Washington, D.C

250 new cherry trees coming to Washington, D.C., from Japan

Published

2 years ago

April 11, 2024

250 new cherry trees coming to Washington, D.C., from Japan

The country of Japan is giving the United States 250 new cherry trees, which will replace the hundreds that will be destroyed this summer in Washington, D.C., as part of a construction project around the Tidal Basin.

The gift was announced by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday, April 10, during an official visit and state dinner at the White House, reported the Associated Press.

The 250 trees are representative of the U.S.’s 250th anniversary in 2026 as well, said President Joe Biden.

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, MARCH 27, 1912, WASHINGTON, D.C., CHERRY TREES PLANTED, GIFT FROM PEOPLE OF TOKYO

“Like our friendship, these trees are timeless, inspiring and thriving,” said Biden.

Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Cambell posted Wednesday on X (formerly known as Twitter) that he had the “deepest respect and gratitude to Prime Minister Kishida & the people of (Japan)” for the gift of the cherry trees.

The original gift of 3,000 cherry trees was a gesture of goodwill from the people of Tokyo to Washington, D.C. (Caroline Brehman/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

“The trees are a powerful symbol of our friendship as we celebrate The National Cherry Blossom Festival,” he said.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is a four-week event each year in Washington. It celebrates the blooms of the cherry trees and the arrival of spring.

WASHINGTON, DC, TO LOSE MORE THAN 100 CHERRY BLOSSOM TREES, INCLUDING BELOVED ‘STUMPY’

More than 1.5 million people attend the events, said the festival’s website.

In 1912, Japan gifted more than 3,000 cherry trees to Washington, D.C., as a gesture of goodwill from the people of Tokyo.

Three years later, the United States gave dogwood trees to the people of Japan.

A total of 140 cherry trees will be removed this summer to facilitate much-needed repairs to the seawall around the Tidal Basin. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsvais)

The cherry trees were planted around the Tidal Basin in D.C. where they remain to this day.

TREE QUIZ! HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW THESE SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT TREES?

However, it was announced recently that several hundred of these trees would have to be removed this summer to repair the seawall around the Tidal Basin.

One of the trees that is set to be removed is “Stumpy,” a short tree with a big social media following. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

The current seawall has deteriorated to the point where the Potomac River floods the area around the cherry trees twice each day at high tide.

The waters flood not only the paths pedestrians use to walk around the Tidal Basin, but also cover the roots of some of the cherry trees.

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This renovation will take about three years and cost $113 million.

One of the trees set to be removed is a short, gnarled tree known as “Stumpy.”

Stumpy has inspired legions of fans, as well as T-shirts, a calendar and a mascot costume.

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Since the announcement that 2024 would be Stumpy’s final cherry blossom season, people have taken to placing tributes at the base of the tree and sharing them on social media.

For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle

Christine Rousselle is a lifestyle reporter with Fox News Digital.

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Washington, D.C

DC leaders considering transit options for new RFK Stadium

Published

7 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

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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%.

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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.”

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