Daily Digest for June 9, 2020 Posted at 6:35 a.m. by Cody Nelson
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Good morning. We're getting into the politics of policing in this Capitol View.
One central demand has emerged in the protests in the wake of George Floyd's killing: Defund the police. However, that is not a platform Congress — even some of its most-liberal members — will embrace. Politico writes : "Top Democrats are carefully — but forcefully — speaking out against growing calls from activists to defund police departments, an idea backed by prominent progressives to dismantle the system that has perpetuated the type of brutality as seen in Floyd’s death in Minneapolis. 'I think it can be used as a distraction, and that’s my concern,' Rep. Karen Bass, chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, told reporters on Monday. 'I think the intent behind it, is something that I support — the idea that communities need investments.'"
Joe Biden doesn't support dismantling or disbanding police, either. "Vice President Biden does not believe that police should be defunded," Biden campaign spokesperson Andrew Bates told NPR in a statement. "He hears and shares the deep grief and frustration of those calling out for change, and is driven to ensure that justice is done and that we put a stop to this terrible pain."
Republicans aren't too hot on the idea either. In Minnesota they're pushing DFLers to take a side. Via the Star Tribune : "Republicans in the Legislature are calling on Democrats in control of the House to hold hearings on the proposal to dismantle the police during a likely upcoming special session on Friday. And in campaigns, they are using the push in Minneapolis to paint all Democrats, from top to bottom, as 'extreme.' ... While Republicans clearly see a wedge issue in defending law enforcement, Democrats sense a seismic change in attitude that they say can't be ignored."
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