Page 6 - Florida Sentinel 8-3-18

White House and Political News
Florida Senator Calls For Federal Investigation Into ‘Stand Your Ground’ Killing Of Markeis McGlockton
Does Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law give people free reign to kill without fear of pros- ecution?
That’s the question being raised as Senator Bill Nel- son moves to ask for a federal investigation into the shoot- ing death of Markeis Mc- Glockton, who was gunned down in a Clearwater, Florida parking lot 2 weeks ago.
The shooter, Michael Drejka, gunned down Mc- Glockton just seconds after McGlockton shoved him dur- ing a confrontation Drejka was having with McGlockton’s girlfriend over a parking space.
“When you look at that video, obviously he is backing away, and the question is, is there more to it, than just what meets
Markeis McGlockton. was killed by Michael Drejka in Pinellas County.
our eye on a video?” Nelson said.
“Is there a question of civil rights being infringed? And that is what the Department of Jus-
tice is charged with investigating under the law.”
State Senator Dennis Bax- ley, believes Nelson is using the McGlockton tragedy as a political ploy. Baxley wrote the controversial Stand Your Ground law in 2005.
“They’re trying to draw some sort of implication or division that isn’t there,” Baxley said. “This is not about firearms; it’s about your right to protect your- self from harm when you’re at- tacked.”
Benjamin Crump, who represented Trayvon Mar- tin’s family in 2012 has been hired by the McGlockton fam- ily.
“It’s still ludicrous that you can claim that you have fear of your life, but yet you approach
and start the confrontation with the individuals,” Crump said.
When asked if the law should be changed altogether, said Nelson:
“Myroleistofindoutifa crime was committed for other reasons by having the Depart- ment of Justice on civil rights law take a look at that, and that’s what I’m doing,” he said.
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Of- fice is still investigating the shooting. A rally is planned with
Rev. Al Sharpton and the Na- tional Action Network Aug. 5 to protest the McGlockton killing.
Sharpton tweeted: “I will be protesting the death of #MarkeisMcGlockton next week with the National Action Net- work, here is the information if you would like to join us.#Poli- ticsNation”
The “Rally for Markeis Mc- Glockton” will take place at St. John Primitive Baptist Church.
Trump Says 'No Problem' Shutting Government, Dismaying GOP
TAMPA — Unnerving fellow Republicans, President Don- ald Trump declared Monday he would have "no problem" shutting down the federal gov- ernment this fall if Congress won't come up with more money for border security.
Trump's threat, his second in two days, put him further at odds with his own party in Congress, where many Repub- licans are facing tough re-elec- tion fights this November. A shutdown when government funding expires at the end of September, just weeks before the midterm elections, would be the second under unified Republican control of Wash- ington, following a weekend stoppage in January.
"I would have no problem doing a shutdown," Trump said during a joint press con- ference at the White House with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. "It's time we had proper border security. We're the laughingstock of the world."
The president's comments suggest he continues to believe that an election-season show- down over immigration would fire up his base and boost his party's chances of holding power in Congress. Republican leaders disagree, hoping they can avoid a high-profile display of dysfunction and focus their message on the GOP tax cuts and the strong economy.
Trump has made no secret of his belief that his hard-line immigration policies boosted him to the Oval Office, and he launched an aggressive push for additional border security measures early this year. They include $25 billion toward con- struction of a wall along the U. S.-Mexico border, but he ac- knowledged on Monday his de- mands are a starting point.
"I'll always leave room for negotiation," he said.
Republican leaders believed they had secured Trump's pa- tience last week when they huddled at the White House to
discuss strategy ahead of the budget year that starts Oct.1.
After the meeting, Senate Majority Leader Mitch Mc- Connell told a radio inter- viewer that a shutdown so close to the Nov. 6 midterm elections won't happen. He said the bor- der funding issue in particular would probably have to wait until after the elections.
House Speaker Paul Ryan said on Capitol Hill after the meeting with Trump: "The president's willing to be patient to make sure that we get what we need so that we can get that done." He added that money for the wall was "not a question of if, it's a question of when."
But on Sunday, Trump re- versed course in a surprise
tweet: "I would be willing to 'shut down' government if the Democrats do not give us the votes for Border Security, which includes the Wall!"
"Must get rid of Lottery, Catch & Release etc. and finally go to system of Immigration based on MERIT!" he tweeted.
With time so short, law- makers appear most likely to approve a short-term funding measure to keep the govern- ment open through Election Day. That would set up another fiscal showdown during a lame duck session.
Trump on Monday said he had no "red line" for precisely what he would require from Congress, and he made no comment on timing.
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