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Trump says 'concept of chokeholds sounds innocent' as states move to ban practice – live Trump says 'concept of chokeholds sounds innocent' as states move to ban practice – live
(32 minutes later)
Trump indicated in interview he believed chokeholds are necessary, while cities and states have pushed for bans since the killing of George FloydTrump indicated in interview he believed chokeholds are necessary, while cities and states have pushed for bans since the killing of George Floyd
Two-thirds of Americans express support for the Black Lives Matter movement, according to a new poll from the Pew Research Center.
The Pew survey found that 67% of Americans say they support the BLM movement, with 38% saying they strongly support it.
The figure is slightly higher among black Americans, 86% of whom say they support it. However, the movement also attracts support from majorities of white Americans (60%), Hispanic Americans (77%) and Asian Americans (75%).
Those numbers have increased dramatically from just a few years ago. A 2016 Pew poll found that a minority of American (43%) supported the BLM movement.
Democratic senator Michael Bennet is calling for the Russell Senate Office Building to be renamed, as calls intensify to remove the names of Confederate generals from Army bases and replace Confederate statues in the Capitol.
“Everyone who works in the Russell Senate Office Building—senators and our staff—has to walk through the doors each morning of a building named after a staunch segregationist,” Bennet said in a tweet. “We can do a lot better. It’s time to #RenameRussell.”
The Russell building is named for longtime Georgia senator Richard Russell Jr, an avowed segregationist who led the opposition to the civil rights movement in the Senate.
There have been previous calls to rename the building, particularly after the 2018 death of Republican senator John McCain, with many suggesting his name should replace Russell’s.
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer previously introduced legislation to name the building after McCain, but majority leader Mitch McConnell sidelined the proposal, saying a bipartisan group would review ways in which the chamber could honor McCain’s memory. It’s unclear whether that group was ever appointed.
Richard Luscombe sends this report from Miami on the rising number of coronavirus cases in Florida:Richard Luscombe sends this report from Miami on the rising number of coronavirus cases in Florida:
New coronavirus cases in Florida have set a daily record for the second day in a row. State figures released Friday morning show 1,902 more cases of Covid-19, up another 204 on Thursday’s previous record tally.New coronavirus cases in Florida have set a daily record for the second day in a row. State figures released Friday morning show 1,902 more cases of Covid-19, up another 204 on Thursday’s previous record tally.
Florida, one of the first US states to reopen, is among those to have seen cases rising again significantly in recent days. According to the Florida Department of Health, new cases have topped 1,000 every day since 2 June, compared to only three of the previous 19 days from 13 May until the end of the month.Florida, one of the first US states to reopen, is among those to have seen cases rising again significantly in recent days. According to the Florida Department of Health, new cases have topped 1,000 every day since 2 June, compared to only three of the previous 19 days from 13 May until the end of the month.
An increase in testing accounts for some of the spike, but fears remain that Florida opened up too soon. Ron DeSantis, the Republican governor, has touted what he calls a “safe, smart” recovery plan, which saw 64 of Florida’s 67 counties moving to Phase Two - including partial reopening of bars, theaters, gyms and vacation rentals - on 5 June. (The three counties most affected by coronavirus, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach, remain under tighter restrictions.)An increase in testing accounts for some of the spike, but fears remain that Florida opened up too soon. Ron DeSantis, the Republican governor, has touted what he calls a “safe, smart” recovery plan, which saw 64 of Florida’s 67 counties moving to Phase Two - including partial reopening of bars, theaters, gyms and vacation rentals - on 5 June. (The three counties most affected by coronavirus, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach, remain under tighter restrictions.)
On Friday, the Miami Herald published a withering analysis, based on public and non-public data, of how Florida at first flattened the curve from its April peak, then began to reverse that progress as DeSantis pressed ahead with reopening despite federal guidelines not being met.On Friday, the Miami Herald published a withering analysis, based on public and non-public data, of how Florida at first flattened the curve from its April peak, then began to reverse that progress as DeSantis pressed ahead with reopening despite federal guidelines not being met.
The newspaper also pointed out that in the 64 counties already at Phase Two, new cases of Covid-19 were up almost 42 per cent, with only an eight per cent increase in testing over the same period.The newspaper also pointed out that in the 64 counties already at Phase Two, new cases of Covid-19 were up almost 42 per cent, with only an eight per cent increase in testing over the same period.
“The governor’s first priority in reopening Florida continues to be maintaining the health and safety of all residents,” Alberto Moscoso, spokesperson for the state’s health department, told the Herald. Experts from the Johns Hopkins school of public medicine, however, said on Monday that Florida’s seven-day average was “approximately equal to its peak in early April and is still increasing.”“The governor’s first priority in reopening Florida continues to be maintaining the health and safety of all residents,” Alberto Moscoso, spokesperson for the state’s health department, told the Herald. Experts from the Johns Hopkins school of public medicine, however, said on Monday that Florida’s seven-day average was “approximately equal to its peak in early April and is still increasing.”
Before Thursday, Florida’s previous record high of new daily cases was 1,419, set on 4 June. Overall, the state now has 70,391 confirmed cases of Covid-19, according to its department of health database, and has recorded 2,877 deaths.Before Thursday, Florida’s previous record high of new daily cases was 1,419, set on 4 June. Overall, the state now has 70,391 confirmed cases of Covid-19, according to its department of health database, and has recorded 2,877 deaths.
Trump repeated his highly controversial claim that he has done more for the black community than any other US president, although he allowed a potential exception for Abraham Lincoln, who ended slavery.Trump repeated his highly controversial claim that he has done more for the black community than any other US president, although he allowed a potential exception for Abraham Lincoln, who ended slavery.
“I think I’ve done more for the black community than any other president, and let’s take a pass on Abraham Lincoln because he did good, although it’s always questionable, you know, in other words, the end result,” Trump told Fox News’ Harris Faulkner.“I think I’ve done more for the black community than any other president, and let’s take a pass on Abraham Lincoln because he did good, although it’s always questionable, you know, in other words, the end result,” Trump told Fox News’ Harris Faulkner.
Faulkner, who is black, then interjected, “Well, we are free, Mr President, so he did pretty well.”Faulkner, who is black, then interjected, “Well, we are free, Mr President, so he did pretty well.”
Trump has previously claimed that “nobody has ever done for the black community what President Trump has done,” but fact-checkers have rated that audacious claim as false.Trump has previously claimed that “nobody has ever done for the black community what President Trump has done,” but fact-checkers have rated that audacious claim as false.
During his Fox News interview, Trump seemed to indicate he believed there were situations where police chokeholds might be necessary.During his Fox News interview, Trump seemed to indicate he believed there were situations where police chokeholds might be necessary.
“I don’t like chokeholds,” Trump told Harris Faulker. But he went on to say that the specific circumstances should dictate whether a chokehold is used.“I don’t like chokeholds,” Trump told Harris Faulker. But he went on to say that the specific circumstances should dictate whether a chokehold is used.
The president laid out an example of a “really bad person” confronting a police officer and said that situation had played out in recent weeks amid the George Floyd protests.The president laid out an example of a “really bad person” confronting a police officer and said that situation had played out in recent weeks amid the George Floyd protests.
“You saw some very good people protesting, but you saw some bad people also,” Trump said. “And you get somebody in a chokehold. What are you going to do now? Let go and say, ‘Oh, let’s start all over again’?”“You saw some very good people protesting, but you saw some bad people also,” Trump said. “And you get somebody in a chokehold. What are you going to do now? Let go and say, ‘Oh, let’s start all over again’?”
Trump later said be believed chokeholds to be theoretically acceptable, but he acknowledged they are often used inappropriately by police.Trump later said be believed chokeholds to be theoretically acceptable, but he acknowledged they are often used inappropriately by police.
“I think the concept of chokeholds sounds so innocent and so perfect,” Trump said, before addressing how they have been unfairly used against people like Floyd.“I think the concept of chokeholds sounds so innocent and so perfect,” Trump said, before addressing how they have been unfairly used against people like Floyd.
“So you have to be careful. With that being said, it would be, I think, a very good thing that, generally speaking, it should be ended,” Trump said.“So you have to be careful. With that being said, it would be, I think, a very good thing that, generally speaking, it should be ended,” Trump said.
A number of cities and states have pushed to ban police chokeholds since the killing of Floyd, and New York governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation today that would ban chokeholds in the state. A number of cities and states have pushed to ban police chokeholds since the killing of Floyd, and New York governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation today that would criminalize chokeholds in the state.
Trump responded to criticism of his decision to hold a campaign rally on Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating the end of slavery in America, by decribing the event as a “celebration.”Trump responded to criticism of his decision to hold a campaign rally on Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating the end of slavery in America, by decribing the event as a “celebration.”
In a Fox News interview with Harris Faulker, Trump was asked whether he had specifically chosen the date of June 19 for its historical significance.In a Fox News interview with Harris Faulker, Trump was asked whether he had specifically chosen the date of June 19 for its historical significance.
“No, but I know exactly what you’re going to say,” Trump said. “Think about it as a celebration. My rally is a celebration.”“No, but I know exactly what you’re going to say,” Trump said. “Think about it as a celebration. My rally is a celebration.”
The president insisted the rally should not be seen as an “inconvenience” and should instead be thought of “very positively as a celebration.”The president insisted the rally should not be seen as an “inconvenience” and should instead be thought of “very positively as a celebration.”
“It wasn’t done for that reason, but it’s an interesting date, but it’s a celebration,” Trump said.“It wasn’t done for that reason, but it’s an interesting date, but it’s a celebration,” Trump said.
The president and his campaign have received widespread criticism for hosting his first rally in more than three months on Juneteenth in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the site of a deadly 1921 race massacre that targeted African Americans and their businesses.The president and his campaign have received widespread criticism for hosting his first rally in more than three months on Juneteenth in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the site of a deadly 1921 race massacre that targeted African Americans and their businesses.
In a pre-taped interview with Fox News, Trump suggested some of the people protesting the police killing of George Floyd did not understand the purpose of the demonstrations.In a pre-taped interview with Fox News, Trump suggested some of the people protesting the police killing of George Floyd did not understand the purpose of the demonstrations.
The president had been emphasizing the “riots” seen in some cities, but Fox News’ Harris Faulker specifically asked Trump what he would say to the many peaceful protesters who took to the streets in recent weeks.The president had been emphasizing the “riots” seen in some cities, but Fox News’ Harris Faulker specifically asked Trump what he would say to the many peaceful protesters who took to the streets in recent weeks.
“I think you had protesters for different reasons, and then you had protesting also because, you know, they just didn’t know,” Trump said.“I think you had protesters for different reasons, and then you had protesting also because, you know, they just didn’t know,” Trump said.
The president claimed (without evidence) that many protesters could not give a reason for why they chose to join the demonstrations.The president claimed (without evidence) that many protesters could not give a reason for why they chose to join the demonstrations.
“They were there for a reason perhaps, but a lot of them really were there because they’re following the crowd,” Trump said.“They were there for a reason perhaps, but a lot of them really were there because they’re following the crowd,” Trump said.
But the president then interestingly added that many of the protesters were there “because what we witnessed was a terrible thing,” which would seem to be at odds with his claim that many were just “following the crowd.”But the president then interestingly added that many of the protesters were there “because what we witnessed was a terrible thing,” which would seem to be at odds with his claim that many were just “following the crowd.”
Here’s where the day stands so far:Here’s where the day stands so far:
New York governor Andrew Cuomo signed police reform bills passed by the state legislature this week. The bills will ban police chokeholds and repeal 50-A, which shielded police misconduct records from the public. Cuomo also announced an executive order requiring local officials to enact plans to modernize policing strategies in order to be eligible for state funding. New York governor Andrew Cuomo signed police reform bills passed by the state legislature this week. The bills will criminalize police chokeholds and repeal 50-A, which shielded police misconduct records from the public. Cuomo also announced an executive order requiring local officials to enact plans to modernize policing strategies in order to be eligible for state funding.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Black Lives Matter protests in the UK have been “hijacked by extremists intent on violence”. In a series of tweets, Johnson described the “legitimate feelings of outrage” about the police killing of George Floyd, but he said attacks on UK police have been “intolerable” and “abhorrent”.British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Black Lives Matter protests in the UK have been “hijacked by extremists intent on violence”. In a series of tweets, Johnson described the “legitimate feelings of outrage” about the police killing of George Floyd, but he said attacks on UK police have been “intolerable” and “abhorrent”.
John Bolton’s book will detail “Ukraine-like transgressions” by Trump, according to a new press release. In the book, which will be released June 23, the former national security adviser “argues that the House committed impeachment malpractice by keeping their prosecution focused narrowly on Ukraine when Trump’s Ukraine-like transgressions existed across the full range of his foreign policy.”John Bolton’s book will detail “Ukraine-like transgressions” by Trump, according to a new press release. In the book, which will be released June 23, the former national security adviser “argues that the House committed impeachment malpractice by keeping their prosecution focused narrowly on Ukraine when Trump’s Ukraine-like transgressions existed across the full range of his foreign policy.”
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
Hillary Clinton has critcized Trump for planning a campaign rally for next Friday, despite ongoing concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.Hillary Clinton has critcized Trump for planning a campaign rally for next Friday, despite ongoing concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.
The former Democratic presidential nominee specifically chastized Trump for asking rally attendees to sign a liability waiver regarding the risks around potentially contracting the virus.The former Democratic presidential nominee specifically chastized Trump for asking rally attendees to sign a liability waiver regarding the risks around potentially contracting the virus.
“If your rallies come with a liability waiver, you shouldn’t be holding them,” Clinton said in a tweet.“If your rallies come with a liability waiver, you shouldn’t be holding them,” Clinton said in a tweet.
The president intends to hold his first campaign rally in more than three months at the 19,000-seat BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on June 19.The president intends to hold his first campaign rally in more than three months at the 19,000-seat BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on June 19.
Oklahoma is in the process of reopening, but the state is still advising residents to “minimize time spent in crowded environments”.Oklahoma is in the process of reopening, but the state is still advising residents to “minimize time spent in crowded environments”.
In response to that recommendation, the Trump campaign is making rally attendees sign a waiver saying they understand “that an inherent risk of exposure to Covid-19 exists in any public place where people are present” and they “voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to Covid-19.”In response to that recommendation, the Trump campaign is making rally attendees sign a waiver saying they understand “that an inherent risk of exposure to Covid-19 exists in any public place where people are present” and they “voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to Covid-19.”
The Rev Al Sharpton applauded New York governor Andrew Cuomo’s efforts to crack down on police brutality in response to the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.The Rev Al Sharpton applauded New York governor Andrew Cuomo’s efforts to crack down on police brutality in response to the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
The longtime civil rights activist said Cuomo had “raised the bar” for how governors should address police reform. “He has gone even beyond my expectations,” Sharpton said.The longtime civil rights activist said Cuomo had “raised the bar” for how governors should address police reform. “He has gone even beyond my expectations,” Sharpton said.
Shaprton specifically praised Cuomo’s executive order, which would withhold state funding from localities that do not enact a plan to reinvent and modernize policing strategies. “To hold funds means he means it,” Sharpton said.Shaprton specifically praised Cuomo’s executive order, which would withhold state funding from localities that do not enact a plan to reinvent and modernize policing strategies. “To hold funds means he means it,” Sharpton said.
The activist joked that Cuomo, with whom he has previously clashed, should “enjoy these few minutes” of his support.The activist joked that Cuomo, with whom he has previously clashed, should “enjoy these few minutes” of his support.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo has signed the police reform bills, which will ban police chokeholds and repeal a state law that shielded police misconduct records from the public. New York governor Andrew Cuomo has signed the police reform bills, which will criminalize police chokeholds and repeal a state law that shielded police misconduct records from the public.
After signing the bills, the Democratic governor handed out pens to the legislative leaders and activists present for the signing.After signing the bills, the Democratic governor handed out pens to the legislative leaders and activists present for the signing.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo said he would also sign an executive order requiring local governments and police agencies to develop plans to reinvent and modernize policing strategies.New York governor Andrew Cuomo said he would also sign an executive order requiring local governments and police agencies to develop plans to reinvent and modernize policing strategies.
Cuomo emphasized local officials needed to lay out a plan to address the use of force among officers, as well as implicit bias training and community-based outreach, in order to “restore trust” among their constituents.Cuomo emphasized local officials needed to lay out a plan to address the use of force among officers, as well as implicit bias training and community-based outreach, in order to “restore trust” among their constituents.
The Democratic governor said the plans must be enacted through local legislation by April 1 in order for localities to be eligible for state funding.The Democratic governor said the plans must be enacted through local legislation by April 1 in order for localities to be eligible for state funding.