President Comments On Events in Ferguson, Iraq

President Barack Obama says there is no excuse for the use of excessive force by police in the tense aftermath of the shooting death of an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri, and no excuse for violence against the police.

In brief remarks near his vacation spot in Martha's Vineyard on Thursday, Obama said he wants an open and transparent investigation of the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown, so that justice is done. 

He also said police shouldn't be arresting and bullying journalists who are doing their jobs. Two reporters were taken into custody and briefly jailed Wednesday evening in the St. Louis suburb. 

Obama also announced the U.S. has broken Islamic militants' siege on Iraq's Sinjar Mountain, but that airstrikes will continue. 

Obama said U.S. operations helped thousands of civilians flee down the mountain, and that it's unlikely that more airdrops of food and water will be needed. 

The Islamic State group's advance in Iraq has driven thousands of people from their homes.

UPDATE ON FERGUSON:  Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon says the Missouri State Highway Patrol will take over the supervision of security in the St. Louis suburb that's been the scene of violent protests since a police officer fatally shot an unarmed black teenager.
 
Nixon made the announcement at a news conference Wednesday.

Nixon says security will be overseen by Capt. Ron Johnson of the Highway Patrol. Johnson, who is black, said he grew up in the community and "it means a lot to me personally that we break this cycle of violence.''