The Latest: Trump invokes Floyd's name in trumpeting jobs
TOP OF THE HOUR:
— Trump invokes Floyd’s name in trumpeting jobs report.
— Friend at scene says George Floyd didn’t resist arrest.
— Minnesota considers changes to police-involved deaths.
— Twitter blocks Trump campaign video featuring George Floyd.
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WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump invoked George Floyd’s name as he delivered remarks trumpeting the latest unemployment numbers, which showed the U.S. economy unexpectedly adding 2.5 million jobs last month.
Trump mentioned equal justice under the law means everyone needs to receive fair treatment. He referenced Floyd, whose death in police custody has sparked protests across the world.
Trump says, “Hopefully George is looking down right now and saying this is a great thing that’s happening for our country,” adding: "This is a great day for him. It’s a great day for everybody.”
Trump is also calling an improving economy “the greatest thing that can happen for race relations” and the African American community.
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MINNEAPOLIS — A man with George Floyd says his friend didn’t resist arrest and tried to diffuse the situation when officers began screaming at Floyd.
Maurice Lester Hall, a longtime friend, was a passenger in Floyd’s car when police approached him on May 25 while responding to a call about a possible use of counterfeit money. Hall told the New York Times that Floyd was trying in his “humblest form to show he was not resisting arrest in no form or way.”
Hall, 42, was arrested Monday in Houston on outstanding warrants.
He has been interviewed by Minnesota authorities and is a key witness in the state’s investigation into the four officers who apprehended Floyd. All four officers were fired and charged, including...