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| Trump administration sent $1.4bn in stimulus checks to dead people - live | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Watchdog says US treasury sent over 1m payments to deceased people | |
| House Democrats held a socially distant press conference on the Capitol steps ahead of the vote on their police reform bill, which is expected to pass. | |
| “Today is the day we pass legislation to transform policing in America,” congressional black caucus chairwoman Karen Bass said, describing the Justice in Policing Act as “a bill for human rights in our country.” | |
| House speaker Nancy Pelosi said passing the bill was a way to honor the life of George Floyd and everyone else killed by police brutality. | |
| “When we pass this bill, the Senate will have a choice: To honor George Floyd’s life or to do nothing,” Pelosi said. | |
| The House vote comes one day after Senate Democrats blocked the Republican police reform bill from advancing, after complaining the bill did not go far enough to address police brutality. | |
| Although the Democratic bill is expected to pass the House, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has already said he considers the legislation to be a non-starter. | |
| The supreme court has issued a decision bolstering Trump’s ability to rapidly deport undocumented immigrants, including those seeking asylum. | |
| In a 7-2 decision written by conservative justice Samuel Alito, the court ruled that those seeking asylum did not have a broad right to have their case heard by a federal judge. | |
| The decision marks a victory for Trump, who has sought to expand the administration’s ability to rapidly deport those who enter the country illegally. | |
| The supreme court’s decision overturns a ruling from the ninth circuit, who had ruled in favor of an undocumented immigrant seeking a federal court ruling on his asylum claim. | |
| The immigrant, a Sri Lankan farmer named Vijayakumar Thuraissigiam, had his asylum claim denied and wanted the case to be heard again by a federal judge. | |
| The federal government spent more than $1bn on stimulus payments that went to dead people, according to the US Government Accountability Office. | |
| The congressional watchdog said in a new report, “The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Treasury moved quickly to disburse 160.4m payments worth $269.3bn. The agencies faced difficulties delivering payments to some individuals, and faced additional risks related to making improper payments to ineligible individuals, such as decedents, and fraud. | |
| “For example, according to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, as of April 30, 2020, almost 1.1 million payments totaling nearly $1.4 billion had gone to decedents.” | “For example, according to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, as of April 30, 2020, almost 1.1 million payments totaling nearly $1.4 billion had gone to decedents.” |
| The direct cash payments were approved as part of the $2tn Cares Act, which was meant to offer Americans financial assistance amid the coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing economic fallout. | |
| Shortly after the government started distributing the payments, reports emerged that Americans had received checks addressed to family members who had already died. | Shortly after the government started distributing the payments, reports emerged that Americans had received checks addressed to family members who had already died. |
| The IRS issued new guidance last month asking those who received checks addressed to dead relatives to return them to the federal government. | The IRS issued new guidance last month asking those who received checks addressed to dead relatives to return them to the federal government. |
| A new poll shows Joe Biden leading Trump in several key battleground states – including Wisconsin, where the president is visiting today to tour a shipbuilding facility. | A new poll shows Joe Biden leading Trump in several key battleground states – including Wisconsin, where the president is visiting today to tour a shipbuilding facility. |
| According to the New York Times/Siena College poll, Biden leads by 11 points in Wisconsin, 11 points in Michigan, 10 points in Pennsylvania, 6 points in Florida, 7 points in Arizona and 9 points in North Carolina. | According to the New York Times/Siena College poll, Biden leads by 11 points in Wisconsin, 11 points in Michigan, 10 points in Pennsylvania, 6 points in Florida, 7 points in Arizona and 9 points in North Carolina. |
| Trump won all six of those states in 2016, and he can only afford to lose a couple of them in November and still win the electoral college. | Trump won all six of those states in 2016, and he can only afford to lose a couple of them in November and still win the electoral college. |
| More broadly, if Trump is struggling in states like North Carolina, he’s likely losing support in other states that should be safely in his column. A poll released yesterday showed the president and Biden are virtually tied in Ohio, which Trump carried by 8 points in 2016. | More broadly, if Trump is struggling in states like North Carolina, he’s likely losing support in other states that should be safely in his column. A poll released yesterday showed the president and Biden are virtually tied in Ohio, which Trump carried by 8 points in 2016. |
| There are still more than four months left until the general election, and plenty will change in that time. But it’s clear that Trump needs to start quickly turning around this trend, or he will have no chance at a second term. | There are still more than four months left until the general election, and plenty will change in that time. But it’s clear that Trump needs to start quickly turning around this trend, or he will have no chance at a second term. |
| This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Martin Belam. | This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Martin Belam. |
| Senator Tim Scott, the only black Republican in the Senate, has reportedly seen an uptick in threats and racist messages in recent weeks, as he crafted the Republican police reform bill. | Senator Tim Scott, the only black Republican in the Senate, has reportedly seen an uptick in threats and racist messages in recent weeks, as he crafted the Republican police reform bill. |
| CNN reports: | CNN reports: |
| Scott’s spokesperson told CNN that most of the calls do not specifically mention any legislation, but they have significantly increased since Scott took over Republicans’ police reform efforts. | Scott’s spokesperson told CNN that most of the calls do not specifically mention any legislation, but they have significantly increased since Scott took over Republicans’ police reform efforts. |
| Yesterday, Scott’s bill was blocked by Senate Democrats, who have complained the legislation does not go far enough to address police brutality. | Yesterday, Scott’s bill was blocked by Senate Democrats, who have complained the legislation does not go far enough to address police brutality. |
| The Associated Press are reporting that Donald Trump is facing renewed criticism over his plans to celebrate Independence Day with a showy display at Mount Rushmore. | The Associated Press are reporting that Donald Trump is facing renewed criticism over his plans to celebrate Independence Day with a showy display at Mount Rushmore. |
| Native Americans who view the monument as a desecration of land violently stolen from them and used to pay homage to leaders hostile to native people are planning protests for the presidents’s 3 July visit. | Native Americans who view the monument as a desecration of land violently stolen from them and used to pay homage to leaders hostile to native people are planning protests for the presidents’s 3 July visit. |
| The event is slated to include fighter jets and the first fireworks display at the site since 2009. It comes amid a national reckoning over racism and a reconsideration of the symbolism of monuments around the globe. | The event is slated to include fighter jets and the first fireworks display at the site since 2009. It comes amid a national reckoning over racism and a reconsideration of the symbolism of monuments around the globe. |
| “Mount Rushmore is a symbol of white supremacy, of structural racism that’s still alive and well in society today,” said Nick Tilsen, a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe and the president of a local activist organisation called NDN Collective. “It’s an injustice to actively steal Indigenous people’s land then carve the white faces of the conquerors who committed genocide.” | “Mount Rushmore is a symbol of white supremacy, of structural racism that’s still alive and well in society today,” said Nick Tilsen, a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe and the president of a local activist organisation called NDN Collective. “It’s an injustice to actively steal Indigenous people’s land then carve the white faces of the conquerors who committed genocide.” |
| While some activists, like Tilsen, want to see the monument removed altogether and the Black Hills returned to the Lakota, others have called for a share in the economic benefits from the region and the tourists it attracts. | While some activists, like Tilsen, want to see the monument removed altogether and the Black Hills returned to the Lakota, others have called for a share in the economic benefits from the region and the tourists it attracts. |
| Trump has long shown a fascination with Mount Rushmore. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said in 2018 that he had once told her straight-faced it was his dream to have his face carved into the monument, which was constructed between 1927 and 1941. | Trump has long shown a fascination with Mount Rushmore. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said in 2018 that he had once told her straight-faced it was his dream to have his face carved into the monument, which was constructed between 1927 and 1941. |
| For many Native American people, including the Lakota, Cheyenne, Omaha, Arapaho, Kiowa and Kiowa-Apache, the monument is a desecration to the Black Hills, which they consider sacred. Lakota people know the area as Paha Sapa “the heart of everything that is”. | For many Native American people, including the Lakota, Cheyenne, Omaha, Arapaho, Kiowa and Kiowa-Apache, the monument is a desecration to the Black Hills, which they consider sacred. Lakota people know the area as Paha Sapa “the heart of everything that is”. |
| Tim Giago, a journalist who is a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe, said he doesn’t see four great American leaders when he looks at the monument, but instead four white men who either made racist remarks or initiated actions that removed Native Americans from their land. | Tim Giago, a journalist who is a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe, said he doesn’t see four great American leaders when he looks at the monument, but instead four white men who either made racist remarks or initiated actions that removed Native Americans from their land. |
| “Washington and Jefferson both held slaves” he said. “Lincoln, though he led the abolition of slavery, also approved the hanging of 38 Dakota men in Minnesota after a violent conflict with white settlers there. Roosevelt is reported to have said, ‘I don’t go so far as to think that the only good Indians are dead Indians, but I believe nine out of every ten are.’” | “Washington and Jefferson both held slaves” he said. “Lincoln, though he led the abolition of slavery, also approved the hanging of 38 Dakota men in Minnesota after a violent conflict with white settlers there. Roosevelt is reported to have said, ‘I don’t go so far as to think that the only good Indians are dead Indians, but I believe nine out of every ten are.’” |
| As mentioned earlier, Donald Trump isn’t expected to be seen wearing a face mask during his trip to Wisconsin later today, despite the fact that everybody else will. | As mentioned earlier, Donald Trump isn’t expected to be seen wearing a face mask during his trip to Wisconsin later today, despite the fact that everybody else will. |
| This isn’t the only time that the president has made himself an exception to the rule. In this video, my colleague Maanvi Singh looks back at how Trump has long been contradicting and defying science during the coronavirus outbreak, and the impact this has had on the country’s faltering handling of the pandemic. | This isn’t the only time that the president has made himself an exception to the rule. In this video, my colleague Maanvi Singh looks back at how Trump has long been contradicting and defying science during the coronavirus outbreak, and the impact this has had on the country’s faltering handling of the pandemic. |
| Scott Bauer of the Associate Press has been doing some scene-setting for Donald Trump’s visit to Wisconsin today. The president is, according to polling released by the New York Times today, trailing Joe Biden by 11 points in the state that he carried by fewer than 23,000 votes in 2016. | Scott Bauer of the Associate Press has been doing some scene-setting for Donald Trump’s visit to Wisconsin today. The president is, according to polling released by the New York Times today, trailing Joe Biden by 11 points in the state that he carried by fewer than 23,000 votes in 2016. |
| Trump will be taking a private tour of a shipyard far away from Milwaukee, where local coronavirus restrictions now prevent large rallies. And he’ll land just a day after Gov. Tony Evers activated the National Guard following unruly protests in the state capital. | Trump will be taking a private tour of a shipyard far away from Milwaukee, where local coronavirus restrictions now prevent large rallies. And he’ll land just a day after Gov. Tony Evers activated the National Guard following unruly protests in the state capital. |
| Showing the hit the economy has taken from the coronavirus outbreak, when Trump last campaigned in Wisconsin, the unemployment rate was 3.5%. Now, 12% of workers are jobless. | Showing the hit the economy has taken from the coronavirus outbreak, when Trump last campaigned in Wisconsin, the unemployment rate was 3.5%. Now, 12% of workers are jobless. |
| At the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard the president will speak to 500 to 600 people inside, all of whom will be required to wear masks. | At the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard the president will speak to 500 to 600 people inside, all of whom will be required to wear masks. |
| Trump will not. | Trump will not. |
| Eric Dunt, the shipbuilder’s spokesperson, told Bauer via email that “We are not asking or requiring the president to wear a mask, as we are going to go to great lengths to give him the appropriate social distance.” | Eric Dunt, the shipbuilder’s spokesperson, told Bauer via email that “We are not asking or requiring the president to wear a mask, as we are going to go to great lengths to give him the appropriate social distance.” |
| Yesterday, the US recorded its single biggest one-day rise in coronavirus cases, which now total more than 2.3 million. Thirteen employees at the shipbuilder have tested positive for Covid-19 during the outbreak, but they have all recovered and are now back to work, Dent said. | Yesterday, the US recorded its single biggest one-day rise in coronavirus cases, which now total more than 2.3 million. Thirteen employees at the shipbuilder have tested positive for Covid-19 during the outbreak, but they have all recovered and are now back to work, Dent said. |
| Trump’s appearance gives him a chance to score points with blue-collar workers who know the importance of the shipbuilder to the region’s economy, said John Nygren, a Republican member of the state Assembly who was born and raised in Marinette. | Trump’s appearance gives him a chance to score points with blue-collar workers who know the importance of the shipbuilder to the region’s economy, said John Nygren, a Republican member of the state Assembly who was born and raised in Marinette. |
| “Granted, Trump is not traditional in a lot of ways, but it’s a great opportunity from a working-class standpoint to show Republicans can stand up for them,” Nygren said. | “Granted, Trump is not traditional in a lot of ways, but it’s a great opportunity from a working-class standpoint to show Republicans can stand up for them,” Nygren said. |
| Trump will no doubt tout a contract won in April by Fincantieri Marinette Marine to build up to 10 navy frigates. The shipbuilder plans to invest $200 million to expand the Marinette facility because of the contract. The company employs about 2,500 people now, and the deal could add 1,000 jobs and be worth $5.6 billion if all the ships are built. It’s the first new major shipbuilding program for the navy in more than a decade. | Trump will no doubt tout a contract won in April by Fincantieri Marinette Marine to build up to 10 navy frigates. The shipbuilder plans to invest $200 million to expand the Marinette facility because of the contract. The company employs about 2,500 people now, and the deal could add 1,000 jobs and be worth $5.6 billion if all the ships are built. It’s the first new major shipbuilding program for the navy in more than a decade. |
| Visiting a navy shipbuilder shortly before the 4 July holiday gives Trump the chance to show both his support for the military and what it means to be a patriotic American, Nygren said. That message is especially important to give during a time “when we’re dealing with a lot of divisions,” he added. | Visiting a navy shipbuilder shortly before the 4 July holiday gives Trump the chance to show both his support for the military and what it means to be a patriotic American, Nygren said. That message is especially important to give during a time “when we’re dealing with a lot of divisions,” he added. |
| By contrast, Biden campaign spokesperson Sean Higgins highlighted the unemployment figures, and said “Wisconsin families deserve strong, honest leadership to bring us together and help our country recover. But Trump is unprepared to meet the moment.” | By contrast, Biden campaign spokesperson Sean Higgins highlighted the unemployment figures, and said “Wisconsin families deserve strong, honest leadership to bring us together and help our country recover. But Trump is unprepared to meet the moment.” |
| Trump is due to make his remarks at around 4pm. | Trump is due to make his remarks at around 4pm. |
| Another 1.48 million people filed for unemployment insurance across the US last week as the grim economic toll of the coronavirus pandemic continued as infection rates picked up in many states. | Another 1.48 million people filed for unemployment insurance across the US last week as the grim economic toll of the coronavirus pandemic continued as infection rates picked up in many states. |
| Claims for unemployment insurance have now fallen for 12 weeks in a row but remain historically high. About 47 million people have now filed for benefits in the last 14 weeks, with 3 million claims made in the last two weeks. | Claims for unemployment insurance have now fallen for 12 weeks in a row but remain historically high. About 47 million people have now filed for benefits in the last 14 weeks, with 3 million claims made in the last two weeks. |
| My colleague Dominic Rushe has a full report here: 1.48m more Americans file for unemployment as pandemic takes toll | My colleague Dominic Rushe has a full report here: 1.48m more Americans file for unemployment as pandemic takes toll |
| An Arizona City Councilman has faced a barrage of criticism after invoking the words of George Floyd to complain about having to wear a mask due to the coronavirus outbreak. | An Arizona City Councilman has faced a barrage of criticism after invoking the words of George Floyd to complain about having to wear a mask due to the coronavirus outbreak. |
| Scottsdale’s Guy Phillips was attending an anti-mask rally he organised, and opened his comments by saying “I can’t breathe! I can’t breathe!” before removing his own mask. The rally was reportedly attended by around 150 people, many of whom were not wearing masks, despite the poster advertising the event asking them to. | Scottsdale’s Guy Phillips was attending an anti-mask rally he organised, and opened his comments by saying “I can’t breathe! I can’t breathe!” before removing his own mask. The rally was reportedly attended by around 150 people, many of whom were not wearing masks, despite the poster advertising the event asking them to. |
| Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane has mandated that masks should be worn in public places where it is not possible to effectively socially distance. Arizona is one of the states that has seen a surge of coronavirus cases in recent days. | Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane has mandated that masks should be worn in public places where it is not possible to effectively socially distance. Arizona is one of the states that has seen a surge of coronavirus cases in recent days. |
| Critcis of Phillips have included Gov. Doug Ducey, who tweeted that the comments were “flat out wrong. Despicable doesn’t go far enough. The final words of George Floyd should NEVER be invoked like this. Anyone who mocks the murder of a fellow human has no place in public office. Period.” | Critcis of Phillips have included Gov. Doug Ducey, who tweeted that the comments were “flat out wrong. Despicable doesn’t go far enough. The final words of George Floyd should NEVER be invoked like this. Anyone who mocks the murder of a fellow human has no place in public office. Period.” |
| Phillips has subsequently apologised to local station 12 News over the phone, saying “It was a stupid and insensitive comment that I shouldn’t have made and I had no intention of disrespecting anybody while making that comment.” | Phillips has subsequently apologised to local station 12 News over the phone, saying “It was a stupid and insensitive comment that I shouldn’t have made and I had no intention of disrespecting anybody while making that comment.” |
| He said that his intent was only to show how restrictive he felt masks were, and not to mock George Floyd. | He said that his intent was only to show how restrictive he felt masks were, and not to mock George Floyd. |
| It probably won’t carry much weight, but former Republican presidential candidate and CEO of Hewlett-Packard Carly Fiorina has said this morning that she will back Joe Biden in November. | It probably won’t carry much weight, but former Republican presidential candidate and CEO of Hewlett-Packard Carly Fiorina has said this morning that she will back Joe Biden in November. |
| In 2010 Fiorina ran as a Tea Party candidate for Senate, and she made a run for the White House in 2016. She’s been interviewed on The Atlantic’s Ticket podcast and says: | In 2010 Fiorina ran as a Tea Party candidate for Senate, and she made a run for the White House in 2016. She’s been interviewed on The Atlantic’s Ticket podcast and says: |
| During the 2016 primary campaign, Fiorina was viciously mocked by Donald Trump in comments that were widely derided as sexist. She still went on to support his election, but not this time around it seems. | During the 2016 primary campaign, Fiorina was viciously mocked by Donald Trump in comments that were widely derided as sexist. She still went on to support his election, but not this time around it seems. |
| There’s set to be more legal wrangling over John Bolton’s best-selling The Room Where It Happened book. While in one direction the Trump administration have been aiming to shut it down, an Freedom of Information act lawsuit filed today demands details of the pre-publication review process. | There’s set to be more legal wrangling over John Bolton’s best-selling The Room Where It Happened book. While in one direction the Trump administration have been aiming to shut it down, an Freedom of Information act lawsuit filed today demands details of the pre-publication review process. |
| For his part, Bolton has continued to deny the administration’s claim that there is any classified information contained in his book. It went though a review process that lasted months, and which Bolton says led to changes in the book at the insistence of the National Security Council. There was then a second review, which prompted more edits, and which Bolton has claimed was a more political attempt to suppress the book. | For his part, Bolton has continued to deny the administration’s claim that there is any classified information contained in his book. It went though a review process that lasted months, and which Bolton says led to changes in the book at the insistence of the National Security Council. There was then a second review, which prompted more edits, and which Bolton has claimed was a more political attempt to suppress the book. |
| Kel McClanahan is one of the lawyers behind the new lawsuit, and he has told Politico that: “The Bolton case describes a prepublication review process driven by the whims of the political appointees in the White House, shrouded in the deference courts traditionally give the Intelligence Community on questions of national security. The public deserves to know if the claims made behind closed doors about Bolton’s book hold up to the scrutiny of a skeptical judge in a more demanding FOIA context.” | Kel McClanahan is one of the lawyers behind the new lawsuit, and he has told Politico that: “The Bolton case describes a prepublication review process driven by the whims of the political appointees in the White House, shrouded in the deference courts traditionally give the Intelligence Community on questions of national security. The public deserves to know if the claims made behind closed doors about Bolton’s book hold up to the scrutiny of a skeptical judge in a more demanding FOIA context.” |
| You can read more about it here: Politico - New lawsuit demands details on Bolton book review | You can read more about it here: Politico - New lawsuit demands details on Bolton book review |
| Earlier this week 24-year-old Madison Cawthorn scored a surprise victory in the Republican primary in North Carolina - defeating a Trump-endorsed opponent. With a little more national scrutiny on him, it emerged that on social media he had ‘liked’ a tweet referring to the QAnon conspiracy theory - more evidence perhaps of the way that QAnon has moved from the fringes of the internet to be closer to the Republican party itself. | Earlier this week 24-year-old Madison Cawthorn scored a surprise victory in the Republican primary in North Carolina - defeating a Trump-endorsed opponent. With a little more national scrutiny on him, it emerged that on social media he had ‘liked’ a tweet referring to the QAnon conspiracy theory - more evidence perhaps of the way that QAnon has moved from the fringes of the internet to be closer to the Republican party itself. |
| My colleague Julia Carrie Wong has been investigating QAnon for some time, and this morning she’s published a great deep dive into what she’s found about how the conspiracy theory spreads on social media. | My colleague Julia Carrie Wong has been investigating QAnon for some time, and this morning she’s published a great deep dive into what she’s found about how the conspiracy theory spreads on social media. |
| Read it here: Down the rabbit hole - how QAnon conspiracies thrive on Facebook | Read it here: Down the rabbit hole - how QAnon conspiracies thrive on Facebook |
| Editor-in-Chief and CEO of Time magazine Edward Felsenthal has published a strongly worded op-ed online this morning that will be appearing in the July edition of the magazine, saying of the US: | Editor-in-Chief and CEO of Time magazine Edward Felsenthal has published a strongly worded op-ed online this morning that will be appearing in the July edition of the magazine, saying of the US: |
| Titled “America’s critical moment”, Felsenthal’s op-ed goes on to say: | Titled “America’s critical moment”, Felsenthal’s op-ed goes on to say: |
| You can read it here: Time - America’s critical moment | You can read it here: Time - America’s critical moment |
| With widespread calls for police reform and the campaign to #DefundThePolice getting worldwide attention, there’s been huge interest in areas of the US who have attempted reform. Camden and Newark in New Jersey are two areas where police reform has been tried. Ankita Rao reports for us, finding that not everything has gone as smoothly as it is sometimes portrayed | With widespread calls for police reform and the campaign to #DefundThePolice getting worldwide attention, there’s been huge interest in areas of the US who have attempted reform. Camden and Newark in New Jersey are two areas where police reform has been tried. Ankita Rao reports for us, finding that not everything has gone as smoothly as it is sometimes portrayed |
| Read it in full here: These New Jersey cities reformed their police – but problems still persist | Read it in full here: These New Jersey cities reformed their police – but problems still persist |
| Nate Cohn has written for the New York Times today a follow up to their poll yesterday which showed Joe Biden with a commanding national lead over Donald Trump. | Nate Cohn has written for the New York Times today a follow up to their poll yesterday which showed Joe Biden with a commanding national lead over Donald Trump. |
| Today Cohn’s focus has been the six key November battleground states of Arizona, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. In all six states, Biden is ahead - and in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin it is a double-digit lead. | Today Cohn’s focus has been the six key November battleground states of Arizona, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. In all six states, Biden is ahead - and in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin it is a double-digit lead. |
| There’s lot of interesting detail in the piece - including how Trump’s public clash with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan over coronavirus protests has back-fired. 59% of voters disapprove of Mr. Trump’s handling of the coronavirus, and 57% opposed those protests against social distancing measures. | There’s lot of interesting detail in the piece - including how Trump’s public clash with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan over coronavirus protests has back-fired. 59% of voters disapprove of Mr. Trump’s handling of the coronavirus, and 57% opposed those protests against social distancing measures. |
| All in all it is another grim read for Trump campaign HQ staff: New York Times - Showing strength with white voters, Biden builds lead in battleground states | All in all it is another grim read for Trump campaign HQ staff: New York Times - Showing strength with white voters, Biden builds lead in battleground states |
| Another policing development has been the offer of resignation from Tucson, Arizona’s police chief Chris Magnus at a press conference. Tucson Mayor Regina Romero said she did not know if the resignation would be accepted. | Another policing development has been the offer of resignation from Tucson, Arizona’s police chief Chris Magnus at a press conference. Tucson Mayor Regina Romero said she did not know if the resignation would be accepted. |
| The move follows the public release of bodycam footage of an incident on 21 April which led to the death of 27-year-old Carlos Ingram-Lopez. | The move follows the public release of bodycam footage of an incident on 21 April which led to the death of 27-year-old Carlos Ingram-Lopez. |
| Officers were called to a home where they say they found Ingram-Lopez “drunk, yelling and running around the house naked.” | Officers were called to a home where they say they found Ingram-Lopez “drunk, yelling and running around the house naked.” |
| In the video, shown to the public for the first time yesterday, Ingram-Lopez is ultimately arrested and handcuffed facedown. He is then held, still naked, in that position for about twelve minutes, while shouting and in distress. | In the video, shown to the public for the first time yesterday, Ingram-Lopez is ultimately arrested and handcuffed facedown. He is then held, still naked, in that position for about twelve minutes, while shouting and in distress. |
| Mayor Romero said that she was “deeply troubled and outraged” by the event. A medical examiner’s report could not conclusively pinpoint a cause of death, noting that Ingram-Lopez had a high level of cocaine in his blood, and also had an enlarged heart. | Mayor Romero said that she was “deeply troubled and outraged” by the event. A medical examiner’s report could not conclusively pinpoint a cause of death, noting that Ingram-Lopez had a high level of cocaine in his blood, and also had an enlarged heart. |
| Chief Magnus said that his officers had no malicious intent, but had committed “multiple policy violations”. All three officers have resigned from the force - with Magnus noting that “The files for these officers reflect that the department would have terminated them had they not resigned”. | Chief Magnus said that his officers had no malicious intent, but had committed “multiple policy violations”. All three officers have resigned from the force - with Magnus noting that “The files for these officers reflect that the department would have terminated them had they not resigned”. |
| There had been a delay in reviewing the case, and the department has now instituted a policy requiring at least two chiefs to view video footage related to any in custody death within 48 hours. | There had been a delay in reviewing the case, and the department has now instituted a policy requiring at least two chiefs to view video footage related to any in custody death within 48 hours. |
| Mayor Romero said she will propose police reforms, stating “It is simply not acceptable that both mayor and council and the public were not notified of this event after the incident took place.” | Mayor Romero said she will propose police reforms, stating “It is simply not acceptable that both mayor and council and the public were not notified of this event after the incident took place.” |
| Three North Carolina police officers have been fired after a recorded conversation where they talked about slaughtering black people, used racial slurs, and spoke of the need for a second civil war. | Three North Carolina police officers have been fired after a recorded conversation where they talked about slaughtering black people, used racial slurs, and spoke of the need for a second civil war. |
| An ‘accidental activation’ video recording was made in officer Kevin Piner’s car. It was later reviewed within the Wilmington Police department, and the conversation was discovered. Piner was fired for misconduct along with Cpl. Jessie Moore and officer James Gilmore. | An ‘accidental activation’ video recording was made in officer Kevin Piner’s car. It was later reviewed within the Wilmington Police department, and the conversation was discovered. Piner was fired for misconduct along with Cpl. Jessie Moore and officer James Gilmore. |
| During the recording Moore referred to a woman he had arrested with a racial slur, and Piner said he was planning on buying a new assault rifle in preparation to “slaughter” people who he also described with a racial slur. Piner also complains about the police department “taking the knee”. | During the recording Moore referred to a woman he had arrested with a racial slur, and Piner said he was planning on buying a new assault rifle in preparation to “slaughter” people who he also described with a racial slur. Piner also complains about the police department “taking the knee”. |
| Wilmington Police Chief Donny Williams said “Why are we releasing this information this way and at this time? Because it is the right thing to do. Normally, personnel laws allow only a very small amount of information to be made public. However, in exceptional cases, when it is essential to maintain public confidence in the administration of the City and the Police Department, more information may be released. This is the most exceptional and difficult case I have encountered in my career. We must establish new reforms for policing here at home and throughout this country.” | Wilmington Police Chief Donny Williams said “Why are we releasing this information this way and at this time? Because it is the right thing to do. Normally, personnel laws allow only a very small amount of information to be made public. However, in exceptional cases, when it is essential to maintain public confidence in the administration of the City and the Police Department, more information may be released. This is the most exceptional and difficult case I have encountered in my career. We must establish new reforms for policing here at home and throughout this country.” |
| The department has released their full report of the incident. When interviewed, each officer accepted that the conversation was a genuine recording, but denied being racist. | The department has released their full report of the incident. When interviewed, each officer accepted that the conversation was a genuine recording, but denied being racist. |
| Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of US politics today. It’s a month since George Floyd was killed by police, triggering a renewed wave of Black Lives Matter protests across the US and the world. Congress and the Senate are yet to agree on a package of police reform - and overnight news broke that three police officers in North Carolina have been fired over a video recording of a conversation they had, which used racial slurs and talked of ‘slaughtering’ black people. | Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of US politics today. It’s a month since George Floyd was killed by police, triggering a renewed wave of Black Lives Matter protests across the US and the world. Congress and the Senate are yet to agree on a package of police reform - and overnight news broke that three police officers in North Carolina have been fired over a video recording of a conversation they had, which used racial slurs and talked of ‘slaughtering’ black people. |
| Here are some of the main developments overnight, and what we can expect from the rest of the day: | Here are some of the main developments overnight, and what we can expect from the rest of the day: |
| US coronavirus cases set a new record for a one-day high. More than 38,600 new infections were reported yesterday — surpassing records set in late April. The federal government responded by starting to roll back funding for 13 testing sites. | US coronavirus cases set a new record for a one-day high. More than 38,600 new infections were reported yesterday — surpassing records set in late April. The federal government responded by starting to roll back funding for 13 testing sites. |
| Donald Trump will visit and deliver remarks at Fincantieri Marinette Marine. It is a shipbuilding facility in Wisconsin. He will also be on the Fox News Hannity show at 9pm ET, and participating in a wreath laying ceremony at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in the morning alongside Melania Trump. | Donald Trump will visit and deliver remarks at Fincantieri Marinette Marine. It is a shipbuilding facility in Wisconsin. He will also be on the Fox News Hannity show at 9pm ET, and participating in a wreath laying ceremony at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in the morning alongside Melania Trump. |
| The Supreme Court is expected to release new decisions at 10am. | The Supreme Court is expected to release new decisions at 10am. |
| I’ll be here for a couple of hours - you can get in touch with me by emailing martin.belam@theguardian.com | I’ll be here for a couple of hours - you can get in touch with me by emailing martin.belam@theguardian.com |