frey’s latest remarks come days after he was roundly booed by protesters for saying that he is “absolutely for a massive shift, a structural shift in how the police department functions” but that he is against abolishing the entire police department.
Shortly after Frey’s remarks aired, the Minneapolis City Council announced its support to dissolve its police department in light of officers using aggressive tactics such as tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse peaceful protesters in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
Frey reacted to the city council’s move by echoing his earlier remarks, saying that he supports a “massive, structural and transformational reform” to a system that “has not for generations worked for black and brown people” but that he’s against the notion of dismantling the police department.
“We have failed them, and we need to entirely reshape the system, we need a full-on cultural shift in how our Minneapolis Police Department and departments throughout the country function,” Frey said. “Am I for entirely abolishing the police department? No, I’m not.”
Frey said that in the coming days and weeks he will work with the city council and talking “directly” with them about “deciphering what particularly they mean when they say ending and abolishing.”
The Minneapolis mayor went on to add that elected officials “have been hamstrung for generations” due to the difficulty involved with terminating and disciplining officers.
“Let me be very clear: we’re going after the police union, police union contract, the arbitration provisions that mandate that we have arbitration at the end of the process and often times that reverts the officer right back to where they were to begin with,” Frey said. “We need to be able to have the culture shift, and if we’re going to do that it also means we need to have the ability to discipline officers to begin with.”
Watch Frey’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-09--Diplomats Fume Over Pompeo’s ‘Deafening’ Silence As Protests Spread Worldwide

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ’ s lack of a formal statement addressing global protests in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death reportedly has not sat well with diplomats .
According to a CNN report on Tuesday , State Department officials suggested that Pompeo address his workforce regarding the mounting unrest worldwide against racial inequality .
Diplomats in the U.S. and abroad are growing increasingly concerned about Pompeo ’ s largely silent approach on the matter as they face questions about the protests happening in their foreign counterparts .
Although Pompeo called the actions of the cop who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neck for almost 9 minutes “ abhorrent ” during an interview on Fox News more than a week ago , the secretary of state has yet to address his workforce about racial inequality or issue a statement sending support and empathy to the department .
“ Pompeo has literally decided he is not touching it , ” one US diplomat told CNN .
“ This is going to reflect on our image around the world .
What Pompeo should be saying is we are a very flawed society , but we are trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we can do this , and I support my diplomats during this emotional time .
We have heard none of that.
” CNN noted that diplomats have either received little or no guidance since protests have occurred outside of U.S. embassies .
A State Department official told CNN that Pompeo could still release a statement and that there is increasing pressure to do so more than two weeks after Floyd ’ s death .
According to CNN , a second U.S. diplomat called Pompeo ’ s silence “ deafening ” and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him makes this a very awkward time.
” “ It would be really nice to hear from the secretary , ” a fourth diplomat told CNN .
CNN reported that Pompeo ’ s lack of an address to his department is particularly heartbreaking for African American foreign service officers , citing three diplomats .
Two sources told CNN that a group of more than 100 black foreign service officers discussed the matter in a Zoom call over the weekend .
One source told CNN that they agreed to move forward in advocating for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s support .

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s lack of a formal statement addressing global protests in the wake of George Floyd’s death reportedly has not sat well with diplomats.
According to a CNN report on Tuesday, State Department officials suggested that Pompeo address his workforce regarding the mounting unrest worldwide against racial inequality. Diplomats in the U.S. and abroad are growing increasingly concerned about Pompeo’s largely silent approach on the matter as they face questions about the protests happening in their foreign counterparts.
Although Pompeo called the actions of the cop who pressed his knee against Floyd’s neck for almost 9 minutes “abhorrent” during an interview on Fox News more than a week ago, the secretary of state has yet to address his workforce about racial inequality or issue a statement sending support and empathy to the department.
“Pompeo has literally decided he is not touching it,” one US diplomat told CNN. “This is going to reflect on our image around the world. What Pompeo should be saying is we are a very flawed society, but we are trying to get better, we are resilient, we can do this, and I support my diplomats during this emotional time. We have heard none of that.”
CNN noted that diplomats have either received little or no guidance since protests have occurred outside of U.S. embassies.
A State Department official told CNN that Pompeo could still release a statement and that there is increasing pressure to do so more than two weeks after Floyd’s death.
According to CNN, a second U.S. diplomat called Pompeo’s silence “deafening” and a third argued that “not hearing from him makes this a very awkward time.”
“It would be really nice to hear from the secretary,” a fourth diplomat told CNN.
CNN reported that Pompeo’s lack of an address to his department is particularly heartbreaking for African American foreign service officers, citing three diplomats.
Two sources told CNN that a group of more than 100 black foreign service officers discussed the matter in a Zoom call over the weekend. One source told CNN that they agreed to move forward in advocating for racial diversity at the department without Pompeo’s support.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-09--Dems Seek Probe Into Use Of Force Against Protesters At Lafayette Square

Congressional Democrats are requesting an investigation into the U.S. Park Police ’ s aggressive use of force in dispersing protesters from Lafayette Square in Washington , D.C. to make way for a presidential photo-op at a nearby church .
“ The First Amendment rights to free speech , peaceful assembly , and free press are the building blocks of all other rights .
Any actions by the Park Police to muzzle these rights is an affront to all Americans and should be swiftly addressed , ” Sen .
Ron Wyden ( D-OR ) and Reps. Raul Grijalva ( D-AZ ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the inspector general of the Department of Interior , the agency that oversees the Park Police .
The lawmakers say further investigation is needed into both Park Police and any other of the agency ’ s law enforcement officials that were deployed at that time .
The lawmakers proposed creating a website and permitting anyone who bore witness to the events at the public park on June 1 to submit statements , photos and video evidence to document police activity during the incident .
The scenes of militarized law enforcement cracking down on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Trump presidency .
The dispersal of protesters around the White House that day was followed by military helicopters flying low in D.C. to clear crowds .
Officials initially declined that any tear gas was used on the protesters around Lafayette Square , but they later acknowledged that “ denying there wasn ’ t any use of tear gas was a mistake .
Sen. Tammy Duckworth ( D-IL ) has also requested an investigation by the Government Accountability Office into the use of force against protesters in a proposal to examine the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control tactic .

Congressional Democrats are requesting an investigation into the U.S. Park Police’s aggressive use of force in dispersing protesters from Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C. to make way for a presidential photo-op at a nearby church.
“The First Amendment rights to free speech, peaceful assembly, and free press are the building blocks of all other rights. Any actions by the Park Police to muzzle these rights is an affront to all Americans and should be swiftly addressed, ”Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Reps. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) Deb Haaland (D-NM) wrote to the inspector general of the Department of Interior, the agency that oversees the Park Police.
The lawmakers say further investigation is needed into both Park Police and any other of the agency’s law enforcement officials that were deployed at that time. The lawmakers proposed creating a website and permitting anyone who bore witness to the events at the public park on June 1 to submit statements, photos and video evidence to document police activity during the incident.
The scenes of militarized law enforcement cracking down on peaceful protesters has become an indelible image in the Trump presidency. The dispersal of protesters around the White House that day was followed by military helicopters flying low in D.C. to clear crowds.
Officials initially declined that any tear gas was used on the protesters around Lafayette Square, but they later acknowledged that “denying there wasn’t any use of tear gas was a mistake.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) has also requested an investigation by the Government Accountability Office into the use of force against protesters in a proposal to examine the safety of rubber bullets as a crowd control tactic.