‘That … would spell disaster.’ Mayor Lightfoot’s warning President Trump not to send secret military agents to Chicago.
■ Boston College history professor Heather Cox Richardson: “It is interesting that the administration has gone after Chicago, a city with a Black female mayor.”
■ Trump’s acting Department of Homeland Security chief: “I don’t need invitations by the state, state mayors or state governors to do our job. We’re going to do that, whether they like us there or not.”
■ The Onion: “DHS Secretary Assuages Concerns About Protester Abductions By Promising This Will All Feel Routine In A Month.”
‘We are in a fight to save our democracy against a reckless administration bent on terrorizing our communities.’ Count the ACLU of Illinois in Lightfoot’s corner.
■ A Cornell University professor of constitutional law: “The idea that … federal authorities are going to swoop in and do whatever they want to do without any cooperation and coordination with state and local authorities is extraordinary outside the context of a civil war.”
■ The Atlantic: “For decades, conservative activists and leaders have warned that ‘jackbooted thugs’ from the federal government were going to come to take away Americans’ civil rights. … Now they’re here—but they’re deployed by a staunchly right-wing president.”
■ New York Times columnist Michelle Goldberg: “Trump’s Occupation of American Cities Has Begun.”
■ As Trump prepares this afternoon to resume his coronavirus briefings, news organizations face that old question: Should they preempt their programming for a new round of live and unfettered bullshit …
■ … especially since today’s session reportedly was to include no members of the White House coronavirus task force?
Black umbrellas. Surveillance footage compiled by Chicago police shows a group of people using umbrellas to shield others who changed into black clothing and masks before aiming rocks, frozen water bottles, fireworks and projectiles at police as Friday night’s Columbus statue protest in Grant Park turned ugly.
■ Possibly relevant: Note the white faces of attackers dressed in black during a Tribune reporter’s video footage of the confrontation.
Retightening up. As COVID-19 advances, Chicago’s backtracking—banning indoor bar service unless alcohol’s served with food.
■ The state may also restore pandemic restrictions in Illinois’ share of the St. Louis metro area.
Sayonara. Targeted by a 17-year-old girl’s online petition, Trader Joe’s says it’s abandoning ethnic names for its house brands, including “Trader Joe San,” “Trader Ming’s” and “Trader José.” (Update, Aug. 2: Trader Joe’s says no, it’s not.)
■ She’s not satisfied.
■ Whole Foods workers are suing the company—owned by Amazon—for the right to wear Black Lives Matter face masks.
■ A Logan Square popsicle vendor is abandoning his sales cart, under fire for appropriating Latino culture.
■ The Daily Show envisions “a grocery service that gives you the food you need—with all the racial insensitivity you crave” (3:22 in this video).
If you’re not following Chicago Public Square on Facebook, you’re missing updates through the day—like these yesterday:
■ The Daily Beast: “Racist Disinformation Campaign Impersonates Tammy Duckworth.”
■ Politico: “Florida sheriff says he can’t muster security for GOP convention.”
■ Axios: “Biden vows to impose ‘substantial and lasting costs’ for foreign interference.”
■ AP: “Fauci to throw 1st pitch at Yankees-Nationals opener.”
■ Variety: “Saturday Night Live Plots Return to Studio Production.”
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