Washington, D.C
A military parade in Washington DC | Trump couldn’t get it in 2018, now plans for his 79th birthday: Report
On June 14, Trump may have what he could not in 2018 — a US military parade in Washington DC. He had ordered a similar parade after he saw a French Bastille Day event in Paris
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The Trump administration is planning a military parade through the streets of Washington, DC, on 14 June to mark President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday, coinciding with the Army’s 250th anniversary, a senior administration official has confirmed to NewsNation, The Hill’s sister network.
According to Washington City Paper, which first reported on the event, the parade will stretch nearly 4 miles from the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, to the White House.
An Army official confirmed the parade’s length to The Hill, stating that “there are plans for a parade that will involve the Army,” whilst adding that details are not yet finalised.
The upcoming parade represents a fulfilment of a longstanding desire for President Trump, who previously attempted to organise a military parade in 2018 but was unable to proceed with the plans at that time.
A lingering dream
Trump in his first presidential term ordered the Pentagon to plan a large military parade after he saw a French Bastille Day event during his 2018 Paris visit. He reportedly told his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, “We’re going to have to try to top it.”
The event looked set for November 10, 2018, but got canceled after defence officials quoted the price tag at $92 million. They were reportedly also slow in planning it, citing more pressing issues. Trump received a lot of flak for ordering a military parade.
The criticism
Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (Ill.) called the military parade plans a “fantastic waste of money to amuse the president”.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a staunch Trump backer, too warned against treating the parade as a “Soviet-style” display of military might.
Reports suggest that Trump’s military parade plan faced opposition from his own administration officials, who complained that heavy military equipment such as tanks would damage the city’s roads and cost the city millions of dollars for public safety.
Some suggested that the Pentagon could use its training budget to pay for flyovers and use vehicles from nearby bases. Such an event in the US would also require outside costs, analysts say, such as payment for the Secret Service and the police, and the renting and construction of stands and barriers.
Finally, Trump will have a military parade
This June celebration appears to combine the commemoration of the Army’s historic milestone with the president’s personal birthday celebration, creating what is expected to be a significant national event in the capital.
The administration’s confirmation of these plans marks a notable development in the president’s ongoing interest in military displays and ceremonial events showcasing American military strength.
“The Army is very excited to celebrate its 250th anniversary with the entire county. Our intention is for Americans to be proud of their Army and also proud of their nation. It’s too early to say yet whether or not we’re having a parade but we’re working with the White House as well as several government agencies to make the celebration a national level event,” Army spokesperson Colonel Dave Butler told The Hill.
The original plan and preparation
The US Army had initially planned to celebrate its 250th anniversary with “a robust capability increase in what you would see in previous years,” the Hill quoted the official as saying. Planning commenced last year, with the event subsequently expanding to include more participating units.
The local administration has been actively involved in the planning process, with engineers from both the US Army and the city conducting “route reconnaissance” to ensure the parade’s feasibility.
Washington, D.C
Chicago woman testifies about being dragged out of car, detained by federal agents in viral video
Wednesday, December 10, 2025 2:09AM
Chicago woman Dayanne Figueroa testified in Washington, DC about being dragged out of a car by federal agents in a viral YouTube video.
CHICAGO (WLS) — A Chicago woman, who is a U.S. citizen, testified in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday about her experience being dragged out of her car and taken into custody by federal agents.
Dayanne Figueroa told a group of senators that on Oct. 10, she had just dropped off her son at school when an SUV rammed into hers.
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Once she was stopped, she says masked men dragged her out of her car.
A video posted on YouTube that has been seen more than 42,000 times shows what happened.
Figueroa was one of five U.S. citizens who testified.
Figueroa said she suffered severe bruising, nerve damage and aggravated injuries to her leg.
Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Washington, D.C
Global star Khalid heads to DC for ‘It’s Always Summer Somewhere’ tour
WASHINGTON (7News) — Grammy-nominated singer Khalid will stop in the Nation’s Capital for his “It’s Always Summer Somewhere” tour.
The North-American tour has 25 dates at cities across the U.S. and Canada. Khalid will perform with special guest Lauv at MGM Music Hall at The Anthem in D.C. on May 31, 2026.
SEE ALSO | Most shocking snubs and surprises from the 2026 Golden Globe nominations
Khalid is mainly known for his global 2017 hits “Location” and Young Dumb & Broke.” He has been nominated for seven Grammys, including “Best New Artist” in 2018.
The full list of tour stops are:
- Sat May 16 – Las Vegas, NV – PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
- Mon May 18 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre
- Wed May 20 – Chicago, IL – Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
- Thu May 21 – Sterling Heights, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre
- Sat May 23 – Hershey, PA – GIANT Center
- Sun May 24 – Toronto, ON – RBC Amphitheatre
- Tue May 26 – Laval, QC – Place Bell
- Thu May 28 – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater
- Fri May 29 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway
- Sun May 31 – Washington, DC – The Anthem
- Wed Jun 03 – Nashville, TN – Nashville Municipal Auditorium
- Thu Jun 04 – Atlanta, GA – Synovus Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park
- Sat Jun 06 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater
- Sun Jun 07 – Philadelphia, PA – Skyline Stage at Highmark Mann
- Tue Jun 09 – Portsmouth, VA – Portsmouth Pavilion
- Wed Jun 10 – Richmond, VA – Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront
- Fri Jun 12 – New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall
- Mon Jun 15 – Charlotte, NC – Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre
- Wed Jun 17 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
- Thu Jun 18 – Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall
- Fri Jun 19 – Austin, TX – Moody Amphitheater
- Sun Jun 21 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre
- Mon Jun 22 – San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
- Wed Jun 24 – Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre
- Fri Jun 26 – Berkeley, CA – Greek Theatre
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Presale opens Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. General sale begins Dec. 12 at 10 a.m. on Khalid’s website.
Washington, D.C
Who will lead DC police? Search for new chief begins – WTOP News
The D.C. police department is once again searching for a new chief who will lead the department following Pamela Smith’s departure.
About two years after Pamela Smith was approved to lead officers on a permanent basis, the D.C. police department is once again searching for a new chief.
Smith said Monday that she will step away from her position at the end of the year, calling it a personal decision she talked over with family.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser spoke about Smith’s resignation during a news conference Monday.
“I’ve been around long enough to know and to have lived through transitions,” Bowser said. “There are ways to approach this period of time and do it in a way that’s going to be most beneficial to D.C. residents. I’m going to marinate on it a little bit, and I’ll appoint the right, perfect person.”
Bowser will nominate the department’s next chief. The next permanent police chief will also need to earn the approval of the D.C. Council.
Smith’s resignation isn’t the only shake-up in D.C.’s leadership.
The mayor recently announced that she won’t seek reelection for a fourth term. With about a year left on the job, a reporter asked Bowser about the “challenges” associated with searching for a new chief as she prepares to exit office.
“I don’t call it a challenge,” Bowser said. “Because of the very deep bench we have and because of the great reputation of our department.”
Bowser said she will look internally for a new chief but would be open to nominating an external candidate.
“I’m obviously going to start first with the best police department in the nation,” Bowser said.
At the time Smith took over as chief in 2023, D.C. was at the peak of a crime wave.
Under her leadership, rates of crime have fallen. According to data provided by D.C. police, overall crime dropped 18% in 2025. Homicides are down 30% this year.
What should Bowser be looking for? Groups weigh in
The D.C. Police Union called on Bowser to collaborate with its members in the search for a new permanent chief.
“The ideal candidate must demonstrate proven leadership qualities that prioritize respect for the rank-and-file officers, foster trust within our communities, and commit to reforming broken policies lingering from the misguided ‘defund the police’ era, which resulted in laws and regulations that have undermined effective policing and officer morale,” the union wrote in a news release Monday morning.
Congressman Oye Owolewa, who represents the District in the U.S. House, said there’s an opportunity presented by the change in leadership. He also will not be seeking reelection as D.C.’s shadow representative in 2026.
“As we look ahead, it is my hope that this transition presents an opportunity to continue strengthening trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve, while advancing policies rooted in accountability, transparency, and true public safety for all,” Owolewa wrote in a statement.
Looking ahead, Bethany Young, policy director with D.C. Justice Lab, believes the next chief has a chance to make D.C. a national model.
“It feels like it’s in the air, like there’s something really that we’re on the precipice of,” said Young, whose organization pushes for police reform in the District.
Young said she hopes they will listen to residents and be open to reforms, such as limiting traffic stops for minor violations and supporting alternatives to policing for behavioral health crises.
“They want to see more accountability,” Young told WTOP. “They want to see more oversight. They want to have more information about how policing is operating in D.C.”
She also believes the next chief should rely on data, not politics, and be bold enough to speak out when policing practices don’t align with community needs.
“There are certain things that a police chief … cannot control,” Young said. “However, you always have a voice.”
She said the organization didn’t see eye to eye with the chief when it came to what she called an increase in unnecessary police interactions, collaboration with federal agencies and a lack of transparency and accountability.
‘What I’d like to do is give them encouragement’
Smith’s departure comes at a time when D.C. police officers have worked alongside federal partners, such as patrols with National Guard members.
City leaders have insisted police do not work directly alongside U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers; but some D.C. residents have reported instances where immigrants are arrested for minor infractions and arrested by ICE agents moments later.
Smith was asked about advice for the next chief and what guidance she has given to police officers in navigating law enforcement responsibilities alongside federal partners.
“They know probably better than I do what’s happening in community from day to day with our federal partners, because a lot of them are very intimately involved, especially our commanders,” Smith said. “At this point, I don’t need to give them any advice. I think what I’d like to do is give them encouragement.”
Smith, who has served in law enforcement for 28 years, said she will be available to support the department’s next leader.
“I will be available to the incoming or interim to provide him or her support with respect to the direction that the police department will continue,” Smith said.
For the next chief, Smith said three things are critical: communication, collaboration with partners and being involved with the community.
“My phone rings all time of day, all time of night, and you have to answer the call, you have to answer the phone, you have to show up,” Smith said.
A passion for D.C. residents is essential, she said.
“You may have to sit in somebody’s basement to have a conversation about something,” Smith said. “You have to dress down sometimes. Sometimes I’m in the community, and people don’t know I’m there. It’s just to protect the anonymity of the folks who really trust the Metropolitan Police Department, but sometimes are afraid to share the information that’s necessary.”
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