Washington, D.C
75th NATO Summit kicks off in DC
75th NATO Summit kicks off in DC
The 75th NATO Summit kicked off in D.C. Tuesday, bringing with it world leaders, traffic and stringent security protocols.
WASHINGTON – The 75th NATO Summit kicked off in D.C. Tuesday, bringing with it world leaders, traffic and massive security.
Fencing went up overnight and the many road closures in the area have caused backups all around downtown D.C., so be prepared.
The Secret Service tells FOX 5 that they know it’s inconvenient for people but they’re trying to make it as painless as possible.
FOX 5 asked Secret Service Special Agent In Charge for the Washington Field Office Matt Stohler if there is anything specific to D.C. that has presented challenges, considering that this is only the fourth time the U.S. has hosted the Summit.
“I don’t think so. This is the 75th anniversary signing into existence of NATO, so as such, one of the buildings behind us is where one of the treaties was signed, so this is what makes this so important for the venue,” Stohler said. “But obviously, it means all eyes are on D.C. for this.”
It’s been 25 years since D.C. last hosted the summit. There are street closures around the White House, the Convention Center and Mellon Auditorium, as well as secure areas where you’ll have to show ID to get through, and some sidewalk closures as well.
There are 37 world leaders here for this NATO Summit, along with their teams and delegations.
The Secret Service told FOX 5 they’ve been formally planning since February. There are 22 subcommittees that cover things like airspace security, communications and transportation, just to name a few.
FOX 5 also had a chance to see inside the State Department’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security where analysts and technicians are monitoring every moment in and around the areas where dignitaries and events will be this week.
The Diplomatic Security Service protects the Secretary of State, foreign dignitaries visiting the United States, foreign ministers, former heads of state, members of the British royal family, as well as U.S. citizens, athletes, corporate sponsors and media during major international events like the Olympic Games, Pan Am Games, and the World Cup. The agency has more than 100 years of protection and security experience.
They have been training and planning for this for about six months now, before they head off to Paris to do the same thing for the Olympics.
“We’re part of the overall security package for the summit so we work hand in hand with the Secret Service when you see all those motorcades cutting across the city, chances those are diplomatic security motorcades,” said Scott Kim, Director of Diplomatic Security Service Office of Protection.
D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith also discussed how they’ve been preparing for the events.
“Anytime you have these types of events the challenges are always personnel and making sure we have the appropriate resources which is why we’ve been joined at the hip if you will with the Secret Service and our federal partners,” Smith said.
The Secret Service tells FOX 5 they did advise the Office of Personnel Management to maximize telework for those who come into the District this week.
Fencing will be taken down as events take place — some Tuesday night, some Wednesday, and hopefully most of it around the Convention Center will be gone by Friday.
Washington, D.C
Jeff Landry headed to D.C. for talks on Greenland as his invitation to the island’s dog sledding race is in peril
Washington, D.C
Suspected National Guard shooter due back in court on two new charges
WASHINGTON – A deadly shooting case with ties to the National Guard and the White House is heading back to court, and prosecutors have now expanded the charges.
FOX 5’s Maureen Umeh reports this is one of the District’s highest profile cases, and the man accused in the ambush is expected to appear before a judge on Thursday.
What we know:
Prosecutors have added two new counts, and the hearing could help shape the direction of the case as it moves forward in federal court.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal is accused of opening fire on two West Virginia National Guard members near the White House the day before Thanksgiving. Prosecutors have now added two counts of assault with intent to kill, tied to the National Guard member who tackled and subdued him after the shooting.
READ MORE: Who is Rahmanullah Lakanwal? Afghan national accused of shooting 2 National Guard in DC
Specialist Sarah Beckstrom was killed. Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe was critically injured and continues to recover.
Lakanwal now faces first degree murder while armed, multiple assault charges, and several weapons offenses. Federal prosecutors say they are aggressively pursuing the case and note that nothing is off the table, including whether to seek the death penalty, one reason the case is now being handled at the federal level.
The indictment includes nine criminal counts. Lakanwal has pleaded not guilty to the initial charges.
READ MORE: Two new charges for alleged gunman in National Guard shooting
The Source: Information in this article comes from the Associated Press and previous FOX 5 reporting.
Washington, D.C
D.C. set to receive $200M in federal funds
The House and Senate appropriations committees included almost $200 million in the first draft of an upcoming appropriations bill, which, if approved by Congress, would fund D.C. programs including school choice, college tuition, HIV prevention, clean rivers and police overtime.
If approved, $90 million would reimburse the District government for the cost of providing police and other support at events like large protests, state funerals and the upcoming 250 birthday celebration of the country.
While the Bowser administration is happy with the funding, the mayor sent a letter to Congress asking for an additional $10 million to offset the added costs to D.C. taxpayers for the federal surge, writing, “This higher funding level is also essential to support the ongoing federal law enforcement surge and the associated increased costs to the Metropolitan Police Department, including MPD’s work to coordinate with federal agencies, facilitate National Guard deployments, and sustain police overtime required to support the surge.”
There is also $40 million to fund D.C. tuition assistance grants, which help offset the cost of college tuition for D.C. high school grads. If approved, the funds would allow D.C. to increase the amount students could qualify for each year from $10,000 to $15,000 and boost the lifetime cap from $50,000 to $75,000.
“Which is a huge amount of money for families, and that’s going to help us help more of our residents on their pathway to getting degrees,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser’s chief of staff, Tomas Talamante.
Schools would benefit, too.
“We were able to get 17.5 for D.C. Public Schools and 17.5 million for D.C. public charter schools, as well as the 17.5 million that goes to the voucher program,” Talamante said. “We also were able to get money for HIV/AIDS prevention, about $4 million that we were able to secure for HIV/AIDS prevention. We were also able to secure $8 million for DC Water, which their clean rivers project is the huge tunnel-boring system that helps keep the Anacostia and our waterways clean.”
The legislation includes riders placing restrictions on recreational cannabis, and Congress could add other riders, including changes like doing away with cashless bail or photo traffic enforcement in the District.
The legislation still must go through the House Rules Committee before a full House vote.
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