Washington, D.C

How deeply political D.C. reacted when Biden dropped out of presidential race

Published

52 mins ago

July 22, 2024

How deeply political D.C. reacted when Biden dropped out of presidential race

Everyone in Washington, it seemed, heard the news almost simultaneously, alerted by beeps and buzzes on their phones soon after President Biden posted his statement on X that he was abandoning his reelection bid. Even though many expected might he step aside, the sudden Sunday afternoon announcement jolted the capital like an earthquake, reshaping the political landscape and the November election in an instant.

In the District, where politics has always been king, Biden’s decision reverberated across the city’s coffee shops and bars, street corners and playgrounds, and outside of the Capitol and the White House.

Biden was especially popular in D.C., winning 92 percent of the District’s 2020 general election vote. In the 24 hours following his post, as the reality sunk in that his more than 50-year political career was ending, everyone, it seemed, had thoughts.

Felix Brown, 21, was at Blue Bottle Coffee in Georgetown on Sunday when he noticed the people sitting a few feet away murmuring excitedly. He overheard some of their conversation and turned to the strangers to ask, “Is it true? Did Biden drop out?”

As word spread rapidly around the coffee shop, Brown, a Democrat, said customers began to smile at one another. “I could feel the buzz around me,” he said.

Sheamari Whitaker, 21, a summer intern for a Senate committee, said on Monday that when she first heard the news, she thought it wasn’t real. Biden has been president or vice president for more than half of her life.

“I was not surprised, but a little surprised,” Whitaker said, echoing a response many others gave about learning of the president’s decision. “We’re so deep into the election process so we really weren’t sure how this was going to go.”

As a consensus opinion has emerged that Vice President Harris will likely be the Democratic nominee for president, Whitaker, a rising senior at Howard University, Harris’s alma mater, said she’s excited but also a little wary.

“I’m nervous because of how things went with Hillary Clinton. Not only is Kamala a woman, she’s a Black woman,” Whitaker said. “I’m very concerned about her safety.”

Dorothy Devore, 81, was on her way to work Monday morning as a cashier at a Senate cafeteria, a job she’s held for more than 30 years. The District resident has seen her share of political surprises over the years, but Biden’s decision still came as a shock. She’s fond of the president, she said, but worried about him recently. “Every time I see him on TV he just didn’t look right,” she said.

Walking on Pennsylvania Avenue a few blocks from the Library of Congress shortly after the news broke Sunday, Robert Argento, 35, said he was glad Biden made the decision to drop out.

“It was ‘will they or won’t they?’ for such a long time,” Argento said. “It was a relief that we could move on from this very stressful conversation.”

This being Washington, more than a few people declined to comment on the president’s decision.

“Because of my job, I probably can’t talk about that,” was one version of an answer given by numerous people asked for their opinion about Biden leaving the race. Young Hill staffers were especially eager to avoid the wrath of their bosses by uttering anything without permission.

Biden was at his Rehoboth Beach, Del. home recovering from covid when he made his announcement, but more than a hundred people gathered outside the White House early Sunday evening. Some were tourists whose trips coincided with the news. But dozens, including former Biden officials and staffers congregated at Lafayette Square for a spontaneous rally to honor his accomplishments.

Anne Filipic, who had various roles in the Obama and Biden administrations, said she wanted to show her “gratitude and appreciation” to Biden.

The 42-year-old arrived about 7 p.m. from her Mount Pleasant home with her husband and three kids. A sign on their stroller said: “My future is brighter because of you!” and “Great president, true patriot!”

Filipic, the CEO of Share Our Strength, a D.C. nonprofit fighting hunger and poverty, was eager to “rally behind Vice President Harris” and wanted her kids to be part of the moment, she said.

Former Obama staffers Kyle Lierman, 37, and Amanda Brown-Lierman, 38, had been on vacation three hours away in Deep Creek, Md., and immediately jumped in a car with their three kids to head to D.C. when they heard.

“I’m proud of him,” said Lierman. “I think a lot of us were waiting for him to make this decision and waiting to take his lead.”

Not everyone outside the White House cheered for the president. Independent Michael Wille, 37, a catering sales manager for a sandwich shop in D.C., had a homemade sign reading, “Bye, Joe!” He’d come out as soon as he heard the news.

Wille said he isn’t supporting Trump and said he’d only come out to tell people not to believe anything politicians say. He said he’d like Biden to resign and for a third-party candidate to run, but with Harris likely in the race, he said, “I think it’s great for Trump. He’ll probably win.”

Elsewhere in D.C., the news left some people feeling uncertain.

“Things are so chaotic,” said Grace Koh, 51, as she walked her dog Coco past Eastern Market late Sunday afternoon. “I think that’s the way we all feel about politics right now, right? These are not easy times.”

Koh said she isn’t sure who she’ll vote for in November but said she felt sad for Biden. “I’ve thought about how he’s feeling and how difficult it must have been to make that decision.”

Out for a walk in his Capitol Hill neighborhood Sunday afternoon, Bill Nash, 81, a registered independent, said he too felt empathy for the president. “He is an honorable, dedicated public servant and for him to face the consequences we all face of getting old is very difficult. And it’s sad,” said Nash.

Marquise Lewis, 29, stepped out for a smoke break from his job as a chef at a restaurant on Pennsylvania Avenue SE. He learned of Biden’s decision in the kitchen during a busy afternoon so he was just starting to think about the consequences.

“If you’re physically incapable, I’d say focus on your health. Winning the election and then having health issues isn’t going to help anyone,” he said.

Lewis said he wasn’t the biggest fan of Biden or Trump but he’s willing to give Harris a chance to make her case. Traditional politics isn’t winning him over.

“We just need new blood,” he said. “Someone not D or R, just someone doing the best for the American people.”

Gebre Hiwot, 61, of D.C., said Biden made the right decision to leave the race. “What he did for the country was great,” he said. “Now it is time for him to step aside.”

An immigrant from Ethiopia who has lived in Washington for 36 years and owns a convenience store, Hiwot said it was time to give Harris an opportunity. “Personally I don’t like her but she’s a much better person to run than Biden,” he said. “And anyone is better than Trump.”

Outside of Eastern Market on Capitol Hill late Sunday afternoon, Malaika Tull, 11, said she and her mother had just been talking about Biden’s announcement and what it meant. Not only for Biden, but for his vice president. Malaika, a rising sixth grader, isn’t sure if Harris will be elected but she’s holding out hope.

“As a Black girl, I think it’s inspiring to know that a Black female could be the next president of the United States,” she said. And she has another reason she’s rooting for Harris: Malaika’s middle name is Kamala.

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Washington, D.C

Alex Cameron On State Of Washington D.C. Amid Biden Withdrawal, Secret Service Director Testimony

Published

8 hours ago

July 22, 2024

Press Room

Alex Cameron On State Of Washington D.C. Amid Biden Withdrawal, Secret Service Director Testimony

It is a busy Monday on Capitol Hill as lawmakers react to President Joe Biden withdrawing from his reelection campaign and the Secret Service chief testifying in front of Congress..

Our Washington Bureau Chief Alex Cameron spoke with News 9 at 9 about the state of Washington, D.C., as he covers recent events.

The House Oversight Committee is holding a hearing on Monday to address the Secret Service’s failure to provide adequate security at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, where former President Donald Trump was shot.

Cameron said that in her opening remarks, she said she admits they did not provide adequate security.

“We know that the chairman of the committee is going to be calling for her to resign. We’re already hearing that from a lot of our members from the Oklahoma delegation as well,” Cameron said.

He said the hearing could last as long as six hours and could get very heated as the chief is questioned.

Also, on Monday, Cameron said the Capitol is buzzing after Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 election and endorsed his Vice President, Kamala Harris, as the Democratic nominee.

“There were lots of speculation out there about which Democrats might stand up and throw their hat in the ring and so far no one else has, so we’ll be watching to see if that happens,” Cameron said.

Cameron said several other contenders have been floated, but they are most likely being considered for her Vice President position.

“So far, it looks like she’s going to be the nominee, but she’s working the phone; she’s made it clear she wants to earn this nominee. She’s talking to democratic delegates right now,” Cameron said.

Cameron said she could hit the campaign trail as soon as Tuesday, but in the meantime, he will be looking for comments from other politicians who could endorse her.

“Here in DC, looking for people like former speaker Pelosi, former President Obama, whether they get behind and actually formally endorse her, something they haven’t done just yet,” Cameron said.

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Washington, D.C

Eli Young Band Celebrates Platinum Certifications Before Washington D.C. Show

Published

15 hours ago

July 22, 2024

Press Room

Eli Young Band Celebrates Platinum Certifications Before Washington D.C. Show

Ahead of Eli Young Band’s sold-out 10 Years: 10,000 Towns Tour stop in Washington, D.C., the group received a trio of landmark certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) when they visited their headquarters. The country band was presented with custom plaques in recognition of their Platinum-selling album, Life At Best, as well as five-time Platinum hit single, “Crazy Girl,” and their triple-Platinum chart-topper, “Even If It Breaks Your Heart.”

“Keep on dreaming… is a perfect lyric for Eli Young Band,” says Mike Eli. “Since college, that is exactly what the four of us have done, and we are continuously grateful for these moments. We see the impact of our incredibly loyal fans, and these RIAA certifications are as much for them as they are for us. Thank you to our team, our road family and everyone who has supported our dreams! Now let’s find a spot in the bus to hang this new hardware…see you all on the road!” (Music Row)

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Washington, D.C

Thousands expected to gather in DC to protest ahead of Netanyahu's visit

Published

23 hours ago

July 21, 2024

Press Room

Thousands expected to gather in DC to protest ahead of Netanyahu's visit

WASHINGTON (7News) — Thousands of protesters plan to fill D.C.’s streets ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Congress this week with a clear demand: an end to U.S. aid to Israel.

Netanyahu’s visit to Congress comes a few days after a historic United Nations court advisory opinion calling for an end to Israel’s illegal presence in the occupied Palestinian territories and condemning Israel’s rule over the lands it annexed 57 years ago, the Associated Press reported.

“In a historic ruling the International Court of Justice has found multiple and serious international law violations by Israel towards Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including, for the first time, finding Israel responsible for apartheid. The court has placed responsibility with all states and the United Nations to end these violations of international law. The ruling should be yet another wake up call for the United States to end its egregious policy of defending Israel’s oppression of Palestinians and prompt a thorough reassessment in other countries as well,” said Tirana Hassan, Human Rights Watch Executive Director.

READ| Harris announces she will seek Democratic nomination after Biden’s endorsement

Netanyahu denounced the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, saying the territories are part of the Jewish people’s historic homeland, the Associated Press reported. His address to Congress is expected to take place on Wednesday, July 24.

Protesters plan to surround the Capitol to call for an end to U.S. aid to Israel and an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

The protest is expected to take place as Israel continues to intensify its bombardment in the Gaza Strip. The 8-month-old war became one of the most destructive conflicts of the 21st century, the Associated Press reported, with tens of thousands of Palestinians killed. The war left many parts of the city in ruins, forcing more than 1.9 million Palestinians out of their homes.

READ| ‘Squad’ rallies around Kamala Harris after Biden election exit: ‘#BlackWomenLead’

Ahead of Netanyahu’s visit, the Metropolitan Police Department announced street closures and parking restrictions.

The following streets will be posted as Emergency No Parking from Sunday, July 21, 2024, at 6:00 a.m. through Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.:

– Virginia Avenue, NW from Rock Creek Parkway to New Hampshire Avenue

– Jamal Khashoggi Way from Virginia Avenue to F Street, NW

– F Street, NW from Rock Creek Parkway to 25th Street

– 27th Street, NW from Virginia Avenue to K Street

– 2600 block of I Street, NW

The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic on Sunday, July 21, 2024, at 10:00 p.m. through Friday, July 26, 2024, at 6:00 a.m.:

– Rock Creek Parkway, NW between Virginia Avenue and the Potomac River Freeway southbound

– Virginia Avenue, NW from Rock Creek Parkway to New Hampshire Avenue (eastbound lanes)

– Jamal Khashoggi Way (southbound lanes) between Virginia Avenue and F Street, NW

– F Street, NW from Rock Creek Parkway to 25th Street

– 27th Street, NW from Virginia Avenue to K Street

– 2600 block of I Street, NW

– 27th Street ramp from northbound Potomac River Freeway

Officials said that all traffic traveling south on Rock Creek Parkway will be diverted east on I Street from Virginia Avenue, NW to the Potomac River Freeway. Westbound traffic on Virginia Avenue, NW will be able to turn north on Rock Creek Parkway. All traffic from Ohio Drive, SW will be diverted north on Potomac River Freeway.

The following streets will be posted as Emergency No Parking on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at 5:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m.:

– Pennsylvania Avenue, NW between 7th and 3rd Streets

– Constitution Avenue, NW between 15th and 3rd Streets

– Independence Avenue, SW between 14th and 3rd Streets

– Maryland Avenue, SW between Independence Avenue and 3rd Street

– 3rd Street between Constitution Avenue, NW and Independence Avenue, SW

– 7th Street between Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW

– Jefferson Drive, NW between 3rd and 7th Streets

– Madison Drive, NW between 3rd and 7th Streets

The following street will be closed to vehicle traffic on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at 5:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m.:

– Pennsylvania Avenue, NW between Constitution Avenue and 3rd Street

Due to First Amendment activity, plan for intermittent street closures and traffic delays, officials said.