Maryland
Harry Dunn's new assignment – Maryland Matters
Harry Dunn may not be joining Congress in January, as he had hoped.
But the former U.S. Capitol Police officer who battled insurrectionists on Jan. 6, 2021, is still an integral part of Democrats’ campaign to defeat former President Donald Trump in November and defend democracy.
Highly visible at 6-foot-9 and with a best-selling memoir under his belt, he’s become a celebrity surrogate for the president and other Democrats. And he’s involved in an array of political activities around the country and at home.
Last week, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that presidents have broad immunity from criminal prosecution for their official acts, Dunn was part of a hastily assembled press call that President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign put together to denounce the justices’ decision.
“I don’t need nine Supreme Court justices to tell me that Donald Trump was responsible for Jan. 6 — I was there,” Dunn said on the call. “Those people that attacked us, they attacked us in his name, on his orders. I was there when Donald Trump encouraged a mob of supporters to march on the Capitol to try to overturn the results of a free and fair election.
“I remember it clearly while they were beating officers with flags. While they were there, they said they were there to ‘stop the steal.’ When we told them to leave they said, ‘The president told us to come,’” he said on that call.
The Capitol insurrection inspired Dunn to shed his law enforcement career and launch a political campaign of his own. But since losing the Democratic congressional primary in Maryland’s 3rd District in May, Dunn has been crisscrossing the country on Biden’s behalf. In fact, with Biden now struggling to convince party stalwarts that he should remain in the presidential race after stumbling badly in his recent debate with Trump, Dunn has become one of the president’s most prominent and vocal defenders.
“I don’t believe that we’re in trouble,” Dunn told a Democratic political club in Silver Spring Monday morning. “I’m not going to turn my back on him because of a 90-minute performance. I’m looking at what he’s done in his 3 1/2 years in office, in his 40-year, 50-year political career. I don’t think we need to throw in the towel on him because of a 90-minute speech.”
Even more emphatically, Dunn said: “I can’t imagine President Biden not being in office at this moment in time.”
When he isn’t being dispatched by the Biden campaign, Dunn has been stumping for Democratic congressional contenders. He recently set up a political action committee, Dunn’s Democracy Defenders, to help candidates running against pro-Trump Republicans.
Dunn is also not abandoning Maryland after his first high-profile, if ultimately unsuccessful, foray into state politics.
He attended last month’s Maryland Democratic Party gala in Greenbelt, his first. And he spoke at the District 18 Democratic Breakfast Club, one of the most active and opinionated party groups in the state, on Monday morning.
Dunn is reflecting candidly about some of the lessons he learned — about the Maryland political scene and electoral politics more broadly — since finishing second to state Sen. Sarah K. Elfreth (D-Anne Arundel) in the 22-candidate 3rd District Democratic primary.
Dunn lives in Wheaton, which is within the 18th District — a fact that did not go unnoticed at Monday’s breakfast. He is not a resident of the 3rd Congressional District — though by law, he didn’t have to be — which led to some grumbling during the primary that he was a carpetbagger.
“You want to get engaged in District 18 and in Montgomery County, where you belong,” the president of the District 18 Democratic club, Susan Heltemes, told him Monday.
Dunn’s new PAC is actually not a new entity. He recently converted his congressional campaign committee, Harry Dunn for Congress, into Dunn’s Democracy Defenders.
Dunn raised more than $4.5 million for his congressional bid in five months — an astonishing sum for a first-time candidate in such a short period. But he said in an interview Monday that he essentially spent all of the campaign cash on his primary election and wasn’t sure how much he has raised since the May 14 primary.
The PAC must report its financial activities through June 30 to the Federal Election Commission by July 15 — a document that will also reflect the fundraising and spending of Dunn’s congressional campaign in the three weeks leading up to the primary. FEC spokesperson Myles G. Martin said that going forward, Dunn’s Democracy Defenders has the option of filing quarterly campaign finance reports or doing so every month.
Dunn said the PAC would soon be formally endorsing eight candidates in U.S. House and Senate races around the country and would also publicly release its criteria for making endorsements. Taylor Doggett, a young political strategist who was the manager of Dunn’s congressional campaign, has helped him launch the PAC and remains an adviser.
Dunn said U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego, the presumptive Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Arizona against MAGA celebrity Kari Lake, is a natural to receive the PAC’s support. But he emphasized that Dunn’s Democracy Defenders isn’t poised to drop huge sums of cash on its preferred candidates because it doesn’t want to be seen as putting its thumb on the scale.
“I learned a lot about that” during the congressional primary, he said. “I think elections need to come down to the people in the district.”
‘It’s clear I have a voice and a place now’
That’s a not-so-subtle reference to the influence AIPAC, the powerful pro-Israel advocacy group, played in his congressional primary. The United Democracy Project, a PAC affiliated with AIPAC, dropped more than $4 million into the primary on Elfreth’s behalf.
Much of that money came in at a crucial time during that fast-moving campaign, when Dunn’s fundraising take was dwarfing Elfreth’s. His criticism of the super PAC spending became part of his pro-democracy message, augmenting the reminders that he had literally defended the Capitol on Jan. 6. But Elfreth was a good candidate with a history of toiling in local politics — “several candidates in the primary ran good races,” Dunn said Monday — and in the end, she took 36% to Dunn’s 25%.
Asked whether the AIPAC money was determinative in the primary, Dunn demurred, but did say, “Any time you’re able to amplify your message, it makes a difference.” And, he pointed out, “I thought I was going to win.”
But Dunn also expressed no regrets about entering the race or the kind of campaign he was able to run.
“We ran our race,” he said. “We ran it the way we wanted to. Coming in second with more than 20,000 votes — I don’t think that’s an anomaly.”
And Dunn said he wasn’t too troubled by losing. “Honestly, the Supreme Court decision on [presidential immunity] was a bigger gut punch.”
Which is why he’s expecting to take to the road throughout the fall campaign to boost Biden and other Democrats. Heltemes, the District 18 Democratic club leader, said she hopes he remains visible at home during this period.
“I hope that we see you again in Montgomery County and around the district,” she said. “We could use some firing up.”
Dunn is frequently asked about his political future and says he’s not ruling anything out. But he also told Maryland Matters he can’t see beyond Election Day 2024.
“I like to have a plan,” he said. “The only thing I’m focused on is Joe Biden. My mom would hate for me not to have a plan. I want to be effective. I want to be helpful.
“It’s clear I have a voice and a place now, but what that means down the line, I don’t know.”
See America’s most iconic hot dogs
Welcome to the United States of Hot Dogs! We’ve compiled a few of the best hot dogs eaten across the country.
Although Maryland is often celebrated for its seafood, one over-the-top creation has carved out its own loyal following among locals and visitors alike: The Baltimore-style hot dog.
Sausage is merely its first layer of meat. It’s wrapped in a thick slice of fried beef bologna and piled high with toppings.
It’s proof that while hot dogs are truly an All-American food, their real power lies in how they adapt to local tastes.
Hot dogs were “invented” in the U.S. after German sausages were served in buns. They’re a staple of baseball games — the all-American pastime. And they are truly a democratic food: nearly anyone can afford to enjoy them.
But even more, hot dogs are American because of their adaptability, reflecting the ingenuity and diversity that gives our country such a rich culinary tapestry.
“You can tell the story of America through hot dogs. There are probably other things you could use, other objects or icons, but I think hot dog is a really good one,” said Bruce Kraig, a Ph.D. food historian and author of “Hot Dog: A Global History’ and ‘Man Bites Dog: Hot Dog Culture in America.”
Regional hot dog toppings, from chili in Cincinnati to celery salt in Chicago to jalapeños in the Southwest, tell distinct stories of place.
Here in Baltimore, Maryland, our contribution to the United States of Hot Dogs is the Baltimore-style hot dog.
What is a Baltimore-style hot dog?
At its core, the Baltimore dog is a meat-on-meat masterpiece. It starts with a kosher all-beef sausage that is split, fried and wrapped alongside thick, charred bologna slices.
It’s traditionally topped with raw onions and yellow mustard, with a pickle spear on top or on the side. Some variations include the addition of sweet relish, ketchup or cheese.
“In this creation, grease from the bologna mixes with the grease from the hot dog, and both find their way into the bread to form an unforgettable aroma, taste and aftertaste — and 200 points on your cholesterol count,” Baltimore historian Gilbert Sandler told The Baltimore Sun in a 2019 story.
Where did the Baltimore-style hot dog come from?
Its origins are often somewhat unclear, but it’s believed to have originated during the Great Depression when, according to TasteAtlas.com, “people added bologna slices to the hot dog in order to make it a fuller, heartier meal.”
Jewish delis along Baltimore’s historic “Corned Beef Row” were looking for ways to offer working-class customers a filling, calorie-dense meal for a small chunk of change, leading to the birth of the Baltimore-style hot dog.
First becoming popular in the early 1940s at Mandell and Ballow deli, the bologna-wrapped hot dog spread throughout Baltimore, The Sun reported.
“Despite being a nutritionally questionable combo of two of the world’s least-healthful meats, the bologna dog continues to be a local favorite, enjoyed without apology,” FoodRepublic.com wrote in 2023.
Four best places to try a Baltimore-style hot dog
Attman’s Delicatessen: A Baltimore institution since 1915, Attman’s version of the Baltimore-style hot dog sits at the top of its menu. Its dog — for $7.99 — comes with your choice of mustard, relish, chopped onions and ketchup. Details: 1019 East Lombard St., Baltimore; 410-563-2666, attmansdeli.com.
Weiss Deli: Another Baltimore staple, Weiss serves speciality sandwiches and, of course, the Baltimore-style hot dog. You can customize the $7.49 dog with up to eight toppings, but its most popular version comes with just deli mustard and raw onions on top of the bologna-wrapped sausage. Details: 1127 East Lombard St., Baltimore; 410-276-7910, baltimoreweissdeli.com
The Dog House Carryout: A legendary landmark in Baltimore, The Dog House Carryout has been slinging its classic comfort food for more than 75 years. You can get a quarter-pound all-beef hot dog for $6.95, with bologna added for an extra $1.25. The dog comes with your choice of mustard, relish, onions and ketchup. Details: 617 Fallsway, Baltimore; 410-685-7269, thedoghousebaltimore.com
Killa Dogz: Killa Dogz, one of the more modern hot dog spots in the city, offers a wide variety of options, including what it calls the “Bmore” dog. At $7, its version is deep fried, wrapped in bologna and “served on a squishy bun with mustard.” Chili and cheese are among the top ways to customize its dog. Details: 6106 Belair Rd, Baltimore; 443-438-7822. killadogz.com.
Jennifer Borresen contributed the interactive graphic to this story. She is a graphic journalist at USA TODAY, specializing in explanatory graphics and illustrations in various fields, including politics, science, weather and entertainment.
BALTIMORE, MD. – A Hanover man was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison followed by lifetime supervised release on Wednesday for attempting to provide material support to ISIS, federal prosecutors announced.
Michael Sam Teekaye, Jr., 22, pleaded guilty in January 2026 after unknowingly revealing a plot to travel abroad and fight for the designated foreign terrorist organization to an undercover law enforcement officer, prosecutors said.
What we know:
Court documents reveal that between March and October 2024, Teekaye coordinated travel arrangements with a Somali ISIS fighter. His itinerary detailed a flight departing from Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) to Turkey, with subsequent travel through Ethiopia to cross into Somalia.
FBI agents arrested Teekaye at BWI on October 14, 2024, after he cleared airport security, according to previous FOX 5 D.C. reporting.
READ MORE: Maryland man arrested for allegedly attempting to join ISIS
Leading up to his arrest, court documents say that Teekaye prepared for his departure by practicing at a Maryland shooting range and attempting to purchase an assault rifle, which was blocked due to an existing state probation status.
Days before his arrest, Teekaye sent the undercover officer a photograph of himself wearing a mask and wielding a large machete, declaring a choice of “victory or martyrdom.”
Following his arrest, prosecutors say Teekaye made multiple unprovoked statements to law enforcement vowing to resume his violent efforts upon his eventual release from custody and threatening the lives of prison guards.
Dig deeper:
Federal authorities noted that Teekaye established a secondary plan to execute domestic terrorist attacks targeting Jewish individuals and institutions supporting Israel within Maryland if his international travel failed. A digital forensic search of his phone uncovered specific search histories focused on Jewish organizations and community members in Howard County, alongside queries regarding home break-ins and escaping murder charges.
A local rabbi impacted by the surveillance spoke during the sentencing hearing regarding the threat’s toll on the community.
The Source: Information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland and previous FOX 5 D.C. reporting.
Maryland
Governor Moore Announces Awardees for $1.23 Million Investment to Help Maryland Workers Thrive in a Changing Economy
Updated:
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Moore today announced the awardees for the Maryland Lighthouse Industries Upskilling and Reskilling Program, a $1.23M investment that will help Marylanders build skills for careers in high-growth industries increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies. The awards, which will support nearly 600 individuals, will go to organizations across Maryland that are expanding workforce training opportunities in the state’s critical lighthouse industries, including life sciences, technology, aerospace, defense, and manufacturing.
“We are setting up Maryland to lead the nation in this rapidly changing economy, and leaving no one behind in the process,” said Gov. Moore. “By investing in lighthouse industries we are empowering and strengthening our workforce to build the necessary skills for jobs of the future shaped by emerging technologies. This program will ensure that pathways to work, wages, and wealth continue to grow across our state.”
Governor Wes Moore announced the Maryland Lighthouse Industries Upskilling and Reskilling Program earlier this year. Funded through the Talent Innovation Fund, this program is part of a $4 million investment that gives Marylanders experience in rapidly-growing sectors increasingly shaped by emerging technologies. This investment funds hands-on learning for workers, supports the state’s long‑term economic competitiveness, expands the talent pipeline for Maryland employers, and positions the state as a destination for companies looking to grow and innovate.
“Maryland is uniquely poised to lead the AI economy because we have a highly-skilled workforce and innovative companies,” said Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Portia Wu. “Helping more workers to develop leading-edge technology skills will prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow and help shape the future of these industries right here in Maryland.”
Through industry-driven partnerships, this program will help Maryland workers gain in-demand technical and transferable skills and ensure Maryland employers have the talent they need to remain competitive in a rapidly changing global economy.
Awardees and focus areas include:
- BioBuzz Networks, Inc.: Life Sciences (Statewide)
- Davis Unlimited Information Technologies, Inc.: Cybersecurity (Capital Region, Central Maryland)
- HUBZone Council, Inc.: Quantum/AI (Capital Region, Central Maryland, Western Maryland)
- Maryland MEP, Inc.: Manufacturing (Statewide)
- Technology Advancement Center, Inc.: Cybersecurity (Statewide)
- Technology Growth Initiative Inc. dba Fearless Institute: Cybersecurity (Statewide)
- University of Maryland, College Park: Aerospace and Defense (Southern Maryland)
“Maryland MEP is excited and honored to be a part of the lighthouse upskilling program,” said Mike Kelleher, CEO of Maryland MEP, one of the awardees. “This funding will enable manufacturers and manufacturing workers throughout Maryland to receive training in the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and the application of these skills in the manufacturing environment to compete at the global level.”
The Maryland Department of Labor developed this program in consultation with the Governor’s Workforce Development Board—the governor’s chief policy-making body for workforce development.
For more information, visit the Maryland Lighthouse Industries Upskilling and Reskilling Program webpage.
The Moore-Miller administration continues to directly invest in workforce development to prepare for and lead in the new AI economy, reinforcing the administration’s dedication to Maryland’s workforce. In February, Governor Moore announced the Lighthouse Industries and AI Internship program to expand training and experiential learning opportunities in life sciences, technology, aerospace and defense, and manufacturing for college seniors and recent graduates.
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