Trump says police generally should not use choke holds

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable discussion with members of the faith community, law enforcement and small business at Gateway Church Dallas Campus in Dallas, Texas, U.S., June 11, 2020. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said in an interview aired on Friday it would be a good thing if police use of choke holds was ended in most instances, although he suggested their use would be understandable in situations where an officer was in danger.

 

"I don't like choke holds ... (but) sometimes, if you're alone and you're fighting someone, it's tough," Trump told Fox News Channel, while adding: "It would be, I think, a very good thing that, generally speaking, it should be ended."

 

Some Republicans in Congress have indicated support for a ban on choke holds proposed by Democrats following the May 25 death of George Floyd, an African American who died after a Minneapolis policeman knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. Floyd's death ignited a wave of protests in American cities.Trump on Thursday announced modest plans for an executive order on policing, while making it clear he would not support sweeping proposals in response to the protests.

 

In the Fox News interview, Trump said the concept of banning choke holds "sounds so perfect." But he suggested their use could be understandable "if a police officer is in a bad scuffle and he's got somebody in a choke hold."

 

Asked if here were referring to a situation where an officer was in a one-on-one fight and feared for his life, Trump said: "And that does happen. So, you have to be careful."

 

U.S. Attorney General William Barr, in an interview on Fox News on Monday, said he was in favor of banning choke holds, except in instances where police officers were "confronted with potentially lethal force."

 

Republican U.S. Senator Tim Scott, who is crafting police reform legislation, told CNN on Friday that he and Democrats are in agreement that police should use choke holds "infinitely less."

 

(Reporting by Lisa Lambert, David Brunnstrom and Eric Beech; Editing by Tim Ahmann and Jonathan Oatis)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-06-13

 

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Christ, that'll no nothing to stem tensions. At least omit 'generally', Donald. 

52 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

In the Fox News interview,

 

That's how Reuters headlined Trump's interview: "Trump says police generally should not use choke holds."

 

Here's how the Guardian headlined the same interview: "Trump says chokeholds sound 'innocent and perfect' and compares himself to Lincoln."

 

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jun/12/donald-trump-chokeholds-juneteenth-rally

 

 

What a weak response shamfull how about growing some Donald and say shall not use choke holds just pathetic as usual 

This black lady reporter.  She 'soft-challenged' the President with her question and the President answered his true thoughts, as usual.  Say what you like, Trump speaks his mind and you have to respect that.  Unless you rather have a leader who sticks to the "script".  We shall see who the American public rather have as their leader in November.

1 hour ago, Tug said:

What a weak response shamfull how about growing some Donald and say shall not use choke holds just pathetic as usual 

I guess that you (and I) have never been in a one-on-one life and death situation. You cannot use absolutes.

52 minutes ago, Thailand Forever said:

This black lady reporter.  She 'soft-challenged' the President with her question and the President answered his true thoughts, as usual.  Say what you like, Trump speaks his mind and you have to respect that.  Unless you rather have a leader who sticks to the "script".  We shall see who the American public rather have as their leader in November.

It's his thoughts that are frightening to every single human with at least two brain cells to rub together.

9 minutes ago, DoctorG said:

I guess that you (and I) have never been in a one-on-one life and death situation. You cannot use absolutes.

Most lawmakers have never been in situations that they make laws about. There is NO good use for a choke hold. That is absolutely true. Too many alternatives.

1 minute ago, J Town said:

Most lawmakers have never been in situations that they make laws about. There is NO good use for a choke hold. That is absolutely true. Too many alternatives.

Not even to save your own life? I doubt you actually believe that.

1 hour ago, DoctorG said:

Not even to save your own life? I doubt you actually believe that.

Officers are supposed to be trained to deal. If they can't then they shouldn't be cops.

2 hours ago, Thailand Forever said:

This black lady reporter.  She 'soft-challenged' the President with her question and the President answered his true thoughts, as usual.  Say what you like, Trump speaks his mind and you have to respect that.  Unless you rather have a leader who sticks to the "script".  We shall see who the American public rather have as their leader in November.

If you count repeatedly lying as speaking your mind, you've made a valid point.

Is resisting arrest added in the 3 strikes policy? Eg. Shoplifting and resisting arrest for shoplifting count as two crimes? 

The President has the power to change policing tactics? I would have thought this would lay with the States and local authorities that pay the police.

Executive Orders permit him to rule by decree. Weird for a country that prides itself on democracy.

If. suspect gets violent this rule will mean nothing.  Maybe they should instead say don't choke somebody who is subdued for nearly ten minutes. If you get somebody cranked up on PCP and you have to take them down you are going to use whatever you have to. 

20 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

If. suspect gets violent this rule will mean nothing.  Maybe they should instead say don't choke somebody who is subdued for nearly ten minutes. If you get somebody cranked up on PCP and you have to take them down you are going to use whatever you have to. 

I suggest if someone is that cranked up then its best not to get that close to him. Taser can work better.

If they could be persuaded not to use choke holds against people who are already subdued and in handcuffs, that would be a start I guess.

57 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

If. suspect gets violent this rule will mean nothing.  Maybe they should instead say don't choke somebody who is subdued for nearly ten minutes. If you get somebody cranked up on PCP and you have to take them down you are going to use whatever you have to. 

 

maybe it's just me, but i think there should be a rule of some kind, or maybe just a kind suggestion, that if you have a helpless, handcuffed dude facedown on the pavement and his pulse stops, then maybe just maybe think about NOT continuing to kneel on his neck for another three minutes. 

 

then maybe they can use the defunded funds to give the cops CPR training.  you know, for when you "accidentally" kill a suspect.

Eric Garner died at the hands of the NYPD via a chokehold, on Staten Island in 2014. He was selling loose cigarettes. He can be heard saying "I can't breathe" on the video, which may be too graphic to post here.

 

An update from yesterday....

 

Retired NYPD spokesman says ‘we killed Eric Garner’ in emotional post

 

In a stunning and emotional bombshell, a retired NYPD spokesman blasted cops over the chokehold death of Eric Garner, calling it a “horrible injustice” on his Instagram page.

 

“We killed Eric Garner,” Michael DeBonis, 40, an ex-detective who worked for the deputy commissioner for public information, posted last week.

 

https://nypost.com/2020/06/13/ex-nypd-spokesman-says-we-killed-eric-garner-in-emotional-post/

I didn't think that was a choke hold.....the knee on the neck I mean.

Isn't the choke hold done with the arms, when they take you from behind. shime-waza The Judo name

 

A troll post has been removed

15 hours ago, Slip said:

If they could be persuaded not to use choke holds against people who are already subdued and in handcuffs, that would be a start I guess.

 

A choke works by cutting breathing, stopping oxygen intake. 

 

Kneeling on someone's neck for nearly 9 minutes isn't a "choke hold". It's assault, unnecessary and unreasonable force likely to choke, strangle and to damage the neck through crushing. To not cause damage, it would have to be very lightly applied and carefully controlled; even then being very risky.

 

Restricting breathing (choking) or strangling (blood flow) to bring somebody under control are used by military, police, security personnel, bouncers etc. But are very risky techniques that must be relaxed as soon as possible and applied carefully. Unless of course, you want to cause serious injury or death.