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Trump's comment 'this is a great day' for George Floyd draws immediate outrage – live Trump's comment 'this is a great day' for George Floyd draws immediate outrage – live
(32 minutes later)
‘Hopefully, George is looking down right now and saying, “This is a great thing happening for our country”’ Trump said amid police brutality at protests‘Hopefully, George is looking down right now and saying, “This is a great thing happening for our country”’ Trump said amid police brutality at protests
Joe Biden argued Trump deserved no credit for this morning’s jobs report, which showed unemployment had dropped slightly to 13.3% from 14.7% a month earlier.
The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee said Trump had still failed to reckon with how his response to the coronavirus pandemic had hampered the country’s economy.
“He has no idea the depth of the pain that so many people are still enduring. He remains completely oblivious to the human toll of his indifference,” the former vice president said. “It’s time for him to step out of his own bunker, take a look around the consequences of his words and his actions.”
Biden continued, “Let’s be clear: a president who takes no responsibility for costing millions and millions of American their jobs deserves no credit when a fraction of them return.”
Joe Biden has reacted to the president’s comment this morning that this was a “great day” for George Floyd, who was killed while in police custody last week.
“George Floyd’s last words, ‘I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe,’ have echoed all across this nation and quite frankly around the world,” Biden said while delivering remarkson the jobs report in Dover, Delaware.
“For the president to try to put any other words in the mouth of George Floyd, I frankly think is despicable.”
The presumptive Democratic nominee noted Trump made the comment on the same day that the jobs report showed black unemployment rose last month, even though overall unemployment fell.
Biden said Trump’s decision to make the Floyd comment following that disheartening news “tells you everything you need to know about this man.”
The US has been downgraded from a “medium risk” to a “high risk” country in a civil unrest index by the global risk analysis company Verik Maplecroft.
As nationwide protests continue over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the firm finds that the “marginalisation of racial and religious minorities” is the single biggest driver of the unrest “because of the profound impact on the living standards of entire communities.” The conditions mean that direct acts of violence to express discontent “appeal to a broad range of community members.”
The unrest is expected to grow -- it has a 64.9% chance of getting worse by early next year, the analysis said. The report said the US government has “failed to eradicate the impunity with which the police act or address the lack of accountability for its actions.”
“For instance, Officer Derek Chauvin, charged with the murder of Floyd, had 18 prior complaints made against him.” The company had identified Minnesota as the highest-risk state in the US even before Floyd’s killing, by assessing the risk of violations by police and military.
This is only the second time the US has dropped into the “high risk” category. The first was when Trump was elected and took office in 2017. “The ongoing protests reveal the high degree of political polarisation, particularly around social issues like race and gender discrimination, and structural socio-economic inequalities that have become evident once more under the Trump administration,” the report said.
The US now ranks 78th among highest=risk nations, having fallen 13 places since the last quarterly report. “Eroding freedom of speech and judicial independence” could stoke more protests that hamper social distancing and slow the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, the company said.
Military deployments will worsen the public perception that the government is seeking to restrict freedom of expression. Covid cases are already expected to continue to rise in central and southern states in the coming weeks, where some of the most intense protests are happening, according to Verisk Maplecroft’s sister company AIR.
The findings follow a similar warning from the International Crisis Group, an international security thinktank based in Brussels.
Here’s where the day stands so far:
Trump sparked outrage by saying this was a “great day” for George Floyd, who was killed in police custody last week. During a White House event where the president boasted about the country’s job gains and downplayed the protests continuing across the country, Trump said, “Hopefully George is looking down right now and saying, ‘This is a great thing that’s happening for our country.’ This is a great day for him. It’s a great day for everbody.”
The US unemployment rate surprisingly dropped to 13.3% in May, according to the latest jobs report released this morning. The news was a welcome surprise, considering economists had predicted the rate could climb to as high as 20%, but the figure is still far from the 3.5% unemployment rate recorded in February.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser renamed the section of 16th Street in front of the White House “Black Lives Matter Plaza.” The announcement came as tensions escalate between the White House and the DC government after Trump sent thousands of additional law enforcement officers to patrol the city’s streets in response to the Floyd protests.
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
Two-thirds of Americans think Trump has increased racial tensions in the country, a new poll found as protests over the killing of George Floyd continue across the US.Two-thirds of Americans think Trump has increased racial tensions in the country, a new poll found as protests over the killing of George Floyd continue across the US.
According to a new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll, 67% of Americans say Trump has mostly increased racial tensions. That number includes 92% of Democrats, 73% of independents and 29% of Republicans.According to a new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll, 67% of Americans say Trump has mostly increased racial tensions. That number includes 92% of Democrats, 73% of independents and 29% of Republicans.
In comparison, 18% of Americans said the president has decreased racial tensions, including 41% of Republicans. Another 30% of Republicans said they weren’t sure.In comparison, 18% of Americans said the president has decreased racial tensions, including 41% of Republicans. Another 30% of Republicans said they weren’t sure.
Lee Miringoff, the director of the institute that conducted the poll, said of the numbers, “It’s very unusual to see Republicans break when the name Trump is presented, but that is the case here.”Lee Miringoff, the director of the institute that conducted the poll, said of the numbers, “It’s very unusual to see Republicans break when the name Trump is presented, but that is the case here.”
The DC chapter of Black Lives Matter is unimpressed with Muriel Bowser after the mayor painted a “Black Lives Matter” message on 16th Street near the White House.The DC chapter of Black Lives Matter is unimpressed with Muriel Bowser after the mayor painted a “Black Lives Matter” message on 16th Street near the White House.
The BLM chapter described the painted message as a “performative distraction from real policy changes,” calling on Bowser to defund the police.The BLM chapter described the painted message as a “performative distraction from real policy changes,” calling on Bowser to defund the police.
Trump has retweeted a clip that his camapign shared of the president saying this was a “great day” for George Floyd, who died last week after a police officer put his knee on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes.Trump has retweeted a clip that his camapign shared of the president saying this was a “great day” for George Floyd, who died last week after a police officer put his knee on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes.
Trump said during his Rose Garden event this morning, “Equal justice under the law must mean every American receives equal treatment in every encounter with law enforcement regardless of race, color, gender or creed. They have to receive fair treatment from law enforcement.”Trump said during his Rose Garden event this morning, “Equal justice under the law must mean every American receives equal treatment in every encounter with law enforcement regardless of race, color, gender or creed. They have to receive fair treatment from law enforcement.”
The president then appeared to veer from his prepared remarks, saying, “We all saw what happened last week. We can’t let that happen. Hopefully George is looking down right now and saying, ‘This is a great thing that’s happening for our country.’ This is a great day for him. It’s a great day for everbody. This is a great day for everybody. This a great, great day in terms of equality.”The president then appeared to veer from his prepared remarks, saying, “We all saw what happened last week. We can’t let that happen. Hopefully George is looking down right now and saying, ‘This is a great thing that’s happening for our country.’ This is a great day for him. It’s a great day for everbody. This is a great day for everybody. This a great, great day in terms of equality.”
Trump then swerved back into talking about the economy, boasting about the coronavirus relief packages he has signed into law.Trump then swerved back into talking about the economy, boasting about the coronavirus relief packages he has signed into law.
The president’s comments about Floyd came less than two weeks after the unarmed black man was killed in police custody and just one day after Floyd’s family held a memorial service for him in Minneapolis.The president’s comments about Floyd came less than two weeks after the unarmed black man was killed in police custody and just one day after Floyd’s family held a memorial service for him in Minneapolis.
Reactions continue to pour in after Trump said this was a “great day” for George Floyd, who was killed in police custody last week.Reactions continue to pour in after Trump said this was a “great day” for George Floyd, who was killed in police custody last week.
From Democratic senator Mark Warner:From Democratic senator Mark Warner:
From a former Democratic senator:From a former Democratic senator:
From a Democratic strategist:From a Democratic strategist:
From the research director for the watchdog group CREW:From the research director for the watchdog group CREW:
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has just announced that the section of 16th Street NW in front of the White House has been renamed “Black Lives Matter Plaza.”DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has just announced that the section of 16th Street NW in front of the White House has been renamed “Black Lives Matter Plaza.”
A crowd cheered as a city employee installed a sign reading “Black Lives Matter Plz” on a street light.A crowd cheered as a city employee installed a sign reading “Black Lives Matter Plz” on a street light.
The announcement comes as Bowser has sought to assert the city’s autonomy amid the George Floyd protests, despite Trump’s decision to send thousands of additional law enforcment officers to patrol DC.The announcement comes as Bowser has sought to assert the city’s autonomy amid the George Floyd protests, despite Trump’s decision to send thousands of additional law enforcment officers to patrol DC.
Bowser sent a letter to Trump today asking him to remove the additional forces from the city, although defense secretary Mark Esper reversed a decision to do just that earlier this week.Bowser sent a letter to Trump today asking him to remove the additional forces from the city, although defense secretary Mark Esper reversed a decision to do just that earlier this week.
Trump has just concluded his nearly hour-long “press conference” at the White House without taking any questions from the reporters there.Trump has just concluded his nearly hour-long “press conference” at the White House without taking any questions from the reporters there.
This is the second consecutive time that the president has called a “press conference” only to make a statement, which reporters argued defied the definition of a press conference.This is the second consecutive time that the president has called a “press conference” only to make a statement, which reporters argued defied the definition of a press conference.
Instead, the president spent the hour making celebratory and seemingly unscripted remarks about the jobs report and the George Floyd protests that have continued across the country.Instead, the president spent the hour making celebratory and seemingly unscripted remarks about the jobs report and the George Floyd protests that have continued across the country.
As the president left the event, reporters shouted questions about Trump’s comment that this was a “great day” for Floyd, who was killed in police custody last week, but he ignored them.As the president left the event, reporters shouted questions about Trump’s comment that this was a “great day” for Floyd, who was killed in police custody last week, but he ignored them.
Trump’s comment moments ago about this being a “great day” for George Floyd is already sparking outrage among the president’s critics.Trump’s comment moments ago about this being a “great day” for George Floyd is already sparking outrage among the president’s critics.
“Hopefully, George is looking down right now and saying, ‘This is a great thing happening for our country,’” Trump said of Floyd, who was killed in police custody last week. “A great day for him, a great day for everybody. This is a great day for everybody.”“Hopefully, George is looking down right now and saying, ‘This is a great thing happening for our country,’” Trump said of Floyd, who was killed in police custody last week. “A great day for him, a great day for everybody. This is a great day for everybody.”
The liberal organization CAP Action said the president’s comment was “despicable”:The liberal organization CAP Action said the president’s comment was “despicable”:
Trump wrapped up his prepared remarks (which seemed largely improvised) and signed legislation related to the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses.Trump wrapped up his prepared remarks (which seemed largely improvised) and signed legislation related to the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses.
Reporters shouted questions at him as he signed the bill, but the president only responded by continuing to brag about this morning’s jobs report.Reporters shouted questions at him as he signed the bill, but the president only responded by continuing to brag about this morning’s jobs report.
One reporter asked how the economic growth could have helped George Floyd, after the president said this was a “great day” for Floyd, who was killed in police custody last week.One reporter asked how the economic growth could have helped George Floyd, after the president said this was a “great day” for Floyd, who was killed in police custody last week.
Another reporter, Yamiche Alcindor of PBS NewsHour, asked Trump to comment on how unemployment actually rose among African Americans and Asian Americans. Trump responded by dismissively waving his hand and telling Alcindor, “You are something.”Another reporter, Yamiche Alcindor of PBS NewsHour, asked Trump to comment on how unemployment actually rose among African Americans and Asian Americans. Trump responded by dismissively waving his hand and telling Alcindor, “You are something.”
Trump just said hospitality and leisure gained 1.2m jobs last month - that’s true. Those jobs accounted for most of this months surprise gains,Trump just said hospitality and leisure gained 1.2m jobs last month - that’s true. Those jobs accounted for most of this months surprise gains,
But hospitality and leisure lost 8.4m jobs in the previous two months. While it’s true the reopening has brought people back to work, the unemployment rate at 13.3% is still at heights unseen since the worst days of the 1980s.But hospitality and leisure lost 8.4m jobs in the previous two months. While it’s true the reopening has brought people back to work, the unemployment rate at 13.3% is still at heights unseen since the worst days of the 1980s.
As Trump celebrates the country’s job gains and downplays the ongiong George Floyd protests, the street near the White House has been painted with the words “Black Lives Matter.”As Trump celebrates the country’s job gains and downplays the ongiong George Floyd protests, the street near the White House has been painted with the words “Black Lives Matter.”
DC mayor Muriel Bowser said she had signed off on painting the message near the White House to emphasize the street belonged to the city after Trump sent thousands of additional law enforcement officials to the nation’s capital in response to the protests.DC mayor Muriel Bowser said she had signed off on painting the message near the White House to emphasize the street belonged to the city after Trump sent thousands of additional law enforcement officials to the nation’s capital in response to the protests.
Trump is apparently using his press conference to declare both the coronavirus crisis and the George Floyd protests to be over.Trump is apparently using his press conference to declare both the coronavirus crisis and the George Floyd protests to be over.
“Hopefully, George is looking down right now and saying, ‘This is a great thing happening for our country,” Trump said of Floyd, who was killed in police custody last week. “A great day for him, a great day for everybody. This is great day for everybody.”“Hopefully, George is looking down right now and saying, ‘This is a great thing happening for our country,” Trump said of Floyd, who was killed in police custody last week. “A great day for him, a great day for everybody. This is great day for everybody.”
However, protests against police brutality are continuing across the country, and Democrats have called for a number of policy changes, including a national ban on chokeholds, that have not been enacted.However, protests against police brutality are continuing across the country, and Democrats have called for a number of policy changes, including a national ban on chokeholds, that have not been enacted.
In terms of the coronavirus crisis, this morning’s jobs report showed unemployment had dropped to 13.3%, so the US economy still needs to recover much more before reaching pre-pandemic levels.In terms of the coronavirus crisis, this morning’s jobs report showed unemployment had dropped to 13.3%, so the US economy still needs to recover much more before reaching pre-pandemic levels.
Here’s video of Trump’s mention of Floyd:Here’s video of Trump’s mention of Floyd:
Trump appears to have abandoned his prepared remarks, assuming he had any to begin with. The president has celebrated the jobs report, while mocking his critics.Trump appears to have abandoned his prepared remarks, assuming he had any to begin with. The president has celebrated the jobs report, while mocking his critics.
Trump described those who have criticized his response to the coronavirus pandemic as his “enemies,” and he characterized the policy goals of the Green New Deal as “baby talk.”Trump described those who have criticized his response to the coronavirus pandemic as his “enemies,” and he characterized the policy goals of the Green New Deal as “baby talk.”
The president also enocuraged governors to allow him to send National Guard troops amid the George Floyd protests, saying he would send troops “so fast it’ll make their heads spin.”The president also enocuraged governors to allow him to send National Guard troops amid the George Floyd protests, saying he would send troops “so fast it’ll make their heads spin.”