Political pollster and analyst Scott Rasmussen discusses how the coronavirus pandemic is shaping public opinion and the Policing Project's Barry Friedman discusses community policing.
Following a procedural vote on police reform that failed in the Senate, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and other Senate Democrats spoke to reporters on Capitol Hill. Sen. Schumer said the Republicans police reform bill "lacked substance" and was "woefully inadequate" and added that the move to vote was a "bridge to no where." Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senators Kamala Harris (D-CA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) also gave brief remarks in response to the vote.
After the Senate blocked the Republican police reform bill, Senators Tim Scott and David Perdue spoke on the floor and accused Democrats of pandering to their base. Sen. Scott talked about his personal experiences and how they helped him write the JUSTICE Act. Virginia Democrat Tim Kaine responded to Sen. Scott's comments, and explained Democratic objections to the Republican proposal. Nebraska's Ben Sasse then disputed part of Sen. Kaine's comments.
The House Judiciary Committee held a Justice Department oversight hearing featuring testimony from current and former department officials. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Zelinsky told lawmakers there was "heavy pressure from the highest levels of the Department of Justice" to give Roger Stone, a political ally of President Trump, leniency in his sentencing recommendation. John Elias, a trial attorney in the Justice Department Antitrust Division, also told the committee that Attorney General William Barr ordered numerous antitrust investigations into the cannabis industry, against the recommendations of career staffers, because he did not like the companies' underlying business. Former Deputy Attorney General Donald Ayer, who served under President George H.W. Bush, also testified about his concerns with the current leadership of the department. "I am here because I believe that William Barr poses the greatest threat in my lifetime to our rule of law and to public trust in it," he said.
A House Science, Space and Technology subcommittee held a virtual hearing to discuss the role of research and development to support air travel safety amid the coronavirus pandemic. Among the witnesses were data science and engineering professors who provided recommendations to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus and other communicable diseases in airplanes and airports. Also testifying was Government Accountability Office (GAO) Physical Infrastructure Director Heather Krause who emphasized the need for a national aviation preparedness plan.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Principal Deputy Director Dr. Anne Schuchat addressed a virtual meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Dr. Fauci outlined the timeline of the coronavirus pandemic, talked about vaccine development, and compared the U.S. response to other developed nations. "We're not responding as well as we can and should respond," said Dr. Fauci, highlighting the differences in new infections in the U.S. compared to the European Union. Dr. Schuchat talked about current regional trends in the U.S. and noted that younger Americans were accounting for many of the new infections. Both doctors emphasized that the rise in new infections could not solely be attributed to increased testing, but rather due to an increase in transmission.
Rep Frank Lucas, R-OK, ranking member of the House Science Committee, talks about the impact of the coronavirus on science, technology & on Congress. He discusses a need to expand broadband in the U.S. and renew and increase American scientific research.
Bill and Melinda Gates spoke about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic during a virtual conversation with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. They spoke about the role the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was playing in developing a vaccine to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Melinda Gates said she is hopeful a vaccine will be available by 2021. Bill Gates was said the European scientific community was filling a void left by the United States and was critical of the US response saying, "this was a failure to get ready" in regards to testing. The Gates' also stressed the importance of an internationally coordinated response to deliver a vaccine equitably, once it's been created.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo participated in a virtual discussion with former NATO Secretary Anders Fogh Rasmussen (2009-14) as part of the Copenhagen Democracy Summit. They discussed the challenges facing democracy and China's role on the world stage, particularly in regards to their handling of the coronavirus pandemic and elimination of Hong Kong as an autonomous city from the rest of the country.
Former Secretary of State John Kerry participated in a discussion with former NATO Secretary Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Politico's Ryan Heath as part of the Copenhagen Democracy Summit. They discussed the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 election, democratic institutions, and climate change.
Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright participated in a virtual discussion with former NATO Secretary Anders Fogh Rasmussen (2009-14) and Politico's Ryan Heath as part of the Copenhagen Democracy Summit. They discussed China's role in the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of social media, the origins of Fascism, and the concern over fading democracy.
President Trump spoke at a rally with students hosted by Turning Point USA in Phoenix, Arizona. "Ten years is a long time to spend in prison" said the president while alluding to the punishment for protestors who damage monuments or attempt to take down statues. President Trump also talked about the coronavirus and testing, the border wall, and the economy.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo participated in a virtual discussion with former NATO Secretary Anders Fogh Rasmussen (2009-14) as part of the Copenhagen Democracy Summit. They discussed the challenges facing democracy and China's role on the world stage, particularly in regards to their handling of the coronavirus pandemic and elimination of Hong Kong as an autonomous city from the rest of the country.
Former Secretary of State John Kerry participated in a discussion with former NATO Secretary Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Politico's Ryan Heath as part of the Copenhagen Democracy Summit. They discussed the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 election, democratic institutions, and climate change.
Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright participated in a virtual discussion with former NATO Secretary Anders Fogh Rasmussen (2009-14) and Politico's Ryan Heath as part of the Copenhagen Democracy Summit. They discussed China's role in the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of social media, the origins of Fascism, and the concern over fading democracy.
President Trump spoke at a rally with students hosted by Turning Point USA in Phoenix, Arizona. "Ten years is a long time to spend in prison" said the president while alluding to the punishment for protestors who damage monuments or attempt to take down statues. President Trump also talked about the coronavirus and testing, the border wall, and the economy.
The House Education and Labor Committee held a virtual hearing to examine coronavirus racial inequities in education, health care and the workforce. Former Education Secretary John King, Jr., who served during the Obama Administration, was among the witnesses who testified. He and others highlighted the disparities facing minorities as the pandemic continues.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) discussed police reform, health care and other topics during a virtual event hosted by the Washington Post. The speaker disagreed with calls to remove statues of the U.S. founding fathers, arguing they are different than representations of members of the Confederacy. She also said Democrats should not pursue articles of impeachment against Attorney General William Barr, but rather wait until the November election and defeat President Trump.