promoearn: Can they do that?

Wednesday, June 10

Police officers pepper-spray demonstrators in front of St. John's Episcopal Church near the White House on June 1, 2020.

Can officials use force to clear protesters? Can the Justice Department drop Michael Flynn's case? It's Wednesday's news.

Can police clear peaceful protests by force? Can the U.S. block migrants in the name of COVID-19? So much news, so many questions.

It's Ashley. Let's dive in.

But first, a modest pension: The last person in the USA to receive a Civil War-era pension died at age 90. She received a monthly check for $73.13.

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Can officials use force to clear peaceful protesters?

More than 1,200 former Justice Department staffers call for a review of Attorney General William Barr's role in forcefully removing peaceful protesters near the White House before President Donald Trump's photo op with a Bible outside St. John's Church. The former staffers said they were "disturbed" by Barr's involvement in the action, adding that the move violated the First and Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution. Though Barr acknowledged deciding to expand the security perimeter around the area – requiring the movement of protesters – he has since said that he did not give the specific directive setting federal authorities in motion.

•	The forceful clearing of demonstrators in front of the White House was a defining moment for Trump and the protests, a USA TODAY poll found.
•	Shrines, murals and the military: How D.C. has been transformed by protests and security.

Police used tear gas to clear protesters from a park before President Trump walked over to St. John's Episcopal Church.

Getty

Can the Justice Department drop Michael Flynn's case?

The Justice Department showed a "gross abuse of prosecutorial power" in its push to drop the case against Michael Flynn, a court-appointed arbiter said Wednesday. Remember Flynn? He's President Trump's former national security adviser who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russia during Robert Mueller's investigation into election interference. Retired federal judge John Gleeson said the Justice Department's bid to dismiss Flynn's case should be denied because its arguments "are not credible," suggesting the government violated safeguards designed to prevent "dismissals of criminal cases that would benefit powerful and well-connected defendants."

Can the US block migrants from entering the country over COVID-19?

The ACLU filed a lawsuit Wednesday challenging the Trump administration's decision to block many migrants from entering the country – including those requesting asylum – in the name of public health during the coronavirus pandemic. The suit claims the administration violated federal law by ordering blanket denials and immediate deportations of some migrants. Though federal law allows for the government to screen, quarantine and expel would-be migrants for public health reasons, it does not, according to the lawsuit, allow for the elimination of the asylum system or other forms of humanitarian relief.

•	Children are still arriving at the border, despite coronavirus. They're being turned away.

What everyone's talking about

•	NASCAR banned Confederate flags from all races, events and properties, effective immediately.
•	Hold onto your lattes: Starbucks is closing up to 400 of its stores.
•	Louisville police released the Breonna Taylor incident report. It's nearly blank.
•	Pride goes digital: Why the spirit of Pride Month will prevail online.
•	Actually gone with the wind: HBO Max has temporarily removed "Gone with the Wind."
•	A Hawaii woman was arrested and accused of violating the state's mandatory 14-day quarantine.

Arizona's COVID-19 spread is 'alarming'

Red flags are being raised by experts around the country about Arizona's COVID-19 situation. Coronavirus cases and hospitalizations have increased over the past two weeks, and experts say the disease's spread can't be attributed solely to increased testing. Instead, it looks like the state is trending upward in a way that is concerning and could need another stay-at-home order to curb. "I would go so far as to say alarming," said William Hanage, an epidemiology professor at Harvard University. Gov. Doug Ducey said last week that the rise in cases was expected as the state began reopening. Regardless, this is as good a time as ever for me to remind everyone: Social distancing, wearing masks and washing hands are some of the easiest ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

•	Viruses like the one that causes COVID-19 have long been Anthony Fauci's "worst nightmare" – and it isn't over.

Across the country, health experts have taken notice of Arizona's COVID-19 trajectory.

Arizona Department of Health Services

Human remains found: The twisting case of two missing Idaho children

A dark twist has been added to the disappearance of two Idaho children missing since September – a bewildering case tied to mysterious deaths and allegations of cult-like religious beliefs. The new husband of the mother of the two kids was arrested Tuesday after authorities found what they suspect to be two sets of unidentified human remains at his home. We don't know who the remains belong to, as autopsy results are pending. Chad Daybell, arrested on suspicion of concealing or destroying evidence, is the husband of Lori Vallow, who was arrested in February after she failed to bring her missing children to authorities.

Joshua Vallow, 7, and Tylee Ryan, 17, were last seen Sept. 23, 2019, in Rexburg, Idaho. Their mother, Lori Vallow, is the second wife of Chad Daybell.

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children via Associated Press

Real quick

•	Georgia's primary voting was blasted as a "complete catastrophe."
•	Donald Trump Jr.'s Mongolia trip to hunt rare sheep cost taxpayers $76K.
•	Netflix curated a new collection of "Black Lives Matter" titles; Hulu honors Juneteenth.
•	AMC expects theaters to be "fully open" by July.
•	A statue of Christopher Columbus in Richmond was torn down by protesters, set on fire, then thrown into a lake.

'Make it stop,' George Floyd's brother tells Congress

George Floyd's younger brother Philonise addressed the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday in a hearing on policing. "Thank you for the invitation to be here today to talk about my big brother, George. The world knows him as George, but I called him Perry," he said. "I'm tired. I'm tired of the pain I'm feeling now, and I'm tired of the pain I feel every time another black person is killed for no reason. I'm here today to ask you to make it stop. Stop the pain. Stop us from being tired." Read his full statement here.

•	Protests after the deaths of unarmed black Americans are prompting policy changes across the USA. Here's a look at some of the shifts.

"Stop the pain," says Philonise Floyd, brother of George Floyd, during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on proposed changes to police practices and accountability June 10.

Michael Reynolds, AP

HBD, Prince Philip 🎂

Prince Philip, the oldest and longest-serving royal consort in British history, marked a big-time milestone today: He turned 99! As usual, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II opted for a no-fuss celebration. I'm not trying to make this weird, but here's a little fun fact: The royal couple, who have been married since 1947, are distant cousins, both descended from Queen Victoria. Cheers to royal bloodlines.

Prince Philip celebrates his 99th birthday June 10. He's spent more than 70 of them by the side of Queen Elizabeth II.

Steve Parsons, AP

A break from the news

•	📱Trying to stay focused while working from home? First, turn off notifications.
•	🚗How to road trip safely during a pandemic: Tips for navigating rest stops, gas stations and hotels.
•	🏀Watch the tension melt away as a protester challenges a police officer to a little game of one on one.

This is a compilation of stories from across the USA TODAY Network. Want this news roundup in your inbox every night? Sign up for The Short List newsletter here.