Twitter & Facebook seem to have united in regulating political speech in the United States. The biggest target is U.S President Donald Trump. Is their policing biased? Are they calling out both sides? Who are they answerable to? WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay gets you a report.

Gravitas: Are Facebook & Twitter uniting against Trump?

A US judge on Saturday denied a request by the Trump administration for an injunction to block the publication of a book by former White House advisor John Bolton.

"While Bolton's unilateral conduct raises grave national security concerns, the government has not established that an injunction is an appropriate remedy," the judge ruled.

The book, scheduled to hit store shelves on Tuesday, is already in the hands of media organisations.

The administration had sought a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against the publication of "The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir," saying it contained classified information and threatened national security.

Judge Royce Lamberth of the DC District Court wrote in a 10-page decision on Saturday morning that the Justice Department's arguments weren't enough to stop the book's release. He cited how the book had already been widely distributed, and could easily be distributed further on the internet, even if the court said it could not be.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-heads-to-court-to-block-release-of-bolton-memoir-307159">Also read |&nbsp;Trump administration heads to court to block release of Bolton memoir</a>

Lamberth also noted Bolton could still be exposed to criminal liability. He also slammed Bolton for moving the publication forward before he formally got the administration's approval.

"Defendant Bolton has gambled with the national security of the United States. He has exposed his country to harm and himself to civil (and potentially criminal) liability," the judge wrote.

But he said an injunction would be too late to stem the harm. "With hundreds of thousands of copies around the globe —many in newsrooms — the damage is done," Lamberth said.In a tweet shortly after the decision was released, Trump charged again that Bolton was releasing classified information. "He must pay a very big price for this, as others have before him," Trump said. "This should never to happen again!!!"

Trump drew some solace from the judge's rebuke of Bolton.

"BIG COURT WIN against Bolton. Obviously, with the book already given out and leaked to many people and the media," Trump said.

Simon &amp; Schuster, the publishers of Bolton's memoir welcomed the ruling.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-consider-next-steps-after-bolton-revelations-on-trump-306879">Also read |&nbsp;Democrats consider next steps after Bolton revelations on Trump</a>

"We are grateful that the Court has vindicated the strong First Amendment protections against censorship and prior restraint of publication," they said in a statement.

Bolton's book has drawn wide attention for its withering portrayal of Trump and how politics drove the president's foreign policy. Bolton describes Trump as imploring Chinese President Xi Jinping for help in winning his 2020 re-election bid, and he detailed alleged improprieties not addressed in Trump's impeachment trial.

Trump ousted Bolton, a foreign policy hawk, last September after 17 months as national security advisor.

A US judge on Saturday denied a request by the Trump administration for an injunction to block the publication of a book by former White House advisor John Bolton.

A US judge on Saturday denied a request by the Trump administration for an injunction to block the publication of a book by former White House advisor John Bolton. "While Bolton's unilateral conduct raises grave national security concerns, the government has not established that an injunction is an appropriate remedy," the judge ruled. The book, scheduled to hit store shelves on Tuesday, is already in the hands of media organisations. The administration had sought a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against the publication of "The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir," saying it contained classified information and threatened national security. Judge Royce Lamberth of the DC District Court wrote in a 10-page decision on Saturday morning that the Justice Department's arguments weren't enough to stop the book's release. He cited how the book had already been widely distributed, and could easily be distributed further on the internet, even if the court said it could not be. Also read | Trump administration heads to court to block release of Bolton memoir Lamberth also noted Bolton could still be exposed to criminal liability. He also slammed Bolton for moving the publication forward before he formally got the administration's approval. "Defendant Bolton has gambled with the national security of the United States. He has exposed his country to harm and himself to civil (and potentially criminal) liability," the judge wrote. But he said an injunction would be too late to stem the harm. "With hundreds of thousands of copies around the globe —many in newsrooms — the damage is done," Lamberth said.In a tweet shortly after the decision was released, Trump charged again that Bolton was releasing classified information. "He must pay a very big price for this, as others have before him," Trump said. "This should never to happen again!!!" Trump drew some solace from the judge's rebuke of Bolton. "BIG COURT WIN against Bolton. Obviously, with the book already given out and leaked to many people and the media," Trump said. Simon & Schuster, the publishers of Bolton's memoir welcomed the ruling. Also read | Democrats consider next steps after Bolton revelations on Trump "We are grateful that the Court has vindicated the strong First Amendment protections against censorship and prior restraint of publication," they said in a statement. Bolton's book has drawn wide attention for its withering portrayal of Trump and how politics drove the president's foreign policy. Bolton describes Trump as imploring Chinese President Xi Jinping for help in winning his 2020 re-election bid, and he detailed alleged improprieties not addressed in Trump's impeachment trial. Trump ousted Bolton, a foreign policy hawk, last September after 17 months as national security advisor.

US judge denies Trump administration request to block Bolton's book

Thousands marched through U.S. cities on Friday (June 19) in Juneteenth observances marking the abolition of slavery more than a century and a half ago, an occasion which has special resonance this year amid America's reckoning with its legacy of racism.

Juneteenth rallies and celebrations across United States

Protesters pulled down a statue of a Confederate general in Washington late on Friday, part of a wave of anti-racism demonstrations in the United States.

Black Lives Matter protests: Statues toppled across United States

The US President Donald Trump claims that he deserves credit for popularising Juneteenth.

US President Donald Trump makes false claim

The US Supreme Court on Thursday dealt President Donald Trump a major setback on his hardline immigration policies, ruling against his bid to end a programme that protects from deportation hundreds of thousands of immigrants.

These immigrants are dubbed as "Dreamers," who entered the United States illegally as children.

The justices on a 5-4 vote upheld the lower court rulings that found Trump's 2017 move to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programme, created in 2012 by his Democratic predecessor Barack Obama, was unlawful.

The bench found that the administrations actions were "arbitrary and capricious" under a federal law called the Administrative Procedure Act.

The ruling means that the roughly 649,000 immigrants, mostly young Hispanic adults born in Mexico and other Latin American countries, currently enrolled in DACA will remain protected from deportation and eligible to obtain renewable two-year work permits.

The ruling does not prevent Trump from trying again to end the programme. But his administration is unlikely to be able to end DACA before the Nov. 3 election in which Trump is seeking a second four-year term in office.

Trump's administration has argued that Obama exceeded his constitutional powers when he created DACA by executive action, bypassing Congress.

A collection of states including California and New York, people currently enrolled in DACA and civil rights groups all filed suit to block Trump's plan to end the programme. Lower courts in California, New York and the District of Columbia ruled against Trump and left DACA in place, finding that his move to revoke the programme violated a US law called the Administrative Procedure Act.

Trump has made his crackdown on legal and illegal immigration, including pursuing construction of a wall along the US-Mexican border, a central part of his presidency and his 2020 re-election campaign.

(with inputs from Reuters)

The US Supreme Court on Thursday dealt President Donald Trump a major setback on his hardline immigration policies, ruling against his bid to end a programme that protects from deportation hundreds of thousands of immigrants.

The US Supreme Court on Thursday dealt President Donald Trump a major setback on his hardline immigration policies, ruling against his bid to end a programme that protects from deportation hundreds of thousands of immigrants. These immigrants are dubbed as "Dreamers," who entered the United States illegally as children. The justices on a 5-4 vote upheld the lower court rulings that found Trump's 2017 move to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programme, created in 2012 by his Democratic predecessor Barack Obama, was unlawful. The bench found that the administrations actions were "arbitrary and capricious" under a federal law called the Administrative Procedure Act. The ruling means that the roughly 649,000 immigrants, mostly young Hispanic adults born in Mexico and other Latin American countries, currently enrolled in DACA will remain protected from deportation and eligible to obtain renewable two-year work permits. The ruling does not prevent Trump from trying again to end the programme. But his administration is unlikely to be able to end DACA before the Nov. 3 election in which Trump is seeking a second four-year term in office. Trump's administration has argued that Obama exceeded his constitutional powers when he created DACA by executive action, bypassing Congress. A collection of states including California and New York, people currently enrolled in DACA and civil rights groups all filed suit to block Trump's plan to end the programme. Lower courts in California, New York and the District of Columbia ruled against Trump and left DACA in place, finding that his move to revoke the programme violated a US law called the Administrative Procedure Act. Trump has made his crackdown on legal and illegal immigration, including pursuing construction of a wall along the US-Mexican border, a central part of his presidency and his 2020 re-election campaign. (with inputs from Reuters)

US Supreme Court blocks Trump bid to end DACA

US President Donald Trump on June 16 signed an executive order urging police departments to adopt best practices and "highest professional standards" amid calls for police reforms following nationwide protests over the brutal killing of African-American George Floyd in police custody.

Cautious Trump unveils police reforms | Police choke holds to be banned in US

US President Donald Trump marked his 74th birthday on June 14 as protests continued to rage across the United States. Trump was seen returning to the White House for his birthday from West Point in New York where he was attending a graduation ceremony at the West Point military academy. Watch report.

Donald Trump's 74th birthday | Protestors against Trump in NYC, Washington

A waterways rally, dubbed “Trump’s Birthday Boat Rally,” is scheduled to kick off on Sunday morning in Florida -- in order to honour US President Donald Trump on his birthday. He turns 74 on Sunday.

“Rig up those patriotic flags, fuel up the boat, and head out to meet a couple thousand of your fellow Trump supporters for a day on the beautiful St. Johns River,” organisers stated in a Facebook flyer.

The boat parade is one planned throughout Florida, including Miami, Pensacola and Tampa. It comes nearly a month after hundreds of boaters converged on the Intracoastal Waterway for a May 16 rally, which got a shoutout from the president on Twitter.

<img alt="Trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="13ce1461-3ff0-4d5b-9a34-3001c6ac973a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/trump_3.jpg" />

Trump's supporters on Saturday too took part in a "Trumptilla" boat parade in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to celebrate his birthday.

Two of the largest parades were held in South Carolina and San Diego, California.

The parades are a way for Trump supporters to show their enthusiasm for the president while practicing social distancing to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

<img alt="Trump rally" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cb1cd607-c1ce-4d37-9808-ecc614594333" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/trump%20flag.jpg" />

This is happening even as coronavirus continues to kill hundreds every day in the US and demonstrations go on in the wake of George Floyd’s death while in police custody.

Meanwhile, an incident a day earlier in which he appeared unsteady on his feet has revived concerns about his health.

Trump has always appeared vigorous for his age, but his sluggish walk on the ramp, balance problems and trouble enunciating certain words raised many an eyebrow as he heads into a gruelling re-election campaign.

But Trump has defended himself.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-unsteady-ramp-walk-raises-health-concerns-he-blames-very-slippery-ramp-305847">Also read | Trump's unsteady ramp walk raises health concerns. He blames 'very slippery' ramp</a>

Trump insists he is in perfect health and the White House recently released an annual physical that claimed he is in good shape for his age.&nbsp;

A waterways rally, dubbed “Trump’s Birthday Boat Rally,” is scheduled to kick off on Sunday morning in Florida -- in order to honour US President Donald Trump on his birthday.

A waterways rally, dubbed “Trump’s Birthday Boat Rally,” is scheduled to kick off on Sunday morning in Florida -- in order to honour US President Donald Trump on his birthday. He turns 74 on Sunday. “Rig up those patriotic flags, fuel up the boat, and head out to meet a couple thousand of your fellow Trump supporters for a day on the beautiful St. Johns River,” organisers stated in a Facebook flyer. The boat parade is one planned throughout Florida, including Miami, Pensacola and Tampa. It comes nearly a month after hundreds of boaters converged on the Intracoastal Waterway for a May 16 rally, which got a shoutout from the president on Twitter. Trump's supporters on Saturday too took part in a "Trumptilla" boat parade in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to celebrate his birthday. Two of the largest parades were held in South Carolina and San Diego, California. The parades are a way for Trump supporters to show their enthusiasm for the president while practicing social distancing to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. This is happening even as coronavirus continues to kill hundreds every day in the US and demonstrations go on in the wake of George Floyd’s death while in police custody. Meanwhile, an incident a day earlier in which he appeared unsteady on his feet has revived concerns about his health. Trump has always appeared vigorous for his age, but his sluggish walk on the ramp, balance problems and trouble enunciating certain words raised many an eyebrow as he heads into a gruelling re-election campaign. But Trump has defended himself. Also read | Trump's unsteady ramp walk raises health concerns. He blames 'very slippery' ramp Trump insists he is in perfect health and the White House recently released an annual physical that claimed he is in good shape for his age.

Trump supporters plan boat rally for president’s birthday

As US President Donald Trump turns 74 on Sunday, an incident a day earlier in which he appeared unsteady on his feet has revived concerns about his health.

Trump has always appeared vigorous for his age, but his sluggish walk on the ramp, balance problems and trouble enunciating certain words raised many an eyebrow as he heads into a gruelling re-election campaign.

Since Trump has regularly mocked the health and acuity of his presumptive election opponent, Democrat Joe Biden -- who is three years his senior -- the question of physical fitness could weigh heavily in the campaign ahead.

During the speech on Saturday, Trump used two hands to sip from a glass of water, and then gingerly descended a ramp as he looked at his feet and took what appeared to be 'baby steps'.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-hell-leave-peacefully-if-he-loses-election-in-november-but-itll-be-bad-for-us-305640">Also read |&nbsp;Trump says he'll leave peacefully if he loses election in November, but it'll be 'bad' for US</a>

But Trump has defended himself.

"The ramp that I descended after my West Point Commencement speech was very long &amp; steep, had no handrail and, most importantly, was very slippery," Trump said in a tweet.

"The last thing I was going to do is 'fall' for the Fake News to have fun with. Final ten feet I ran down to level ground. Momentum!"

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The ramp that I descended after my West Point Commencement speech was very long &amp; steep, had no handrail and, most importantly, was very slippery. The last thing I was going to do is “fall” for the Fake News to have fun with. Final ten feet I ran down to level ground. Momentum!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1272000237809414149?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Trump, however, did not address criticism that he drank his water using both hands.

It is not the first time that Trump has used two hands to sip from a cup of water, an odd tic that has led some to question whether he has a medical issue.&nbsp;

Trump's habit of sipping water with two hands has been noted since at least 2017.

Trump insists he is in perfect health and the White House recently released an annual physical that claimed he is in good shape for his age. He turns 74 on Sunday.&nbsp;

As US President Donald Trump turns 74 on Sunday, an incident a day earlier in which he appeared unsteady on his feet has revived concerns about his health. Trump has always appeared vigorous for his age, but his sluggish walk on the ramp, balance problems and trouble enunciating certain words raised many an eyebrow as he heads into a gruelling re-election campaign.

As US President Donald Trump turns 74 on Sunday, an incident a day earlier in which he appeared unsteady on his feet has revived concerns about his health. Trump has always appeared vigorous for his age, but his sluggish walk on the ramp, balance problems and trouble enunciating certain words raised many an eyebrow as he heads into a gruelling re-election campaign. Since Trump has regularly mocked the health and acuity of his presumptive election opponent, Democrat Joe Biden -- who is three years his senior -- the question of physical fitness could weigh heavily in the campaign ahead. During the speech on Saturday, Trump used two hands to sip from a glass of water, and then gingerly descended a ramp as he looked at his feet and took what appeared to be 'baby steps'. Also read | Trump says he'll leave peacefully if he loses election in November, but it'll be 'bad' for US But Trump has defended himself. "The ramp that I descended after my West Point Commencement speech was very long & steep, had no handrail and, most importantly, was very slippery," Trump said in a tweet. "The last thing I was going to do is 'fall' for the Fake News to have fun with. Final ten feet I ran down to level ground. Momentum!" The ramp that I descended after my West Point Commencement speech was very long & steep, had no handrail and, most importantly, was very slippery. The last thing I was going to do is “fall” for the Fake News to have fun with. Final ten feet I ran down to level ground. Momentum! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 14, 2020 × Trump, however, did not address criticism that he drank his water using both hands. It is not the first time that Trump has used two hands to sip from a cup of water, an odd tic that has led some to question whether he has a medical issue. Trump's habit of sipping water with two hands has been noted since at least 2017. Trump insists he is in perfect health and the White House recently released an annual physical that claimed he is in good shape for his age. He turns 74 on Sunday.

Trump's unsteady ramp walk raises health concerns. He blames 'very slippery' ramp

US President Donald Trump has sought to dismiss fears that he might not leave office willingly if he lost the election in November, but said if he failed to get reelected, it would be a "bad thing" for the country. His comments aired on Friday appear to be the first time he has publically committed to doing so. "Certainly, if I don't win, I don't win," Trump told Fox News in an interview that was aired on Friday. If he does not win the election scheduled for November 3, Trump continued, "you go on, do other things."

Donald Trump says he'll leave peacefully if he loses election in November

Former Vice President Joe Biden has formally clinched the Democratic presidential nomination on Friday, setting the stage for a challenge to President Donald Trump in the November election.

Joe Biden formally clinches US Democratic nomination

American microblogging and social networking service Twitter has disabled a video by Donald Trump’s campaign team that pays tribute to George Floyd, saying it is the subject of a copyright complaint. The video was retweeted nearly 7,000 times by people including the US president and his son Donald Jr.

Twitter takes down Trump's video: Trump's tribute to George Floyd

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to U.S. President Donald Trump over the phone on Tuesday evening.

Gravitas: PM Modi speaks to Donald Trump

President Donald Trump on Tuesday taunted state governors for not embracing his proposal to send in the US&nbsp;military to quell unrest, hours after five officers were shot and wounded in an escalation of tensions between law enforcement and crowds protesting the killing of a black man in police custody.

Demonstrators smashed windows and looted stores in New York City late on Monday, including luxury retailers on Fifth Avenue, and set fire to a Los Angeles strip mall. Four officers were shot and wounded in St. Louis and one in Las Vegas who was critically wounded, authorities said.

Trump has threatened to use the military to crack down on the unrest, now in a second week, and has derided local authorities, including U.S. governors, for their response to the violent protests.

"New York was lost to the looters, thugs, Radical Left, and all others forms of Lowlife &amp; Scum. The Governor refuses to accept my offer of a dominating National Guard. NYC was ripped to pieces," tweeted Trump, a Republican, in a reference to New York Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo.

<h6><img alt="Protesters wearing protective face coverings peacefully march down Broadway from the State Capitol despite the 9 p.m. curfew in Denver, Colorado, U.S., June 1, 2020" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ff8179bc-05ef-46f7-9210-38b4181111aa" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-2_16.jpg" /> 
Protesters wearing protective face coverings peacefully march down Broadway from the State Capitol despite the 9 p.m. curfew in Denver, Colorado, U.S., June 1, 2020 | Reuters</h6>

Trump has provided no evidence that leftists are behind the violence that has engulfed U.S. cities.

Cuomo said he was outraged by the violence and looting in New York City on Monday, and that the city's mayor and police force "did not do their job last night." He said he believed Mayor Bill de Blasio underestimated the scope of the problem.&nbsp;

The governor said he had offered the state's mayors support from state police or 13,000 National Guard who are on standby and said that with a 38,000-strong police force, New York City should be able to address its unrest on its own. He said the president sought to blur the line between protesters with a legitimate cause and looters.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canadians-watching-the-us-in-horror-says-prime-minister-justin-trudeau-302710" hreflang="en">Canadians watching the US 'in horror', says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau</a>

De Blasio poured cold water on the idea of bringing the National Guard to America's largest city. He said when forces not trained to handle New York City crowds intervene, "still with loaded weapons and under stress, horrible things happen."

The head of the National Guard, General Joseph Lengyel, said violence had decreased across the United States on Monday night, even as protest activity was sustained or increased. He said no Guard members were injured overnight.

Lengyel said 18,000 Guard members were assisting local law enforcement in 29 states, a figure that was increasing.

Clashes with police

The violent U.S. protests were triggered by the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American who died after a white policeman pinned his neck under a knee for nearly nine minutes in Minneapolis on May 25.

Derek Chauvin, the 44-year-old Minneapolis police officer who planted his knee on Floyd's neck, has been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Three other officers involved have not been charged.

Floyd's death has reignited the explosive issue of excessive police force, especially against African Americans, and raised tensions on the front lines where officers have faced off against sometimes hostile crowds.

Four officers in St. Louis were shot late on Monday and taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. An emotional St. Louis police commissioner, John Hayden, said about 200 protesters were looting and hurling fireworks and rocks at officers.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-dispatch-rioters-vandalize-stores-as-protest-turns-violent-in-us-302699/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"They had officers with gas poured on them. What is going on? How can this be? Mr Floyd was killed somewhere else and they are tearing up cities all across the country,” he told reporters.

A police officer was shot during protests in Las Vegas, police there said in a statement. Officers were injured in clashes elsewhere, including one who was in critical condition after being hit by a car in the Bronx, police said.&nbsp;

The protests have escalated racial tensions in a politically divided country that has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, with African Americans accounting for a disproportionately high number of cases.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on Tuesday told ABC News he is "considering all charges" against the officers involved in the Floyd case and that "all options are on the table."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-york-night-curfew-to-be-extended-amid-violence-302704" hreflang="en">New York night curfew to be extended amid violence</a>

Trump, who is seeking re-election in November, has condemned the killing of Floyd and promised justice, but he has vowed to take action to stop rightful protests from being hijacked by an "angry mob," deploying thousands of armed soldiers and law enforcement in the U.S. capital and vowing to do the same elsewhere if mayors and governors fail to regain control.

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden pledged in a speech on Tuesday to try to heal the racial divide in America and blasted Trump's response to the protests.

Dozens of cities are under curfews not seen since riots after the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

"President Trump is right to be focused on law and order. He wasn't hired to be the consoler-in-chief," said Jason Miller, who advised the Republican president's 2016 presidential campaign.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday taunted state governors for not embracing his proposal to send in the US military to quell unrest, hours after five officers were shot and wounded in an escalation of tensions between law enforcement and crowds protesting the killing of a black man in police custody.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday taunted state governors for not embracing his proposal to send in the US military to quell unrest, hours after five officers were shot and wounded in an escalation of tensions between law enforcement and crowds protesting the killing of a black man in police custody. Demonstrators smashed windows and looted stores in New York City late on Monday, including luxury retailers on Fifth Avenue, and set fire to a Los Angeles strip mall. Four officers were shot and wounded in St. Louis and one in Las Vegas who was critically wounded, authorities said. Trump has threatened to use the military to crack down on the unrest, now in a second week, and has derided local authorities, including U.S. governors, for their response to the violent protests. "New York was lost to the looters, thugs, Radical Left, and all others forms of Lowlife & Scum. The Governor refuses to accept my offer of a dominating National Guard. NYC was ripped to pieces," tweeted Trump, a Republican, in a reference to New York Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo. Protesters wearing protective face coverings peacefully march down Broadway from the State Capitol despite the 9 p.m. curfew in Denver, Colorado, U.S., June 1, 2020 | Reuters Trump has provided no evidence that leftists are behind the violence that has engulfed U.S. cities. Cuomo said he was outraged by the violence and looting in New York City on Monday, and that the city's mayor and police force "did not do their job last night." He said he believed Mayor Bill de Blasio underestimated the scope of the problem. The governor said he had offered the state's mayors support from state police or 13,000 National Guard who are on standby and said that with a 38,000-strong police force, New York City should be able to address its unrest on its own. He said the president sought to blur the line between protesters with a legitimate cause and looters. Also read: Canadians watching the US 'in horror', says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau De Blasio poured cold water on the idea of bringing the National Guard to America's largest city. He said when forces not trained to handle New York City crowds intervene, "still with loaded weapons and under stress, horrible things happen." The head of the National Guard, General Joseph Lengyel, said violence had decreased across the United States on Monday night, even as protest activity was sustained or increased. He said no Guard members were injured overnight. Lengyel said 18,000 Guard members were assisting local law enforcement in 29 states, a figure that was increasing. Clashes with police The violent U.S. protests were triggered by the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American who died after a white policeman pinned his neck under a knee for nearly nine minutes in Minneapolis on May 25. Derek Chauvin, the 44-year-old Minneapolis police officer who planted his knee on Floyd's neck, has been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Three other officers involved have not been charged. Floyd's death has reignited the explosive issue of excessive police force, especially against African Americans, and raised tensions on the front lines where officers have faced off against sometimes hostile crowds. Four officers in St. Louis were shot late on Monday and taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. An emotional St. Louis police commissioner, John Hayden, said about 200 protesters were looting and hurling fireworks and rocks at officers. "They had officers with gas poured on them. What is going on? How can this be? Mr Floyd was killed somewhere else and they are tearing up cities all across the country,” he told reporters. A police officer was shot during protests in Las Vegas, police there said in a statement. Officers were injured in clashes elsewhere, including one who was in critical condition after being hit by a car in the Bronx, police said. The protests have escalated racial tensions in a politically divided country that has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, with African Americans accounting for a disproportionately high number of cases. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on Tuesday told ABC News he is "considering all charges" against the officers involved in the Floyd case and that "all options are on the table." Also read: New York night curfew to be extended amid violence Trump, who is seeking re-election in November, has condemned the killing of Floyd and promised justice, but he has vowed to take action to stop rightful protests from being hijacked by an "angry mob," deploying thousands of armed soldiers and law enforcement in the U.S. capital and vowing to do the same elsewhere if mayors and governors fail to regain control. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden pledged in a speech on Tuesday to try to heal the racial divide in America and blasted Trump's response to the protests. Dozens of cities are under curfews not seen since riots after the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. "President Trump is right to be focused on law and order. He wasn't hired to be the consoler-in-chief," said Jason Miller, who advised the Republican president's 2016 presidential campaign.

New York ripped to pieces, Governor refuses dominating National Guard: Trump

Should President Donald Trump and Twitter ultimately part ways, his campaign has a backup plan at the ready to get his voice out.&nbsp;

Tensions between Trump and the messaging platform escalated last week after Twitter began to label some of his tweets with a fact-check. Trump responded with an executive order that threatens to curtail some legal protections enjoyed by social media companies.

Trump’s campaign has been building an alternative channel for him for months, a smartphone app that aims to become a one-stop news, information and entertainment platform for his supporters, in part because of concerns that the president would lose access to the Twitter platform, said his campaign manager, Brad Parscale.

The Trump app, which was launched in April, has since often placed among the Top 10 in Apple's rankings of news apps, sometimes above those of individual news organizations such as CNN, the New York Times and Reuters.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-considering-offering-citizenship-to-hong-kongers-amid-crisis-with-china-302621" hreflang="en">United States 'considering' offering citizenship to Hong Kongers amid crisis with China</a>

“We have always been worried about Twitter and Facebook taking us offline and this serves as a backup,” Parscale told Reuters.

He spoke before Twitter for the first time prompted readers to check the facts in Trump's tweets last week, warning that his claims about mail-in ballots were false and had been debunked by fact checkers.

For supporters, the new app is where they can get the latest campaign news, watch campaign-produced, prime-time shows hosted by Trump allies and earn reward points for making phone calls or signing people up for the app.

For the campaign, it is a pandemic-proof substitute to Trump's signature rallies, and a key tool to collect crucial data that can help micro-target voters ahead of November's election. Trump will face presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in the Nov. 3 contest.

With millions of Americans stuck at home and campaign rallies paused due to the coronavirus, successful digital organizing can make a difference, digital strategists in both parties say.

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Signing into the app requires a cellphone number, which then allows the campaign to send the user regular text messages lauding Trump or asking for donations.

“The most important, golden thing in politics is a cellphone number," said Parscale, who ran Trump's digital efforts in 2016 before leading the 2020 campaign. “When we receive cellphone numbers, it really allows us to identify them across the databases. Who are they, voting history, everything."

Reward points that users can earn by getting other people to sign up for the app can be used to buy campaign gear or even score a meeting with Trump himself, the campaign said.&nbsp;

'Digital mousetrap'

Biden’s campaign has a phone app as well, where supporters can donate or volunteer, and text people directly with campaign messaging.

But unlike Trump's app, it provides little information, such as social media streams or news releases. Nor does it connect to the virtual campaign events Biden has been holding nearly daily during the coronavirus pandemic. The app is not ranked by Apple as among its 200 most popular for news.&nbsp;

The Biden campaign said it uses its app almost solely for organizing supporters, not for pushing content.&nbsp;

By contrast, according to Stefan Smith, a Democratic digital strategist who worked for Pete Buttigieg’s 2020 presidential campaign, the Trump app has created a “walled garden” or “digital mousetrap” where voters ideally stay as long as possible, interacting with the app’s steady stream of content.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-police-officers-shot-in-violent-protests-after-trump-vows-to-bring-in-us-military-302581" hreflang="en">Four police officers shot in violent protests after Trump vows to bring in US military</a>

"The Trump campaign is a media company with an electoral component," Smith said.&nbsp;

The Trump campaign hired Texas-based company Phunware to build the app.&nbsp;

If they so choose, users can rely on the app as a primary, if heavily filtered, information source, one where Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic is championed and the economy is poised for a quick recovery and the federal probe into Trump's collusion with Russia was a politically motivated hoax.

Not included is less favorable coverage of the president. On Monday, the app contained a campaign statement framed like a news article that said Trump had been working to unite the county in the wake of nationwide protests over the police shooting of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

There was no mention of a combative conference call Trump had with U.S. governors in which he urged them to act more aggressively toward the protesters.

Bill Bigby, a Trump supporter in Scranton, Pennsylvania, said the app has now become his go-to source for the latest news.&nbsp;

"We have learned that you can’t trust anything the media says about Trump," Bigby, 56, said. "They just don’t like him."

Parscale said that was exactly the goal the campaign had in mind.

“I think everything we do is to counter the media,” Parscale said. “This is another tool in the tool shed to fight that fight, and it’s a big tool.”

Should President Donald Trump and Twitter ultimately part ways, his campaign has a backup plan at the ready to get his voice out. Tensions between Trump and the messaging platform escalated last week after Twitter began to label some of his tweets with a fact-check.

Should President Donald Trump and Twitter ultimately part ways, his campaign has a backup plan at the ready to get his voice out. Tensions between Trump and the messaging platform escalated last week after Twitter began to label some of his tweets with a fact-check. Trump responded with an executive order that threatens to curtail some legal protections enjoyed by social media companies. Trump’s campaign has been building an alternative channel for him for months, a smartphone app that aims to become a one-stop news, information and entertainment platform for his supporters, in part because of concerns that the president would lose access to the Twitter platform, said his campaign manager, Brad Parscale. The Trump app, which was launched in April, has since often placed among the Top 10 in Apple's rankings of news apps, sometimes above those of individual news organizations such as CNN, the New York Times and Reuters. Also read: United States 'considering' offering citizenship to Hong Kongers amid crisis with China “We have always been worried about Twitter and Facebook taking us offline and this serves as a backup,” Parscale told Reuters. He spoke before Twitter for the first time prompted readers to check the facts in Trump's tweets last week, warning that his claims about mail-in ballots were false and had been debunked by fact checkers. For supporters, the new app is where they can get the latest campaign news, watch campaign-produced, prime-time shows hosted by Trump allies and earn reward points for making phone calls or signing people up for the app. For the campaign, it is a pandemic-proof substitute to Trump's signature rallies, and a key tool to collect crucial data that can help micro-target voters ahead of November's election. Trump will face presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in the Nov. 3 contest. With millions of Americans stuck at home and campaign rallies paused due to the coronavirus, successful digital organizing can make a difference, digital strategists in both parties say. Signing into the app requires a cellphone number, which then allows the campaign to send the user regular text messages lauding Trump or asking for donations. “The most important, golden thing in politics is a cellphone number," said Parscale, who ran Trump's digital efforts in 2016 before leading the 2020 campaign. “When we receive cellphone numbers, it really allows us to identify them across the databases. Who are they, voting history, everything." Reward points that users can earn by getting other people to sign up for the app can be used to buy campaign gear or even score a meeting with Trump himself, the campaign said. 'Digital mousetrap' Biden’s campaign has a phone app as well, where supporters can donate or volunteer, and text people directly with campaign messaging. But unlike Trump's app, it provides little information, such as social media streams or news releases. Nor does it connect to the virtual campaign events Biden has been holding nearly daily during the coronavirus pandemic. The app is not ranked by Apple as among its 200 most popular for news. The Biden campaign said it uses its app almost solely for organizing supporters, not for pushing content. By contrast, according to Stefan Smith, a Democratic digital strategist who worked for Pete Buttigieg’s 2020 presidential campaign, the Trump app has created a “walled garden” or “digital mousetrap” where voters ideally stay as long as possible, interacting with the app’s steady stream of content. Also read: Four police officers shot in violent protests after Trump vows to bring in US military "The Trump campaign is a media company with an electoral component," Smith said. The Trump campaign hired Texas-based company Phunware to build the app. If they so choose, users can rely on the app as a primary, if heavily filtered, information source, one where Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic is championed and the economy is poised for a quick recovery and the federal probe into Trump's collusion with Russia was a politically motivated hoax. Not included is less favorable coverage of the president. On Monday, the app contained a campaign statement framed like a news article that said Trump had been working to unite the county in the wake of nationwide protests over the police shooting of George Floyd in Minneapolis. There was no mention of a combative conference call Trump had with U.S. governors in which he urged them to act more aggressively toward the protesters. Bill Bigby, a Trump supporter in Scranton, Pennsylvania, said the app has now become his go-to source for the latest news. "We have learned that you can’t trust anything the media says about Trump," Bigby, 56, said. "They just don’t like him." Parscale said that was exactly the goal the campaign had in mind. “I think everything we do is to counter the media,” Parscale said. “This is another tool in the tool shed to fight that fight, and it’s a big tool.”

With rallies halted and tweets fact-checked, Trump campaign turns to smartphone app

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump has little choice but to stick with his Phase 1 China trade deal despite his anger at Beijing over the coronavirus pandemic, new Hong Kong security rules, and dwindling hopes China can meet U.S. goods purchase targets, people familiar with his administration's deliberations say.&nbsp;

The US-China trade negotiations took more than two years, heaped tariffs on $370 billion of Chinese products, whipsawed financial markets and dimmed global growth prospects well before the coronavirus outbreak crushed them.

In recent weeks, suggestions that Trump may cancel the deal have emanated from the White House almost daily, and businesses, investors, and China trade watchers are hanging on to every word and tweet.

But on Friday, when Trump said the United States would start dismantling trade and travel privileges for Hong Kong, he did not mention the deal. Stock markets heaved a sigh of relief, with the S&amp;P 500 reversing losses.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-supremacists-or-antifa-or-multiple-theories-float-on-who-caused-violence-in-us-302348" hreflang="en">White supremacists or Antifa or _ ? Multiple theories float on who caused violence in US</a>

Talking tough on China and criticizing the Obama administration's more measured approach is a key part of Trump's re-election strategy. Sticking with the pact may mean accepting that China is likely to fall short of purchase commitments for US&nbsp;agricultural goods, manufactured products, energy and services - goals that many said were unrealistic&nbsp;even before the pandemic.

Canceling the deal, though, would reignite the nearly two-year US-China trade war at a time US&nbsp;unemployment is at its worst since the 1930s Great Depression.

The next US&nbsp;step would likely be reviving previously planned but canceled tariffs on some $165 billion worth of Chinese consumer goods, including Apple cellphones and computers, toys and clothing - all ultimately paid by US&nbsp;companies and passed on to consumers. Beijing would retaliate with tariffs on US&nbsp;goods, fueling more market turmoil and delaying recovery.

"He's stuck with a lemon. He gets an empty agreement if he sticks with it, and he gets more actions that create an economic drag and more volatility if he abandons it," said one person briefed on the administration's trade deliberations.

US&nbsp;goods exports&nbsp;to China in the first quarter were down $4 billion from the trade war-damaged levels a year earlier, according to US&nbsp;Census Bureau data.

The Peterson Institute of International Economics estimates&nbsp;that during the first quarter, China made only about 40% of the purchases it needed to stay on target for a first-year increase of $77 billion over 2017 levels, implying an extremely steep climb in the second half.

Leaving the deal now would not buy a lasting political bounce for Trump in manufacturing-heavy swing states with five months to go before the presidential election, analysts say.

Complex relationship

Trump blames China for failing to contain the coronavirus and has repeatedly said the deal, including its pledges to boost US&nbsp;exports to China by $200 billion over two years, no longer means as much to him with US&nbsp;coronavirus deaths now over 100,000 and job losses piling up.

Trump said on Friday that China was "absolutely smothering Hong Kong’s freedom," but refrained from harsh sanctions that could put the trade deal in jeopardy, taking milder steps to revoke the territory's separate travel and customs benefits from China.&nbsp;

Claire Reade, a former US&nbsp;trade negotiator, said Trump's "peripheral steps" would not deter Beijing from proceeding with the security law, as it regards Hong Kong as a core national security issue.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/journalists-covering-us-protests-face-the-ire-of-police-demonstrators-302331" hreflang="en">Journalists covering US protests face the ire of police, demonstrators</a>

"Probably the most significant thing from the trade perspective is that the Phase 1 trade deal is – for now anyway - unaffected," said Reade, senior counsel with Arnold and Porter law firm in Washington.&nbsp;

White House Economic Adviser Larry Kudlow criticized Beijing last week, but on trade told CNBC: "It’s a complex relationship. The China Phase 1 trade deal does continue to go on for the moment and we may be making progress there."&nbsp;

US&nbsp;Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer has recently cited&nbsp;"continuing progress" in the deal, after China welcomed US&nbsp;blueberries, barley, beef and dairy products. He has touted the deal's dispute settlement mechanism, which provides for regular consultations on compliance with Beijing's commitments on intellectual property protections, financial services, agriculture standards and purchases.&nbsp;

US-China flashpoints on Hong Kong, Taiwan and other issues did not derail negotiations that resulted in new concessions from China, said Jamieson Greer, who served as Lighthizer's chief of staff until April.

"Some of these security and human rights challenges have certainly complicated the atmosphere, but the trade agreement can still provide a set of rules governing important aspects of the trade relationship," said Greer, now an international trade partner at the King and Spalding law firm.

Another person familiar with USTR thinking said the agency "needs to make Phase 1 look good. They want to show that progress is being made. The president looks at the China relationship much more broadly."

US President Donald Trump has little choice but to stick with his Phase 1 China trade deal despite his anger at Beijing over the coronavirus pandemic, new Hong Kong security rules, and dwindling hopes China can meet U.

US President Donald Trump has little choice but to stick with his Phase 1 China trade deal despite his anger at Beijing over the coronavirus pandemic, new Hong Kong security rules, and dwindling hopes China can meet U.S. goods purchase targets, people familiar with his administration's deliberations say. The US-China trade negotiations took more than two years, heaped tariffs on $370 billion of Chinese products, whipsawed financial markets and dimmed global growth prospects well before the coronavirus outbreak crushed them. In recent weeks, suggestions that Trump may cancel the deal have emanated from the White House almost daily, and businesses, investors, and China trade watchers are hanging on to every word and tweet. But on Friday, when Trump said the United States would start dismantling trade and travel privileges for Hong Kong, he did not mention the deal. Stock markets heaved a sigh of relief, with the S&P 500 reversing losses. Also read: White supremacists or Antifa or _ ? Multiple theories float on who caused violence in US Talking tough on China and criticizing the Obama administration's more measured approach is a key part of Trump's re-election strategy. Sticking with the pact may mean accepting that China is likely to fall short of purchase commitments for US agricultural goods, manufactured products, energy and services - goals that many said were unrealistic even before the pandemic. Canceling the deal, though, would reignite the nearly two-year US-China trade war at a time US unemployment is at its worst since the 1930s Great Depression. The next US step would likely be reviving previously planned but canceled tariffs on some $165 billion worth of Chinese consumer goods, including Apple cellphones and computers, toys and clothing - all ultimately paid by US companies and passed on to consumers. Beijing would retaliate with tariffs on US goods, fueling more market turmoil and delaying recovery. "He's stuck with a lemon. He gets an empty agreement if he sticks with it, and he gets more actions that create an economic drag and more volatility if he abandons it," said one person briefed on the administration's trade deliberations. US goods exports to China in the first quarter were down $4 billion from the trade war-damaged levels a year earlier, according to US Census Bureau data. The Peterson Institute of International Economics estimates that during the first quarter, China made only about 40% of the purchases it needed to stay on target for a first-year increase of $77 billion over 2017 levels, implying an extremely steep climb in the second half. Leaving the deal now would not buy a lasting political bounce for Trump in manufacturing-heavy swing states with five months to go before the presidential election, analysts say. Complex relationship Trump blames China for failing to contain the coronavirus and has repeatedly said the deal, including its pledges to boost US exports to China by $200 billion over two years, no longer means as much to him with US coronavirus deaths now over 100,000 and job losses piling up. Trump said on Friday that China was "absolutely smothering Hong Kong’s freedom," but refrained from harsh sanctions that could put the trade deal in jeopardy, taking milder steps to revoke the territory's separate travel and customs benefits from China. Claire Reade, a former US trade negotiator, said Trump's "peripheral steps" would not deter Beijing from proceeding with the security law, as it regards Hong Kong as a core national security issue. Also read: Journalists covering US protests face the ire of police, demonstrators "Probably the most significant thing from the trade perspective is that the Phase 1 trade deal is – for now anyway - unaffected," said Reade, senior counsel with Arnold and Porter law firm in Washington. White House Economic Adviser Larry Kudlow criticized Beijing last week, but on trade told CNBC: "It’s a complex relationship. The China Phase 1 trade deal does continue to go on for the moment and we may be making progress there." US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer has recently cited "continuing progress" in the deal, after China welcomed US blueberries, barley, beef and dairy products. He has touted the deal's dispute settlement mechanism, which provides for regular consultations on compliance with Beijing's commitments on intellectual property protections, financial services, agriculture standards and purchases. US-China flashpoints on Hong Kong, Taiwan and other issues did not derail negotiations that resulted in new concessions from China, said Jamieson Greer, who served as Lighthizer's chief of staff until April. "Some of these security and human rights challenges have certainly complicated the atmosphere, but the trade agreement can still provide a set of rules governing important aspects of the trade relationship," said Greer, now an international trade partner at the King and Spalding law firm. Another person familiar with USTR thinking said the agency "needs to make Phase 1 look good. They want to show that progress is being made. The president looks at the China relationship much more broadly."

'Lemon' or not, Trump is stuck with Phase 1 China trade deal

U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday (May 30) pledged that his "administration will stop mob violence, and will stop it cold."

Donald Trump: My administration will stop mob violence and will stop it cold

The United States is terminating its relationship with the World Health Organization over the body's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, US President Donald Trump said on Friday, accusing the UN agency of becoming a puppet of China.

Trump: US is terminating its relationship with the WHO

US President Donald Trump on Friday said that he has directed his administration to begin the process of eliminating policy exemptions that give Hong Kong different and special treatment, in response to a new security law pushed by Beijing.

Donald Trump orders elimination of special treatment for Hong Kong

United States President Donald Trump on Saturday said demonstrators protesting the death of a black man who died after a white police officer knelt on his neck would have been "greeted with the most vicious dogs, and most ominous weapons" he had ever seen had they breached the White House fence.

The death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on Monday has sparked demonstrations, some of them violent, in many cities across the nation, including one in Washington on Friday. The White House was temporarily locked down as hundreds of people gathered in the afternoon across the street in Lafayette Square.

After marching away, demonstrators assembled again later and videos showed pushing-and-shoving matches between officers and protesters, who dispersed early Saturday morning.

In a series of Twitter posts, Trump praised the US Secret Service officers who guard the White House as "very cool".&nbsp;

"I was inside, watched every move, and couldn't have felt more safe," he said, adding, "big crowd, professionally organised, but nobody came close to breaching the fence. If they had they would have been greeted with the most vicious dogs, and most ominous weapons," he said. "Many Secret Service agents just waiting for action."

Trump also appeared to call his supporters to rally outside the executive mansion on Saturday evening, saying, "TONIGHT, I UNDERSTAND IS MAGA NIGHT AT THE WHITE HOUSE???"&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Great job last night at the White House by the U.S. <a href="https://twitter.com/SecretService?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecretService</a>. They were not only totally professional, but very cool. I was inside, watched every move, and couldn’t have felt more safe. They let the “protesters” scream &amp; rant as much as they wanted, but whenever someone....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1266711221191020544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
....have been greeted with the most vicious dogs, and most ominous weapons, I have ever seen. That’s when people would have been really badly hurt, at least. Many Secret Service agents just waiting for action. “We put the young ones on the front line, sir, they love it, and....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1266711223657205763?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2020</a></blockquote>
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....good practice.” As you saw last night, they were very cool &amp; very professional. Never let it get out of hand. Thank you! On the bad side, the D.C. Mayor, <a href="https://twitter.com/MurielBowser?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MurielBowser</a>, who is always looking for money &amp; help, wouldn’t let the D.C. Police get involved. “Not their job.” Nice!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1266711224391213056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2020</a></blockquote>
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MAGA stands for Trump's slogan "Make America Great Again."

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The professionally managed so-called “protesters” at the White House had little to do with the memory of George Floyd. They were just there to cause trouble. The <a href="https://twitter.com/SecretService?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecretService</a> handled them easily. Tonight, I understand, is MAGA NIGHT AT THE WHITE HOUSE???
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1266724553620930561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2020</a></blockquote>
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On Friday, Trump drew a warning from Twitter and condemnation from Democrats after posting a comment that "looting leads to shooting," suggesting protesters who turned to looting could be fired upon.

Trump also accused Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser of refusing to send police to help the US Secret Service, although the Washington Post reported that city officers did help control the later gathering.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/minneapolis-protests-man-killed-in-detroit-as-demonstrations-rage-across-us-302020">Also read |&nbsp;Minneapolis protests: Man killed in Detroit as demonstrations rage across US</a>

Meanwhile, protests spread across the United States over the killing of George Floyd.

From Louisville to Atlanta, the demonstrators continue to argue about police brutality with police officers in riot gear, who occasionally lunged into crowds to pluck people out for arrest.

Police made scores of arrests at Friday's massive demonstration in Brooklyn, while a diverse group of protestors at a "We can't breathe" vigil and rally in lower Manhattan pressed for legislation outlawing the police "chokehold" used by a city police officer in the 2014 death of Eric Garner, who was also black.

A 19-year-old man protesting in Detroit was shot dead on Friday night by a suspect who pulled up to demonstrators in a sport utility vehicle and fired gunshots into the crowd, then fled.

United States President Donald Trump on Saturday said demonstrators protesting the death of a black man who died after a white police officer knelt on his neck would have been "greeted with the most vicious dogs, and most ominous weapons" he had ever seen had they breached the White House fence.

United States President Donald Trump on Saturday said demonstrators protesting the death of a black man who died after a white police officer knelt on his neck would have been "greeted with the most vicious dogs, and most ominous weapons" he had ever seen had they breached the White House fence. The death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on Monday has sparked demonstrations, some of them violent, in many cities across the nation, including one in Washington on Friday. The White House was temporarily locked down as hundreds of people gathered in the afternoon across the street in Lafayette Square. After marching away, demonstrators assembled again later and videos showed pushing-and-shoving matches between officers and protesters, who dispersed early Saturday morning. In a series of Twitter posts, Trump praised the US Secret Service officers who guard the White House as "very cool". "I was inside, watched every move, and couldn't have felt more safe," he said, adding, "big crowd, professionally organised, but nobody came close to breaching the fence. If they had they would have been greeted with the most vicious dogs, and most ominous weapons," he said. "Many Secret Service agents just waiting for action." Trump also appeared to call his supporters to rally outside the executive mansion on Saturday evening, saying, "TONIGHT, I UNDERSTAND IS MAGA NIGHT AT THE WHITE HOUSE???" Great job last night at the White House by the U.S. @SecretService. They were not only totally professional, but very cool. I was inside, watched every move, and couldn’t have felt more safe. They let the “protesters” scream & rant as much as they wanted, but whenever someone.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2020 × ....have been greeted with the most vicious dogs, and most ominous weapons, I have ever seen. That’s when people would have been really badly hurt, at least. Many Secret Service agents just waiting for action. “We put the young ones on the front line, sir, they love it, and.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2020 × ....good practice.” As you saw last night, they were very cool & very professional. Never let it get out of hand. Thank you! On the bad side, the D.C. Mayor, @MurielBowser, who is always looking for money & help, wouldn’t let the D.C. Police get involved. “Not their job.” Nice! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2020 × MAGA stands for Trump's slogan "Make America Great Again." The professionally managed so-called “protesters” at the White House had little to do with the memory of George Floyd. They were just there to cause trouble. The @SecretService handled them easily. Tonight, I understand, is MAGA NIGHT AT THE WHITE HOUSE??? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2020 × On Friday, Trump drew a warning from Twitter and condemnation from Democrats after posting a comment that "looting leads to shooting," suggesting protesters who turned to looting could be fired upon. Trump also accused Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser of refusing to send police to help the US Secret Service, although the Washington Post reported that city officers did help control the later gathering. Also read | Minneapolis protests: Man killed in Detroit as demonstrations rage across US Meanwhile, protests spread across the United States over the killing of George Floyd. From Louisville to Atlanta, the demonstrators continue to argue about police brutality with police officers in riot gear, who occasionally lunged into crowds to pluck people out for arrest. Police made scores of arrests at Friday's massive demonstration in Brooklyn, while a diverse group of protestors at a "We can't breathe" vigil and rally in lower Manhattan pressed for legislation outlawing the police "chokehold" used by a city police officer in the 2014 death of Eric Garner, who was also black. A 19-year-old man protesting in Detroit was shot dead on Friday night by a suspect who pulled up to demonstrators in a sport utility vehicle and fired gunshots into the crowd, then fled.

Protestors would have met 'vicious dogs' had White House fence been breached: Trump

Trump says, "China violated Hong Kong's autonomy," China blocks US & UK's bid to raise HK at UN

Twitter has now flagged another post from The White House's official account. Twitter says post 'Glorified Violence'. Watch this video to know more.

Twitter flags Donald Trump's tweet, Twitter says post 'Glorified Violence'

Government sources have been telling WION that there has been no call between US President Donald Trump and PM Modi. The last call between the two leaders was on April 4 and the issue of the hydroxychloroquine was discussed. Watch report.

India-china face off: No conversation between PM Modi-Trump, Govt clarifies after US Prez says spoke to PM

US President Donald Trump has his reiterated offer to mediate on the border dispute between India and China. Trump spoke to PM Modi over the phone on this issue.

Trump reiterates mediation offer: 'Modi not in good mood over border row'

US President Donald Trump and ultra-conservative Pakistani religious scholars may have more in common than either would want to admit: a belief that the congregation is an essential pillar of prayer irrespective of public health concerns.

Trump, however, may wish that he had the kind of less polarised and/or more compliant audience that Pakistani clerics address.

Scores of religious leaders and groups in the United States have sought to protect their communities by advocating virtual rather than physical congregation at the time of a pandemic in which the coronavirus has yet to be brought under control.

Religious authorities in much of the Muslim world, Pakistan being the exception that proves the rule, have heeded government instructions and medical and public health advice.

That advice ranged from the closure of mosques to bans on social gatherings that precluded traditional iftar meals breaking the Ramadan fast and celebrations of this week’s end of the holy month to Saudi Arabia’s suspension of the umrah, the lesser pilgrimage to Mecca and possibly the haj too.

Leaving aside the question, whether he has the legal power to do so, Trump vowed to overrule governors who refused to open houses of worship, noting that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) had issued guidelines that included physical distancing.

The move designed to play to Trump’s Evangelist voter base received a mixed reception among American faith communities.

It appealed to those segments of the community with an unqualified belief in God’s ability and will to protect and that often are steeped in notions of Christian manhood that have deep roots in American Evangelism and were boosted by the 9/11 attacks on New York’s World Trade Towers and the Pentagon in Washington.

Trump’s recognition of prayer as an “essential” societal activity further drew a line intended to give houses of worship autonomy in an environment in which state intrusion into people’s lives has expanded greatly in a bid to fight the pandemic.

In that sense, the president was fighting a battle similar to that of Pakistani Sunni and Shia Muslim leaders who rejected a total closure of mosques but were willing to accept guidance on issues such as physical distancing.

The leaders see mosques “as spaces where you cultivate and express a communal religious identity that is very central to…their vision of the Pakistani state,” said a Pakistani Islamic scholar.

The clerics’ determination to retain control of religious spaces was reinforced by Prime Minister Imran Khan’s flip flops that resembled Trump’s zig-zags.

Khan initially sought to appeal to religious circles by meeting in the early days of the pandemic with Maulana Tariq Jameel, a leader of Tablighi Jamaat, who initially denied the contagious aspect of the virus.

Jameel reversed course and embraced physical distancing after his movement’s mass gatherings in Pakistan, Malaysia, India, and Indonesia turned into super-spreaders of the coronavirus.&nbsp;

Khan’s government further complicated issues by initially agreeing with religious leaders on a division of labour that would have empowered the clerics to advise their followers to stay at home, avoid congregational prayer and maintain physical distancing and then jumping the gun to announce the measures without coordination.

Mosques in major Pakistani cities were packed in recent days, despite religious leaders paying lip service to physical distancing, in a reflection of the degree to which ultra-conservatism has woven itself into the fabric of Pakistani society and in stark contrast to Saudi Arabia’s pre-emptive response to the health crisis.

Pakistan’s Supreme Court ruled against government lockdowns, suggesting that the coronavirus was not a pandemic. Religious leaders have since backed away from their acceptance of physical distancing, demanding that the advice be abandoned.

Trump’s recognition of prayer as essential aligned itself with notions of concepts of religious freedom promoted by his administration, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in the lead, that in effect serves to legitimize discrimination against minorities of various stripes.

Few doubt that Trump made his move with an eye on the US presidential election in November. Trump was embarking on a road on which mainstream ultra-conservative Pakistani clerics were also travelling.

The clerics remained silent when Ahmadis, a sect viewed as a heretic by mainstream Muslims, were excluded from a national commission created by the government earlier this month to promote religious tolerance and counter persecution of minorities.

Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry barred the inclusion of Ahmadis, who are among Pakistan’s most discriminated minorities, on grounds that they did not qualify as a minority and refuse to recognize the country’s constitution.

A 1974 amendment of the constitution bars Ahmadis from identifying themselves as Muslims because they do not recognize Mohammed as the last prophet.

Compared to the polarising environment that Trump operates in and likes to entrench, Pakistani clerics have it a lot easier. Except for liberals and human rights activists, few in Pakistan are willing to stand up for Ahmadi rights.

Moreover, the government shied away from imposing its will on the religious establishment during the pandemic as did the military, which built quarantine centres in various cities and helped local authorities implement a lockdown.

Pakistan lacks truly influential, more liberal religious voices in the mould of for example Reverend Curtiss DeYoung, CEO of the Minnesota Council of Churches that groups African-American denominations, the mainline church and the Greek Orthodox Church.

“We listen to communities of colour, and many of our congregations’ people are engaged in representing refugees and immigrants, African-Americans, Latinos, even seniors, they're saying, why the urgency?” DeYoung said in response to Trump’s push.

“They're…directly affected. They're actually afraid in many cases to go into group gatherings...We feel that we need to make our decisions based on good science and the recommendations of our health department,” the reverend added.

DeYoung was joined by his Muslim counterparts in contrast to their Pakistani brethren.

"American Muslim scholars and community leaders have already determined that mosques will not be open in the near future because of the health concerns brought on by the pandemic. That's a determination for them to make not for the president to make,” said Ibrahim Hooper, communications director of the Council on American–Islamic Relations, the largest US Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization.

To be sure, the United States and Pakistan are vastly different countries. Pakistan has been hard hit by the pandemic with 55,657 cases of infection to date and 1,155 deaths. Yet, that is a far cry from the United States’ 1,613,324 cases and 96,659 deaths.

Pakistan, nonetheless, saw its number of cases quadruple during the month of Ramadan and the rate of new infections jump by 30 per cent in the last week as the holy month neared its end.

Yet, when it comes to employing religion to entrench power at the cost of striking a balance between faith and science, Trump and Pakistani religious scholars share the kind of opportunism and worldview that serve their short-term interests irrespective of the cost to human life and potentially to already battered economies.

(The article is co-authored by Tehmina Qureshi. Tehmina is a multi-platform journalist and editorial writer at Dawn, Pakistan’s leading English-language newspaper)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump and ultra-conservative Pakistani religious scholars may have more in common than either would want to admit: a belief that the congregation is an essential pillar of prayer irrespective of public health concerns.

US President Donald Trump and ultra-conservative Pakistani religious scholars may have more in common than either would want to admit: a belief that the congregation is an essential pillar of prayer irrespective of public health concerns. Trump, however, may wish that he had the kind of less polarised and/or more compliant audience that Pakistani clerics address. Scores of religious leaders and groups in the United States have sought to protect their communities by advocating virtual rather than physical congregation at the time of a pandemic in which the coronavirus has yet to be brought under control. Religious authorities in much of the Muslim world, Pakistan being the exception that proves the rule, have heeded government instructions and medical and public health advice. That advice ranged from the closure of mosques to bans on social gatherings that precluded traditional iftar meals breaking the Ramadan fast and celebrations of this week’s end of the holy month to Saudi Arabia’s suspension of the umrah, the lesser pilgrimage to Mecca and possibly the haj too. Leaving aside the question, whether he has the legal power to do so, Trump vowed to overrule governors who refused to open houses of worship, noting that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) had issued guidelines that included physical distancing. The move designed to play to Trump’s Evangelist voter base received a mixed reception among American faith communities. It appealed to those segments of the community with an unqualified belief in God’s ability and will to protect and that often are steeped in notions of Christian manhood that have deep roots in American Evangelism and were boosted by the 9/11 attacks on New York’s World Trade Towers and the Pentagon in Washington. Trump’s recognition of prayer as an “essential” societal activity further drew a line intended to give houses of worship autonomy in an environment in which state intrusion into people’s lives has expanded greatly in a bid to fight the pandemic. In that sense, the president was fighting a battle similar to that of Pakistani Sunni and Shia Muslim leaders who rejected a total closure of mosques but were willing to accept guidance on issues such as physical distancing. The leaders see mosques “as spaces where you cultivate and express a communal religious identity that is very central to…their vision of the Pakistani state,” said a Pakistani Islamic scholar. The clerics’ determination to retain control of religious spaces was reinforced by Prime Minister Imran Khan’s flip flops that resembled Trump’s zig-zags. Khan initially sought to appeal to religious circles by meeting in the early days of the pandemic with Maulana Tariq Jameel, a leader of Tablighi Jamaat, who initially denied the contagious aspect of the virus. Jameel reversed course and embraced physical distancing after his movement’s mass gatherings in Pakistan, Malaysia, India, and Indonesia turned into super-spreaders of the coronavirus. Khan’s government further complicated issues by initially agreeing with religious leaders on a division of labour that would have empowered the clerics to advise their followers to stay at home, avoid congregational prayer and maintain physical distancing and then jumping the gun to announce the measures without coordination. Mosques in major Pakistani cities were packed in recent days, despite religious leaders paying lip service to physical distancing, in a reflection of the degree to which ultra-conservatism has woven itself into the fabric of Pakistani society and in stark contrast to Saudi Arabia’s pre-emptive response to the health crisis. Pakistan’s Supreme Court ruled against government lockdowns, suggesting that the coronavirus was not a pandemic. Religious leaders have since backed away from their acceptance of physical distancing, demanding that the advice be abandoned. Trump’s recognition of prayer as essential aligned itself with notions of concepts of religious freedom promoted by his administration, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in the lead, that in effect serves to legitimize discrimination against minorities of various stripes. Few doubt that Trump made his move with an eye on the US presidential election in November. Trump was embarking on a road on which mainstream ultra-conservative Pakistani clerics were also travelling. The clerics remained silent when Ahmadis, a sect viewed as a heretic by mainstream Muslims, were excluded from a national commission created by the government earlier this month to promote religious tolerance and counter persecution of minorities. Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry barred the inclusion of Ahmadis, who are among Pakistan’s most discriminated minorities, on grounds that they did not qualify as a minority and refuse to recognize the country’s constitution. A 1974 amendment of the constitution bars Ahmadis from identifying themselves as Muslims because they do not recognize Mohammed as the last prophet. Compared to the polarising environment that Trump operates in and likes to entrench, Pakistani clerics have it a lot easier. Except for liberals and human rights activists, few in Pakistan are willing to stand up for Ahmadi rights. Moreover, the government shied away from imposing its will on the religious establishment during the pandemic as did the military, which built quarantine centres in various cities and helped local authorities implement a lockdown. Pakistan lacks truly influential, more liberal religious voices in the mould of for example Reverend Curtiss DeYoung, CEO of the Minnesota Council of Churches that groups African-American denominations, the mainline church and the Greek Orthodox Church. “We listen to communities of colour, and many of our congregations’ people are engaged in representing refugees and immigrants, African-Americans, Latinos, even seniors, they're saying, why the urgency?” DeYoung said in response to Trump’s push. “They're…directly affected. They're actually afraid in many cases to go into group gatherings...We feel that we need to make our decisions based on good science and the recommendations of our health department,” the reverend added. DeYoung was joined by his Muslim counterparts in contrast to their Pakistani brethren. "American Muslim scholars and community leaders have already determined that mosques will not be open in the near future because of the health concerns brought on by the pandemic. That's a determination for them to make not for the president to make,” said Ibrahim Hooper, communications director of the Council on American–Islamic Relations, the largest US Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization. To be sure, the United States and Pakistan are vastly different countries. Pakistan has been hard hit by the pandemic with 55,657 cases of infection to date and 1,155 deaths. Yet, that is a far cry from the United States’ 1,613,324 cases and 96,659 deaths. Pakistan, nonetheless, saw its number of cases quadruple during the month of Ramadan and the rate of new infections jump by 30 per cent in the last week as the holy month neared its end. Yet, when it comes to employing religion to entrench power at the cost of striking a balance between faith and science, Trump and Pakistani religious scholars share the kind of opportunism and worldview that serve their short-term interests irrespective of the cost to human life and potentially to already battered economies. (The article is co-authored by Tehmina Qureshi. Tehmina is a multi-platform journalist and editorial writer at Dawn, Pakistan’s leading English-language newspaper) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

What do Donald Trump and ultra-conservative Pakistani clerics have in common?

A bill has passed in the US Senate, that could force state owned Chinese companies to delist from American stock exchanges. WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you how the US is escalating its fight with China.

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Coronavirus cases in the US are growing. More than 93,000 Americans have died. But, President Donald Trump says US topping the world in Coronavirus cases is a 'badge of honour'. WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you how protests against the Trump administration are growing.

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White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany revealed a little too much on Friday, when she disclosed President Donald Trump's bank information.

It so happened that she had to display a cheque donating his quarterly salary to the Department of Health and Human Services.

As McEnany held the cheque to show it to the reporters on Friday, it not only had the USD 100,000 amount to be given to the HHS but also displayed the president's private bank account and routing numbers, The New York Times reported.

The donation was as per the quarterly tradition of Trump to forgo his USD 400,000 salary and donate it.

"Here is the cheque," McEnany said as she held the cheque, which appeared to be a real Capital One bearing not just the president's name and signature, but also his bank information.

The address of Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and other personal details, like accounting and routing numbers, were also visible on the cheque, the nbcnews.Com report said.

In the past, Trump has donated to the Small Business Administration initiative to help veteran entrepreneurs, to the Office of the Surgeon General to fight the opioid epidemic, and to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, among other places.

According to the nbcnews.Com, the donation to HHS is being made to develop new therapies for treating and preventing coronavirus.

However, there were concerns over the revelation of the president's bank details in the media.

White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany revealed a little too much on Friday, when she disclosed President Donald Trump's bank information. It so happened that she had to display a cheque donating his quarterly salary to the Department of Health and Human Services.

White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany revealed a little too much on Friday, when she disclosed President Donald Trump's bank information. It so happened that she had to display a cheque donating his quarterly salary to the Department of Health and Human Services. As McEnany held the cheque to show it to the reporters on Friday, it not only had the USD 100,000 amount to be given to the HHS but also displayed the president's private bank account and routing numbers, The New York Times reported. The donation was as per the quarterly tradition of Trump to forgo his USD 400,000 salary and donate it. "Here is the cheque," McEnany said as she held the cheque, which appeared to be a real Capital One bearing not just the president's name and signature, but also his bank information. The address of Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and other personal details, like accounting and routing numbers, were also visible on the cheque, the nbcnews.Com report said. In the past, Trump has donated to the Small Business Administration initiative to help veteran entrepreneurs, to the Office of the Surgeon General to fight the opioid epidemic, and to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, among other places. According to the nbcnews.Com, the donation to HHS is being made to develop new therapies for treating and preventing coronavirus. However, there were concerns over the revelation of the president's bank details in the media.

White House press secretary reveals a little too much -- Trump's bank details

U.S. President Donald Trump became tongue tied as he tried to convey the negative results of his latest test for COVID-19 on Thursday (May 21).

Donald Trump says he tested 'positively toward negative' on latest coronavirus test

After several lawsuits were filed against the US in China - the Chinese state media is threatening the Americans. Reports say China and Russia plan to initiate a probe into US labs. Beijing is also mulling punitive counter measures. WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you more.

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