Jun 25, 2019

Trump says he has confidence in FBI director

Wray and Trump. Photos: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images and Mark Wilson/Getty Images

President Trump told reporters on Tuesday that he has confidence in FBI Director Christopher Wray, following a Monday interview where he reportedly did not make his confidence in Wray clear.

The big picture: On Monday, Trump said he disagreed with Wray's testimony that the FBI director would not describe the agency's investigations as "spying" — an account that originated with Attorney General Bill Barr. These "spygate" allegations, which have not been corroborated, are one reason that Barr has called for a review of Robert Mueller's Russia investigation.

Go deeper: Gang of 8 Democrats condemn Barr for suggesting Trump campaign was spied on

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Alayna Treene, Alexi McCammond

12 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Trump walks to historic St. John's Church outside White House as protests rage

President Trump walked to the historic St. John’s Episcopal Church, located just steps away from the White House across Lafayette Park, on Monday night as protests linked to the murder of George Floyd raged across the capital and cities around the country.

What we're seeing: Military police and park rangers used physical force and tear gas on peaceful protestors to clear the area so that Trump could "pay respects" to the church that was damaged by a fire on Sunday.

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Axios

29 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Trump threatens to deploy military amid national unrest

President Trump announced from the White House Rose Garden Monday evening that he is "mobilizing all available federal resources, civilian and military" to stop violent protests across the country, decrying "professional anarchists, looters, criminals, antifa and others" whose actions have "gripped" the nation.

The backdrop: Trump's announcement came as police clashed with protesters just outside of the White House, using tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds chanting, "Hands up, don't shoot," and other slogans. Flash bangs used outside the White House could be heard from the Rose Garden.

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Axios

Updated 2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Autopsies say George Floyd's death was homicide

Police watch as demonstrators block a roadway while protesting the death of George Floyd in Miami. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Preliminary results from an independent autopsy commissioned by George Floyd's family found that his death in the custody of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was "homicide caused by asphyxia due to neck and back compression that led to a lack of blood flow to the brain," according to a statement from the family's attorney.

The latest: An updated official autopsy released by the Hennepin County medical examiner also determined that the manner of Floyd's death was "homicide," ruling it was caused by "cardiopulmonary arrest complicating law enforcement subdued, restraint, and neck compression."

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