Politix

Julia Roberts is making a political statement with her face mask -- one that's sure to irk President Trump ... on so many levels.

The actress stepped out Thursday wearing a face covering with former President Barack Obama's face on it. Julia was strolling around the Malibu Country Mart as she did her part to mitigate the spreading of the coronavirus.

Let's face it, she was also further politicizing face coverings -- something the current POTUS started by refusing to wear one ... even though his own administration's guidelines say everyone should in public. Arguably, Trump's adamant stance is why we've seen clashes around the country over face masks.

Of course, 45 trashes 44 every chance he gets ... so the Oscar winner's pandemic fashion statement would no doubt get a thumbs down from the White House.

We're confident in saying ... Julia wouldn't give a crap.

The FBI and local prosecutors in Minneapolis are about to hold a news conference to announce developments -- and possible charges -- in the George Floyd killing.

We're told the announcements will be significant, and possibly accelerated by the unrest in the City following the shocking and unjustified death of Floyd.

In fact, ahead of the news conference, Hennepin County Sheriff's deputies were lined up outside the D.A.'s Office.

The 4 officers involved have been fired, but there are cries for them to be prosecuted for murder.

The City has been gripped by 2 straight nights of protests, fires, tear gas ... and showdowns with police in riot gear.

Floyd's brother and cousin, along with the family lawyer, Ben Crump, appeared on "TMZ Live" and said there can be no justice unless criminal charges are filed. Congresswoman Maxine Waters said it's particularly appalling because she feels the officer who had his knee on George's neck for more than 5 minutes seemed to be enjoying it.

Rep. Maxine Waters says George Floyd's killing has her thinking some police officers wake up thinking, "I'm gonna get me one today," and she suspects George was this guy's one.

The Congresswoman from California joined us on "TMZ Live" and was outraged by Floyd's death at the hands of police, telling us it's got her reflecting on other killings of young black men by cops and white supremacists.

Waters says the Minneapolis cop who kept his knee jammed deep into Floyd's neck for several minutes actually "enjoyed doing it." She took it a step further with a theory about what goes through the minds of rogue police officers.

The way Rep. Waters sees it ... the cop was out for blood, and that's why he didn't care that citizens were not only witnessing his actions, but recording video of him slowly killing Floyd.

As for the other officers involved -- she's not letting them off the hook, criminally, either.

The Congresswoman says the police and white supremacists who think they can get away with killing a black person feel empowered because of "dog-whistling" from President Trump.

Keisha Lance Bottoms believes the majority of Americans know the man in charge is "not very smart" ... and she's urging everyone to use common sense and good judgment to get through this pandemic safely instead of following his political lead ... especially over masks.

The Mayor of Atlanta joined "TMZ Live" to talk about the politicization of COVID -- which is just crazy -- and the alarming images in her fair city, showing hundreds of people partying in close quarters without masks.

Bottoms says the silent majority has been responsible, and it would be a tragedy for a relatively small group to trigger a resurgence of the virus.

The problem, of course ... some people -- probably many -- are taking their cues from President Trump, who is clearly using masks as a moniker for his re-election campaign ... defying doctors and scientists and instead relying on untrained, gut instinct on what drugs to take and how to stay safe. Mayor Bottoms couldn't make sense of it ... because it doesn't make sense.

President Trump is speaking out about the killing of George Floyd, saying federal law enforcement is on the case ... and promising there will be justice.

POTUS tweeted Wednesday about George's death, saying ... "At my request, the FBI and the Department of Justice are already well into an investigation as to the very sad and tragic death in Minnesota of George Floyd."

He went on to say, "I have asked for this investigation to be expedited and greatly appreciate all of the work done by local law enforcement. My heart goes out to George’s family and friends. Justice will be served!"

It's interesting ... we already knew the FBI was involved, but the fact the DOJ is jumping in right away as well is pretty telling. Seems the President is aware of how angry and fed up millions of Americans are after seeing the video of George's killing.

It's a more emphatic reaction than he had several days after the video surfaced of Ahmaud Arbery getting shot to death -- saying it was a horrible thing, and he was awaiting the results of several investigations.

In any case, it's good to see the case has caught the attention of the most powerful person in the country ... who can actually do something about this at the highest level.

Elections are about choices, and 2020 is shaping up to be an imagery choice -- do you like your President with or without a mask?

Trump paid tribute to fallen heroes Monday at Arlington National Cemetery and later Baltimore's historic Fort McHenry, and he was true to form -- no mask. He's made it clear ... he's not going to wear a mask in public -- as he put it, he doesn't want to give reporter that satisfaction -- but he was seen once at a Michigan Ford plant wearing a mask behind a curtain.

Meanwhile, Joe and his wife, Jill, ventured outside for the first time since the shelter-at-home orders were implemented and his presidential campaign came to a screeching halt. The former VP and Jill laid a wreath during a visit to a veterans memorial in Delaware.

Joe, Jill and even his secret service detail all wore black masks.

Although a mask is a scientifically-based precaution, it's also become a political symbol. Trump clearly is telling his supporters NOT to wear them ... almost as if it's a sign of weakness. Biden clearly begs to differ.

It's really frightening ... a 2nd Amendment Kentucky rally the day before Memorial Day turned into an insane display of Governor Andy Beshear being hung in effigy.

It makes no sense, other than some gun-toting fanatics wanting to whip the crowd into a frenzy. Around 100 people swarmed the Governor's mansion to celebrate constitutional rights, as they packed heat.

It was billed as a Second Amendment rally ... "what it really means to be FREE."

Pastor Cliff Christman then launched on the Governor's coronavirus restrictions, grousing, "This has been one of the biggest shams in world history ... Grown men have been hiding in homes nearly wetting their pants over this invisible enemy that nobody sees. Where is it at?  Let it come out and face us."

Donald Trump wants thousands of Republican delegates crammed into the convention hall in North Carolina ... or else.

Trump just tweeted he will move the Republican Convention out of North Carolina unless Governor Roy Cooper gives assurance the convention can operate at full capacity.

Trump said, "Unfortunately, Democratic Governor @RoyCooperNC is still in Shutdown mood (sic) & unable to guarantee that by August we will be allowed full attendance in the Arena."  Trump went on to threaten a switch if the Governor doesn't cave ... "... we will be reluctantly forced to find, with all of the jobs and economic development it brings, another Republican Convention site. This is not something I want to do."

Doctors and scientists have implored people to maintain social distancing in public ... that's why there will be no fans at sporting events in the foreseeable future. What's more, just a few people who have the virus can infect hundreds, and those hundreds can infect thousands and so on. It's been happening at churches, choirs, nursing homes, etc.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez just got a test done on herself pertaining to coronavirus -- but don't worry ... it's not the one that'll make you cringe to watch ... we think.

The congresswoman posted a video of herself getting an antibody test for COVID-19 in her native New York ... where she was getting blood drawn by a nurse at a pop-up test site in Queens. The easily queasy crowd should leave the room now ... you're gonna see red stuff.

Lucky for us, we didn't have to see the needle go in -- just watched it come out and all the bandaging afterward, which ain't so bad. AOC didn't flinch much either -- she was super polite and cordial with the guy, who told her to expect a call with results in a few days.

She wrote of the experience, "Did you know? There are 2 types of COVID tests!  The nasal swab tests if you have COVID now. Antibody blood tests check if you already had COVID, even w/ few or no symptoms." It's interesting ... getting the test implies you think you might've had the 'rona at one point or another, and might be resistant to it now.

As far as we know, AOC hasn't mentioned any possible past contraction -- also unclear if she's been tested for the virus. If she did, we don't blame her for not getting it on video.

In case you haven't heard, the nasal swab they use to test for 'rona is GNARLY ... for some people, anyway. They stick a long Q-tip type contraption in your nose, and sometimes run it super deep. People have described it as having your brain stabbed.

A former North Carolina state politician is balling up his digital fists at one ABSOLUTELY essential store refusing to let just anyone through their doors ... yep, it's Pottery Barn.

The guy's name is Scott Stone, and he served in North Carolina's House of Representatives a few years back -- now, he's an angry old man yelling at his local in-mall PB for standing firm on their by-appointment-only policy, which is super inconvenient to him.

Rep. Stone writes, "Dear @potterybarn (and other retailers) : I am NOT shopping by appointment. You're allowed to be open, so be open." He had another must-hear gripe ... "And why close at 5 when mall is open until 7? Do you actually want to sell anything?"

Pottery Barn's sign here reads, "We're Open 11-5 by Appointment Only! Call 704-442-9493 to schedule! Important Note: We Will Begin Taking Returns on 5/25. We Can't Wait to See You!!" They're in Charlotte's SouthPark mall, which reopened its doors a couple weeks ago.

We tried calling them up for comment ... but the staff there didn't wanna talk. At any rate, Rep. Stone had some follow-up thoughts on the mockery he's receiving, saying ... "Love how lefties are so worked up about my last tweet which highlights the frustrations so many have about how slow NC economy is reopening - slower than most states. Maybe they believe govt should continue to write checks forever and keep the entire economy closed?"

Donald Trump's ploy to stay unmasked for the public just got unmasked, because he put one on at the Ford motor plant.

Trump flew to Michigan, where the plant has been partially converted to manufacture ventilators. The plant's rule -- everyone must wear a mask, and even the State Attorney General warned Trump to cover his face.

In true fashion, when Trump was talking to reporters, he was not wearing a mask, but told them he had worn the one earlier while he was behind the curtain. In true 8th grade fashion, he said he didn't want to give reporters the satisfaction of seeing him with a mask.

But, someone got the pic of the Prez wearing the PPE.

BTW ... here's what's ridiculous. Trump was exposed to at least 2 people in The White House who tested positive for COVID-19. He was worried enough that he might have contracted it to take hydroxychloroquine for 2 full weeks.

Pretty much every doctor -- from Dr. Fauci on down -- has said people who might be positive for the virus are the ones who ABSOLUTELY need to wear a mask to protect others. So, if Trump felt he was at risk, why did he not protect others?

He has said he's been tested daily, including Thursday morning, but the news is now filled with stories of false negatives ... including tests used at The White House.

The eagle has landed in D.C. for 'Tiger King' star Joe Exotic, whose legal team is hoping they can get the President's ear ... and they even got their elevator pitch down to a tee.

Eric Love -- who's heading up the team of top-notch attorneys out of Fort Worth, TX -- came on ''TMZ Live'' Wednesday with a major update on their cross-country road trip down to the nation's capital, in hopes of receiving presidential pardon for Joe from Donald Trump.

He says they've finally arrived, and are out cruising the town parading their huge bus around ... ya know, the one with the piercing "PARDON JOE EXOTIC" wrap on both sides.

Anyway, that's not even the biggest news from their touching down -- Eric claims DT's aware of their presence. Citing his own sources, Eric says Trump and some of his fam know the dealio -- Secret Service does too, apparently -- but there's still no guarantee of getting a meeting with the guy at this point. Not to worry, though ... they're staying hopeful.

We also asked Eric to dish out a mock 30-second spiel on why Joe should get sprung. Watch ... sounds like Eric's gonna appeal to Trump's sense of being wronged and targeted.

Megan Rapinoe says Donald Trump is a "white nationalist" who's screwed over his own supporters ... and admits she's considered running for office herself one day to help make things right.

"We have a white nationalist -- I think -- in the White House," Rapinoe told VICE TV's Anand Giridharadas.

"And, the spewing of hate and the other'ing of the rest of the country has only led to more rife between people and more despair and more anxiety and more fear going forward."

Rapinoe -- a very outspoken critic of POTUS since he took office in 2017 -- also says on VICE's "Seat At The Table" (airs Wednesday) that Trump is also hurting his own supporters.

"It's not like he's giving them a bunch of jobs. It's not like he's made life really better for them. He's just given them this false reason why maybe they're not happy with their lives. There's been no sort of path forward."

Rapinoe's public criticisms of Trump have caught his attention in the past -- most famously when she declared she was "not going to the f**king White House" if Team USA won the 2019 World Cup.

There are conflicting reports about whether Trump ever seriously invited the team -- but regardless, they didn't go.

But, get this ... Rapinoe was asked straight-up if she's ever considered getting into politics when her soccer career wraps up -- and it's clearly something she's thought about.

"I'm not totally shutting the door but it seems wild," Rapinoe says.

As for her dream political job, Megan admits, "President, of course."

"If I'm going to do it, I want the biggest, baddest post."