Washington, D.C

Kamala Harris delivers closing argument speech in Washington

Published

1 year ago

October 30, 2024

Kamala Harris delivers closing argument speech in Washington

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) – Vice President Kamala Harris delivered her closing argument campaign speech in Washington on Tuesday and called on Americans to “turn the page” on former President Donald Trump.

“You will have the chance to make a decision that directly impacts your life, the life of your family and the future of this country we love,” she said. “And it will probably be the most important vote you ever cast.”

The rally was held on the Ellipse, the park south of the White House where the former president addressed his supporters before they marched on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

“We know who Donald Trump is,” said the vice president. “He is the person who stood at this very spot nearly four years ago and sent an armed mob to the United States Capitol to overturn the will of the people in a free and fair election.”

The Harris campaign said over 75,000 supporters came out to the rally.

One of them was Cody Ingraham, who thought it was symbolic for the campaign to hold the rally at the Ellipse.

“The same site as the Stop the Steal rally at the end of the Trump administration. I think for me personally, the fight to save democracy is the most important issue that’s on the table,” he said.

Virginia resident Anika Elias also attended the rally both because she wanted to show her support for Harris and disapproval of the former president.

“It’s really important for me to be at this rally because I think that Donald Trump is one of the worst things to ever happen to this country,” said Elias. “And I think that Kamala Harris has very practical solutions and really great policy and she’s a great leader.”

While Harris spent much of the speech contrasting herself with former President Trump, she also spoke about her what policies for the nation would be, if elected.

“My presidency will be different because the challenges we face are different. Our top priority as a nation four years ago was to end the pandemic and rescue the economy. Now our biggest challenge is to lower costs, costs that were rising even before the pandemic, and that are still too high. I get it,” she said.

Other priorities that Harris spoke about included protecting reproductive rights for women, working to pass the bipartisan border security bill that failed in Congress earlier this year, tax cuts for working people and the middle class, allowing Medicare to cover the cost of home care and strengthening America’s global leadership.

Harris also pledged to work across the aisle and to listen to those who disagree with her.

Source link

Washington, D.C

DC leaders considering transit options for new RFK Stadium

Published

8 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Press Room

DC leaders considering transit options for new RFK Stadium

The Commanders are set to build a new stadium in D.C., and the debate over how fans will get to and from games is happening right now. On Wednesday, city leaders will join Metro and the Washington Commanders to talk stadium transit.

Posted December 17, 2025 2:05am EST

Source link

Washington, D.C

D.C. Police Chief manipulated crime data; new House Oversight report

Published

1 day ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

D.C. Police Chief manipulated crime data; new House Oversight report

TNND — A new report from the House Oversight Committee alleges former D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith pressured officers to manipulate crime data. The committee released the report on Sunday, less than a week after Smith announced she was stepping down.

You’re lulling people into this false sense of security. They might go places they wouldn’t ordinarily go. They might do things they wouldn’t ordinarily do,” said Betsy Brantner Smith, spokesperson for the National Police Association.

Included in the report were transcribed interviews with the commanders of all seven D.C. patrol districts and the former commander currently on suspended leave. One was asked, “Over the last few years, has there been any internal pressure to simply bring down crime statistics?” Their response, “Yes, I mean extremethere’s always been pressure to keep crime down, but the focus on statistics… has come in with this current administration.”

Every single person who lives, works, or visits the District of Columbia deserves a safe city, yet it’s now clear the American people were deliberately kept in the dark about the true crime rates in our nation’s capital,” House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-KY) said in a statement.

“They are going to have to regain the public trust. Again, this is a huge integrity issue,” Brantner Smith said.

Among the reports findings, Smith’s alleged pressured campaign against staff led to inaccurate crime data. Smith punished or removed officers for reporting accurate crime numbers. Smith fostered a toxic culture and President Trump’s federal law enforcement surge in D.C. is working.

While Smith has not yet publicly responded to the report, she’s previously denied allegations of manipulating crime data, saying the investigation did not play a factor into her decision to step down at the end of the year.

My decision was not factored into anything with respect to, other than the fact that it’s time. I’ve had 28 years in law enforcement. I’ve had some time to think with my family,” Smith said earlier this month.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser also released a statement Monday, writing in part that “the interim report betrays its bias from the outset, admitting that it was rushed to release.”

According to crime stats from the Metropolitan Police Department, since the federal law enforcement surge started in August, total violent crime is down 26%. Homicides are down 12% and carjackings 37%.

Source link

Washington, D.C

National Menorah Lighting in DC dedicated to Bondi Beach victims

Published

2 days ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

National Menorah Lighting in DC dedicated to Bondi Beach victims

The first candle lit on the National Menorah near the White House in Washington, D.C., marked the first night of Hanukkah — and solemnly honored victims of the Bondi Beach shooting.

The National Menorah Lighting was held Sunday night, hours after gunmen opened fire on a crowd celebrating the beginning of Hanukkah at Australia’s iconic Bondi Beach. Fifteen people were killed, including a 10-year-old girl, a rabbi and a Holocaust survivor, and over three dozen others were being treated at hospitals.

Authorities in Australia said it was a terrorist attack targeting Jewish people.

Organizers behind the National Menorah Lighting said the news from Australia, along with the bitter cold, forced them to consider whether or not to hold the annual event.

After consulting with local law enforcement, National Menorah Lighting organizers decided to hold the event and honor the victims.

Several D.C.-area police departments issued statements confirming there are no known threats to local communities, but are monitoring just in case.

Montgomery County Executive Mark Elrich condemned the attack and said community safety is a priority.

“Acts of antisemitism, especially those meant to intimidate families and communities during moments of gathering and celebration, must be called out clearly and condemned without hesitation,” Elrich said. “I have heard directly from members of Montgomery County’s Jewish community who are shaken and concerned, and I want them to know that their safety is a priority.”

Source link