Democrats unveil police reform overhaul, kneel at Capitol
WASHINGTON — Democrats proposed a sweeping overhaul of police oversight and procedures Monday, a potentially far-reaching legislative response to the mass protests denouncing the deaths of black Americans in the hands of law enforcement.Before unveiling the package, House and Senate Democrats held a moment of silence at the Capitol's Emancipation Hall, reading the names of George Floyd and others killed during police interactions.
White House anti-riot fencing now covered with signs from protesters
WASHINGTON -- The anti-riot fencing surrounding the White House has been covered with signs left by protesters as crowds come together in solidarity against police brutality following the death of George Floyd.Demonstrators in the nation’s capital joined forces to support the Black Lives Matter movement demanding social change, equality and justice for Floyd and the many other black men and women who died in the hands of police.Their signs were an extension of their pleas to end racism.
Colin Powell says he 'cannot in any way support' Pres. Trump; announces he will vote for Biden
WASHINGTON -- Former Secretary of State Colin Powell on Sunday, June 7 became the latest member of the Republican Party’s old guard to announce that he will not be voting for President Donald Trump in November’s general election.Powell’s admission comes amid rumors and speculation that a number of establishment Republican heavyweights have sworn off voting for President Trump in favor of Democratic presidential nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden.
President Trump says Drew Brees shouldn’t have apologized for comments on kneeling during anthem
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump on Friday said New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees should not have apologized for comments he made regarding players kneeling in protest during the national anthem and that everyone should stand.“I am a big fan of Drew Brees.
Biden formally clinches Democratic presidential nomination
WASHINGTON — Joe Biden formally clinched the Democratic presidential nomination Friday, setting him up for a bruising challenge to President Donald Trump that will play out against the unprecedented backdrop of a pandemic, economic collapse and civil unrest.The former vice president has effectively been his party's leader since his last challenger in the Democratic primary, Bernie Sanders, ended his campaign in April.
White House forces reporters to ditch social distancing because 'it looks better'
WASHINGTON — The White House abandoned social distancing for reporters attending President Donald Trump's Rose Garden event Friday because “it looks better,” according to the aide who ordered it.Seats for reporters at recent White House events had been placed 6 feet apart to protect against the spread of the coronavirus.
Attorney General Barr says he didn’t give tactical order to clear White House protesters
WASHINGTON — Attorney General William Barr says law enforcement officers were already moving to push back protesters from a park in front of the White House when he arrived there Monday evening, and he says he did not give a command to disperse the crowd, though he supported the decision.Barr’s comments in an interview with The Associated Press on Friday were his most detailed explanation yet of what unfolded outside the White House earlier this week.
Malaria drug didn't help virus patients, big UK study finds
LONDON -- Leaders of a large study in the United Kingdom that is rigorously testing the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine and other medicines for hospitalized COVID-19 patients say they will stop putting people on the drug because it’s clear it isn’t helping.Results released Friday from 1,542 patients showed the drug did not reduce deaths, time in the hospital or other factors.
Twitter disables Trump campaign's George Floyd video tribute
SAN FRANCISCO -- Twitter has blocked a Trump campaign video tribute to George Floyd over a copyright claim, in a move that adds to tensions between the social media platform and the U.S. president, one of its most widely followed users.The company put a label on a video posted by the @TeamTrump account that said, “This media has been disabled in response to a claim by the copyright owner.” The video was still up on President Donald Trump’s YouTube channel and includes pictures of Floyd, whose death sparked widespread protests, at the start.“Per our copyright policy, we respond to valid copyright complaints sent to us by a copyright owner or their authorized representatives,” Twitter said in a statement.
States jockey to host RNC, President Trump as he accepts GOP nomination
WASHINGTON — Several states are vying to host President Donald Trump when he accepts his party’s nomination later this year, after President Trump officially pulled the plug on North Carolina because of the state's concerns over the coronavirus.Nashville, Tennessee, and several cities in Florida are among those said to be in the running.
ACLU files lawsuit against Trump administration regarding removal of protesters
WASHINGTON - The American Civil Liberties Union and others have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging officials violated the civil rights of protesters who were forcefully removed from a park near the White House by police using chemical agents before President Donald Trump walked to a nearby church to take a photo.The lawsuit was filed Thursday in federal court in Washington.
Ex-defense chief Mattis rips President Trump for dividing Americans amid protests
WASHINGTON — In an extraordinary rebuke, former defense secretary Jim Mattis on Wednesday denounced President Donald Trump's heavy-handed use of military force to quell protests and said his former boss was setting up a “false conflict" between the military and civilian society.“I have watched this week's unfolding events, angry and appalled,” Mattis wrote.The criticism was all the more remarkable because Mattis has generally kept a low profile since retiring as defense secretary in December 2018 to protest President Trump's Syria policy.
Defense secretary breaks with President Trump, opposes using military for protests
WASHINGTON — Breaking with President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Wednesday he opposes using military forces for law enforcement in containing current street protests.Esper said the Insurrection Act, which would allow President Trump to use active-duty military for law enforcement in containing street protests, should be invoked in the United States “only in the most urgent and dire of situations." He declared, “We are not in one of those situations now.”Invoking the Insurrection Act has been discussed as President Trump has talked about using the military to quell violent protests in U.S. cities.
DC Episcopal bishop: 'I am outraged' by President Trump church visit
WASHINGTON -- The bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington sharply criticized President Donald Trump for staging a visit to the historic St.
Former Gov. Walker tweets support for President Trump 'having the guts' to walk to DC church
MILWAUKEE -- Former Wisconsin Gov.
Biden: President Trump 'consumed' by ego, not leading during crisis
PHILADELPHIA — Joe Biden on Tuesday blistered President Donald Trump a day after police drove back peaceful protesters near the White House so President Trump could pose with a Bible before a damaged church.
President Trump threatens to deploy United States military unless states halt violent protests
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump delivered remarks in the Rose Garden Monday evening after deriding many governors as “weak” and demanded tougher crackdowns on burning and stealing among some demonstrations in the aftermath of violent protests in dozens of American cities.President Trump spoke at the White House as a large group of protesters demonstrated outside ahead of a citywide curfew.
President Trump took shelter in White House bunker as protests raged
WASHINGTON — Secret Service agents rushed President Donald Trump to a White House bunker on Friday night as hundreds of protesters gathered outside the executive mansion, some of them throwing rocks and tugging at police barricades.President Trump spent nearly an hour in the bunker, which was designed for use in emergencies like terrorist attacks, according to a Republican close to the White House who was not authorized to publicly discuss private matters and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
President Trump says US will designate ‘Antifa’ as a ‘terrorist organization’
LOS ANGELES -- President Donald Trump tweeted Sunday, May 31 that the U.S. will designate “Antifa” as a “terrorist organization.”
