Three things for October 8
1. Officer charged in George Floyd’s death
pays $1 million bond
The former Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin, posted bail Wednesday and was released from jail. According to court documents, Chauvin posted his $1 million bond and was released from the state facility where he had been detained since May.
“Mr. Chauvin, who has been behind bars since he was arrested on May 29, has been charged with second-degree manslaughter and second-degree murder, a more serious count than he had originally faced. He could be sentenced to up to 40 years in prison,” reported the New York Times in June.
Following Chauvin’s release, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz activated the National Guard in the event of protests. According to AP News, Walz is mobilizing 100 soldiers and providing equipment and facilities “out of an abundance of caution” in light of public safety concerns.
Hundreds of protestors took to the streets on Wednesday evening to protest Chauvin’s release.
Floyd family attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci released a statement, saying Chauvin’s release “is a painful reminder” that the family is far from getting justice for George Floyd.
2. Next presidential debate to be held virtually, Trump refuses
The Commission on Presidential Debates announced this morning that the next presidential debate, on October 15, will be held virtually. The announcement comes six days after President Trump announced early last Friday that he and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for coronavirus.
"The second presidential debate will take the form of a town meeting, in which the candidates would participate from separate remote locations," the commission said in a statement.
The debate’s location in Miami, Florida and the moderator, Steve Scully, will remain unchanged.
According to the Washington Post, Trump said during a television interview that he will not participate in a virtual debate with Joe Biden, dismissing the Commission on Presidential Debates’ announcement about the format change. Biden said he welcomed the chance to participate.
The debate will take place on October 15 and will be available to watch live here.
3. US troops in Afghanistan should be ‘home by Christmas’
All U.S. troops in Afghanistan should be “home by Christmas” said President Donald Trump on Wednesday. Hours earlier, his national security adviser said Washington would reduce its forces in Afghanistan to 2,500 by early next year.
A deal between the United States and the Taliban in February said foreign forces would leave Afghanistan by May 2021, in exchange for counterterrorism guarantees from the Taliban, according to AP News.
Trump and other officials have said the United States will go down to between 4,000 and 5,000 troops in Afghanistan in November.
