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Top Republican supports a national ban on police chokeholds – live Top Republican supports a national ban on police chokeholds – live
(32 minutes later)
House minority leader Kevin McCarthy said he would support the ban, which is included in congressional Democrats’ police reform billHouse minority leader Kevin McCarthy said he would support the ban, which is included in congressional Democrats’ police reform bill
Trump has arrived in Dallas, Texas, for his rountable on “historic economic, health, and justice disparities in American communities.” as protests against police brutality continue across the country.
The president was greeted on the tarmac by Texas governor Greg Abbott, lieutenant governor Dan Patrick and attorney general Ken Paxton.
Two congressional candidates who the president has endorsed were also present for Trump’s arrival. Senate candidate Tommy Tuberville, who is running against Trump’s former attorney general, Jeff Sessions, in Alabama, and House candidate Ronny Jackson, who previously served as Trump’s White House physician, welcomed Air Force One in Dallas.
A lawyer for Martin Gugino said the 75-year-old is starting physical therapy, after he was pushed to the ground by two police officers during a George Floyd protest.A lawyer for Martin Gugino said the 75-year-old is starting physical therapy, after he was pushed to the ground by two police officers during a George Floyd protest.
“As heartbreaking as it is, his brain is injured and he is well aware of that now,” lawyer Kelly Zarcone said in a statement, per NBC New York.“As heartbreaking as it is, his brain is injured and he is well aware of that now,” lawyer Kelly Zarcone said in a statement, per NBC New York.
“He feels encouraged and uplifted by the outpouring of support which he has received from so many people all over the globe. It helps. He is looking forward to healing and determining what his ‘new normal’ might look like.”“He feels encouraged and uplifted by the outpouring of support which he has received from so many people all over the globe. It helps. He is looking forward to healing and determining what his ‘new normal’ might look like.”
Trump was widely criticized earlier this week after he suggested (without evidence) that Gugino was an Antifa plant, which Zarcone vehemently denied. One of Gugino’s friends told CNN that the man “had a good chuckle” about Trump’s tweet.Trump was widely criticized earlier this week after he suggested (without evidence) that Gugino was an Antifa plant, which Zarcone vehemently denied. One of Gugino’s friends told CNN that the man “had a good chuckle” about Trump’s tweet.
Republican senator Lindsey Graham expressed support for General Mark Milley, after the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff apologized for participating in Trump’s photo op at St John’s Church last week.Republican senator Lindsey Graham expressed support for General Mark Milley, after the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff apologized for participating in Trump’s photo op at St John’s Church last week.
“I have nothing but deep admiration for and total confidence in General Milley as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,” Graham said in a tweet. “I support his statement in both substance and spirit regarding the recent presidential visit to St. Johns.”“I have nothing but deep admiration for and total confidence in General Milley as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,” Graham said in a tweet. “I support his statement in both substance and spirit regarding the recent presidential visit to St. Johns.”
The tweet was a bit surprising coming from Graham, who is one of the president’s closest Senate allies and is generally reluctant to criticize him.The tweet was a bit surprising coming from Graham, who is one of the president’s closest Senate allies and is generally reluctant to criticize him.
Milley said in a prerecorded video released today that he should not have been at St John’s moments after peaceful protesters nearby were forcibly removed using tear gas.Milley said in a prerecorded video released today that he should not have been at St John’s moments after peaceful protesters nearby were forcibly removed using tear gas.
“My presence in that moment and in that environment created a perception of the military involved in domestic politics,” Milley told the graduates of National Defense University. “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,” Milley told the graduates of National Defense University. “As a commissioned uniformed officer, it was a mistake that I have learned from, and I sincerely hope we all can learn from it.”
Democratic congressman Bobby Rush said his South Side office had been vandalized two weeks ago amid the George Floyd protests, and his staff later discovered the footage showing several officers in his office as looting took place nearby.Democratic congressman Bobby Rush said his South Side office had been vandalized two weeks ago amid the George Floyd protests, and his staff later discovered the footage showing several officers in his office as looting took place nearby.
Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot said as many as 13 officers, including supervisors, were in Rush’s office at various points in the early hours of June 1, even as the mall where the office is located became the target of looting.Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot said as many as 13 officers, including supervisors, were in Rush’s office at various points in the early hours of June 1, even as the mall where the office is located became the target of looting.
The mayor said the officers “abandoned” their obligations and would be “thoroughly” investigated to determine who was responsible.The mayor said the officers “abandoned” their obligations and would be “thoroughly” investigated to determine who was responsible.
“Not one of these officers will be allowed to hide behind the badge and go on like nothing happened,” Lightfoot said.“Not one of these officers will be allowed to hide behind the badge and go on like nothing happened,” Lightfoot said.
Chicago police officers were caught on camera relaxing in the South Side office of Democratic congressman Bobby Rush as looting took place at a nearby shopping plaza.Chicago police officers were caught on camera relaxing in the South Side office of Democratic congressman Bobby Rush as looting took place at a nearby shopping plaza.
Rush announced at a press conference alongside mayor Lori Lightfoot that the cameras in his office had captured footage of at least eight officers relaxing instead of addressing the looting.Rush announced at a press conference alongside mayor Lori Lightfoot that the cameras in his office had captured footage of at least eight officers relaxing instead of addressing the looting.
Rush shared some of the footage, which showed several officers lounging on couches and making themselves popcorn and coffee from the office’s supplies. One of them was asleep on Rush’s couch.Rush shared some of the footage, which showed several officers lounging on couches and making themselves popcorn and coffee from the office’s supplies. One of them was asleep on Rush’s couch.
“They even had the unmitigated gall to go and make coffee for themselves and to pop popcorn, my popcorn, in my microwave while looters were tearing apart businesses within their sight and within their reach,” Rush said.“They even had the unmitigated gall to go and make coffee for themselves and to pop popcorn, my popcorn, in my microwave while looters were tearing apart businesses within their sight and within their reach,” Rush said.
“They were in a mode of relaxation, and they did not care about what was happening to businesspeople, to this city. They didn’t care. They absolutely didn’t care.”“They were in a mode of relaxation, and they did not care about what was happening to businesspeople, to this city. They didn’t care. They absolutely didn’t care.”
Lightfoot apologized to Rush that his office had been treated “with such profound disrespect.”Lightfoot apologized to Rush that his office had been treated “with such profound disrespect.”
“That’s a personal embarrassment to me,” Lightfoot said. “I’m sorry that you and your staff even had to deal with this incredible indignity.”“That’s a personal embarrassment to me,” Lightfoot said. “I’m sorry that you and your staff even had to deal with this incredible indignity.”
Miranda Bryant reports for the Guardian from New York:Miranda Bryant reports for the Guardian from New York:
Following widespread criticism over officers not wearing face masks – including from lawyers, protesters and the mayor - New York Police Department have issued a bizarre response, claiming: “We can put our energy to better use”.Following widespread criticism over officers not wearing face masks – including from lawyers, protesters and the mayor - New York Police Department have issued a bizarre response, claiming: “We can put our energy to better use”.
The statement, sent out in response to questions over why the majority of officers do not appear to be wearing masks, references the weather, long days and uniforms, but makes no reference to coronavirus or public health in the middle of a pandemic.The statement, sent out in response to questions over why the majority of officers do not appear to be wearing masks, references the weather, long days and uniforms, but makes no reference to coronavirus or public health in the middle of a pandemic.
“Perhaps it was the heat. Perhaps it was the 15-hour tours, wearing bullet resistant vests in the sun. Perhaps it was the helmets,” Sgt Jessica McRorie, a spokesperson for the deputy commissioner for public information, said last night.“Perhaps it was the heat. Perhaps it was the 15-hour tours, wearing bullet resistant vests in the sun. Perhaps it was the helmets,” Sgt Jessica McRorie, a spokesperson for the deputy commissioner for public information, said last night.
“With everything New York city has been through in the past two weeks and everything we are working towards together, we can put our energy to a better use.”“With everything New York city has been through in the past two weeks and everything we are working towards together, we can put our energy to a better use.”
It comes after legal experts warned of “abysmal” conditions for protesters who they said are being unnecessarily arrested and detained for as long as 48 hours without access to masks, food and water.It comes after legal experts warned of “abysmal” conditions for protesters who they said are being unnecessarily arrested and detained for as long as 48 hours without access to masks, food and water.
The Legal Aid Society told The Guardian that police officers “rarely” wear masks and are endangering protesters’ health and safety. On Sunday, New York mayor Bill de Blasio called on NYPD officers to wear masks, accusing them of “flouting the rules”.The Legal Aid Society told The Guardian that police officers “rarely” wear masks and are endangering protesters’ health and safety. On Sunday, New York mayor Bill de Blasio called on NYPD officers to wear masks, accusing them of “flouting the rules”.
Despite the president’s opposition, an increasing number of Republican lawmakers are expressing openness to renaming military bases named after Confederate generals.Despite the president’s opposition, an increasing number of Republican lawmakers are expressing openness to renaming military bases named after Confederate generals.
Republican senator and veteran Joni Ernst, who is up for reelection this year, told Iowa reporters today, “I know there will be opposition to [renaming the bases], but it is a discussion that we absolutely need to have.”Republican senator and veteran Joni Ernst, who is up for reelection this year, told Iowa reporters today, “I know there will be opposition to [renaming the bases], but it is a discussion that we absolutely need to have.”
Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota said he agreed with Trump that we should not “forget our history,” but he added, “At the same time, that doesn’t mean that we should continue with those bases with the names of individuals who fought against our country.”Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota said he agreed with Trump that we should not “forget our history,” but he added, “At the same time, that doesn’t mean that we should continue with those bases with the names of individuals who fought against our country.”
Amid a similar debate over removing Confederate statues from the Capitol, senator James Lankford of Oklahoma said earlier today, “A lot of those statues and monuments were put there to kind of declare, ‘We’re not going to integrate.’ ... For those that were digging in during the time of Jim Crow, they need to know that time has passed.”Amid a similar debate over removing Confederate statues from the Capitol, senator James Lankford of Oklahoma said earlier today, “A lot of those statues and monuments were put there to kind of declare, ‘We’re not going to integrate.’ ... For those that were digging in during the time of Jim Crow, they need to know that time has passed.”
Trump has sent a tweet condemning senator Elizabeth Warren’s bill amendment aimed at renaming military bases named after Confederate generals.Trump has sent a tweet condemning senator Elizabeth Warren’s bill amendment aimed at renaming military bases named after Confederate generals.
“Seriously failed presidential candidate, Senator Elizabeth ‘Pocahontas’ Warren, just introduced an Amendment on the renaming of many of our legendary Military Bases from which we trained to WIN two World Wars,” Trump tweeted from aboard Air Force One, reusing an offensive nickname for the Massachusetts senator. “Hopefully our great Republican Senators won’t fall for this!”“Seriously failed presidential candidate, Senator Elizabeth ‘Pocahontas’ Warren, just introduced an Amendment on the renaming of many of our legendary Military Bases from which we trained to WIN two World Wars,” Trump tweeted from aboard Air Force One, reusing an offensive nickname for the Massachusetts senator. “Hopefully our great Republican Senators won’t fall for this!”
But the Republican-led Senate armed services committee has already adopted Warren’s amendment to the annual defense authorization bill, although it could later be stripped out of the legislation. The amendment calls for establishing a commission to devise a plan for removing Confederate names from military sites, with a goal of implementing the plan within three years.But the Republican-led Senate armed services committee has already adopted Warren’s amendment to the annual defense authorization bill, although it could later be stripped out of the legislation. The amendment calls for establishing a commission to devise a plan for removing Confederate names from military sites, with a goal of implementing the plan within three years.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said yesterday that the president would veto the defense authorization act if it included a proposal to rename the bases, but top House Republican Kevin McCarthy said he was “not opposed” to the idea earlier today.White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said yesterday that the president would veto the defense authorization act if it included a proposal to rename the bases, but top House Republican Kevin McCarthy said he was “not opposed” to the idea earlier today.
A US senator this afternoon urged Attorney General Bill Barr to provide an account of how surveillance technology has been deployed against Americans during protests over the death of George Floyd.A US senator this afternoon urged Attorney General Bill Barr to provide an account of how surveillance technology has been deployed against Americans during protests over the death of George Floyd.
Massachusetts Senator Edward Markey, a Democrat, told Barr that peaceful protesters “should not be subject to invasive surveillance” and asked whether the Department of Justice had authorized the use of facial recognition, unmanned aircraft, or cellphone tracking technology in connection with the rallies, Reuters writes.Massachusetts Senator Edward Markey, a Democrat, told Barr that peaceful protesters “should not be subject to invasive surveillance” and asked whether the Department of Justice had authorized the use of facial recognition, unmanned aircraft, or cellphone tracking technology in connection with the rallies, Reuters writes.
Concerns have risen amid sightings of drones and other surveillance aircraft deployed over American cities and reports about government plans to spy on protesters. A recent BuzzFeed News report said the Drug Enforcement Agency had been authorized to conduct “covert surveillance” at the gatherings. The news has intensified a backlash against the surveillance of protesters and surveillance technology in general.Concerns have risen amid sightings of drones and other surveillance aircraft deployed over American cities and reports about government plans to spy on protesters. A recent BuzzFeed News report said the Drug Enforcement Agency had been authorized to conduct “covert surveillance” at the gatherings. The news has intensified a backlash against the surveillance of protesters and surveillance technology in general.
On Tuesday, 35 members of Congress issued a letter to the FBI and other law enforcement agencies, describing urban drone flights as a “vast overreach of federal government surveillance” and demanding that officials “cease surveilling peaceful protests immediately and permanently.”On Tuesday, 35 members of Congress issued a letter to the FBI and other law enforcement agencies, describing urban drone flights as a “vast overreach of federal government surveillance” and demanding that officials “cease surveilling peaceful protests immediately and permanently.”
Companies that make and market the technology have also come under pressure from Congress. IBM lawmakers Monday it “no longer offers general purpose IBM facial recognition or analysis software.” Amazon said it was imposing a one-year moratorium on police use of its facial recognition software, dubbed Rekognition.Companies that make and market the technology have also come under pressure from Congress. IBM lawmakers Monday it “no longer offers general purpose IBM facial recognition or analysis software.” Amazon said it was imposing a one-year moratorium on police use of its facial recognition software, dubbed Rekognition.
In a separate statement on Thursday, Markey said he was not satisfied by Amazon’s move. “Pressing pause on the use of this technology by law enforcement is a positive step, but what Amazon should really do is a complete about-face and get out of the business of dangerous surveillance altogether,” he said.In a separate statement on Thursday, Markey said he was not satisfied by Amazon’s move. “Pressing pause on the use of this technology by law enforcement is a positive step, but what Amazon should really do is a complete about-face and get out of the business of dangerous surveillance altogether,” he said.
Joe Biden has released a plan on how to reopen the US economy in a way that is “as effective and safe as possible” amid the coronavirus pandemic.Joe Biden has released a plan on how to reopen the US economy in a way that is “as effective and safe as possible” amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The plan calls for guaranteeing coronavirus testing and personal protective equipment for anyone called back to work, as well as paid leave for anyone who gets sick. Biden also proposed creating a national contact tracing workforce and establishing best practices for schools and childcare facilities to reopen.The plan calls for guaranteeing coronavirus testing and personal protective equipment for anyone called back to work, as well as paid leave for anyone who gets sick. Biden also proposed creating a national contact tracing workforce and establishing best practices for schools and childcare facilities to reopen.
“A stronger, more effective reopening requires doing the work to keep workers safe, to restore consumer confidence, to support small businesses, to ensure seniors can participate, and to provide parents with the help they need to get back to work,” the Biden campaign said in a press release about the plan.“A stronger, more effective reopening requires doing the work to keep workers safe, to restore consumer confidence, to support small businesses, to ensure seniors can participate, and to provide parents with the help they need to get back to work,” the Biden campaign said in a press release about the plan.
The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee criticized Trump last week for celebrating the unemployment rate slightly dropping to 13.3%, emphasizing that 20 million Americans are still out of work.The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee criticized Trump last week for celebrating the unemployment rate slightly dropping to 13.3%, emphasizing that 20 million Americans are still out of work.
“Trump has abdicated any effective federal leadership, leaving state, tribal, and local officials to do their best without help from Washington,” the Biden campaign said. “With cases of COVID-19 still rising rapidly in parts of the country, Trump has effectively ceased to mobilize any national public health response.”“Trump has abdicated any effective federal leadership, leaving state, tribal, and local officials to do their best without help from Washington,” the Biden campaign said. “With cases of COVID-19 still rising rapidly in parts of the country, Trump has effectively ceased to mobilize any national public health response.”
Trump is now en route to Dallas, Texas, where he will host a roundtable discussion on plans for a national “holistic revitalization and recovery,” according to the White House. The president will also attend a high-dollar fundraiser for his reelection campaign.Trump is now en route to Dallas, Texas, where he will host a roundtable discussion on plans for a national “holistic revitalization and recovery,” according to the White House. The president will also attend a high-dollar fundraiser for his reelection campaign.
Joe Biden released a statement earlier today criticizing Trump for making the trip, particularly because Texas is seeing a rise in coronavirus infections after relaxing some social distancing restrictions.Joe Biden released a statement earlier today criticizing Trump for making the trip, particularly because Texas is seeing a rise in coronavirus infections after relaxing some social distancing restrictions.
“For weeks we’ve seen President Trump run away from a meaningful conversation on systemic racism and police brutality. Instead, he’s further divided our country. Today’s trip to Texas won’t change any of that,” the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee said.“For weeks we’ve seen President Trump run away from a meaningful conversation on systemic racism and police brutality. Instead, he’s further divided our country. Today’s trip to Texas won’t change any of that,” the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee said.
“He should be implementing an effective plan to re-open our communities so more Americans aren’t lost to this disease. Families in the Lone Star State are hurting and they deserve a President who will rise to the challenges facing our country.”“He should be implementing an effective plan to re-open our communities so more Americans aren’t lost to this disease. Families in the Lone Star State are hurting and they deserve a President who will rise to the challenges facing our country.”