Wall Street Journal's Eric Morath discusses the latest jobs report and overall employment picture amid the pandemic and University of Texas - Austin's Peniel Joseph discusses George Floyd's death and ensuing protests.
Rev. Al Sharpton was among those who spoke at a memorial service for George Floyd in Minneapolis. While delivering his eulogy, Rev. Sharpton indirectly addressed the president's photo op in front of St. John's Episcopal Church in Washington, DC. "We cannot use bibles as a prop. And for those that have agendas that are not about justice, this family will not let you use George as a prop," he said.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) holds a news briefing on the protests around the country following George Floyd's death and the state's coronavirus response efforts.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Robert Redfield testified before a House Appropriations subcommittee on the federal government's coronavirus response. Committee members questioned Dr. Redfield on a range of issues including contact tracing, CDC coronavirus data reporting, vaccine development and efforts to address health disparities in minority communities. On COVID-19 contact tracing, the CDC director said the U.S. needs a public health workforce of 30,000 to 100,000 people by September 2020. When asked about the potential of the coronavirus spreading due to protests, Dr. Redfield said the CDC has strongly advocated for the ability of protesters to have masks and would also raise the issue of tear gas and chemical agents at the next White House Coronavirus Task Force meeting.
Former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on the FISA application process used during the FBI's "Crossfire Hurricane" investigation into possible ties between the Trump campaign and Russian officials. In December 2019, a report from Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz raised concerns with how the FISA application process was conducted, but found no evidence of political bias in the department's determination to open the investigation. The former deputy attorney general testified on his handling of FISA warrant applications during his time overseeing the FBI's probe. This hearing was the first in a series of oversight hearings the Judiciary Committee plans to hold on the FBI's investigation.
We note the June 5 1968 assassination of New York Senator Robert Kennedy with his calls with LBJ, and eulogy by brother and Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy.
Former President Barack Obama participated in a virtual town hall on racial justice and police reform hosted by My Brother's Keeper Alliance, a program of the Obama Foundation. This was the first time the former president responded publicly to the death of George Floyd while in police custody and the ongoing nationwide protests that have erupted as a result. He said amid tragedy there's also hope and opportunity for people to act and work for change. He urged cities and police departments to review their use of force policies and make changes.
Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC), the majority whip, discussed the protests across the United States following the death of George Floyd while in police custody. During the virtual conversation with the Washington Post, the congressman said he had not seen "anything like this since, maybe, Emmett Till," referring to the 1955 lynching of the 14-year-old African American child in Mississippi. Mr. Clyburn also criticized President Trump's visit to St. John Paul II shrine during the protests, saying "this president seems to think that religion is some kind of prop to further his political interests."
Kentucky Republican Rand Paul spoke about his amendment to an anti-lynching bill, saying that the current bill is too broad and that laws already exist to deal with lynching. He was followed by California Democrat Kamala Harris who says that the idea that the Senate isn't taking lynching seriously was offensive. She went on to describe the incidents that led to the orignial anti-lynching bill, and questioned why Sen. Paul felt the need to amend the bill at this time. She was followed by Sen. Cory Booker, who also spoke about the original anti-lynching bill, and objected to Sen. Paul's amendment "on behalf of my ancestors." Sen. Paul then responded, continuing to say that the current bill needs to be amended. Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski then thanked Sens. Booker and Harris for their comments.
Ronald Reagan gave his first press conference nine days after taking the oath of office on January 20, 1981. Questions about the recently resolved Iranian hostage crisis and its aftermath dominated a discussion that ranged from domestic affairs to the new administration's foreign policy priorities. President Reagan met with the press in the Old Executive Office Building next door to the White House. This video is courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.
Duke University professor William Darity and Artefactual founder Kirsten Mullin offered their thoughts on reparations for Black Americans. This virtual event was sponsored by the Brookings Institution.
Douglas Murray, associate editor at The Spectator, talked about BREXIT, the culture wars in the United Kingdom, and the impact of COVID-19 on that country. This virtual discussion was hosted by the Manhattan Institute.
Harvard University's Rebecca Henderson argued that the fundamental purpose of capitalism needs to be re-examined. This virtual discussion was hosted by Harvard Book Store.
Author and journalist Sarah Jaffe and labor union representatives discussed labor movement efforts of the past and present and how the working class is faring in today's climate. This virtual program was sponsored by Haymarket Books.
Nick Adams, founder and president of the Foundation for Liberty and American Greatness, talked about what Donald Trump and Winston Churchill have in common.
Cecilia Munoz detailed her experiences serving as the first Latina director of the Domestic Policy Council during the Obama administration. This was a virtual program hosted by New America.
