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Notable Quote of the Day

“Moreover, it’s important for us to understand which levels of government have the biggest impact on our criminal justice system and police practices. When we think about politics, a lot of us focus only on the presidency and the federal government. And yes, we should be fighting to make sure that we have a president, a Congress, a U.S. Justice Department, and a federal judiciary that actually recognize the ongoing, corrosive role that racism plays in our society and want to do something about it. But the elected officials who matter most in reforming police departments and the criminal justice system work at the state and local levels.

It’s mayors and county executives that appoint most police chiefs and negotiate collective bargaining agreements with police unions. It’s district attorneys and state’s attorneys that decide whether or not to investigate and ultimately charge those involved in police misconduct. Those are all elected positions.”

– Barack Obama, Medium 

Election Updates

• Joe Biden visited Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Wilmington, Del., to meet with black leaders. Biden said, “Hate just hides. It doesn’t go away, and when you have somebody in power who breathes oxygen into the hate under the rocks, it comes out from under the rocks.”
• Biden held a virtual roundtable with Mayors Lori Lightfoot (Chicago), Keisha Lance Bottoms (Atlanta), Eric Garcetti (Los Angeles), and Melvin Carter (St. Paul).
• Donald Trump spoke about protests following the death of George Floyd before law enforcement cleared an area outside the White House and Trump walked to St. John’s Episcopal Church. Trump said, “… we cannot allow the righteous cries and peaceful protesters to be drowned out by an angry mob.  The biggest victims of the rioting are peace-loving citizens in our poorest communities, and as their President, I will fight to keep them safe.  I will fight to protect you.  I am your President of law and order, and an ally of all peaceful protesters.”
• Trump held a teleconference with U.S. governors.

What We’re Reading

• Washington Examiner: Trump is right, antifa are terrorists; they always were
• Reuters: Protests elevate Bottoms and Demings as possible Biden running mates
• Politico: Trauma and gaffes crash Biden’s VP selection process

Flashback: June 2, 2016

Hillary Clinton spoke about national security at an event in San Diego, California. She said of Trump, “He is not just unprepared – he is temperamentally unfit to hold an office that requires knowledge, stability and immense responsibility.”