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George Floyd protests: Democrats take a knee before unveiling police reform bill – live Derek Chauvin: judge sets $1m bail for police officer charged with George Floyd's murder – live
(32 minutes later)
Lawmakers were silent for eight minutes and 46 seconds, the length of time an officer had his knee on Floyd’s neck, before introducing Justice in Policing act Former Minneapolis officer charged in connection to the killing of George Floyd appeared virtually in court today
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany just wrapped up her briefing, during which she was asked whether Trump still believes NFL players who kneel during the national anthem should be fired.
“The president is very much against kneeling in general,” McEnany said. “He’s not a fan of the kneeling movement. He’s made that very clear.”
However, the press secretary would not explicitly say whether the president still believes players who kneel during the national anthem to protest police brutality should be fired.
Last night, Trump criticized NFL commissioner Roger Goodell for saying that the league had mishandled the players’ protests and encouraging players to “speak out” about police brutality.
“Could it be even remotely possible that in Roger Goodell’s rather interesting statement of peace and reconciliation, he was intimating that it would now be O.K. for the players to KNEEL, or not to stand, for the National Anthem, thereby disrespecting our Country & our Flag?” Trump wrote in a tweet.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany lashed out against Mitt Romney after the Republican senator participated in a protest against police brutality over the weekend.
McEnany recounted some of Romney’s gaffes during his 2012 presidential campaign and went on to brag that Trump got 8% of the black vote, while Romney got 2%.
But exit polls indicate Romney actually got 6% of the black vote when he ran against Barack Obama in 2012, and needless to say, both men received very little support from African Americans, which is something the Republican party as a whole has struggled with.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the administration stands by the decision to forcibly remove peaceful protesters using tear gas last week.
“There’s no regrets on the part of this White House,” McEnany said of the decision, which sparked international outcry.
McEnany tried to shift responsibility for the decision to attorney general William Barr and the US park police.
When again asked whether Trump is sorry about the way protesters were removed, McEnany deflected by saying, “The president is sorry about the fact that Antifa wreaked havoc on our streets.”
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany emphasized that Trump is strongly opposed to proposals to defund police departments.White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany emphasized that Trump is strongly opposed to proposals to defund police departments.
The president “is appalled by the defund the police movement,” McEnany said during her White House briefing.The president “is appalled by the defund the police movement,” McEnany said during her White House briefing.
When McEnany was pressed on whether Trump believes there is systemic racism in law enforcement, she said the president thinks there are “instances of racism” among police officers but they are overall “good, hard-working people.”When McEnany was pressed on whether Trump believes there is systemic racism in law enforcement, she said the president thinks there are “instances of racism” among police officers but they are overall “good, hard-working people.”
A judge has set a $1-$1.25 million bail for Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who has been charged with second-degree murder in connection to the killing of George Floyd.A judge has set a $1-$1.25 million bail for Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who has been charged with second-degree murder in connection to the killing of George Floyd.
Chauvin virtually appeared in court today to face charges of murder and manslaughter after he was filmed keeping his knee on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes.Chauvin virtually appeared in court today to face charges of murder and manslaughter after he was filmed keeping his knee on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes.
Judge Jeannice Reding granted the prosecutors’ motion to set unconditional bail at $1.25 million, or $1 million with conditions, which included being law-abiding, making future court appearances and surrendering firearms.Judge Jeannice Reding granted the prosecutors’ motion to set unconditional bail at $1.25 million, or $1 million with conditions, which included being law-abiding, making future court appearances and surrendering firearms.
Joe Biden met with George Floyd’s family in Houston, where the family will soon hold a memorial for Floyd, who was killed in police custody two weeks ago.Joe Biden met with George Floyd’s family in Houston, where the family will soon hold a memorial for Floyd, who was killed in police custody two weeks ago.
The family allowed the public to view Floyd’s casket today before the memorial, and thousands have already attended the visitation.The family allowed the public to view Floyd’s casket today before the memorial, and thousands have already attended the visitation.
Here’s some unsurprising but still alarming news: the US economy entered a recession in February, according to a committee of economists at the national bureau of economic research.Here’s some unsurprising but still alarming news: the US economy entered a recession in February, according to a committee of economists at the national bureau of economic research.
The economists said today that the depth of the country’s economic downturn since February led them to conclude a recession had started, ending the longest expansion on record.The economists said today that the depth of the country’s economic downturn since February led them to conclude a recession had started, ending the longest expansion on record.
“The unprecedented magnitude of the decline in employment and production, and its broad reach across the entire economy, warrants the designation of this episode as a recession, even if it turns out to be briefer than earlier contractions,” the NBER panel said.“The unprecedented magnitude of the decline in employment and production, and its broad reach across the entire economy, warrants the designation of this episode as a recession, even if it turns out to be briefer than earlier contractions,” the NBER panel said.
The news comes after Friday’s jobs report showed the country’s unemployment rate had dropped slightly to a still-high figure of 13.3%.The news comes after Friday’s jobs report showed the country’s unemployment rate had dropped slightly to a still-high figure of 13.3%.
More than 42 million Americans have applied for unemployment benefits since the start of the coronavirus crisis, and many businesses remain shuttered due to social distancing restrictions.More than 42 million Americans have applied for unemployment benefits since the start of the coronavirus crisis, and many businesses remain shuttered due to social distancing restrictions.
The Trump campaign is still trying to link Joe Biden to the movement to defund police departments, even though a Biden spokesperson has issued a statement saying he does not support the idea.The Trump campaign is still trying to link Joe Biden to the movement to defund police departments, even though a Biden spokesperson has issued a statement saying he does not support the idea.
“Joe Biden cannot be let off the hook after his campaign issued a weak statement from a mid-level staffer,” said Tim Murtaugh, the communications director of the Trump campaign.“Joe Biden cannot be let off the hook after his campaign issued a weak statement from a mid-level staffer,” said Tim Murtaugh, the communications director of the Trump campaign.
“We have previously seen the Biden campaign say one thing on an issue right before their candidate says another. Until Americans hear from Joe Biden himself, they have no way of knowing where he really stands.”“We have previously seen the Biden campaign say one thing on an issue right before their candidate says another. Until Americans hear from Joe Biden himself, they have no way of knowing where he really stands.”
The statement seemed a bit odd coming from a staffer for Trump, who has become well known for throwing the White House into chaos after sending an unexpected tweet that caught his aides by surprise.The statement seemed a bit odd coming from a staffer for Trump, who has become well known for throwing the White House into chaos after sending an unexpected tweet that caught his aides by surprise.
A leader of the Virginia KKK has been arrested for driving into a group of demonstrators yesterday, who were protesting the killing of George Floyd in police custody.A leader of the Virginia KKK has been arrested for driving into a group of demonstrators yesterday, who were protesting the killing of George Floyd in police custody.
Harry Rogers appeared in court in Henrico county this morning and was charged with attempted malicious wounding, felony vandalism, and assault and battery. No one was seriously injured in the attack.Harry Rogers appeared in court in Henrico county this morning and was charged with attempted malicious wounding, felony vandalism, and assault and battery. No one was seriously injured in the attack.
“The accused, by his own admission and by a cursory glance at social media, is an admitted leader of the Ku Klux Klan and a propagandist for Confederate ideology,” Henrico county commonwealth’s attorney Shannon Taylor said in a statement.“The accused, by his own admission and by a cursory glance at social media, is an admitted leader of the Ku Klux Klan and a propagandist for Confederate ideology,” Henrico county commonwealth’s attorney Shannon Taylor said in a statement.
Taylor said her office was investigating whether hate crime charges “are appropriate” in the case.Taylor said her office was investigating whether hate crime charges “are appropriate” in the case.
“While I am grateful that the victim’s injuries do not appear to be serious, an attack on peaceful protesters is heinous and despicable and we will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law,” Taylor said.“While I am grateful that the victim’s injuries do not appear to be serious, an attack on peaceful protesters is heinous and despicable and we will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law,” Taylor said.
Here’s where the day stands so far:Here’s where the day stands so far:
Congressional Democrats unveiled their sweeping police reform bill. The legislation would nationally ban police chokeholds and create a national police misconduct registry, but many criminal justice activists have said reforms do not go far enough to address police brutality.Congressional Democrats unveiled their sweeping police reform bill. The legislation would nationally ban police chokeholds and create a national police misconduct registry, but many criminal justice activists have said reforms do not go far enough to address police brutality.
The former police officer charged with George Floyd’s murder is expected to appear in court today. Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who has been charged with second-degree murder in connection to Floyd’s death, is scheduled to appear in court in about 45 minutes.The former police officer charged with George Floyd’s murder is expected to appear in court today. Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who has been charged with second-degree murder in connection to Floyd’s death, is scheduled to appear in court in about 45 minutes.
New York started its reopening process today. Hundreds of thousands of employees returned to work today in the city, where more than 21,000 people have died of coronavirus. However, many businesses, such as hair salons and gyms, remain closed.New York started its reopening process today. Hundreds of thousands of employees returned to work today in the city, where more than 21,000 people have died of coronavirus. However, many businesses, such as hair salons and gyms, remain closed.
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
Joe Biden’s statement expressing opposition to defunding police departments comes shortly after the Trump campaign held a press call about the movement.Joe Biden’s statement expressing opposition to defunding police departments comes shortly after the Trump campaign held a press call about the movement.
The president and his allies have sought to tie all Democrats to calls to defund police departments, which have intensified since the killing of George Floyd.The president and his allies have sought to tie all Democrats to calls to defund police departments, which have intensified since the killing of George Floyd.
However, many of the Democratic party’s leaders seem hesitant to endorse the movement, and congressional Democrats just unveiled legislation to reform police departments rather than defund them.However, many of the Democratic party’s leaders seem hesitant to endorse the movement, and congressional Democrats just unveiled legislation to reform police departments rather than defund them.
A spokesperson for Joe Biden said the presumptive Democratic nominee does not support defunding the police, as a number of criminal justice activists have called for after the killing of George Floyd.A spokesperson for Joe Biden said the presumptive Democratic nominee does not support defunding the police, as a number of criminal justice activists have called for after the killing of George Floyd.
Campaign spokesperson Andrew Bates said in a statement that Biden “hears and shares the deep grief and frustration of those calling out for change, and is driven to ensure that justice is done and that we put a stop to this terrible pain.”Campaign spokesperson Andrew Bates said in a statement that Biden “hears and shares the deep grief and frustration of those calling out for change, and is driven to ensure that justice is done and that we put a stop to this terrible pain.”
Bates said the former vice president “supports the urgent need for reform,” including proposals to fund community policing programs and diversify cities’ police forces, but some activists have said such reforms do not go far enough to crack down on police brutality.Bates said the former vice president “supports the urgent need for reform,” including proposals to fund community policing programs and diversify cities’ police forces, but some activists have said such reforms do not go far enough to crack down on police brutality.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo said anyone who participated in George Floyd protests should get a coronavirus test, as New York City starts to reopen.New York governor Andrew Cuomo said anyone who participated in George Floyd protests should get a coronavirus test, as New York City starts to reopen.
The Democratic governor held his daily briefing today as the city entered phase one of its reopening process, after the coronavirus infection rate there started to slow. Cuomo said the city would be conducting 35,000 tests a day to begin the reopening.The Democratic governor held his daily briefing today as the city entered phase one of its reopening process, after the coronavirus infection rate there started to slow. Cuomo said the city would be conducting 35,000 tests a day to begin the reopening.
Cuomo also implored state legislators to pass police reform legislation, which would ban chokeholds and make police disciplinary records transparent, in response to the killing of Floyd.Cuomo also implored state legislators to pass police reform legislation, which would ban chokeholds and make police disciplinary records transparent, in response to the killing of Floyd.