News & Comment

Now that the threat of impeachment has safely passed, Bolton reveals that Trump abused power in Ukraine case, and others…--Bolton claims Trump asked China’s Xi to buy more US farm products, to help him win reelection, and OK’d treatment of Uighurs
--SecState Pompeo is meeting with Chinese counterpart in Hawaii today, and has publicly criticized China’s treatment of Uighurs
--China’s border clash with India produces bluster from both sides
--expanding its footprint of it war on the Kurds, Turkey strikes 150 targets in Iraq

As Trump signs executive order flanked by cops, and NYPD disbands aggressive detective unit, healthy skepticism is advisable…--Trump order indirectly bans chokeholds, with exceptions, and Dems slam it
--as The Intercept reports, disbanding NYPD unit “is a shell game” according to critics

As Trump rolls back administrative protections for trans people, SCOTUS upholds LGBQ and Trans rights under 1964 Civil Rights Act…--Trump’s first appointee, Neil Gorsuch, wrote the opinion, and Roberts joined him
--Court declined to hear California’s Sanctuary City law, so it stands
--Court refused to rule on 8 cases involving “qualified immunity” for cops and others
--unrest returns to Atlanta after police shooting of Rayshard Brooks, who fought cops in DUI arrest and was shot in the back while running away

In less than 3 weeks, significant actions and meaningful reforms are underway, unlike “thoughts and prayers” responses to repeated mass shootings…--San Francisco Mayor Breed plans to shift noncriminal calls to social workers and divert funding from police budget
--new poll shows that that the protests have shifted public opinion in major ways
--neighborhood watch groups sprung into action in Minneapolis—a model for change, or risk of vigilantism?
--defying Trump, House Dems demand removal of Confederate heroes from military base names

Attempting to control protesters’ use of the slogan is condescending and counterproductive—it’s better to embrace the call for deep change…--David Sirota says “Disband the Tone Police”
--Trump will find any excuse to promote cops and demonize Dems, like today’s Twitter threats to Seattle
--Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders want to increase police funding

Retired judge who reviewed Barr’s effort to dismiss Flynn charges called basis “not credible”, says perjury should factor in sentencing…
 
--Federal Reserve expects high unemployment for years and a slow recovery
--Fed’s “Main Street Lending Program” changes rules to allow oil companies to get bailouts, even though they were near collapse from oil glut before Covid
--poll shows strong opposition to bailouts for lobbyists and trade groups
--Mnuchin says more relief money will be needed, but targets unnamed industries, not state and local governments

After 2 weeks of constant protest, new polls show that big majorities—including some Republicans—recognize systemic injustice in America…--disapproval of Trump’s handling of protests and pandemic show his support declining, and Biden’s growing
--WashPost details Biden’s pro-cop history in this deep dive

Protesters demand to “defund the police” as Minneapolis council members vow to “dismantle” rogue department; Buffalo, Philly cops back their bad apples…--the slogan has various interpretations, but reflects strong need to drastically reform policing and remove protections for law-breaking cops
--NYC’s de Blasio bows to pressure, to cut NYPD budget, but Joe Biden says he opposes budget cuts
--House Democrats propose bill to limit bias and excessive force
--in past 5 years, police have killed over 1,000 suspects each year

At hearing, 3 cops—including 2 rookies—who watched Derek Chauvin suffocate George Floyd turn on Chauvin, a notable departure….--officers’ loyalty to bad cops is a central problem in police misconduct cases, argues PBC
--Minneapolis enacts immediate ban on police use of chokeholds
--Rev. Al Sharpton gave an impressive eulogy at George Floyd’s funeral yesterday
--at Rose Garden press event, Trump boasts about flaky unemployment numbers, and unloads cringeworthy remark “this is a great day for George Floyd”

Retired general and former Pentagon boss Jim Mattis attacks Trump for threat to use military to suppress protests, divisive leadership…--Mattis is no hero to many Americans, but his criticism carries weight, drawing support from former chief of staff John Kelly and Sen. Lisa Murkowski
--the current Defense Secretary, Mark Esper is in trouble with Trump, and had to walk back recent comments amid veiled threat from new WH press secretary
—Former President Obama spoke up about the protests over George Floyd’s killing, delivering of hope and change message To an online forum