Washington, D.C

GOP campaign arm launches media blitz against Dems who opposed violent crime bill as crisis in DC spirals

Published

2 years ago

February 9, 2024

GOP campaign arm launches media blitz against Dems who opposed violent crime bill as crisis in DC spirals

FIRST ON FOX: Republicans are launching a massive assault against House Democrats who opposed overturning Washington, D.C.’s soft-on-crime criminal code last year as the city’s crime crisis continues to spiral.

Friday marks the one-year anniversary since 173 Democrats voted against H.J. Res. 26, a bill that nullified the overhaul of Washington, D.C.’s criminal code by the city council that softened penalties for violent crime offenders — a fact the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) is amplifying in its new media blitz.

“173 extreme House Democrats voted to put violent criminals before the safety of families one year ago today. If Democrats support this move in the city they work, they’ll support slaps on the wrist for carjackers and murderers across America,” NRCC spokesman Will Reinert told Fox News Digital.

‘SQUAD’S’ JAMAAL BOWMAN HONORED RADICAL BLACK ACTIVIST, CONVICTED MURDERER ON MIDDLE SCHOOL’S ‘WALL OF HONOR’

Police investigate a shooting incident in which a DC Police officer was involved in Washington, D.C., November 22, 2023, at 12th and M streets in NW. (Astrid Riecken For The Washington Post via Getty Images)

“The NRCC won’t let them get away with this dangerous extremism, and neither should voters this November,” he added.

The NRCC’s media campaign is targeting 14 of the 173 House Democrats who opposed the legislation — which President Biden ultimately broke with his party to sign — and are at risk of losing their swing-district seats in elections this year as Republicans aim to bolster their narrow majority in the chamber.

Those being targeted include Reps. Chris Deluzio, D-Pa., Dina Titus, D-Nev., Emilia Sykes, D-Ohio, Frank Mrvan, D-Ind., Gabriel Vasquez, D-N.M., Hillary Scholten, D-Mich., Jahana Hayes, D-Conn., Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, Matt Cartwright, D-Pa., Mike Levin, D-Calif., Seth Magaziner, D-R.I., Steven Horsford, D-Nev., Susan Wild, D-Pa., and Val Hoyle, D-Ore.

HISPANIC BUSINESS OWNER, GOP CANDIDATE RIPS DEM CRIME POLICIES AFTER DRUG ADDICTS TORCH HIS LAS VEGAS PROPERTY

U.S. Capitol Building (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Candidate-specific ads will run in each of the 14 districts highlighting their votes on the legislation.

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“Murderers given reduced sentences, carjackers given slaps on the wrist by pandering politicians, not just the D.C. City Council. 173 House Democrats voted to support reduced sentences for violent crimes. So crazy, even President Biden won’t support the anarchy. What’s next, defund the police?” the ad says, before referencing the district-specific Democrat being targeted.

The media blitz comes as 2023 saw significant increases in violent crime across D.C., including a 35% increase in homicides, and a 67% increase in robberies, according to the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police.

Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.

Brandon Gillespie is an associate editor at Fox News. Follow him on X at @BGillespieAL.

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Washington, D.C

DC leaders considering transit options for new RFK Stadium

Published

6 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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