Washington, D.C
GOP senator calls for Jan 6 style investigation into DC anti-Israel demonstration
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., called on the Justice Department to investigate anti-Israel agitators who vandalized statues at Washington, D.C.’s Lafayette Square the same way the department went after rioters who participated in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol protests.
“Anti-American, pro-Hamas thugs desecrated the statues of our veterans literally across the street from the White House, a blatant violation of federal law. On video,” Cotton said in a post on X Sunday. “I expect the Department of Justice to use every technique against them that it used against grandmas in MAGA hats on Jan. 6. And if it doesn’t now, it will next year.”
Cotton’s comments come as thousands and thousands of people descended on the White House Saturday to protest President Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war, with many waving Palestinian flags and chanting “Free Palestine” as they marched around the nation’s capital.
ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATOR IN HAMAS HEADBAND HOLDS UP BLOODIED BIDEN FACE MASK STEPS FROM WHITE HOUSE
Although the protests started peacefully, some demonstrators turned their attention to the statues at Lafayette Square just outside the White House and vandalized them with spray paint and graffiti.
Other demonstrators turned their attention to park rangers working the area, shouting “”F— you, fascist!” and “Piggy, piggy, oink, oink!” Another man wearing a Hamas headband held up a bloody face mask that depicted Biden and shouted, “Down, down occupation!” while another demonstrator lit an American flag on fire.
Cotton likened the event to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riots that saw thousands of supporters of former President Trump descend on the U.S. Capitol, with many breaking barriers and breaching the building.
Anti-Israel protesters deface statue in Washington, D.C., on June 8, 2024. (FNTV)
ADDITIONAL BARRIERS ERECTED AROUND WHITE HOUSE AHEAD OF PLANNED PRO-PALESTINIAN DEMONSTRATION
Cotton’s office did not immediately respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment.
Those protests led to thousands of arrests, with the Justice Department boasting in January that over 1,265 defendants had been charged in cases relating to the demonstrations.
But no arrests were made during Saturday’s demonstrations, according to a report from NBC News, with police saying they attempted to arrest a person who climbed a statue but were unsuccessful after the crowd intervened.
“Anti-American, pro-Hamas thugs desecrated the statues of our veterans literally across the street from the White House,” Sen. Tom Cotton said. (FNTV)
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Police say they then deployed pepper spray and the suspect was able to get away.
The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Park Police said anyone with information can aid the investigation into the incidents by calling 202-379-4877 or emailing USPP_tipline@nps.gov.
Viewers and media industry professionals alike are sharing tributes to Derrick Ward, a longtime Washington, D.C., television journalist who died Tuesday at age 62.
Ward’s death followed complications from a recent cardiac arrest and was confirmed Wednesday by NBC 4 Washington (WRC-TV), where he’d been employed since 2006.
“Derrick has been an inspiration and cherished member of our family and his hometown community,” Ward’s family told the outlet in a statement that was shared during Wednesday’s broadcast. “As a distinguished journalist, Derrick’s storytelling, prolific writing, warmth and humor touched countless lives. Our children and our entire family will miss him dearly.”
As of Thursday afternoon, news of Ward’s passing had drawn an outpouring of condolences online.
“Stunned to hear of his passing. Watched that great man for over two decades tell some riveting stories all with class, respect, and precision,” podcaster Lee Sanders wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Well diverse and extremely talented man. Thoughts to his friends, family and colleagues. Not a good start to 2025.”
Watch an NBC 4 report on Derrick Ward’s death below.
Fox 5 DC journalist Tom Fitzgerald felt similarly, describing Ward as “one of the most pleasant people I’ve ever spent time with.”
“I’ll miss the graciousness, professionalism, kindness and glowing smile of this true gentleman,” he wrote on X. “Peace to his family, friends & NBC 4 colleagues.”
A Washington, D.C., native, Ward began his journalism career in radio, where he covered the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the D.C. sniper shootings of 2003, among other major stories. He then transitioned to television reporting when he landed a gig at WKBW-TV in Buffalo, New York.
Appearing on the “Architecture Is Political” podcast in 2020, Ward recalled how his love of storytelling inspired him to pursue a career in journalism.
“I want to tell the stories of this town that I grew up in,” he said. “I like doing things that can resonate with somebody ― if you can say something or write something somewhere and it just gets someone’s attention or whatever point you’re trying to make gets off and they can say, ‘Hmmm’ or ‘Uh huh.’ It’s the same reason that people do music and other things, I guess, is to look for that resonance.”
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In addition to his professional background, Ward was known as an avid golfer and guitar player. He is survived by his three children: Derrick Jr., Ian and Marisa.
Washington, D.C
Suburban family coordinated Jimmy Carter's Washington D.C. funeral: 'It was really beautiful'
WASHINGTON (WLS) — The public funeral celebrating former President Jimmy Carter’s life and legacy was coordinated by a family that hails from the Chicago suburbs.
Rick Jasculca, a Chicago public affairs executive, worked for and with Carter for years, and considered him family.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
It was a somber day that included stories of Carter that brought laughs, as well as tears.
Thursday was a national day of mourning to honor and remember Carter; President Joe Biden delivered a eulogy.
“Throughout his life he showed us what it means to be a practitioner of good works, a good and faithful servant of God and of the people,” Biden said.
The gathering was a time for the nation to come together, to put aside politics and join the Carter family in remembering the legacy of the 39th president.
“They were small town people who never forgot who they were and where they were from, no matter what happened in their lives,” grandson Jason Carter said.
Jasculca worked on Carter’s 1976 presidential campaign, and did advance work when Carter became president.
He later joined his daughters, Lauren and Aimee, and son, Andrew, working with the Carter Center.
The four family members served as overall coordinators of the ceremony Thursday in Washington, D.C.
Jasculca reflected on the ceremony before returning to Chicago.
“It was really beautiful. You know, I think it really captured the totality of Jimmy Carter,” Jasculca said.
It was a sentiment echoed often during Thursday’s ceremony.
“He had the courage and strength to stick to his principals, even when they were politically unpopular,” Jason Carter said.
Jasculca considered Carter a second father, who became dear to his entire family.
“My grandkids call me ‘Bop’; that’s their name for me. And they call President Carter ‘Bop Jimmy,’” Jasculca said.
Jasculca said, during their ceremony, he had a few moments. But, the emotions really hit him after.
“But, when we got to Andrews Air Force Base, and I knew this was the last time, you know, I’d be able to say goodbye, I just I, I’ll be honest, I bust out crying on the tarmac,” Jasculca said.
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