Former Officer Derek Chauvin was convicted today of murder for the May 2020 killing of George Floyd, the 46-year-old Black man whose neck Chauvin pinned down with his knee on the pavement of a south Minneapolis intersection for more than nine minutes. politi.co/3aJa2kv
The jury found Chauvin guilty of all three charges: second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. politi.co/3aJa2kv
President Biden and Vice President Harris spoke to Floyd’s family by phone.
“Nothing is gonna make it all better, but at least now there’s some justice,” Biden said.
Harris described the family as “real leaders at this moment where we needed you.” politi.co/3aJa2kv
Former President Barack Obama credited the jury for doing the “right thing.”
But “we know that true justice is about much more than a single verdict in a single trial,” he said in a statement. politi.co/3aJa2kv
On Capitol Hill, several members of the Congressional Black Caucus gathered to watch the delivery of the verdict.
Several members grew emotional, including Emanuel Cleaver and Cori Bush, who clutched the arm of Ayanna Pressley. politi.co/3aJa2kv
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called the guilty verdict “an official proclamation of what so many of us have known for nearly a year: George Floyd was murdered by an officer who was sworn to protect and serve.” politi.co/3aJa2kv
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Record numbers of children are suffering from anxiety and depression. Experts and lawmakers are trying anything to address the spike — even if it’s unproven. politico.com/news/2024/04/1…
Since 2020, over 100 state laws have been passed to address rising depression, anxiety and suicide rates.
Seemingly no idea is off the table, from free online therapy to suing social media companies. Some states have even appointed boards to get a handle on the crisis.
Some experts are skeptical of the number of new initiatives to address the youth mental health crisis and the rush to embrace them.
They worry about wasting effort on unproven theories that won’t pan out or that could even make the problem worse. politico.com/news/2024/04/1…
In state after state, fast-growing, traditionally liberal college counties are generating higher turnout and even greater Democratic margins — and Republicans are freaking out. 👇🧵
https://t.co/bZME3xIhXIpoliti.co/3rEsEgR
College towns have already played a pivotal role in turning several red states blue – and they could play an equally decisive role in key swing states next year.
https://t.co/PHHqXMZnCXpoliti.co/3rEsEgR
Take Wisconsin, whose pivotal Supreme Court race saw a record turnout. It was no surprise that Dane County — home to University of Wisconsin — went blue. But voter turnout there was higher than anywhere else in the state, as was the Dem margin of victory. politico.com/news/magazine/…
Liberals just flipped the ideological makeup of Wisconsin's Supreme Court.
Janet Protasiewicz’s high-stakes win means the new 4-3 liberal majority is much more likely to strike down a controversial 19th century abortion ban in the state. politi.co/3m5uIMm
Liberal judge Janet Protasiewicz defeated conservative Dan Kelly 56.9% to 43.1% when the AP called the Wisconsin Supreme Court race at 9:53 pm.
The Chicago mayoral race is too close to call, with Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas separated by the narrowest of margins.
Both candidates pushed supporters to vote by mail and want to wait for outstanding ballots to be counted before claiming victory. politico.com/news/2023/04/0…
Brandon Johnson will be Chicago's next mayor.
The progressive union organizer was backed by the powerful Chicago Teachers Union and defeated moderate Paul Vallas in a runoff election centered on crime. politi.co/3KwaS6j
Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 criminal charges in a New York state grand jury indictment stemming from the district attorney’s investigation into a hush money scheme. politi.co/3KzDwDm
FYI: Each of Trump's 34 felony charges carries a potential prison sentence, but probation is most likely if he's convicted. politico.com/news/2023/04/0…