Washington, D.C
Cops in nation’s capital draw ire, support for staying away from campus protest
Student protesters arrested as police clear UCLA’s protest encampment
Police clashed with demonstrators in UCLA’s pro-Palestine protest encampment site in the early morning hours as they cleared the area and made arrests.
As police swarmed pro-Palestinian demonstrations on college campuses across the country this week, officers in the nation’s capital refused to get involved, igniting ire from Republican Congressmembers and raising thorny ethics questions about bringing outside cops to university property.
Fueling part of the controversy are reports that Metropolitan Police supposedly turned down pleas from university administrators to get involved amid escalating protests against the war in Gaza on George Washington University’s Washington, D.C., campus late last week. The move deviated from decisions by other police departments to march on college campuses, disband student demonstrations, and arrest hundreds this week.
The tent encampment covering University Yard, a square area in the center of the George Washington University campus, entered its eighth day on Thursday. Hours after around 20 tents went up in the early morning hours of April 25, the university demanded that protesters disperse and dismantle them.
When the demonstrators refused to leave, the university reached out to metro police to break up the encampment, with President Ellen Granberg and Provost Christopher Bracey calling it an “unauthorized use of university space.”
But metro police refused to send their officers into the campus, fearing the optics of a police crackdown on students less than a mile from the White House, according to the Washington Post.
Police wrote in an email to USA TODAY that the department “stood in support” of the response of campus police, who take “the lead in the response to first amendment demonstrations occurring on GWU grounds.” The department declined to comment on “operational tactics or procedures.”
George Washington officials did not provide additional comment in response to USA TODAY’s request.
Listen: Police order dispersal of gathering at UCLA as protests continue nationwide | The Excerpt
GOP congressmembers make trip to GWU
The metro police decision not to get involved presented an opportunity for a political jab from some Republican members of the House Oversight Committee, who visited the encampment on Wednesday to condemn the police department’s refusal to act.
“We expect these encampments to be cleared out,” Committee Chair James Comer said, after walking through a crowd of protesters booing and heckling. In a letter to Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, he and Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx also slammed metro police for refusing to get involved “over fears of public criticism.”
But experts cautioned university administrators to think carefully before involving police in campus protests. Before calling in law enforcement, university administrations should have a crystal clear picture of what’s going on, said Christy Lopez, a professor at Georgetown Law. That level of certainty could be missing from the decisions of some administrations.
“Sometimes it’s just really fuzzy and things are moving quickly, and you need to make sure that you understand what’s going on,” she said. “Sometimes, it can be sort of reckless to the point of almost deliberate” to call in police without the full facts established, she added.
Lopez commended police in the nation’s capital for not getting involved in the protest at George Washington. “We should not have to rely on police departments restraining themselves,” she said. “But as that instance shows, sometimes you have to rely on the police department to show the level of judgment that campus officials may not be showing.”
Almost every recent instance she had seen of police response to student protests could present grounds for a critical incident review of officers’ actions, she said. “I think that every single crackdown that I’ve seen warrants that level of scrutiny,” she added.
Protesters Face Charges: Campus protests across the US result in arrests by the hundreds. But will the charges stick?
Hundreds arrested at campus protests
The decision made metro police an outlier among other city police departments that sent officers into the chaotic center of campus demonstrations.
The NYPD made its first wave of around 100 arrests on Columbia University’s Manhattan campus in mid-April after it entered campus upon request from university President Minouche Shafik to dismantle a tent encampment. The situation has only escalated since then – on Tuesday night, NYPD officers arrested nearly 300 people at demonstrations at Columbia and the City College of New York.
At a news conference on Wednesday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said NYPD carried out the operation at the university’s request. “The request we received in writing could not have been clearer,” he said.
In Austin, police in riot gear, riding horses, and wielding batons and pepper spray descended on protests at the University of Texas campus last week upon the university’s request. Although charges against the 57 people arrested were dropped, officers returned on Monday to arrest nearly 80 more.
In an email to USA TODAY, Austin police said the level of assistance that its officers provided to campus police changed with the dynamics of the situation. At first, officers helped to transport those arrested to jail. More recently, campus police asked Austin officers to assist them in making arrests. After campus police and Texas Department of Public Safety officers decided to disband the protest, “it became apparent that additional resources were needed for officer safety and the safety of those taking part in the demonstration.”
“Moving forward as the demonstrations continue, APD will remain ready to provide assistance to [campus police] if requested,” Austin police said in the email.
Experts say police should build trust with protesters
Lopez said building up a level of trust with protesters by acting with restraint can help law enforcement work effectively in the midst of a protest. “Is there an alternative to just going in and tearing apart an encampment or shutting down a protest? Or can you be more directed and actually figure out who’s causing the problems?” she said.
Either way, law enforcement’s response to the protests could leave a lasting mark on how young people view the ethics of policing, Lopez said. “How the police respond here is going to be as indelibly marked on the political consciousness of youth today, as the police response during the Vietnam War protest was on youth of that era,” she said.
“This is going to define how they think about not just police, but government, about the legitimacy of authority,” she added. “That’s really, really an important thing for police and leaders to be thinking about, is that they’re forging that reality and those perceptions right now.”
Cybele Mayes-Osterman is a breaking news reporter for USA Today. Reach her on email at cmayesosterman@usatoday.com. Follow her on X @CybeleMO.
National Guard may stay in DC through 2026
District Attorney General Brian Schwalb says National Guard troops could remain in the city well beyond initial expectations, potentially through summer 2026, during the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration.
WASHINGTON – District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb says National Guard troops may be staying far longer than expected, possibly through the summer of 2026, when the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary.
FOX 5’s Maureen Umeh reports the National Guard first arrived in August after President Trump declared a crime emergency in the city.
Two months later, roughly 2,500 troops remain on duty as part of the “Safe and Beautiful” mission, working alongside local police and federal agencies.
READ MORE: National Guard deployment in DC extended to November, per Army memo
Troops may stay longer
In new court filings submitted Friday, Schwalb argues the deployment has shifted from a temporary assignment to a long-term military presence. He cites a recently released email from the Guard’s commanding general instructing troops to “winterize” and prepare for a “long-term persistent presence.”
Schwalb argues the mission violates federal law prohibiting military forces from performing domestic law enforcement. The White House disagrees, saying the president has full authority to deploy the Guard to protect federal assets and support police operations.
Public reaction mixed
Public reaction remains mixed, but many residents FOX 5 spoke with expressed concern about the extended stay in the city.
READ MORE: National Guard remains in DC following Trump’s federal takeover
The Source: Information in this article comes from District Attorney General Brian Schwalb and previous FOX 5 reporting.
24 years after his WWE debut, The Prototype is hanging up his tights.
John Cena announced that his final WWE match, a Saturday Night Main Event, will take place at Washington, D.C.’s Capital One Arena on Saturday, Dec. 13.
As of now, no opponent for the 48-year-old wrestler/actor has been revealed yet. Prognosticators speculate that Gunther, whom he’s never faced before, may join him in the ring.
“Despite any speculation or rumors, on July 6, 2024 I announced I would retire from WWE in ring participation. I am far from perfect but strive to be a person whose word has value,” Cena shared in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “12/13/25 will be my final match. I am beyond grateful for every moment WWE has given me. I am excited for 12/13 & look forward to seeing all of you one last time.”
If you’d like to be there for the historic showdown in the Nation’s Capital, tickets are now officially available.
At the time of publication, the lowest price we could find on seats was $344 including fees on Vivid Seats.
Floor-level seats start at $1,115 including fees.
Prior to the D.C. match, The “Peacemaker” star has three other battles in the books before calling it quits.
In the event you can’t make his final fight, he’ll also headline:
Monday Night Raw
Boston’s TD Garden
Monday, Nov. 10
with Jey Uso, CM Punk, Dominik Mysterio, more
Monday Night Raw
New York City’s Madison Square Garden
Monday, Nov. 17
with Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, CM Punk, more
Survivor Series: WarGames
San Diego’s Petco Park
Saturday, Nov. 29
Fighters TBD
Going into his swan song, Cena is a 17-time World Champion and known for signature moves like “the attitude adjustment,” the STF and the Five Knuckle Shuffle.
For more information, our team has everything you need to know and more about Cena’s last WWE matches below.
All prices listed above are subject to fluctuation.
John Cena WWE Washington, D.C. ticket prices
We found the best prices on tickets by section at Washington, D.C.’s Capital One Arena for Cena’s final match on Dec. 13.
Capital One Arena sections
Ticket prices
start at
400 level
$344
(including fees)
200 level
$544
(including fees)
100 level
$478
(including fees)
Suite level
$666
(including fees)
Floor level
$1,115
(including fees)
(Note: The New York Post confirmed all above prices at the publication time. All prices are in US dollars, subject to fluctuation and, if it isn’t noted, will include additional fees at checkout.)
Vivid Seats is a verified secondary market ticketing platform, and prices may be higher or lower than face value, depending on demand.
They offer a 100% buyer guarantee that states your transaction will be safe and secure and your tickets will be delivered prior to the event.
Still curious about Vivid Seats? You can find an article from their team about why the company is legit here.
John Cena WWE ticket prices
A complete calendar including the remainder of Cena’s final WWE matches — outside of his D.C. farewell — are listed here:
John Cena WWE dates
Ticket prices
start at
Nov. 10 at TD Garden in Boston, MA
$129
(including fees)
Nov. 17 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY
$236
(including fees)
Nov. 29 at PETCO Park in San Diego, CA
$223
(including fees)
John Cena upcoming film projects
As Cena winds down his time in the ring, he’s spending more time than ever on set. On top of his work in “Peacemaker,” here are all the films coming from him this year and next:
“Coyote vs. Acme” is a long-awaited hybrid of live-action and animation from Warner Bros. bringing comedy ringers like Cena, Will Forte, P.J. Byrne, Luis Guzmán and Martha Kelly together with the Looney Tunes, particularly Wile E. Coyote who sues Acme since every product he’s ever used of theirs while chasing Road Runner has failed spectacularly. Courtroom cartoons? Sign us up.
“Matchbox” stars Cena as “a former soldier who reunites with childhood friends after a successful mission, only to be kidnapped and framed,” according to The Prague Reporter. Jessica Biel, Sam Richardson, Arturo Castro, Teyonah Parris and Corey Stoll round out the star-studded cast.
“Little Brother” pits Cena against anarchic comic Eric André in a story about a realtor whose orderly life is upended by his eccentric younger brother. Other big names joining the pair in the Netflix film include Michelle Monaghan, Christopher Meloni, Ego Nwodim, and Sherry Cola.
Huge 2025-26 concerts
Hoping to catch a show or three in the near future, too?
Here are just five of our favorite options you won’t want to miss live these next few months.
• RUSH
• Ghost
• Nine Inch Nails
• Robert Plant
• Bring Me The Horizon
Who else is out and about? Take a look at this list of all the biggest rockers on tour in 2025-26 to find the show for you.
This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change
Washington, D.C
Hit-and-run driver crashes into a birthday party, killing a woman and injuring 8 kids in Maryland
A hit-and-run driver slammed into an outdoor birthday party in suburban Washington, D.C., killing a woman and injuring eight kids on Saturday evening, police said.
Thirteen people were hurt in the the crash in Bladensburg, Maryland, according to statements from the city’s police department and the Prince George’s County Fire and EMS Department.
The children ranged in age from 1 to 17 years old, Bladensburg Police said in a statement.
Video and photos of the scene posted on social media showed a sedan inside a white tent on a lawn outside a home.
The driver, who got out of the vehicle and ran away, later turned himself into police. The 66-year-old man has been interviewed by investigators who are consulting with prosecutors about what criminal charges to file.
The woman killed was identified as Ashley Hernandez Gutierrez, 31, of Washington. At least three adults and one child remained in the hospital Sunday, police said.
Police initially said nine children were injured and their ages ranged from 2 to 9 years old.
Fired Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau helps at Celtics practice after eliminating Boston from playoffs
Denver mayor agrees to restore some funding to city clerk’s office, but casts doubt on election concerns
Seattle Seahawks inexplicably sink in ESPN NFL power rankings after MNF win
La Mesa Police Officer Fatally Struck While Helping Motorists On Freeway
Home Depot slashes prices for Milwaukee tools this Wednesday, October 22
Why Marjorie Taylor Greene was ‘kicked out’ of the Freedom Caucus according to Rep. Buck
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
Trump admin on pace to shatter deportation record by end of first year: ‘Just the beginning’
Israel continues deadly Gaza truce breaches as US seeks to strengthen deal
Trump news at a glance: president can send national guard to Portland, for now
Trump reacts to ‘No Kings’ protests by saying ‘I’m not a king, I work my ass off’
Can Putin, under sanctions and an arrest warrant, enter the EU?
-
World15 hours agoIsrael continues deadly Gaza truce breaches as US seeks to strengthen deal
-
Alaska7 days agoMore than 1,400 seeking shelter as hundreds wait to be evacuated after catastrophic Western Alaska storm, officials say
-
News15 hours agoTrump news at a glance: president can send national guard to Portland, for now
-
Business14 hours agoUnionized baristas want Olympics to drop Starbucks as its ‘official coffee partner’
-
North Carolina1 week agoGuide to NC State Fair 2025: Tickets, transportation, parking, new rides and special event days
-
Politics13 hours agoTrump admin on pace to shatter deportation record by end of first year: ‘Just the beginning’
-
Science14 hours agoPeanut allergies in children drop following advice to feed the allergen to babies, study finds
-
World1 week agoAlbanian judge killed in courtroom shooting amid growing anger over justice system reforms