President Barack Obama waves on his return from a shortened visit to Spain, as he walks across the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on Sunday. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

President Barack Obama waves on his return from a shortened visit to Spain, as he walks across the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on Sunday. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Obama stepping into storm of emotion in Dallas speech

By Kathleen Hennessey

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — When he pays tribute to fallen police officers in Dallas on Tuesday, President Barack Obama will be aiming to comfort the mourning and calm the angry.

After a week of rising racial tensions in a restless summer, Obama will step into a storm of strong emotions about race, justice, policing and guns in America. Defusing those tensions will take a deft hand and carefully chosen words, navigating between the opposing pressures of protesters and police, blacks and whites, Republican and Democrats.

For Obama, it’s a task he’s attempted throughout his presidency — with mixed results. He has had to address the nation after violence with exhausting frequency. In speeches in Tucson, Arizona, and Charleston, South Carolina, he’s offered lofty rhetoric and emotional release likely to be remembered as pivotal moments in his presidency.

But Obama has had more difficulty positioning himself as a bridge builder, particularly on questions of police tactics and gun control. Despite years of trying to persuade critics, Obama is viewed skeptically by many in law enforcement, and his push for local departments to change their ways has stalled.

As protests over police brutality continue in American cities and the Dallas police department prepares to bury five white officers targeted by a black shooter, Obama’s words and actions this week will be closely watched.

COMFORTER IN CHIEF

Obama has had more practice than he’d like in this role. The persistence of mass shootings in America means responding to these events is a new part of life at the White House. For many, he issues a statement. For some, he flies to the scene to visit with families. For a few, he delivers a high-profile speech on the meaning of the moment.

In 2011, Obama seized on the shooting of Rep. Gabby Giffords and others, to make an appeal for civility in political discourse. In 2012, after 20 children and six adults were killed in Newtown, Connecticut, the president declared his intention to push for tighter gun controls and appealed to parents for support.

Obama’s most memorable of these speeches is likely the eulogy he delivered in Charleston last year, after the shooting at Emanuel AME Church. The speech was largely a sermon on grace, which he described as “that reservoir of goodness.” ”If we can find that grace, anything is possible. If we can tap that grace, everything can change,” Obama said, before breaking out into a solo performance of “Amazing Grace.”

BEYOND THE BEER SUMMIT

Obama on Tuesday will tie his condolences to a more specific political issue: The lasting rift between black communities and police.

Obama’s approach has evolved dramatically over this presidency. Early in his tenure, he stepped clumsily into a dispute between a white police officer in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and African-American professor Henry Louis Gates.

After saying the police acted “stupidly” in the case, Obama tried to orchestrate a teaching moment by inviting Gates and Sgt. James Crowley to share a beer at the White House.

In recent years, after the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, Obama has chosen his words more carefully. Even as he has spoken out about prejudice in the justice system and his own experience as a black man, he’s described the biases as “institutional” and long-standing rather than personal.

He’s repeatedly praised officers who put their lives in danger and argued that policing reforms keep police themselves safer.

“If you can rebuild trust between communities and the police departments that serve them, that helps us solve crime problems,” Obama said last week. “That will make life easier for police officers. They will have more cooperation. They will be safer. They will be more likely to come home.”

AFTER DALLAS

The White House is looking for ways to channel the energy around the issue — and show there is a policy prescription — though the administration has expressed little hope that the shootings will spark a new legislative effort in the hyper-partisan campaign season.

On Monday, Obama met with law enforcement officials to discuss implementing a set of police reforms drafted by a White House task force, and he’ll meet Wednesday with a broader group, including law enforcement, activists and academics.

The goal, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Monday, is “repairing the bonds of trust that have frayed in so many communities between law enforcement officials and the citizens that they have sworn to serve and protect.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

George Beard walks into the Stanwood Library with coffee in hand on Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Stanwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
As winter approaches, Stanwood man remains homeless

George Beard is living in his car because he’s too sick to work. So far, connections to resources haven’t been enough.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Monroe in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
‘Right-hand man’ in Snohomish County drug ring sentenced to 10 years

Humberto Garcia was convicted of drug trafficking in April. He’s the last member of the group to be sentenced.

Snow is visible along the top of Mount Pilchuck from bank of the Snohomish River near Rotary Park on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett initiative asks: Should the Snohomish River have legal rights?

Initiative 24-03 proposes legal standing to prevent environmental damage. Opponents say it’ll lead to unnecessary lawsuits.

The Grand Avenue Park Bridge is seen as the sun sets in 2022 in Everett. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Elevator at Grand Ave. bridge in Everett closed due to vandalism

The city hopes to reopen the elevator by December. Repairs could cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Riaz Khan finally wins office on his fifth try. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mukilteo police seek info on alleged attack on House candidate

Riaz Khan, a former City Council member, said he was fixing campaign signs Tuesday morning when two men attacked him.

Brandon Borg, 21, fills his gas tank in Everett on Oct. 24. Borg must drive long distances for work, and is worried about how the rise in gas prices will affect his ability to save money for his future. (Caroline Walker Evans for Cascade PBS)
Young WA voters say cost of living is their top concern

Everett and Seattle residents cited gas prices and rising rents as motivating factors for their votes this year.

Arlington
9K remain without power in Snohomish, Island counties

At one point Monday afternoon, over 20,000 had lost power. Winds were expected to subside.

Boeing workers file into Angel of the Winds Arena to vote on the latest contract proposal from the company on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Boeing Machinists approve contract, ending 52-day strike

After voting no twice, 59% of union members approved the latest contract.

Snohomish County Elections employees check signatures on ballots on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024 in Everett , Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
5 things to watch in Washington heading into Election Day

Keep your eyes on statewide initiatives, the race for public lands commissioner and two contentious congressional races.

Snohomish County Elections employees Frank Monkman, left, and Tina Ruybal, right, place sorted ballots in a green container on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024 in Everett , Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County’s guide to the 2024 election

Here is everything you need to know before Election Day.

The Victorian home sits on Whidbey Island. (Alyse Young for The Washington Post)
Whidbey couple thought they found their dream home — then came the bats

The couple had no recourse after unknowingly buying a home infested with thousands of bats.

Everett
Everett men arrested in huge bust of Seattle drug ring

On Wednesday, investigators searched 31 locations, but suspects from Lynnwood and Edmonds remained at large, officials said.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.