Former President Barack Obama called on mayors to push for police reform policies during a town hall event on Wednesday addressing the death of George Floyd.
After saying that “there wasn’t enough follow through” regarding the reforms included in a report produced by his administration’s Task Force On 21st Century Policing, despite support from mayors and local elected officials, Obama urged every mayor nationwide to review use of force policies with community members and “commit to report on planned reforms.”
“What are the specific steps you can take?” Obama asked, before adding that his task force created in 2014 by executive order collected data on “what works” and “what doesn’t” when it comes to reducing incidents of police misconduct and violence.
Obama then argued that most of the reforms need to take place at the local level.
“Let’s go ahead and start implementing those,” Obama said. “So we need mayors, county executives, other who are in positions of power to say this is a priority.”
Although he didn’t directly address President Trump’s remarks in the wake of Floyd’s death — which include his demand for governors to “dominate” protesters by activating the National Guard — Obama’s latest comments starkly contrasted Trump’s by arguing that the current crisis offered a chance for a political “awakening.”
Watch Obama’s remarks below:
Former President Barack Obama: "I am urging every mayor in this country to review your use of force policies with members of your community and commit to report on planned reforms." pic.twitter.com/G4JNmYiu9W
— Talking Points Memo (@TPM) June 3, 2020
That, Mr. Trump, is a real President of the United States. That is how a real president acts, what a real presidents says, how a real president cares for the country.
You, on the other hand, are an immature, ignorant, narcissistic, petty, reality show grifter.
Any chance he could just start acting like he’s President again?
Pretty sure the vast majority of Americans (and foreign leaders) would ignore Trump and play along.
“I bet you’re thinking twice…about those term-limits…now…aren’tcha?”
And those are his good points.
Look, I fully expect a barrage of nasty tweets over the last few hours. Same shit; different day.
So who do you think will be first in line to seriously implement the suggestions Obama has made? I’m wondering if Minneapolis will be able to, given their Stalinist police union president.
That’s great! Here’s what being presidential looks like, filling the huge gap where nobody is home.