June 10 Black Lives Matter protests

The White House is working on an executive order on police reform, but it's not clear yet which provisions it may include as President Trump has not yet signaled what he's willing to support, officials tell CNN. 

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany suggested this was possible earlier this morning.

“We do believe that we will have proactive policy prescriptions, whether that means legislation or an executive order,” she said on Fox News. 

As Trump weighs endorsing some type of police reform measures, including those being debated on Capitol Hill or others he could implement more directly with executive action, top Trump aides — including chief of staff Mark Meadows — are expected to present options to the President as early as Wednesday.

Some aides have eyed Trump's Thursday visit to Dallas as a potential venue for him to unveil which police reform measures he supports, though it's not yet clear whether he'll have made a decision by then.

On Tuesday, CNN reported that Trump’s top advisers planned to present him with options on police reform initiatives in the coming days and he could unveil them as early as this week.

In the two weeks since George Floyd's death, senior advisers Jared Kushner and Ja'Ron Smith and other White House officials have held conversations with several criminal justice reform advocates and law enforcement groups to solicit ideas for potential policy action.

During a roundtable with law enforcement officials on Monday, Trump was "incredibly receptive" to certain reform ideas, according to one participant, Chief Steven Casstevens, president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Casstevens said the roundtable lasted "over an hour" after the press left the room on and that Trump heard from several law enforcement officials about reforms they believe should be implemented — from creating a national database of police officers who have lost their certification and been fired from certain departments to developing national standards for police officer training and disciplinary action.

Casstevens and others involved in discussions with the White House said there is broadest agreement around the need for developing a national use of force standard for police officers.

George Floyd's family lawyer, Ben Crump, called for a "national standard" for policing, saying that it should be considered obstruction of justice to turn off a body cam. 

Crump thanked House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerry Nadler and the members of the committee before delivering his opening remarks, which, among other things, touched on police brutality and the American ideals. 

The death of George Floyd has galvanized the world and mobilized Americans to demand a more just system of policing, because it's become painfully obvious that what we have right now are two systems of justice: one for white Americans and another for black Americans, Crump said.

Crump said a national standard for policing should be "built on transparency and accountability.

Philonise Floyd, George Floyd's brother, told reporters he is testifying on Capitol Hill Wednesday to get “justice for my brother.”

His comments came while the House Judiciary hearing on police reform was on a lunch break before questions this afternoon.

“As he pleaded for his life and the officers ignored him,” Philonise Floyd said shaking his head. “It hurt just to watch 8 minutes and 46 seconds and I was in pain and the world is in pain right now.”

He added: “I love my brother he’s still here in spirit right now and we need justice and we demand justice.”

Following nationwide calls to reevaluate police department funding, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said he’s looking at ways to reallocate some police funding to mental health services and other community programs.

Walsh declined to go into specifics when speaking with reporters during a news conference, but said he doesn’t foresee any layoffs to result from that reallocation.

Boston is beginning to phase out the National Guard presence in the city after they were brought on June 1 to work with police during protests after George Floyd’s death, Walsh said. He encouraged those who have taken to the streets to get tested for Covid-19.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey issued a statement Wednesday lauding the city's Police Chief Medaria Arradondo’s announcement that he had decided to suspend contract negotiations with the police union and "push for a top-to-bottom review of the existing contract.” 

Frey also called for more accountability between his constituents and the police department, which will include an early intervention warning and intervention system to identify police misconduct.  

“Additional accountability between the people and the police needs to be matched with internal ability to closely monitor police behavior and intervene early to prevent more tragedy. I applaud the Chief’s courage, continued resolve to challenge the status quo, and clear message for the people of Minneapolis,” he said.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he expects to sign newly passed state legislative police reform bills by the end of the week, including a ban on chokeholds by police officers and the repeal of civil rights law 50-A. 

Section 50-a of the New York State Civil Rights Law, was originally enacted to exempt police officers from being cross-examined during criminal prosecutions, according to the bill.

Cuomo said today marks the 17th day of civil unrest following George Floyd’s killing.

“I think it is going to turn out for the good, I said when this first started I understand what the protestors are saying and feeling, and I stand with the protestors,” Cuomo said.

National Urban League President Marc Morial warned Congress that this is not the time for politics but "time for bold and courageous action."

Addressing lawmakers during a hearing on police reform, he said the "Justice in Policing Act" represents a bold and clear step forward and an opportunity.

"This is a moment not of politics, not of black or white, but of morality," he added.

Morial urged Congress to realize the gravity of the moment and "to stand with people of this nation to say enough is enough, Black Lives Matter."

Ben Crump called for justice for George Floyd and told lawmakers in a House hearing that they have the power to make sure his death "is not in vain."

"We are better than this," Crump said. "Chairman, members of the committee, you have the power to make this moment in history the tipping point."

"You have the power to make sure that George Floyd's death is not in vain," Crump continued.

Crump said that changing the police's behavior and their relationship with the community "starts at the top," saying the country needs a "national standard" for policing behavior built on transparency and accountability.

Crump noted that the only reason the world knows what happened to George Floyd was because it was captured on video.

Floyd "literally narrated a documentary of his death, begging for his life saying I can't breathe and calling for his mama," Crump said.

Crump said the advent of video evidence is bringing to light what "long was hidden."

"It is revealing what black Americans have known for a long, long time that it is dangerous for a black person to have an encounter with a police officer," Crump said.

WATCH:

Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo responded to a question during his news conference today about complaints that journalists have been shot at with rubber bullets and tear gassed during the George Floyd protests, saying, "Our media must be protected."

He said the media has an "immense importance," adding, "I am so fortunate that all of you are here. This story has to be told." 

Arradondo said he will be looking into incidents where media were fired upon and tear gassed, saying, "That can't happen."