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Top general Mark Milley apologizes for part in Trump's church photo-op – live Top general Mark Milley apologizes for part in Trump's church photo-op – live
(32 minutes later)
Gen Mark Milley says ‘I should not have been there’ of incident last week, in which peaceful protesters were removed using teargasGen Mark Milley says ‘I should not have been there’ of incident last week, in which peaceful protesters were removed using teargas
House minority leader Kevin McCarthy said he would support a national ban on police chokeholds, which is included in congressional Democrats’ police reform bill.
During a press conference on Capitol Hill, McCarthy complained about Republicans being excluded from the drafting process of the Justice in Policing Act, but he said there are elements of the bill that his caucus “conceptually” agrees with.
Asked about the separate proposal to rename military bases named after Confederate generals, McCarthy said, “I think it could be appropriate to change some.” The California Republican said he would wait to see what came out of the defense authorization bill, which may include an amendment addressing the issue, but he noted he was “not opposed” to the idea.
McCarthy’s comments were noteworthy considering Trump said yesterday that he would “not even consider” renaming the bases, and the House minority leader is generally reluctant to distance himself from the president.
House speaker Nancy Pelosi insisted the Army bases named after Confederate generals should be renamed and the Confederate statues remaining in the Capitol should be removed.
During her weekly press conference, Pelosi noted that she had a statue of Confederate general Robert E Lee relocated to the Capitol crypt during her first term as speaker, but she claimed she does not have the authority to remove the statues.
“When I was speaker, I did do what I had the authority to do,” Pelosi said. “Believe me, if I had more authority, we would have fewer of those statues around.”
Pelosi sent a letter yesterday to Republican senator Roy Blunt and Democratic congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, the chair and vice chair of the joint committee on the library, which oversees the placement of statues in the Capitol’s Statuary Hall. In her letter, the speaker called for the removal of 11 statues celebrating Confederate leaders.
“They committed treason against the United States of America, and their statues are still here because their states put them here,” Pelosi said today.
Shifting to the issue of renaming military bases named after Confederate generals, Pelosi said such a change might require legislation. But she added, “The American people know these names have to go.” Pelosi said Trump, who has expressed opposition to renaming the bases, “seems to be the only person left who doesn’t get it.”
She discussed the possibility of crafting legislation that addressed both the statues and the bases. “But these names have to go from these bases, and these statues have to go from the Capitol,” Pelosi said.
Judges at the International Crimnal Court gave the green light in March to an investigation into war crimes in Afghanistan, and began an investigation into crimes by Israeli and Palestinian forces in December. In his remarks, secretary of state Mike Pompeo made clear the newly announced US sanctions against the ICC were also aimed at defending Israel.
David Bosco, an associate professor at Indiana University who wrote a book on the court, “Rough Justice: The International Criminal Court in a World of Power Politics,” sent this comment on the Trump measures against the ICC: “I think this is as much directed at the looming Palestine situation as it is at the Afghanistan investigation. The executive order clearly allows for sanctions against ICC personnel who investigate US allies who have not consented to the court’s jurisdiction.“The actual effect on the court’s Afghanistan investigation will probably not be significant. That investigation faces many logistical and evidentiary obstacles already and will take years to complete.”
The ICC was set up in 2002, as an attempt to extend the effort to impose international humanitarian law for war crimes and crimes against humanity begun by the war crimes tribunals on the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda.
Over 120 countries, including Washington’s closest allies in Europe, are party to the Rome Statute, the founding document of the ICC.
Bill Clinton signed for the US in 2000, but said the statute would not be sent to the Senate for ratification until the US had assessed the court’s operations. George W Bush informed the UN in 2002 that the US would not join the court.
The Trump administration is launching an economic and legal offensive on the International Criminal Court in response to the court’s decision to open an investigation into war crimes carried out by all sides, including the US, in Afghanistan.The Trump administration is launching an economic and legal offensive on the International Criminal Court in response to the court’s decision to open an investigation into war crimes carried out by all sides, including the US, in Afghanistan.
The US will not just sanction ICC officials involved in the investigation of alleged war crimes by the US and its allies such as Israel, the administration declared it was launching a counter-investigation into the ICC for alleged corruption.The US will not just sanction ICC officials involved in the investigation of alleged war crimes by the US and its allies such as Israel, the administration declared it was launching a counter-investigation into the ICC for alleged corruption.
The secretary of state Mike Pompeo, national security adviser Robert O’Brien, defence secretary Mark Esper and attorney general William Barr gave a presentation of the decision at the state department, but then left without taking questions.The secretary of state Mike Pompeo, national security adviser Robert O’Brien, defence secretary Mark Esper and attorney general William Barr gave a presentation of the decision at the state department, but then left without taking questions.
Barr made clear that this was the beginning of a sustained campaign against the ICC, and that Thursday’s measures were just an “important first step in holding the ICC accountable for exceeding its mandate and violating the sovereignty of the United States”.Barr made clear that this was the beginning of a sustained campaign against the ICC, and that Thursday’s measures were just an “important first step in holding the ICC accountable for exceeding its mandate and violating the sovereignty of the United States”.
“The US government has reason to doubt the honesty of the ICC, the Department of Justice has received substantial credible information that raises serious concerns about long history of financial corruption and malfeasance at the highest levels of the office of the prosecutor,” Barr said.“The US government has reason to doubt the honesty of the ICC, the Department of Justice has received substantial credible information that raises serious concerns about long history of financial corruption and malfeasance at the highest levels of the office of the prosecutor,” Barr said.
Even Trump’s former communications director is criticizing his decision to restart campaign rallies on Juneteenth in Tulsa, Oklahoma.Even Trump’s former communications director is criticizing his decision to restart campaign rallies on Juneteenth in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Anthony Scaramucci, who spent an eventful 10 days in the Trump White House, said the campaign’s decision to hold its first campaign rally in three months on a holiday celebrating the end of slavery was “abhorrent and a wink at his racist supporters.”Anthony Scaramucci, who spent an eventful 10 days in the Trump White House, said the campaign’s decision to hold its first campaign rally in three months on a holiday celebrating the end of slavery was “abhorrent and a wink at his racist supporters.”
Scaramucci noted Tulsa’s history as the site of a deadly 1921 race massacre targeting African Americans, and he pointed out that Oklahoma is not even considered a swing state for the presidential election.Scaramucci noted Tulsa’s history as the site of a deadly 1921 race massacre targeting African Americans, and he pointed out that Oklahoma is not even considered a swing state for the presidential election.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany defended the Trump campaign’s decision to restart campaign rallies on Juneteenth, a holiday that celebrates the end of slavery in America.White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany defended the Trump campaign’s decision to restart campaign rallies on Juneteenth, a holiday that celebrates the end of slavery in America.
“The African American community is very near and dear to his heart. At these rallies he often shares the great work he has done for minority communities,” McEnany said this morning.“The African American community is very near and dear to his heart. At these rallies he often shares the great work he has done for minority communities,” McEnany said this morning.
“He’s working on rectifying injustices,” she added. “So it’s a meaningful day to him and it’s a day where wants to share some of the progress that’s been made as we look forward and more that needs to be done.”“He’s working on rectifying injustices,” she added. “So it’s a meaningful day to him and it’s a day where wants to share some of the progress that’s been made as we look forward and more that needs to be done.”
The president announced yesterday that he would hold his first campaign rally in more than three months next Friday in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the site of a deadly 1921 race massacre that targeted African Americans and their businesses.The president announced yesterday that he would hold his first campaign rally in more than three months next Friday in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the site of a deadly 1921 race massacre that targeted African Americans and their businesses.
The announcement was quickly met with criticism from Democratic strategists and commentators.The announcement was quickly met with criticism from Democratic strategists and commentators.
From Joe Biden’s director of strategic communications:From Joe Biden’s director of strategic communications:
From a progressive political strategist:From a progressive political strategist:
From a former National Security Council spokesperson under Barack Obama:From a former National Security Council spokesperson under Barack Obama:
Various measures of support for the Black Lives Matter movement were agreed upon at Thursday’s meeting for the restarted Premier League.Various measures of support for the Black Lives Matter movement were agreed upon at Thursday’s meeting for the restarted Premier League.
A minute’s silence will also be held before each match in the first round of the restarted league to honour those who have died with Covid-19, and heart-shaped badges paying tribute to NHS workers will be embroidered into team kit.A minute’s silence will also be held before each match in the first round of the restarted league to honour those who have died with Covid-19, and heart-shaped badges paying tribute to NHS workers will be embroidered into team kit.
The Guardian understands that the league will have no problem if players or teams wish to take a knee before games, as some clubs have done before recent friendlies. The names on the back of players’ shirts will be replaced, for at least the first set of games, by the words Black Lives Matter, following an initiative driven by club captains this week. One club explained that their kit staff had been primed to order shirts reflecting the change.The Guardian understands that the league will have no problem if players or teams wish to take a knee before games, as some clubs have done before recent friendlies. The names on the back of players’ shirts will be replaced, for at least the first set of games, by the words Black Lives Matter, following an initiative driven by club captains this week. One club explained that their kit staff had been primed to order shirts reflecting the change.
Black Lives Matter badges are also likely to be displayed on shirts, along with their NHS equivalents, although their exact placement is yet to be finalised.Black Lives Matter badges are also likely to be displayed on shirts, along with their NHS equivalents, although their exact placement is yet to be finalised.
The issue of what happens if a player removes his shirt to reveal a slogan in support of the movement was raised, after referees expressed concerns about the appropriateness of issuing a mandatory yellow card in such cases. Officials are expected to be asked to use their discretion.The issue of what happens if a player removes his shirt to reveal a slogan in support of the movement was raised, after referees expressed concerns about the appropriateness of issuing a mandatory yellow card in such cases. Officials are expected to be asked to use their discretion.
Meanwhile, the president is being mocked on social media for referring to the US secret service as “SS,” the name of the Nazi military organization that helped to run Adolf Hitler’s death camps.Meanwhile, the president is being mocked on social media for referring to the US secret service as “SS,” the name of the Nazi military organization that helped to run Adolf Hitler’s death camps.
Trump tweeted this morning, “Our great National Guard Troops who took care of the area around the White House could hardly believe how easy it was. ‘A walk in the park’, one said. The protesters, agitators, anarchists (ANTIFA), and others, were handled VERY easily by the Guard, D.C. Police, & S.S. GREAT JOB!”Trump tweeted this morning, “Our great National Guard Troops who took care of the area around the White House could hardly believe how easy it was. ‘A walk in the park’, one said. The protesters, agitators, anarchists (ANTIFA), and others, were handled VERY easily by the Guard, D.C. Police, & S.S. GREAT JOB!”
A Bloomberg reporter responded by sharing the history of the Nazi SS:A Bloomberg reporter responded by sharing the history of the Nazi SS:
An AFP editor noted the secret service is usually referred to as USSS for obvious reasons:An AFP editor noted the secret service is usually referred to as USSS for obvious reasons:
The anti-Trump conservative commentator Bill Kristol offered the president this advice on the matter:The anti-Trump conservative commentator Bill Kristol offered the president this advice on the matter:
Here is the video of Gen Mark Milley, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, apologizing for participating in Trump’s photo op at St John’s Church:Here is the video of Gen Mark Milley, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, apologizing for participating in Trump’s photo op at St John’s Church:
“As senior leaders, everything you do will be closely watched, and I am not immune,” the top military official told the graduates of the National Defense University in a prerecorded commencement address.“As senior leaders, everything you do will be closely watched, and I am not immune,” the top military official told the graduates of the National Defense University in a prerecorded commencement address.
“As many of you saw the result of the photograph of me at Lafayette Square last week, that sparked a national debate about the role of the military in civil society. I should not have been there,” Milley continued.“As many of you saw the result of the photograph of me at Lafayette Square last week, that sparked a national debate about the role of the military in civil society. I should not have been there,” Milley continued.
“My presence in that moment and in that environment created a perception of the military involved in domestic politics. As a commissioned uniformed officer, it was a mistake that I have learned from, and I sincerely hope we all can learn from it.”“My presence in that moment and in that environment created a perception of the military involved in domestic politics. As a commissioned uniformed officer, it was a mistake that I have learned from, and I sincerely hope we all can learn from it.”
Gen Mark Milley has been “agonized” about participating in Trump’s photo op and expressed anger with the president about the issue, according to the New York Times.Gen Mark Milley has been “agonized” about participating in Trump’s photo op and expressed anger with the president about the issue, according to the New York Times.
The Times reports:The Times reports:
Gen Mark Milley’s apology comes amid another standoff between the White House and the Pentagon over the potential renaming of military bases named after Confederate generals.Gen Mark Milley’s apology comes amid another standoff between the White House and the Pentagon over the potential renaming of military bases named after Confederate generals.
Milley and Esper signaled earlier this week that they were open to a conversation on renaming the bases, after years of critics complaining the bases’ names celebrated the Confederacy’s efforts to preserve slavery.Milley and Esper signaled earlier this week that they were open to a conversation on renaming the bases, after years of critics complaining the bases’ names celebrated the Confederacy’s efforts to preserve slavery.
However, Trump announced yesterday that he would “not even consider” renaming the bases. The president also tweeted moments ago, “THOSE THAT DENY THEIR HISTORY ARE DOOMED TO REPEAT IT!”However, Trump announced yesterday that he would “not even consider” renaming the bases. The president also tweeted moments ago, “THOSE THAT DENY THEIR HISTORY ARE DOOMED TO REPEAT IT!”
Of course, the more common quote is, “Those who do not remember the past are doomed to repeat it.” Critics of the bases’ names would almost certainly argue that removing the names of generals who actively fought against the US military from Army bases is an appropriate way of remembering the past.Of course, the more common quote is, “Those who do not remember the past are doomed to repeat it.” Critics of the bases’ names would almost certainly argue that removing the names of generals who actively fought against the US military from Army bases is an appropriate way of remembering the past.
The apology from Gen Mark Milley, the nation’s top military officer, comes after he and defense secretary Mark Esper received widespread criticism for participating in Trump’s photo op.The apology from Gen Mark Milley, the nation’s top military officer, comes after he and defense secretary Mark Esper received widespread criticism for participating in Trump’s photo op.
Former defense officials accused the two officials of giving the appearance of a Pentagon stamp of approval on the forcible removal of peaceful protesters using tear gas.Former defense officials accused the two officials of giving the appearance of a Pentagon stamp of approval on the forcible removal of peaceful protesters using tear gas.
“The decision to use active military forces in crowd control in the United States should only be made as a last resort,” Mick Mulroy, a former deputy assistant defense secretary under Trump, told Politico. “Active Army and Marine Corps units are trained to fight our nation’s enemies, not their fellow Americans. American cities are not battlefields.”“The decision to use active military forces in crowd control in the United States should only be made as a last resort,” Mick Mulroy, a former deputy assistant defense secretary under Trump, told Politico. “Active Army and Marine Corps units are trained to fight our nation’s enemies, not their fellow Americans. American cities are not battlefields.”
One member of the defense science board actually resigned in protest of Esper’s participation in the photo op, which took place moments after the protesters were removed.One member of the defense science board actually resigned in protest of Esper’s participation in the photo op, which took place moments after the protesters were removed.
“You may not have been able to stop President Trump from directing this appalling use of force, but you could have chosen to oppose it. Instead, you visibly supported it,” James Miller wrote in his resignation letter to Esper.“You may not have been able to stop President Trump from directing this appalling use of force, but you could have chosen to oppose it. Instead, you visibly supported it,” James Miller wrote in his resignation letter to Esper.
Gen Mark Milley’s apology for participating in Trump’s photo op makes it very likely that the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff will soon be on the receiving end of a negative presidential tweet.Gen Mark Milley’s apology for participating in Trump’s photo op makes it very likely that the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff will soon be on the receiving end of a negative presidential tweet.
The president is notoriously sensitive to having senior officials publicly distance themselves from him, and he was reportedly on the brink of firing Mark Esper last week after the defense secretary said he did not support Trump’s proposal to send active-duty troops to states with George Floyd protests.The president is notoriously sensitive to having senior officials publicly distance themselves from him, and he was reportedly on the brink of firing Mark Esper last week after the defense secretary said he did not support Trump’s proposal to send active-duty troops to states with George Floyd protests.
Esper has not apologized for participating in the photo op, telling reporters last week that he was not aware he would be taking part in it when he came to the White House to meet with Trump.Esper has not apologized for participating in the photo op, telling reporters last week that he was not aware he would be taking part in it when he came to the White House to meet with Trump.
Gen Mark Milley, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, has apologized for participating in Trump’s photo op at St John’s Church last week, which took place moments after nearby peaceful protesters were removed using teargas.Gen Mark Milley, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, has apologized for participating in Trump’s photo op at St John’s Church last week, which took place moments after nearby peaceful protesters were removed using teargas.
“I should not have been there,” Milley told the National Defense University in a prerecorded video commencement address. “My presence in that moment and in that environment created a perception of the military involved in domestic politics.”“I should not have been there,” Milley told the National Defense University in a prerecorded video commencement address. “My presence in that moment and in that environment created a perception of the military involved in domestic politics.”
Milley and defense secretary Mark Esper were widely criticized for participating in the photo op, with many former defense officials saying the two were helping Trump’s efforts to politicize the military.Milley and defense secretary Mark Esper were widely criticized for participating in the photo op, with many former defense officials saying the two were helping Trump’s efforts to politicize the military.
“As a commissioned uniformed officer, it was a mistake that I have learned from,” Milley said, going on to described his anger about “the senseless and brutal killing of George Floyd.”“As a commissioned uniformed officer, it was a mistake that I have learned from,” Milley said, going on to described his anger about “the senseless and brutal killing of George Floyd.”
The Senate armed services committee has adopted an amendment for the Pentagon to rename military sites named after Confederate generals within three years, according to CNN.The Senate armed services committee has adopted an amendment for the Pentagon to rename military sites named after Confederate generals within three years, according to CNN.
The proposal was adopted by the Republican-led panel behind closed doors as an amendment to the annual defense authorization bill, which could make it more difficult for Trump to veto.The proposal was adopted by the Republican-led panel behind closed doors as an amendment to the annual defense authorization bill, which could make it more difficult for Trump to veto.
If the amendment makes it into the final version of the defense bill, the president would have to veto a number of popular proposals for the Pentagon in order to prevent the base renaming initiative from moving forward.If the amendment makes it into the final version of the defense bill, the president would have to veto a number of popular proposals for the Pentagon in order to prevent the base renaming initiative from moving forward.
CNN reports:CNN reports:
The news comes one day after Trump said he would “not even consider” renaming the bases, and press secretary Kayleigh McEnany specifically said the president would veto the defense authorization bill if it included a proposal to do so.The news comes one day after Trump said he would “not even consider” renaming the bases, and press secretary Kayleigh McEnany specifically said the president would veto the defense authorization bill if it included a proposal to do so.
This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Martin Belam.This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Martin Belam.
Trump’s most recent tweet that the National Guard troops who patrolled Washington amid the George Floyd protests “could hardly believe how easy it was” is at odds with recent reports about the troops.Trump’s most recent tweet that the National Guard troops who patrolled Washington amid the George Floyd protests “could hardly believe how easy it was” is at odds with recent reports about the troops.
The New York Times reports:The New York Times reports:
Donald Trump is up and tweeting, and is straight on the attack against “Antifa”.Donald Trump is up and tweeting, and is straight on the attack against “Antifa”.
This is somewhat in contrast to Trump’s final tweets last night, where he was labelling protesters in Seattle “domestic terrorists”, and not “a walk in the park” at all.This is somewhat in contrast to Trump’s final tweets last night, where he was labelling protesters in Seattle “domestic terrorists”, and not “a walk in the park” at all.
Axios has an interesting note about the next New York Times bestseller list. The top ten entries on the ‘combined print and e-nook non-fiction list’ are absolutely dominated by titles that focus on race in the US.Axios has an interesting note about the next New York Times bestseller list. The top ten entries on the ‘combined print and e-nook non-fiction list’ are absolutely dominated by titles that focus on race in the US.
The top five consists of:The top five consists of:
You can read the full list here.You can read the full list here.
It has been similar in the UK, where Bernardine Evaristo and Reni Eddo-Lodge have become the first black British women to top the UK’s fiction and nonfiction paperback charts.It has been similar in the UK, where Bernardine Evaristo and Reni Eddo-Lodge have become the first black British women to top the UK’s fiction and nonfiction paperback charts.
And if you are wondering which books might be useful for your children at this moment in time, Aimée Felone has this list: ‘No reader is too young to start’: anti-racist books for all children and teensAnd if you are wondering which books might be useful for your children at this moment in time, Aimée Felone has this list: ‘No reader is too young to start’: anti-racist books for all children and teens