Coronavirus Report: The Hill's Steve Clemons interviews Rep. Val Demings

'Read excerpts from the interview below.

Clemons: We see people in the streets protesting over police brutality, over the murder of George Floyd; we have 42 million people unemployed out there right now, and the numbers are probably higher; and we have a pandemic. What should we be focusing on? Because it's such an enormous problem, or set of problems, the nation is facing right now.

Demings: When I was the chief of police, I was appointed during the 2008 and 2009 recession, and so those were tough times but certainly what we're experiencing today, we're dealing with something we've never seen before, which requires us to do something we've never done before. We're dealing with COVID-19, this deadly killer that we had never heard of before. And as you will know now, it's taken over 100,000 lives in this country. We're also dealing with civil unrest as a result of the brutal and senseless murder of George Floyd. My heart goes out to his family and others. And, oh, by the way, it’s hurricane season. And so, you know, when I think about that, that's a lot. But this is America. This is a country that has seen its share of tough times, and I really do believe with all of the challenges that we face if we remember, regardless of the challenge, our number one responsibility is the health, safety and well-being of the American people. We will get through this one as well. We have to remember, as we watch what’s happening in the streets throughout this country what brought us there in the first place.'>>>

https://thehill.com/homenews/coronavirus-report/500941-coronavirus-report-the-hills-steve-clemons-interviews-rep-val?