talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-05--Minneapolis To Ban Police Chokeholds In Wake Of George Floyd’s Death

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) — Negotiators for the city of Minneapolis agreed with the state Friday to ban the use of chokeholds by police and to require officers to report and intervene anytime they see an unauthorized use of force by another officer .
The changes are part of a stipulation posted online between the city and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights , which launched a civil rights investigation this week in response to the death of George Floyd .
The City Council was expected to approve the agreement Friday .
The agreement would require court approval and would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department ’ s current policies on the use of force and duties to intervene .
The agreement would require any officer , regardless of tenure or rank , to immediately radio or phone in from the scene the use of any neck restraint or chokehold to their commander or their commander ’ s superiors .
Similarly , any officer who sees another officer commit any unauthorized use of force , including any chokehold or neck restraint , must try to intervene verbally and even physically .
If they don ’ t , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severe as if they themselves had used the prohibited force .
The agreement also would require authorization from the police chief or a designated deputy chief to use crowd control weapons , including chemical agents , rubber bullets , flash-bang grenades , batons , and marking rounds .
And it would require more timely decisions on disciplining officers .
Meanwhile , a man who was with George Floyd on the night he died told the New York Times his friend did not resist arrest and instead tried to defuse the situation before he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pleading for air as an officer pressed a knee against his neck .
Maurice Lester Hall , a longtime friend of Floyd ’ s , was a passenger in Floyd ’ s car when police approached him May 25 as they responded to a call about someone using a forged bill at a shop .
Hall told the newspaper that Floyd was trying to show he was not resisting .
“ I could hear him pleading , ‘ Please , officer , what ’ s all this for ?
’ ” Hall told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ witness in the state ’ s investigation into the four officers who apprehended Floyd .
Derek Chauvin , the white officer who continued pressing his knee into Floyd ’ s neck even after Floyd became motionless , is charged with second-degree murder , third-degree murder and manslaughter .
The three other officers are charged with aiding and abetting .
All four officers were fired .
Hall told “ Good Morning America ” that the situation escalated quickly and police grabbed Floyd , put him in a squad car , dragged him back out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the neck.
” He said Floyd was put in an ambulance and that he didn ’ t know his friend had died until the next day , when he saw the widely viewed bystander video on Facebook .
“ He was just crying out at that time for anyone to help because he was dying , ” Hall told the Times .
“ I ’ m going to always remember seeing the fear in Floyd ’ s face because he ’ s such a king .
That ’ s what sticks with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , before seeing a grown man die.
” Hall , 42 , said he visited a memorial for Floyd and then hitchhiked to Houston , where he was arrested Monday on outstanding warrants for felony possession of a firearm , felony domestic assault and felony drug possession .
After his arrest , a Minnesota investigator interviewed him for hours about Floyd ’ s death .
His attorney said he has since been released on the warrant issue .

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Negotiators for the city of Minneapolis agreed with the state Friday to ban the use of chokeholds by police and to require officers to report and intervene anytime they see an unauthorized use of force by another officer.
The changes are part of a stipulation posted online between the city and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, which launched a civil rights investigation this week in response to the death of George Floyd. The City Council was expected to approve the agreement Friday.
The agreement would require court approval and would become enforceable in court, unlike the department’s current policies on the use of force and duties to intervene. The agreement would require any officer, regardless of tenure or rank, to immediately radio or phone in from the scene the use of any neck restraint or chokehold to their commander or their commander’s superiors.
Similarly, any officer who sees another officer commit any unauthorized use of force, including any chokehold or neck restraint, must try to intervene verbally and even physically. If they don’t, they’d be subject to discipline as severe as if they themselves had used the prohibited force.
The agreement also would require authorization from the police chief or a designated deputy chief to use crowd control weapons, including chemical agents, rubber bullets, flash-bang grenades, batons, and marking rounds. And it would require more timely decisions on disciplining officers.
Meanwhile, a man who was with George Floyd on the night he died told the New York Times his friend did not resist arrest and instead tried to defuse the situation before he ended up handcuffed on the ground and pleading for air as an officer pressed a knee against his neck.
Maurice Lester Hall, a longtime friend of Floyd’s, was a passenger in Floyd’s car when police approached him May 25 as they responded to a call about someone using a forged bill at a shop. Hall told the newspaper that Floyd was trying to show he was not resisting.
“I could hear him pleading, ‘Please, officer, what’s all this for?’” Hall told the Times.
Hall is a key witness in the state’s investigation into the four officers who apprehended Floyd. Derek Chauvin, the white officer who continued pressing his knee into Floyd’s neck even after Floyd became motionless, is charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter. The three other officers are charged with aiding and abetting. All four officers were fired.
Hall’s identity wasn’t made public until the Times’ report.
Hall told “Good Morning America” that the situation escalated quickly and police grabbed Floyd, put him in a squad car, dragged him back out and then “jumped on the back of the neck.” He said Floyd was put in an ambulance and that he didn’t know his friend had died until the next day, when he saw the widely viewed bystander video on Facebook.
“He was just crying out at that time for anyone to help because he was dying,” Hall told the Times. “I’m going to always remember seeing the fear in Floyd’s face because he’s such a king. That’s what sticks with me, seeing a grown man cry, before seeing a grown man die.”
Hall, 42, said he visited a memorial for Floyd and then hitchhiked to Houston, where he was arrested Monday on outstanding warrants for felony possession of a firearm, felony domestic assault and felony drug possession. After his arrest, a Minnesota investigator interviewed him for hours about Floyd’s death. His attorney said he has since been released on the warrant issue.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-05--Trump Namechecks George Floyd While Bragging About Employment Rise: ‘This Is A Great Day For Him’

President Donald Trump managed to bring up George Floyd , a black man who died at the hands of a white police officer , into his victory lap over the decline in U.S. unemployment in May during a press briefing on Friday .
“ Hopefully George is looking down right now and saying this is a great thing that ’ s happening for our country , ” Trump declared in the Rose Garden at the White House .
“ This is a great day for him , it ’ s a great day for everybody.
” “ This is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he added .
On the contrary : While the Labor Department ’ s monthly report for May does show that 2.5 million jobs were added and that the unemployment rate dropped from 14.7 percent in April to 13.3 percent overall last month , unemployment ticked up by 0.1 percent for black Americans and 0.5 percent for Asian-Americans .
Trump refused to respond to those figures when PBS NewsHour reporter Yamiche Alcindor pointed out the disparity .
“ How was that a victory ?
” she asked .
The remarks come as Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests across the country against the police brutality aimed disproportionately at black Americans like Floyd .
Floyd , who was detained for allegedly using counterfeit money to buy food , died after a white officer knelt on his neck for nearly 10 minutes as Floyd repeatedly shouted that he could not breathe .

President Donald Trump managed to bring up George Floyd, a black man who died at the hands of a white police officer, into his victory lap over the decline in U.S. unemployment in May during a press briefing on Friday.
“Hopefully George is looking down right now and saying this is a great thing that’s happening for our country,” Trump declared in the Rose Garden at the White House. “This is a great day for him, it’s a great day for everybody.”
“This is a great day in terms of equality,” he added.
On the contrary: While the Labor Department’s monthly report for May does show that 2.5 million jobs were added and that the unemployment rate dropped from 14.7 percent in April to 13.3 percent overall last month, unemployment ticked up by 0.1 percent for black Americans and 0.5 percent for Asian-Americans.
Trump refused to respond to those figures when PBS NewsHour reporter Yamiche Alcindor pointed out the disparity.
“How was that a victory?” she asked.
“Ugh, you are something,” Trump snapped.
The remarks come as Trump is criticized for failing to properly address protests across the country against the police brutality aimed disproportionately at black Americans like Floyd.
Floyd, who was detained for allegedly using counterfeit money to buy food, died after a white officer knelt on his neck for nearly 10 minutes as Floyd repeatedly shouted that he could not breathe.
Watch Trump below:
Trump on improved employment numbers: "Hopefully George [Floyd] is looking down right now and saying this is a great thing that’s happening for our country." pic.twitter.com/hExIHsdmIZ — TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) June 5, 2020


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-05--False Claims Of Antifa Protesters Plague Small US Cities

CHICAGO ( AP ) — In the days since President Donald Trump blamed antifa activists for an eruption of violence at protests over police killings of black people , social media has lit up with false rumors that the far-left-leaning group is transporting people to wreak havoc on small cities across America .
The speculation was being raised by conservative news outlets and pro-Trump social media accounts , as well as impostor Facebook and Twitter accounts .
Twitter and Facebook busted some of the instigators behind the unsubstantiated social media chatter .
Twitter determined Monday that a tweet promising antifa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ white ” neighborhoods was sent by the white supremacy group Identity Evropa .
The tweet was shared hundreds of times and cited in online news articles before Twitter removed it Monday , a company spokesperson said .
Yet the tweet continued to circulate Tuesday on Facebook and Instagram .
Facebook , using information shared by Twitter , announced Tuesday night it also took down a handful of accounts on its platform that were created by white supremacy groups like Identity Evropa and American Guard , some of them posing as part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , some social media users have tried to delegitimize controversial or political protests with baseless theories that they were organized by wealthy financiers or extremists organizations .
Over the weekend , Trump singled out antifa as being responsible for the violent protests triggered by the killing of George Floyd , saying in a tweet : “ It ’ s ANTIFA and the Radical Left.
” “ Usually you see this when there ’ s an interest to deflect conversations from protests to just accusing the protests of being violent , organized or having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Filippo Menczer , a professor of informatics and computer science at Indiana University .
“ The president mentioning it , of course , has generated a huge spike.
” The theories about antifa — short for “ anti-fascists ” and an umbrella term for lefitst militant groups that confront or resist neo-Nazis and white supremacists at demonstrations — have trickled through cities across the country in recent days .
Police departments say people are phoning in “ tips ” they see on social media claiming antifa is sending buses or even planes full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Payette County , Idaho — a rural county of 24,000 — the calls started early Monday morning after one Facebook user said the sheriff had spotted antifa rioters in the area .
The calls didn ’ t taper off until the sheriff ’ s office debunked the rumor on Facebook .
“ It ’ s really a small community , where our citizens know us pretty well , ” said Payette County Sheriff Lt. Andy Creech .
“ When the post got out there , we started getting phone calls directly.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their friends to stay clear of a shopping center in a New Jersey suburb , saying it would be the center of antifa destruction on Tuesday .
But police had “ no credible information ” that antifa would be present in the area , Toms River Police Department media specialist Jillian Messina said in an email .
The police aren ’ t aware of anyone showing up at all , she added .
Identical Facebook and Twitter posts about busloads of antifa protesters also stumped the Sioux Falls Police Department , where officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t see any unusual bus activity in town .
But the claims still spread for days ahead of a planned protest this Saturday , said Sam Clemens , a public information officer for the department .
“ Everyone heard there were going to be buses of people , ” Clemens said .
“ It was very specific : there were three busloads.
” Even the owner of a Michigan limousine business was forced to refute online rumors when two of his buses became the center of a conspiracy theory that liberal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Milan , Michigan .
Social media users widely shared a manipulated photo of his white buses , edited to show the words “ Soros Riot Dance squad ” emblazoned on the sides .
The buses belong to Sean Duval , the owner of local transportation company Golden Limousine International , and don ’ t have any words printed on them .
Said Duval : “ It ’ s frustrating when people from the outside start instigating and try to turn American against American.
” Associated Press writers Barbara Ortutay in Oakland , Calif. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ali Swenson in Seattle contributed to this report .

CHICAGO (AP) — In the days since President Donald Trump blamed antifa activists for an eruption of violence at protests over police killings of black people, social media has lit up with false rumors that the far-left-leaning group is transporting people to wreak havoc on small cities across America.
The speculation was being raised by conservative news outlets and pro-Trump social media accounts, as well as impostor Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Twitter and Facebook busted some of the instigators behind the unsubstantiated social media chatter. Twitter determined Monday that a tweet promising antifa would “move into residential areas” and “white” neighborhoods was sent by the white supremacy group Identity Evropa. The tweet was shared hundreds of times and cited in online news articles before Twitter removed it Monday, a company spokesperson said.
Yet the tweet continued to circulate Tuesday on Facebook and Instagram.
Facebook, using information shared by Twitter, announced Tuesday night it also took down a handful of accounts on its platform that were created by white supremacy groups like Identity Evropa and American Guard, some of them posing as part of the antifa movement.
For years, some social media users have tried to delegitimize controversial or political protests with baseless theories that they were organized by wealthy financiers or extremists organizations. Over the weekend, Trump singled out antifa as being responsible for the violent protests triggered by the killing of George Floyd, saying in a tweet: “It’s ANTIFA and the Radical Left.”
“Usually you see this when there’s an interest to deflect conversations from protests to just accusing the protests of being violent, organized or having backers that are evil,”said Filippo Menczer, a professor of informatics and computer science at Indiana University. “The president mentioning it, of course, has generated a huge spike.”
The theories about antifa — short for “anti-fascists” and an umbrella term for lefitst militant groups that confront or resist neo-Nazis and white supremacists at demonstrations — have trickled through cities across the country in recent days.
Police departments say people are phoning in “tips” they see on social media claiming antifa is sending buses or even planes full of antifa activists to their area.
In Payette County, Idaho — a rural county of 24,000 — the calls started early Monday morning after one Facebook user said the sheriff had spotted antifa rioters in the area. The calls didn’t taper off until the sheriff’s office debunked the rumor on Facebook.
“It’s really a small community, where our citizens know us pretty well,” said Payette County Sheriff Lt. Andy Creech. “When the post got out there, we started getting phone calls directly.”
Meanwhile, Facebook users were also warning their friends to stay clear of a shopping center in a New Jersey suburb, saying it would be the center of antifa destruction on Tuesday.
But police had “no credible information” that antifa would be present in the area, Toms River Police Department media specialist Jillian Messina said in an email. The police aren’t aware of anyone showing up at all, she added.
Identical Facebook and Twitter posts about busloads of antifa protesters also stumped the Sioux Falls Police Department, where officers in the South Dakota city said they didn’t see any unusual bus activity in town. But the claims still spread for days ahead of a planned protest this Saturday, said Sam Clemens, a public information officer for the department.
“Everyone heard there were going to be buses of people,” Clemens said. “It was very specific: there were three busloads.”
Even the owner of a Michigan limousine business was forced to refute online rumors when two of his buses became the center of a conspiracy theory that liberal financier George Soros was funneling protesters to Milan, Michigan. Social media users widely shared a manipulated photo of his white buses, edited to show the words “Soros Riot Dance squad” emblazoned on the sides.
The buses belong to Sean Duval, the owner of local transportation company Golden Limousine International, and don’t have any words printed on them.
Said Duval: “It’s frustrating when people from the outside start instigating and try to turn American against American.”
___
Associated Press writers Barbara Ortutay in Oakland, Calif., Beatrice Dupuy in New York and Ali Swenson in Seattle contributed to this report.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-05--In Feet-High Message To Trump, Bowser Paints And Renames Street For Black Lives Matter

Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser ( D ) left an unmissable message for President Donald Trump outside the White House Friday , emblazoning the street and renaming a plaza in honor of Black Lives Matter .
According to the Washington Post , local artists joined city work crews in painting the massive slogan up 16th Street starting at 4 a.m. Wednesday .
Trump and Bowser have been at odds over the massive police and military presence in the city mobilized by the federal government , as protesters take to the streets over the police killing of George Floyd .
Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the federal law enforcement and military forces that have been patrolling the streets .
She said that they pose “ safety and national security risks , ” and have been “ inflaming ” the protests .
Bowser had additional disapproving words for Trump at her Thursday press conference , shortly before the additions to the area outside the White House were made .
In that same space , a large fence has been erected to push protesters outside of the park in front of the White House .
“ Keep in mind that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said .
“ It ’ s a sad commentary that the [ White ] House and its inhabitants have to be walled off .
”

Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) left an unmissable message for President Donald Trump outside the White House Friday, emblazoning the street and renaming a plaza in honor of Black Lives Matter.
The section of 16th street in front of the White House is now officially “Black Lives Matter Plaza”. pic.twitter.com/bbJgAYE35b — Mayor Muriel Bowser #StayHomeDC (@MayorBowser) June 5, 2020
According to the Washington Post, local artists joined city work crews in painting the massive slogan up 16th Street starting at 4 a.m. Wednesday.
Breonna Taylor, on your birthday, let us stand with determination. Determination to make America the land it ought to be. pic.twitter.com/XOfu6CGEGY — Mayor Muriel Bowser #StayHomeDC (@MayorBowser) June 5, 2020
Trump and Bowser have been at odds over the massive police and military presence in the city mobilized by the federal government, as protesters take to the streets over the police killing of George Floyd.
Friday morning, she requested that he withdraw the federal law enforcement and military forces that have been patrolling the streets.
She said that they pose “safety and national security risks,” and have been “inflaming” the protests.
Bowser had additional disapproving words for Trump at her Thursday press conference, shortly before the additions to the area outside the White House were made. In that same space, a large fence has been erected to push protesters outside of the park in front of the White House.
“Keep in mind that’s the people’s house,” she said. “It’s a sad commentary that the [White] House and its inhabitants have to be walled off.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-05--Tiny Town In Washington Gets Ramboed Up, Traps Family Over False Antifa Scare

A family camping in the tiny town of Forks , Washington ( yes , the town in the Twilight series ) was trapped at their campsite by felled trees after being harassed and followed by people who thought they were members of antifa .
According to a statement from the Clallam County Sheriff ’ s Office , the multiracial family — including a couple , their 16-year-old daughter and the husband ’ s mother — had been shopping for camping supplies in town Wednesday when they were accosted by “ seven or eight carloads of people ” in the grocery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked if they were members of antifa , an amorphous and militant “ anti-facist ” movement that has become a bugaboo for some on the right .
The family reportedly replied that they were just camping and swerved their vehicle around the cars to travel to the campsite .
They said that a couple of the cars following them contained people armed with what seemed to be semi-automatic rifles .
When they arrived at their campsite on a logging spur road , they reportedly heard gunshots and power saws in the distance .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ prepared to leave .
They found their way blocked by felled trees , an apparent attempt by the antifa-fearers to keep them boxed in .
Four students from the local Forks High School reportedly spotted the family , calling the sheriff ’ s office as they made their way over .
The students cleared the way with their chainsaws , and the family was escorted to the sheriff ’ s office for interviews before they left town .
“ The Clallam County Sheriff ’ s Office is actively conducting a criminal investigation into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all information regarding those persons involved , ” said the statement .
It ’ s unclear exactly how the antifa fervor started , but one man ’ s Facebook videos in the nearby city of Sequim offer some clues .
Seth Larson , the owner of the local “ firearm and survival store ” Fred ’ s Guns , posted heavily about a Black Lives Matter protest planned for Wednesday afternoon in town .
“ For all of you uninformed for what may go down here in Sequim , you may want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a peaceful demonstration and to declare ALL LIVES MATTER , ” he wrote alongside the link to the protest .
The protest , the “ Sequim Protest Against Racism & Police Brutality , ” billed itself as a “ family friendly ” event .
Based on a series of mea culpa videos , it seems that Larson raised the call for locals to come out and protect the town from antifa infiltrators based on “ intel ” he had received .
“ I was told protesters were here , I was told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ town , ” he said in one such video .
“ I had all this intel.
” “ I see 300 to 400 people dressed in black , ” he added .
“ Here it comes to my tiny town.
” He said that while about 10 percent of the protesters called him a racist , 90 percent of them were welcoming .
“ I need people to bring it down a notch , including me , ” he said .
“ I ’ m sorry , I got pretty jacked up about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country right now.
” Still , he called on locals to guard his store and home .
In a video he posted Thursday , he showed a small knot of armed people standing guard outside his store .
The linking of antifa to the protests sweeping the country after the police killing of George Floyd started from the top .
President Donald Trump claimed on Twitter that he would designate antifa a terrorist organization , though it was very unclear what that was supposed to mean .
Attorney General William Barr followed up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The violence instigated and carried out by Antifa and other similar groups in connection with the rioting is domestic terrorism and will be treated accordingly.
” The FBI field office in Washington , however , reportedly had “ no intelligence ” linking antifa to any violence and destruction carried out in D.C .

A family camping in the tiny town of Forks, Washington (yes, the town in the Twilight series) was trapped at their campsite by felled trees after being harassed and followed by people who thought they were members of antifa.
According to a statement from the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, the multiracial family — including a couple, their 16-year-old daughter and the husband’s mother — had been shopping for camping supplies in town Wednesday when they were accosted by “seven or eight carloads of people” in the grocery store parking lot. The people repeatedly asked if they were members of antifa, an amorphous and militant “anti-facist” movement that has become a bugaboo for some on the right.
The family reportedly replied that they were just camping and swerved their vehicle around the cars to travel to the campsite. They said that a couple of the cars following them contained people armed with what seemed to be semi-automatic rifles.
When they arrived at their campsite on a logging spur road, they reportedly heard gunshots and power saws in the distance. Spooked, they dismantled their tent and prepared to leave. They found their way blocked by felled trees, an apparent attempt by the antifa-fearers to keep them boxed in.
Four students from the local Forks High School reportedly spotted the family, calling the sheriff’s office as they made their way over. The students cleared the way with their chainsaws, and the family was escorted to the sheriff’s office for interviews before they left town.
“The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office is actively conducting a criminal investigation into the incident and is seeking any and all information regarding those persons involved,” said the statement.
It’s unclear exactly how the antifa fervor started, but one man’s Facebook videos in the nearby city of Sequim offer some clues.
Seth Larson, the owner of the local “firearm and survival store” Fred’s Guns, posted heavily about a Black Lives Matter protest planned for Wednesday afternoon in town.
“For all of you uninformed for what may go down here in Sequim, you may want to show your face to make sure this is a peaceful demonstration and to declare ALL LIVES MATTER,” he wrote alongside the link to the protest.
The protest, the “Sequim Protest Against Racism & Police Brutality,” billed itself as a “family friendly” event.
Based on a series of mea culpa videos, it seems that Larson raised the call for locals to come out and protect the town from antifa infiltrators based on “intel” he had received.
“I was told protesters were here, I was told antifas here are gonna trash the town,” he said in one such video. “I had all this intel.”
“I see 300 to 400 people dressed in black,” he added. “Here it comes to my tiny town.”
He said that while about 10 percent of the protesters called him a racist, 90 percent of them were welcoming.
“I need people to bring it down a notch, including me,” he said. “I’m sorry, I got pretty jacked up about what’s going on in our country right now.”
Still, he called on locals to guard his store and home. In a video he posted Thursday, he showed a small knot of armed people standing guard outside his store.
The linking of antifa to the protests sweeping the country after the police killing of George Floyd started from the top.
President Donald Trump claimed on Twitter that he would designate antifa a terrorist organization, though it was very unclear what that was supposed to mean.
Attorney General William Barr followed up the tweet with a statement: “The violence instigated and carried out by Antifa and other similar groups in connection with the rioting is domestic terrorism and will be treated accordingly.”
The FBI field office in Washington, however, reportedly had “no intelligence” linking antifa to any violence and destruction carried out in D.C.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-05--Cuomo Now Admits He Was Wrong To Downplay NYPD’s Excessive Use Of Force

Governor Andrew Cuomo ( D-N.Y. ) dramatically walked back his previous defense of the New York Police Department during a press conference Friday , admitting that video evidence documenting the excessive use of force to contain protests is verifiable and “ undeniable.
” Cuomo ’ s Friday admission was a significant reversal from his remarks just a day earlier .
When asked by reporters on Thursday about instances of police abuse — documented en masse in online videos that show police officers shoving and bludgeoning protesters , journalists , and passersby with batons — Cuomo instead accused the media of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admonished New Yorkers for showing “ disrespect ” for police .
“ Police bludgeon peaceful protesters with batons for no reason ?
That ’ s not a fact , ” Cuomo said Thursday .
“ They don ’ t do that .
Anyone who did do that would be obviously reprehensible if not criminal.
” The governor pulled up a different set of facts during his Friday press conference when he flashed a video clip of a 75-year-old man in Buffalo , New York being pushed to the ground by police .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , adding that he had spoken to the mayor of Buffalo and they agreed the officers involved should be immediately suspended .
Cuomo ’ s reversal on Friday comes after he swatted away questions earlier this week about graphic video footage collected from multiple sources that showed officers throwing demonstrators to the ground , beating passersby on bicycles and demonstrating an overwhelming show of force to constrain and dominate protesters .
New York Times reporter Ali Watkins captured the aftermath of what she described as undue force used by officers who charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bill de Blasio , whose daughter was arrested while protesting Monday , has also praised the police for showing “ tremendous restraint ” toward protesters — a comment that sparked criticism from New Yorkers .
As marches against police brutality and the killing of George Floyd continued throughout the week , city officials , residents and de Blasio supporters called out the mayor and Police Commissioner Dermot F. Shea for painting such a watered down picture of police violence against protesters .
Others decried the mayor ’ s lack of leadership and failure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as they march for racial justice .
The city ’ s comptroller Scott Stringer said claiming ignorance about video evidence of police violence was “ a total disgrace.
” Jumaane Williams , the city ’ s public advocate tweeted on Wednesday that he was “ ashamed ” of the mayor .
Williams has posted videos on Twitter throughout the week — criticizing police for kettling protesters into narrow confines in a way that seemed to escalate conflict .
Responding to harsh widespread criticism of the NYPD ’ s handling of the protests and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the mayor said “ I don ’ t know why ” we ’ ve seen reporters being arrested , adding that it was not acceptable and further investigation would be pursued .

Governor Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) dramatically walked back his previous defense of the New York Police Department during a press conference Friday, admitting that video evidence documenting the excessive use of force to contain protests is verifiable and “undeniable.”
Cuomo’s Friday admission was a significant reversal from his remarks just a day earlier. When asked by reporters on Thursday about instances of police abuse — documented en masse in online videos that show police officers shoving and bludgeoning protesters, journalists, and passersby with batons — Cuomo instead accused the media of launching a partisan attack. He then admonished New Yorkers for showing “disrespect” for police.
“Police bludgeon peaceful protesters with batons for no reason? That’s not a fact,” Cuomo said Thursday. “They don’t do that. Anyone who did do that would be obviously reprehensible if not criminal.”
The governor pulled up a different set of facts during his Friday press conference when he flashed a video clip of a 75-year-old man in Buffalo, New York being pushed to the ground by police.
“These are undeniable situations,” Cuomo said, adding that he had spoken to the mayor of Buffalo and they agreed the officers involved should be immediately suspended.
Cuomo’s reversal on Friday comes after he swatted away questions earlier this week about graphic video footage collected from multiple sources that showed officers throwing demonstrators to the ground, beating passersby on bicycles and demonstrating an overwhelming show of force to constrain and dominate protesters.
New York Times reporter Ali Watkins captured the aftermath of what she described as undue force used by officers who charged at protesters.
More later, but this is a moment after cops, unprompted as far as I can tell, charged protestors, including a sheltered group of nurses and medics trying to tend to bleeding, injured people who got struck by batons. They had just called an ambulance. pic.twitter.com/fQRBnWBPGT — Ali Watkins (@AliWatkins) June 4, 2020
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, whose daughter was arrested while protesting Monday, has also praised the police for showing “tremendous restraint” toward protesters — a comment that sparked criticism from New Yorkers.
As marches against police brutality and the killing of George Floyd continued throughout the week, city officials, residents and de Blasio supporters called out the mayor and Police Commissioner Dermot F. Shea for painting such a watered down picture of police violence against protesters. Others decried the mayor’s lack of leadership and failure to support New Yorkers from needless attacks as they march for racial justice.
The city’s comptroller Scott Stringer said claiming ignorance about video evidence of police violence was “a total disgrace.”
The penalty for protesting after curfew is not to be beaten senseless by the police. That @NYCMayor has not seen these videos is not just ignorance, it’s a total disgrace. https://t.co/sYqLaDt89g — Scott M. Stringer (@NYCComptroller) June 4, 2020
Jumaane Williams, the city’s public advocate tweeted on Wednesday that he was “ashamed” of the mayor. Williams has posted videos on Twitter throughout the week — criticizing police for kettling protesters into narrow confines in a way that seemed to escalate conflict.
I can't believe what I just witnessed & experienced. The force used on nonviolent protestors was disgusting. No looting/no fires.Chants of "peaceful protest"@NYPDnews was simply enforcing
an ill advised curfew
What happened was completely avoidable I'm so ashamed of @NYCMayor — Jumaane Williams (@JumaaneWilliams) June 4, 2020
Responding to harsh widespread criticism of the NYPD’s handling of the protests and violence toward journalists in particular on Friday, the mayor said “I don’t know why” we’ve seen reporters being arrested, adding that it was not acceptable and further investigation would be pursued.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-06--Despite Video Evidence, Prosecutors Must Bring Right Mix Of Charges In Floyd Case

CHICAGO ( AP ) — As damning as video evidence in the George Floyd case appears to be , prosecutors know they must bring the right charges underpinned by sound legal logic if they hope to convict a Minnesota officer in Floyd ’ s May 25 death .
Exhibit No .
1 at trial is likely to be bystander video showing Officer Derek Chauvin pressing his knee into the back of Floyd ’ s neck as the handcuffed Floyd says he can ’ t breathe .
Chauvin held his knee there even after the 46-year-old black man stopped moving .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean a conviction will be easy .
When it comes to police officers charged with crimes in the line of duty , it never is .
“ This is not a shoo-in , ” said Mike Brandt , a Minnesota defense attorney .
“ There are lots of lines prosecutors have to connect .
If you raise questions about even one , you could raise reasonable doubts.
” Here ’ s a look at some questions and answers about the charges against Chauvin and three other officers , who were all fired : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A : Prosecutors this week added a new charge against the 44-year-old Chauvin : unintentional second-degree murder .
Initial charges of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter remain .
Thomas Lane , J. Kueng and Tou Thao are charged with aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter .
A conviction of second-degree murder carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison ; third-degree murder carries up to 25 years ; and manslaughter up to 10 .
Potential sentences for the other officers depend on a conviction of Chauvin .
If he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they could face the same 40-year maximum .
Q : WHAT ARE THE ELEMENTS OF SECOND-DEGREE MURDER ?
A : Under Minnesota law , unintentional second-degree murder involves causing “ the death of a human being , without intent … while committing or attempting to commit a felony offense.
” The second part of that clause is crucial .
Prosecutors say Chauvin killed Floyd while committing felony assault on Floyd .
For third-degree murder , prosecutors must demonstrate Chauvin caused Floyd ’ s death by actions “ eminently dangerous to others and evincing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human life.
” The complex and some argue poorly defined concept of “ evincing a depraved mind ” has been the subject of courtroom debate , so it ’ s potentially harder to prove .
“ The second-degree murder charge is far more appropriate , ” Brandt said .
“ It ’ s spot-on.
” A : It ’ s possible , and it ’ s something Floyd ’ s family wants .
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison , who is leading the prosecution team , said he ’ s leaving open the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ murder would require a whole new level of evidence .
Prosecutors would have to prove premeditation and intent .
It would also require a motive .
Brandt said it would be a stretch , adding , “ I think it is out of the question.
” Q : ARE THERE RISKS OF OVERCHARGING ?
A : Yes , especially in cases in which prosecutors face intense public pressure .
Jurors may be more likely to acquit or become hopelessly deadlocked in cases where prosecutors bring charges they can ’ t prove .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a way to give jurors a choice .
It boosts the chances of a conviction on at least one charge .
Prosecutors know jurors are often torn .
They often want to satisfy relatives ’ desire for justice with a conviction , while also showing some leniency to defendants .
If jurors struggle for a consensus , multiple charges allow for a compromise verdict , with convictions on some charges and acquittals on others .
A : A central issue in cases alleging excessive force by police is whether a suspect posed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidance in a 1989 ruling , saying an officer ’ s fear is relevant to guilt and that officers “ are often forced to make split-second judgments.
” The reasonableness of an officer ’ s use of force , it said , should be judged “ from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene , rather than with the 20/20 vision of hindsight.
” It will be hard for Chauvin ’ s lawyers to argue their client felt threatened or was forced to make a split-second decision with Floyd handcuffed behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pavement .
In the video , Chauvin appears almost nonchalant , calmly slipping his hand in his pocket at times .
A : Chauvin ’ s attorneys could try to zero in on the cause of Floyd ’ s death , blaming existing health problems , said Brandt .
They may point to the Hennepin County autopsy , which said Floyd died of “ cardiopulmonary arrest , complicating law enforcement subdual , restraint , and neck compression.
” It also noted fentanyl intoxication and recent methamphetamine use , as well as signs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listing any of those factors as a cause of death .
A separate autopsy commissioned by Floyd ’ s family concluded he died of asphyxiation due to neck and back compression .
Either way , prosecutors will argue the ultimate cause was Chauvin ’ s actions .
Lawyers for Chauvin and the other officers also are likely to argue that nationwide outrage and protests triggered a rush to judgment .
Q : WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER OFFICERS ?
A : Proving charges against them could pose the greater challenge , especially with Thao @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s legs as Chauvin pushed on his neck .
That could convince jurors they actively contributed to Floyd ’ s death .
Thao , though , was standing several feet away , sometimes with his back turned to his colleagues .
“ The mere presence at the scene does not constitute aiding and abetting , ” said Brandt .
Attorneys for Kueng and Lane have highlighted their clients ’ status as far junior to Chauvin .
Defense attorney Earl Gray said Lane asked Chauvin , a training officer , if they should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminal complaints , Chauvin said no .
Gray said at an initial hearing Wednesday : “ What is my client supposed to do other than follow what the training officer said ?
”

CHICAGO (AP) — As damning as video evidence in the George Floyd case appears to be, prosecutors know they must bring the right charges underpinned by sound legal logic if they hope to convict a Minnesota officer in Floyd’s May 25 death.
Exhibit No. 1 at trial is likely to be bystander video showing Officer Derek Chauvin pressing his knee into the back of Floyd’s neck as the handcuffed Floyd says he can’t breathe. Chauvin held his knee there even after the 46-year-old black man stopped moving.
But strong video evidence doesn’t mean a conviction will be easy. When it comes to police officers charged with crimes in the line of duty, it never is.
“This is not a shoo-in,” said Mike Brandt, a Minnesota defense attorney. “There are lots of lines prosecutors have to connect. If you raise questions about even one, you could raise reasonable doubts.”
Here’s a look at some questions and answers about the charges against Chauvin and three other officers, who were all fired:
Q: WHAT ARE THE CHARGES?
A: Prosecutors this week added a new charge against the 44-year-old Chauvin: unintentional second-degree murder. Initial charges of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter remain.
Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao are charged with aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
A conviction of second-degree murder carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison; third-degree murder carries up to 25 years; and manslaughter up to 10.
Potential sentences for the other officers depend on a conviction of Chauvin. If he’s convicted of second-degree murder, they could face the same 40-year maximum.
Q: WHAT ARE THE ELEMENTS OF SECOND-DEGREE MURDER?
A: Under Minnesota law, unintentional second-degree murder involves causing “the death of a human being, without intent … while committing or attempting to commit a felony offense.”
The second part of that clause is crucial. Prosecutors say Chauvin killed Floyd while committing felony assault on Floyd.
For third-degree murder, prosecutors must demonstrate Chauvin caused Floyd’s death by actions “eminently dangerous to others and evincing a depraved mind, without regard for human life.”
The complex and some argue poorly defined concept of “evincing a depraved mind” has been the subject of courtroom debate, so it’s potentially harder to prove.
“The second-degree murder charge is far more appropriate,” Brandt said. “It’s spot-on.”
Q: COULD FIRST-DEGREE MURDER CHARGES BE ADDED?
A: It’s possible, and it’s something Floyd’s family wants. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who is leading the prosecution team, said he’s leaving open the possibility of new charges.
But first-degree murder would require a whole new level of evidence. Prosecutors would have to prove premeditation and intent. It would also require a motive.
Brandt said it would be a stretch, adding, “I think it is out of the question.”
Q: ARE THERE RISKS OF OVERCHARGING?
A: Yes, especially in cases in which prosecutors face intense public pressure. Jurors may be more likely to acquit or become hopelessly deadlocked in cases where prosecutors bring charges they can’t prove.
Q: SO WHAT’S THE CHARGING STRATEGY?
A: Bringing multiple charges against the officers is a way to give jurors a choice. It boosts the chances of a conviction on at least one charge.
Prosecutors know jurors are often torn. They often want to satisfy relatives’ desire for justice with a conviction, while also showing some leniency to defendants.
If jurors struggle for a consensus, multiple charges allow for a compromise verdict, with convictions on some charges and acquittals on others.
Q: DID FLOYD POSE A THREAT?
A: A central issue in cases alleging excessive force by police is whether a suspect posed a threat.
The Supreme Court offered guidance in a 1989 ruling, saying an officer’s fear is relevant to guilt and that officers “are often forced to make split-second judgments.” The reasonableness of an officer’s use of force, it said, should be judged “from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, rather than with the 20/20 vision of hindsight.”
It will be hard for Chauvin’s lawyers to argue their client felt threatened or was forced to make a split-second decision with Floyd handcuffed behind his back, his face pressed into the pavement. In the video, Chauvin appears almost nonchalant, calmly slipping his hand in his pocket at times.
Q: WHAT MIGHT DEFENSE LAWYERS ARGUE?
A: Chauvin’s attorneys could try to zero in on the cause of Floyd’s death, blaming existing health problems, said Brandt.
They may point to the Hennepin County autopsy, which said Floyd died of “cardiopulmonary arrest, complicating law enforcement subdual, restraint, and neck compression.” It also noted fentanyl intoxication and recent methamphetamine use, as well as signs of heart disease and hypertension, without listing any of those factors as a cause of death.
A separate autopsy commissioned by Floyd’s family concluded he died of asphyxiation due to neck and back compression.
Either way, prosecutors will argue the ultimate cause was Chauvin’s actions.
Lawyers for Chauvin and the other officers also are likely to argue that nationwide outrage and protests triggered a rush to judgment.
Q: WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER OFFICERS?
A: Proving charges against them could pose the greater challenge, especially with Thao.
Lane and Kueng allegedly held Floyd’s legs as Chauvin pushed on his neck. That could convince jurors they actively contributed to Floyd’s death.
Thao, though, was standing several feet away, sometimes with his back turned to his colleagues.
“The mere presence at the scene does not constitute aiding and abetting,” said Brandt.
Attorneys for Kueng and Lane have highlighted their clients’ status as far junior to Chauvin.
Defense attorney Earl Gray said Lane asked Chauvin, a training officer, if they should turn Floyd over. According to the criminal complaints, Chauvin said no.
Gray said at an initial hearing Wednesday: “What is my client supposed to do other than follow what the training officer said?”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-06--GOP Has Lost Its Appetite For More Virus Aid After Latest Jobs Report

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — A stronger than expected jobs report could further scramble an already uncertain picture for passing a fifth and possibly final coronavirus aid bill .
The positive statistics are feeding the wait-and-see approach of the White House and its GOP allies in Congress .
Republicans say the numbers vindicate their decision to take a pause and assess the almost $ 3 trillion in assistance they already have approved .
The White House was already showing little urgency about pursing another trillion-dollar response bill , much less the $ 3.5 trillion measure passed by the House last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopening the economy .
The coming weeks are expected to bring difficult negotiations over what the package should contain , just months before an election where the White House and control of Congress are at stake .
For lawmakers , tough decisions loom about how much money to allocate to states , how to extend unemployment benefits for millions of people and whether to create lawsuit protections for businesses and schools as they reopen during the pandemic .
Friday ’ s jobs report showed a 2.5 million gain instead of an expected loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the aid talks .
Trump is difficult to gauge , but talks often of pursing public works spending and a payroll tax cut , which is a nonstarter on Capitol Hill .
“ They are less than urgent , less than inclined for another package , ” said Rep. Patrick McHenry , R-N.C. , a GOP leader when his party was in the majority .
“ There is less urgency to go strike a hard deal — and this one would be a hard deal .
Doesn ’ t mean it won ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urgency is far lessened.
” Democrats looked at the jobs report and saw job losses for 600,000 public employees that are likely to worsen if Washington doesn ’ t help cash-starved state and local governments .
Despite the positive jobs news , unemployment nationwide is at 13 % , so the looming expiration of a supplemental $ 600 per week jobless benefit promises to provide a catalyst for action .
Top Democrats such as Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York are united behind the $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which contains party priorities such as jobless aid , another round of $ 1,200 checks and money for essential workers , local schools , colleges and people missing mortgages and rent payments .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and other Republicans are opposed to the Democratic plan .
But they are struggling with their own divisions , with more pragmatic lawmakers favoring aid to states and local governments and recognizing that additional jobless aid is inevitable if there is to be an agreement .
GOP Sens .
Mitt Romney of Utah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gardner of Colorado back a significant state aid package , and there ’ s strong support across Congress for help for smaller municipalities .
But concerns about piling additional trillions of dollars onto the national debt have risen , and some Republicans believe Congress has done enough .
McConnell has already said Republicans won ’ t extend the $ 600 per week supplemental unemployment benefit , which they say is taking away incentive for people to return to the job market .
A recent Congressional Budget Office report estimated that 5 out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to receive the higher benefits than returning to work and that extending the benefit would harm the economy next year .
What is plain is that the enormous sense of urgency that produced the first four aid bills has faded , along with the freewheeling dynamic that inflated the price tags .
That dynamic helped Democrats to win gains in the $ 2 trillion CARES Act in March that they might not have gotten through a more deliberate process .
“ Unlike the CARES Act , where we really did need to act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have a little bit of luxury of time , but that time is not indefinite , ” said Neil Bradley , chief policy officer at the U.S Chamber of Commerce .
“ We don ’ t have months.
” Now , Republicans have set a goal of keeping the cost of the next bill below $ 1 trillion .
That ’ s going to be a hard sell for Pelosi , who devoted almost $ 1 trillion just to states and localities .
Supporters of a deal had hoped to reach an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ annual August recess is now looking more like the informal deadline .
For starters , leadership aides in both parties acknowledge there have been virtually no bipartisan talks so far , with Pelosi and McConnell communicating through their public statements .
“ Future efforts must be laser-focused on helping schools reopen safely in the fall , helping American workers continue to get back on the job , and helping employers reopen and grow , ” McConnell said Friday .

WASHINGTON (AP) — A stronger than expected jobs report could further scramble an already uncertain picture for passing a fifth and possibly final coronavirus aid bill. The positive statistics are feeding the wait-and-see approach of the White House and its GOP allies in Congress.
Republicans say the numbers vindicate their decision to take a pause and assess the almost $3 trillion in assistance they already have approved. The White House was already showing little urgency about pursing another trillion-dollar response bill, much less the $3.5 trillion measure passed by the House last month, and prefers to concentrate on reopening the economy.
The coming weeks are expected to bring difficult negotiations over what the package should contain, just months before an election where the White House and control of Congress are at stake.
For lawmakers, tough decisions loom about how much money to allocate to states, how to extend unemployment benefits for millions of people and whether to create lawsuit protections for businesses and schools as they reopen during the pandemic.
Friday’s jobs report showed a 2.5 million gain instead of an expected loss of millions more, complicating prospects for the aid talks. Trump is difficult to gauge, but talks often of pursing public works spending and a payroll tax cut, which is a nonstarter on Capitol Hill.
“They are less than urgent, less than inclined for another package,” said Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., a GOP leader when his party was in the majority. “There is less urgency to go strike a hard deal — and this one would be a hard deal. Doesn’t mean it won’t happen, I just think the urgency is far lessened.”
Democrats looked at the jobs report and saw job losses for 600,000 public employees that are likely to worsen if Washington doesn’t help cash-starved state and local governments. Despite the positive jobs news, unemployment nationwide is at 13%, so the looming expiration of a supplemental $600 per week jobless benefit promises to provide a catalyst for action.
Top Democrats such as Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York are united behind the $3.5 trillion “HEROES Act,” which contains party priorities such as jobless aid, another round of $1,200 checks and money for essential workers, local schools, colleges and people missing mortgages and rent payments.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and other Republicans are opposed to the Democratic plan. But they are struggling with their own divisions, with more pragmatic lawmakers favoring aid to states and local governments and recognizing that additional jobless aid is inevitable if there is to be an agreement.
GOP Sens. Mitt Romney of Utah, Susan Collins of Maine and Cory Gardner of Colorado back a significant state aid package, and there’s strong support across Congress for help for smaller municipalities. But concerns about piling additional trillions of dollars onto the national debt have risen, and some Republicans believe Congress has done enough.
McConnell has already said Republicans won’t extend the $600 per week supplemental unemployment benefit, which they say is taking away incentive for people to return to the job market. A recent Congressional Budget Office report estimated that 5 out of 6 people would earn more by continuing to receive the higher benefits than returning to work and that extending the benefit would harm the economy next year.
What is plain is that the enormous sense of urgency that produced the first four aid bills has faded, along with the freewheeling dynamic that inflated the price tags. That dynamic helped Democrats to win gains in the $2 trillion CARES Act in March that they might not have gotten through a more deliberate process.
“Unlike the CARES Act, where we really did need to act in a matter of days, here we have a little bit of luxury of time, but that time is not indefinite,” said Neil Bradley, chief policy officer at the U.S Chamber of Commerce. “We don’t have months.”
Now, Republicans have set a goal of keeping the cost of the next bill below $1 trillion. That’s going to be a hard sell for Pelosi, who devoted almost $1 trillion just to states and localities.
Supporters of a deal had hoped to reach an agreement this month, but acknowledge the annual August recess is now looking more like the informal deadline. For starters, leadership aides in both parties acknowledge there have been virtually no bipartisan talks so far, with Pelosi and McConnell communicating through their public statements.
“Future efforts must be laser-focused on helping schools reopen safely in the fall, helping American workers continue to get back on the job, and helping employers reopen and grow,” McConnell said Friday.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-06--Fox News Apologizes For Chart Comparing Stock Performance After Killings Of Black Men

Fox News host Bret Baier tweeted out a statement of apology from the network after it was dragged for airing @ @ @ @ @ market reactions to the historic and ongoing killings of black men .
The network said @ @ @ @ @ never aired on television without full context.
” Fox News was predictably dragged on social @ @ @ @ @ , which compared how the stock market reacted to the killing of black men throughout @ @ @ @ @ their deaths — like Martin Luther King Jr. ’ s assassination and the Rodney King @ @ @ @ @ displayed on Fox News Friday night during Baier ’ s show , “ Special Report @ @ @ @ @ at one point turned the broadcast over to Fox Business reporter Susan Li when the @ @ @ @ @ : “ S & P 500 PERCENTAGE CHANGE ONE WEEK AFTER EVENT.
” “ Stock @ @ @ @ @ the protests this week .
Historically , there has been a disconnect between what investors @ @ @ @ @ across the rest of the country , ” Li said during the segment .

Fox News host Bret Baier tweeted out a statement of apology from the network after it was dragged for airing a chart that compared stock market reactions to the historic and ongoing killings of black men.
The network said the graphic “should have never aired on television without full context.”
FOX NEWS CHANNEL:
“The infographic used on FOX News Channel’s Special Report to illustrate market reactions to historic periods of civil unrest should have never aired on television without full context.We apologize for the insensitivity of the image & take this issue seriously.” — Bret Baier (@BretBaier) June 6, 2020
Fox News was predictably dragged on social media for broadcasting the chart, which compared how the stock market reacted to the killing of black men throughout history and major events surrounding their deaths — like Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination and the Rodney King verdict.
This is a horrific graphic to have put up on air. My god. pic.twitter.com/HoDof1AN9l — Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) June 5, 2020
The graphic was displayed on Fox News Friday night during Baier’s show, “Special Report With Bret Baier.” Baier at one point turned the broadcast over to Fox Business reporter Susan Li when the graphic appeared with the label: “S&P 500 PERCENTAGE CHANGE ONE WEEK AFTER EVENT.”
“Stock markets hitting new height despite the protests this week. Historically, there has been a disconnect between what investors focus on and what happens across the rest of the country,” Li said during the segment.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-06--Two Officers Charged With Assault For Bloody Shoving Of 75-Year-Old Protester

BUFFALO , N.Y. ( AP ) — Two Buffalo police officers were charged with assault Saturday , prosecutors said , after a video showed them shoving a 75-year-old protester in recent demonstrations over the death of George Floyd in Minnesota .
Robert McCabe and Aaron Torgalski , who surrendered Saturday morning , pleaded not guilty to second-degree assault .
They were released without bail .
At a news conference Saturday , District Attorney John Flynn said the officers “ crossed a line.
” The officers had been suspended without pay Friday after a TV crew captured the confrontation the night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ footage shows a man identified as Martin Gugino approaching a line of helmeted officers holding batons as they clear demonstrators from Niagara Square around the time of an 8 p.m. curfew .
Two officers push Gugino backward , and he hits his head on the pavement .
Blood spills as officers walk past .
One officer leans down to check on the injured man before another officer urges the colleague to keep walking .
The video of the encounter sparked outrage online as demonstrators take to cities across the country to protest Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was criminal liability from what I saw on the video , ” Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said at a briefing Saturday .
“ I think what the mayor did and the district attorney did was right , and I applaud them for acting as quickly as they did.
” “ What we saw was horrendous and disgusting , and I believe , illegal , ” he added .
But dozens of Buffalo police officers who were angered over their fellow officers ’ suspensions stepped down from the department ’ s crowd control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not leave their jobs altogether .

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Two Buffalo police officers were charged with assault Saturday, prosecutors said, after a video showed them shoving a 75-year-old protester in recent demonstrations over the death of George Floyd in Minnesota.
Robert McCabe and Aaron Torgalski, who surrendered Saturday morning, pleaded not guilty to second-degree assault. They were released without bail.
At a news conference Saturday, District Attorney John Flynn said the officers “crossed a line.”
The officers had been suspended without pay Friday after a TV crew captured the confrontation the night near the end of protests.
The footage shows a man identified as Martin Gugino approaching a line of helmeted officers holding batons as they clear demonstrators from Niagara Square around the time of an 8 p.m. curfew.
Two officers push Gugino backward, and he hits his head on the pavement. Blood spills as officers walk past. One officer leans down to check on the injured man before another officer urges the colleague to keep walking.
The video of the encounter sparked outrage online as demonstrators take to cities across the country to protest Floyd’s death.
“I think there was criminal liability from what I saw on the video,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said at a briefing Saturday. “I think what the mayor did and the district attorney did was right, and I applaud them for acting as quickly as they did.”
“What we saw was horrendous and disgusting, and I believe, illegal,” he added.
But dozens of Buffalo police officers who were angered over their fellow officers’ suspensions stepped down from the department’s crowd control unit Friday. The resigning officers did not leave their jobs altogether.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-06--Barr Says He Didn’t Give Tactical Order To Clear Protesters In Front Of White House

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — Attorney General William Barr says law enforcement officers were already moving to push back protesters from a park in front of the White House when he arrived there Monday evening , and he says he did not give a command to disperse the crowd , though he supported the decision .
Barr ’ s comments in an interview with The Associated Press on Friday were his most detailed explanation yet of what unfolded outside the White House earlier this week .
They come after the White House and others said repeatedly that the attorney general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shortly after officers aggressively pushed back demonstrators , President Donald Trump — accompanied by Barr , Pentagon leaders and other top advisers — walked through Lafayette Park to pose for a photo at a nearby church that had been damaged during the protests .
The episode played out on live television and prompted an outcry from some Republicans and former military leaders , including Gen. Jim Mattis , Trump ’ s first defense secretary .
Barr told the AP that much of the criticism was unwarranted and that Mattis ’ rebuke was “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Still , administration officials have spent much of the week trying to explain how the situation escalated and why smoke bombs , pepper balls and police on horseback were needed to clear the largely peaceful crowd .
Earlier in the week , White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany told reporters it was Barr who made the decision to push back the security perimeter outside the White House on Monday morning .
McEnany said that when Barr arrived at Lafayette Park later that day to survey the security situation , he was surprised to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ So he said that we needed to get going with moving that perimeter .
He told the officers that out there , ” McEnany said Wednesday .
A person familiar with the matter also said earlier this week that Barr told law enforcement to take action to move the perimeter when he arrived in the park .
On Friday , Barr told the AP that both he and U.S. Park Police were in agreement on the need to push back the security perimeter .
He said he attended a meeting around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement officials , including Metropolitan Police Chief Peter Newsham , where they looked at a map and decided on a dividing line .
Under the plan , the protesters would be moved away from Lafayette Park and federal law enforcement officials and members of the National Guard would maintain the perimeter line , Barr said .
Barr said the plan was supposed to be put into action soon after the meeting , but additional officers and National Guard troops had to be called in because of a high number of officers who had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had not yet been implemented when he arrived at the park later in the evening and the crowd had grown much larger than it was in the afternoon , Barr said .
Still , he said he did not give the officers the orders to proceed — they were already in the process of doing so when he showed up .
“ They told me they were about to make the announcement and I think they stretched the announcements over 20 minutes .
During the time I was there , I would periodically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ They had the Park Police mounted unit ready , so it was just a matter of execution .
So , I didn ’ t just say to them , ‘ Go . '
” Barr said it was a Park Police tactical commander — an official he never spoke to — who gave the order for the law enforcement agencies to move in and clear the protesters .
“ I ’ m not involved in giving tactical commands like that , ” he said .
“ I was frustrated and I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it was going to be harder and harder to do .
So my attitude was get it done , but I didn ’ t say , ‘ Go do it.
’ ” Barr insisted there was no connection between the heavy-handed crackdown on the protesters and Trump ’ s walk soon after to St. John ’ s Church .
The attorney general said he had learned in the afternoon that Trump wanted to go outside , and said that when he went to the White House in the evening , he learned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Several different groups , including the Secret Service and Park Police , were involved in the pushback on the protesters .
Members of the National Guard were present but didn ’ t engage with the protesters , Barr said .
Trump also threatened that night to deploy active-duty military forces to the states if local and state authorities could not adequately quell the demonstrations , which have occasionally turned violent .
Mattis , who left the administration in 2019 , said Wednesday that Trump was setting up a “ false conflict ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and took particular issue with the show of force outside the White House .
“ We know that we are better than the abuse of executive authority that we witnessed in Lafayette Square .
We must reject and hold accountable those in office who would make a mockery of our Constitution , ” Mattis said .

WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General William Barr says law enforcement officers were already moving to push back protesters from a park in front of the White House when he arrived there Monday evening, and he says he did not give a command to disperse the crowd, though he supported the decision.
Barr’s comments in an interview with The Associated Press on Friday were his most detailed explanation yet of what unfolded outside the White House earlier this week. They come after the White House and others said repeatedly that the attorney general ordered officers to clear the park. Shortly after officers aggressively pushed back demonstrators, President Donald Trump — accompanied by Barr, Pentagon leaders and other top advisers — walked through Lafayette Park to pose for a photo at a nearby church that had been damaged during the protests.
The episode played out on live television and prompted an outcry from some Republicans and former military leaders, including Gen. Jim Mattis, Trump’s first defense secretary. Barr told the AP that much of the criticism was unwarranted and that Mattis’ rebuke was “borne of ignorance of the facts.”
Still, administration officials have spent much of the week trying to explain how the situation escalated and why smoke bombs, pepper balls and police on horseback were needed to clear the largely peaceful crowd.
Earlier in the week, White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany told reporters it was Barr who made the decision to push back the security perimeter outside the White House on Monday morning. McEnany said that when Barr arrived at Lafayette Park later that day to survey the security situation, he was surprised to see that action had not yet been taken.
“So he said that we needed to get going with moving that perimeter. He told the officers that out there,” McEnany said Wednesday. A person familiar with the matter also said earlier this week that Barr told law enforcement to take action to move the perimeter when he arrived in the park.
On Friday, Barr told the AP that both he and U.S. Park Police were in agreement on the need to push back the security perimeter. He said he attended a meeting around 2 p.m. Monday with several other law enforcement officials, including Metropolitan Police Chief Peter Newsham, where they looked at a map and decided on a dividing line. Under the plan, the protesters would be moved away from Lafayette Park and federal law enforcement officials and members of the National Guard would maintain the perimeter line, Barr said.
Barr said the plan was supposed to be put into action soon after the meeting, but additional officers and National Guard troops had to be called in because of a high number of officers who had been injured throughout the weekend. It had not yet been implemented when he arrived at the park later in the evening and the crowd had grown much larger than it was in the afternoon, Barr said.
Still, he said he did not give the officers the orders to proceed — they were already in the process of doing so when he showed up.
“They told me they were about to make the announcement and I think they stretched the announcements over 20 minutes. During the time I was there, I would periodically hear announcements,” Barr said. “They had the Park Police mounted unit ready, so it was just a matter of execution. So, I didn’t just say to them, ‘Go.'”
Barr said it was a Park Police tactical commander — an official he never spoke to — who gave the order for the law enforcement agencies to move in and clear the protesters.
“I’m not involved in giving tactical commands like that,” he said. “I was frustrated and I was also worried that as the crowd grew, it was going to be harder and harder to do. So my attitude was get it done, but I didn’t say, ‘Go do it.’”
Barr insisted there was no connection between the heavy-handed crackdown on the protesters and Trump’s walk soon after to St. John’s Church. The attorney general said he had learned in the afternoon that Trump wanted to go outside, and said that when he went to the White House in the evening, he learned of the president’s intended destination.
Several different groups, including the Secret Service and Park Police, were involved in the pushback on the protesters. Members of the National Guard were present but didn’t engage with the protesters, Barr said. Trump also threatened that night to deploy active-duty military forces to the states if local and state authorities could not adequately quell the demonstrations, which have occasionally turned violent.
Mattis, who left the administration in 2019, said Wednesday that Trump was setting up a “false conflict” between the military and civilian society, and took particular issue with the show of force outside the White House.
“We know that we are better than the abuse of executive authority that we witnessed in Lafayette Square. We must reject and hold accountable those in office who would make a mockery of our Constitution,” Mattis said.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-06--Officer Charged With Floyd’s Murder May Have Voted Illegally In FL In 2016, 2018

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin — who was charged with murder after he knelt on George Floyd ’ s neck for nearly 10 minutes — may have voted illegally in Florida , where he owns property , in the last two elections .
According to a new report in Minneapolis ’ Star Tribune , an attorney in Florida has alerted state prosecutors to the possible illegal votes in 2016 and 2018 .
State records show that Chauvin is an active voter in the state of Florida and is affiliated with the Florida Republican Party .
Chauvin reportedly owns property @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Windermere , Florida .
The Florida attorney Dan Helm told the Star Tribune that he checked the Orange County Florida voting file after learning about the Windermere property .
“ When I learned he voted here to influence our elections , while living in Minnesota , I was outraged , ” Helm told the Star Tribune .
Chauvin is one of the four officers charged in George Floyd ’ s death , though Chauvin ’ s charges are the most serious .
He was captured in video footage pinning Floyd to the ground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while Floyd shouted that he couldn ’ t breathe and called out for his mother .
Floyd was initially taken into police custody for allegedly using counterfeit money to buy food .

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin — who was charged with murder after he knelt on George Floyd’s neck for nearly 10 minutes — may have voted illegally in Florida, where he owns property, in the last two elections.
According to a new report in Minneapolis’ Star Tribune, an attorney in Florida has alerted state prosecutors to the possible illegal votes in 2016 and 2018. State records show that Chauvin is an active voter in the state of Florida and is affiliated with the Florida Republican Party.
Chauvin reportedly owns property in Oakdale, Minnesota as well as Windermere, Florida. The Florida attorney Dan Helm told the Star Tribune that he checked the Orange County Florida voting file after learning about the Windermere property.
“When I learned he voted here to influence our elections, while living in Minnesota, I was outraged,” Helm told the Star Tribune.
Chauvin is one of the four officers charged in George Floyd’s death, though Chauvin’s charges are the most serious. He was captured in video footage pinning Floyd to the ground with his knee for nearly 10 minutes while Floyd shouted that he couldn’t breathe and called out for his mother. Floyd was initially taken into police custody for allegedly using counterfeit money to buy food.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-06--Biden Formally Clinches Democratic Presidential Nomination

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — Joe Biden has formally clinched the Democratic presidential nomination , setting him up for a bruising challenge to President Donald Trump that will play out against the unprecedented backdrop of a pandemic , economic collapse and civil unrest .
“ It was an honor to compete alongside one of the most talented groups of candidates the Democratic party has ever fielded , ” Biden said in a statement Friday night , ” and I am proud to say that we are going into this general election a united party.
” The former vice president has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since his last challenger in the Democratic primary , Bernie Sanders , ended his campaign in April .
But Biden pulled together the 1,991 delegates needed to become the nominee Friday after seven states and the District of Columbia held presidential primaries Tuesday .
Biden reached the threshold three days after the primaries because several states , overwhelmed by huge increases in mail ballots , took days to tabulate results .
A team of analysts at The Associated Press then parsed the votes into individual congressional districts .
Democrats award most delegates to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on results in individual congressional districts .
Biden now has 2,000 delegates , with contests still to come in eight states and two U.S. territories .
The moment was met with little of the traditional fanfare as the nation confronts overlapping crises .
While Biden has started to venture out more this week , the coronavirus pandemic has largely confined him to his Wilmington , Delaware , home for much of the past three months .
The country faces the worst rate of unemployment since the Great Depression .
And civil unrest that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in dozens of cities following the death of George Floyd , a black man who died when a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd ’ s neck for several minutes even after he stopped moving and pleading for air .
It ’ s a confluence of events that no U.S. leader has faced in modern times , made all the more complicated by a president who has at times antagonized the protesters and is eager to take the fight to Biden .
“ This is a difficult time in America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday night .
“ And Donald Trump ’ s angry , divisive politics is no answer .
The country is crying out for leadership .
Leadership that can unite us .
Leadership that can bring us together.
” Biden spent 36 years in the Senate before becoming Barack Obama ’ s vice president .
This is 77-year-old Biden ’ s third bid for the presidency and his success in capturing the Democratic nomination was driven by strong support from black voters .
He finished an embarrassing fourth place in the overwhelmingly white Iowa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in February .
Biden fared little better in the New Hampshire primary , where his standing was so low that he left the state before polls closed on election night to instead rally black voters in South Carolina .
His rebound began in the more diverse caucuses in Nevada but solidified in South Carolina , where Biden stomped Sanders , his nearest rival , by nearly 29 points .
He followed that with a dominant showing three days later during the Super Tuesday contests , taking 10 of the 14 states .
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as North Carolina , Virginia , Tennessee and Texas reinforced his status as the preferred Democratic candidate of African American voters — but the relationship has not been without its strained moments .
After a tense exchange with an influential black radio host , Biden took sharp criticism for suggesting that African American voters still deciding between him and Trump “ ain ’ t black.
” That comment , and protests that have spread nationwide , have increased pressure on Biden to pick an African American running mate .
He has already committed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential candidate .
Black voters are unlikely to back Trump over Biden by a wide margin .
A recent Fox News poll shows just 14 % of African Americans who are registered to vote have a favorable opinion of the president compared with 75 % who favorably view Biden .
But Biden must ensure that black voters are motivated to show up to the polls in November , especially in critical swing states that narrowly went for Trump in 2016 .
At one point , the Democratic primary included dozens of candidates of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an openly gay man .
The contest was dominated by debate over unapologetically progressive ideas , including fully government-funded health care under “ Medicare for All ” and a sweeping proposal to combat climate change known as the “ Green New Deal.
” Biden prevailed by mostly offering more moderate approaches that he argued would make him more electable against Trump .
He refused to budge on his rejection of universal health care and some of the Green New Deal ’ s most ambitious provisions to combat climate change .
Since clinching the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to build his appeal among progressives , forming joint task forces with Sanders ’ campaign to find common ground on key issues like health care , the economy and the environment .
Biden has also embraced a plan to forgive millions of Americans ’ student debt , meaning that he clinches the nomination as easily the most liberal standard bearer the Democratic Party has ever had .
Biden ’ s embrace of his party ’ s left flank could help him consolidate a Democratic base that remained deeply divided after the 2016 primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defeat to Trump .
But it could also undermine Biden ’ s attempts to rebuild the Obama coalition , which is often loosely defined as minorities and young people , as well as educated Americans and some working-class voters .
The former vice president has sought , since announcing his candidacy , to cast the election as a battle “ for the soul of the nation , ” and promised to restore order and dignity to the White House while rehabilitating the U.S. image on the world stage .
Such an approach , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an alternative to Trump than offering radically new political ideas .
And that further underscores Biden ’ s difficult task of trying to unite his party ’ s base while appealing to voters from far beyond it .
“ I am going to spend every day between now and November 3rd fighting to earn the votes of Americans all across this great country , ” Biden promised Friday , “ so that , together , we can win the battle for the soul of this nation , and make sure that as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along .
”

WASHINGTON (AP) — Joe Biden has formally clinched the Democratic presidential nomination, setting him up for a bruising challenge to President Donald Trump that will play out against the unprecedented backdrop of a pandemic, economic collapse and civil unrest.
“It was an honor to compete alongside one of the most talented groups of candidates the Democratic party has ever fielded,” Biden said in a statement Friday night, ”and I am proud to say that we are going into this general election a united party.”
The former vice president has effectively been his party’s leader since his last challenger in the Democratic primary, Bernie Sanders, ended his campaign in April. But Biden pulled together the 1,991 delegates needed to become the nominee Friday after seven states and the District of Columbia held presidential primaries Tuesday.
Biden reached the threshold three days after the primaries because several states, overwhelmed by huge increases in mail ballots, took days to tabulate results. A team of analysts at The Associated Press then parsed the votes into individual congressional districts. Democrats award most delegates to the party’s national convention based on results in individual congressional districts.
Biden now has 2,000 delegates, with contests still to come in eight states and two U.S. territories.
The moment was met with little of the traditional fanfare as the nation confronts overlapping crises. While Biden has started to venture out more this week, the coronavirus pandemic has largely confined him to his Wilmington, Delaware, home for much of the past three months.
The country faces the worst rate of unemployment since the Great Depression. And civil unrest that harkens back to the 1960s has erupted in dozens of cities following the death of George Floyd, a black man who died when a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for several minutes even after he stopped moving and pleading for air.
It’s a confluence of events that no U.S. leader has faced in modern times, made all the more complicated by a president who has at times antagonized the protesters and is eager to take the fight to Biden.
“This is a difficult time in America’s history,” Biden said Friday night. “And Donald Trump’s angry, divisive politics is no answer. The country is crying out for leadership. Leadership that can unite us. Leadership that can bring us together.”
Biden spent 36 years in the Senate before becoming Barack Obama’s vice president. This is 77-year-old Biden’s third bid for the presidency and his success in capturing the Democratic nomination was driven by strong support from black voters.
He finished an embarrassing fourth place in the overwhelmingly white Iowa caucuses that kicked off the nomination process in February. Biden fared little better in the New Hampshire primary, where his standing was so low that he left the state before polls closed on election night to instead rally black voters in South Carolina.
His rebound began in the more diverse caucuses in Nevada but solidified in South Carolina, where Biden stomped Sanders, his nearest rival, by nearly 29 points. He followed that with a dominant showing three days later during the Super Tuesday contests, taking 10 of the 14 states.
Biden’s strong showing in states such as North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and Texas reinforced his status as the preferred Democratic candidate of African American voters — but the relationship has not been without its strained moments. After a tense exchange with an influential black radio host, Biden took sharp criticism for suggesting that African American voters still deciding between him and Trump “ain’t black.”
That comment, and protests that have spread nationwide, have increased pressure on Biden to pick an African American running mate. He has already committed to picking a woman as a vice presidential candidate.
Black voters are unlikely to back Trump over Biden by a wide margin. A recent Fox News poll shows just 14% of African Americans who are registered to vote have a favorable opinion of the president compared with 75% who favorably view Biden.
But Biden must ensure that black voters are motivated to show up to the polls in November, especially in critical swing states that narrowly went for Trump in 2016.
At one point, the Democratic primary included dozens of candidates of different races, genders and generations and an openly gay man. The contest was dominated by debate over unapologetically progressive ideas, including fully government-funded health care under “Medicare for All” and a sweeping proposal to combat climate change known as the “Green New Deal.”
Biden prevailed by mostly offering more moderate approaches that he argued would make him more electable against Trump.
He refused to budge on his rejection of universal health care and some of the Green New Deal’s most ambitious provisions to combat climate change.
Since clinching the nomination, however, Biden has worked to build his appeal among progressives, forming joint task forces with Sanders’ campaign to find common ground on key issues like health care, the economy and the environment. Biden has also embraced a plan to forgive millions of Americans’ student debt, meaning that he clinches the nomination as easily the most liberal standard bearer the Democratic Party has ever had.
Biden’s embrace of his party’s left flank could help him consolidate a Democratic base that remained deeply divided after the 2016 primary and ultimately hurt Hillary Clinton in her defeat to Trump. But it could also undermine Biden’s attempts to rebuild the Obama coalition, which is often loosely defined as minorities and young people, as well as educated Americans and some working-class voters.
The former vice president has sought, since announcing his candidacy, to cast the election as a battle “for the soul of the nation,” and promised to restore order and dignity to the White House while rehabilitating the U.S. image on the world stage. Such an approach, though, necessarily focuses on being more of an alternative to Trump than offering radically new political ideas. And that further underscores Biden’s difficult task of trying to unite his party’s base while appealing to voters from far beyond it.
“I am going to spend every day between now and November 3rd fighting to earn the votes of Americans all across this great country,” Biden promised Friday, “so that, together, we can win the battle for the soul of this nation, and make sure that as we rebuild our economy, everyone comes along.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-06-06--Joint Chiefs Of Staff Chairman Privately Reached Out To Dem Leadership This Week

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — The nation ’ s top military officer , Gen. Mark Milley , spoke privately with congressional leaders and many other lawmakers as Pentagon officials came under fire for the military ’ s role in containing protests following the police killing of George Floyd .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , called Milley , chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , to express her concerns on Tuesday , according to two people who were not authorized to publicly discuss the private conversations and were granted anonymity .
That was the day after authorities cleared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump could hold a photo opportunity at a nearby church .
Milley and Defense Secretary Mark Esper were sharply criticized for accompanying Trump and thereby giving the impression of endorsing a politicization of the military .
Milley also reached out Tuesday to Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York , said another person granted anonymity to discuss the situation .
A third official said Milley had spoke with perhaps 20 or more members of Congress in the days following Monday ’ s photo op and Trump ’ s implicit threat to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to use federal troops in a law enforcement role in the nation ’ s capital and in other cities .
The outreach comes as Milley and Defense Secretary Mark Esper have tried to contain damage in the aftermath of Monday ’ s walk with Trump .
Federal authorities used smoke canisters and pepper balls to clear peaceful protesters from a park so the president and his entourage could walk to the church and Trump could pose with a Bible .
Late Friday , Esper and Milley declined a request from Democrats to appear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
“ This is unacceptable , ” Rep. Adam Smith , D-Wash. , the committee chairman , said in a statement Friday , joined by the panel ’ s 30 Democrats .
“ Our military leaders are sworn to be accountable to the people of this country , and Congress is constitutionally responsible for oversight , ” the Democrats wrote .
“ They must appear and testify on these crucial matters in order to meet that responsibility.
” An informal briefing Friday with the secretary of the Army was also canceled , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on condition of anonymity to discuss a matter that had not been publicly disclosed .
The White House has prohibited officials from the administration from testifying before the House unless they have cleared any appearances with the White House chief of staff .
The protests in Washington were among those nationwide following the death of Floyd , a black man who died when a white police officer pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes .
In the call with Milley , Pelosi raised a number of issues that were spelled out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an accounting of “ increased militarization ” in response to the protests .
Schumer on Tuesday warned Milley and Esper , in a speech on the Senate floor , not to allow the U.S. military to engage in “ ugly stunts ” like the event the night before outside the White House .
Esper told reporters Wednesday he was not aware of the operation to clear the park and did not know he was heading into a photo op .
He also distanced himself from Trump ’ s threat to step up the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , arguing against invoking the Insurrection Act .
Milley released a message this week to military leaders stating that the Constitution “ is founded on the essential principle that all men and women are born free and equal and should be treated with respect and dignity ” and that it ” also gives Americans the right to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly.
” The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee , James Inhofe , R-Okla. , defended Milley ’ s handling of the protest .
In his own Senate speech Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ set the record straight ” after conferring with Milley before and after Monday ’ s events .
Inhofe said Milley “ told me that he intends to honor his oath and uphold the delicate balance between civilians and the military , and I fully believe him.
” In her letter to Trump on Thursday , Pelosi asked the president under what authority and chain of command the troops were operating in the nation ’ s capital , warning the approach “ may increase chaos.
” The House Armed Services Committee members said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department by Monday .

WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation’s top military officer, Gen. Mark Milley, spoke privately with congressional leaders and many other lawmakers as Pentagon officials came under fire for the military’s role in containing protests following the police killing of George Floyd.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., called Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to express her concerns on Tuesday, according to two people who were not authorized to publicly discuss the private conversations and were granted anonymity. That was the day after authorities cleared protesters near the White House so President Donald Trump could hold a photo opportunity at a nearby church. Milley and Defense Secretary Mark Esper were sharply criticized for accompanying Trump and thereby giving the impression of endorsing a politicization of the military.
Milley also reached out Tuesday to Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York, said another person granted anonymity to discuss the situation. A third official said Milley had spoke with perhaps 20 or more members of Congress in the days following Monday’s photo op and Trump’s implicit threat to invoke the Insurrection Act to permit him to use federal troops in a law enforcement role in the nation’s capital and in other cities.
The outreach comes as Milley and Defense Secretary Mark Esper have tried to contain damage in the aftermath of Monday’s walk with Trump. Federal authorities used smoke canisters and pepper balls to clear peaceful protesters from a park so the president and his entourage could walk to the church and Trump could pose with a Bible.
Late Friday, Esper and Milley declined a request from Democrats to appear before the House Armed Services Committee next week.
“This is unacceptable,” Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., the committee chairman, said in a statement Friday, joined by the panel’s 30 Democrats.
“Our military leaders are sworn to be accountable to the people of this country, and Congress is constitutionally responsible for oversight,” the Democrats wrote. “They must appear and testify on these crucial matters in order to meet that responsibility.”
An informal briefing Friday with the secretary of the Army was also canceled, according to a congressional aide who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a matter that had not been publicly disclosed.
The White House has prohibited officials from the administration from testifying before the House unless they have cleared any appearances with the White House chief of staff.
The protests in Washington were among those nationwide following the death of Floyd, a black man who died when a white police officer pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes.
In the call with Milley, Pelosi raised a number of issues that were spelled out in a subsequent letter to Trump seeking an accounting of “increased militarization” in response to the protests.
Schumer on Tuesday warned Milley and Esper, in a speech on the Senate floor, not to allow the U.S. military to engage in “ugly stunts” like the event the night before outside the White House.
Esper told reporters Wednesday he was not aware of the operation to clear the park and did not know he was heading into a photo op. He also distanced himself from Trump’s threat to step up the military’s role in quelling protests, arguing against invoking the Insurrection Act.
Milley released a message this week to military leaders stating that the Constitution “is founded on the essential principle that all men and women are born free and equal and should be treated with respect and dignity” and that it ”also gives Americans the right to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly.”
The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, James Inhofe, R-Okla., defended Milley’s handling of the protest.
In his own Senate speech Tuesday morning, Inhofe said he wanted to “set the record straight” after conferring with Milley before and after Monday’s events.
Inhofe said Milley “told me that he intends to honor his oath and uphold the delicate balance between civilians and the military, and I fully believe him.”
In her letter to Trump on Thursday, Pelosi asked the president under what authority and chain of command the troops were operating in the nation’s capital, warning the approach “may increase chaos.”
The House Armed Services Committee members said they expect a briefing from the Defense Department by Monday.
___
AP National Security Writer Robert Burns contributed to this report.