Washington, D.C

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

Published

2 years 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

Storm Team4 Forecast: Thick fog to clear before storms, rain Thursday night

Published

51 minutes ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Storm Team4 Forecast: Thick fog to clear before storms, rain Thursday night

4 things to know about the weather:

Grab the umbrella
Big temperature ranges
Thunder possible Thursday night
Warmer days on the way

Heads up commuters! For Thursday morning, there will be some thick fog in spots with some rain possible, especially around the Mason-Dixon line. The fog should clear out by 10 a.m.

Throughout the day, some sunshine should develop with highs warming into the low 60s. Those in Northern Maryland could see some showers throughout the day but those near the D.C. area will stay relatively dry except for a stray shower or two.

Some rain and evening storms by 8 p.m. will impact the area Thursday night. Although it’s a bit unusual for this time of year, don’t be surprised if you hear thunder Thursday evening.

Warmer temperatures coming this weekend

These next few days will come with some major forecast challenges.

Much, much warmer air is just to our south and cold, high pressure is moving into New England. The front separating the 40s from the 70s will be laying right across our region for the next two to three days.

So keep in mind, when you’re looking at the forecast highs in the text below, that it will be warmest in Fredericksburg, VA and coolest in northern Maryland.

Friday’s weather will be similar as a front system remains just over the area, separating chilly air to the north and warmer air to the south. There might be a stray shower or two, too.

For the weekend, Saturday looks to be the warmer of the two days with highs in the low to mid 70s. Some rain overnight Saturday will lead to cooler temperatures on Sunday.

Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to check the weather radar on the go.

QuickCast

THURSDAY:
Mostly Cloudy
Stray Shower Possible
Big Temperature Range
Wind: Southeast 5 mph
Chance of Rain: 40%
HIGHS: 62° to 72°

THURSDAY NIGHT:
Cloudy And Chilly
Rain Likely
Some Thunder Possible
Wind: Northeast 5 mph
Chance Of Rain: 70%
LOWS: 44° to 54°

FRIDAY:
Mostly Cloudy
Cooler For Most
Isolated Shower Or Two
Wind: East 5-15 mph
Chance of Rain: 20%
HIGHS: 52° to 68°

SATURDAY:
Partly Sunny
Breezy And Warmer
Isolated Shower
Wind: Southwest 10-20 mph
Chance of Rain: 20%
HIGHS: 66° to 78°

SUNDAY:
Mostly Cloudy
Cooler
Few Showers Possible
Wind: Northwest 5-15 mph
Chance of Rain: 20%
HIGHS: 64° to 72°

Sunrise: 6:35 Sunset: 6:05
Average High: 53° Average Low: 36°

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

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Washington, D.C

Tax expert explains DC filing season amid Congress-District dispute

Published

13 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Tax expert explains DC filing season amid Congress-District dispute

WASHINGTON (7News) — D.C. taxpayers may be confused by back-and-forth between the D.C. City Council and Congress over taxprovision. The city’s financial officer sent a letter to Mayor Muriel Bowser and D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson, that said the District’s tax laws will not change, despite recent actions by Congress.

7News spoke to director of Tax Policy at the Center for American Progress Corey Husak to explain the complicated tax policy.

“The short answer is, nothing changes. Filing Season can continue as it has been, continue as planned, and according to the laws as we understood them in January,” said Husak.

“If you’ve already filed your taxes, you don’t have to change anything. And if you want to file your taxes, the rules are still the same as they were on the books before,” said Husak.

RELATED | DC Council Chairman talks taxes, budget, bodycams, federal surge

Chief Financial Officer Glen Lee’s revenue estimate issued Friday does not include an estimated $180 million expected this fiscal year from the city’s decoupling law, “due to the uncertainty of the associated revenue as a result of Joint Resolution 142,” according to a released letter.

“The CFO was in a tough spot here. If he agreed with Congress, then businesses and overtime workers will get bigger refunds. But if he agreed with the Mayor and the Attorney General, then families with children and lower income workers would get bigger tax cuts,” said Husak.

SEE MORE | Development of new Commanders stadium scrutinized at DC oversight hearing

“We as District residents can’t control, you know what happens in the courts, what happens in, you know, what Congress does in the future,” said Husak. “But for now, the CFO has said, you know this is, this is a law as it stands, and the law that I’m going to enforce so, you know, file your legally obligated taxes, and maybe in the future, there’ll be a surprise.”

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW

7News spoke to director of Tax Policy at the Center for American Progress Corey Husak to explain the complicated tax policy (7News).{ }

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Washington, D.C

CHERRY BLOSSOM COUNTDOWN: Peak Bloom prediction drops Thursday

Published

1 day ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

CHERRY BLOSSOM COUNTDOWN: Peak Bloom prediction drops Thursday

WASHINGTON (7News) — The nation’s capital is just about ready to be transformed into a breathtaking pastel landscape of cherry trees in bloom. The famed blossoms around the Tidal Basin are not only a symbol of spring’s arrival, but also of a long-standing friendship — a gift of more than 3,000 trees from Tokyo, Japan, to the United States in 1912.

So what is considered “Peak Bloom”?

The National Park Service (NPS) defines peak bloom as the time when at least 70% of the Yoshino cherry trees around the Tidal Basin have opened their blossoms. This is the period when the blossoms appear most full and spectacular and most ideal for photos, and soaking up spring’s beauty here in DC.

Because cherry trees respond to the cumulative effects of winter and spring weather, especially daily temperatures, it’s very difficult to predict peak bloom more than about 10 days in advance. Warm spells accelerate blooming; cold snaps slow it down.

Average Timing — What History Shows

Since 1921 overall, national data indicate peak bloom typically fell around early April (April 4), based on historical averages.

Average date peak bloom – cherry blossom trees Washington DC Tidal Basin

Since 1990, the average has kept shifting earlier and earlier. In fact, the last 6 years our peak has occurred in late March.

These shifts reflect how warmer springs have nudged peak bloom earlier over the decades.

Earliest & Latest Blooms on Record

Earliest peak bloom: March 15 — recorded in 1990.

Latest peak bloom: April 18 — recorded in 1958.

Of course, most years fall between those dates, with the last week of March to the first week of April historically being the most consistent window for peak bloom.

Earliest Peak Bloom Washington DC

Recent peak blooms show how variable and climate-dependent the timing can be:

2025: The National Park Service predicted peak bloom between March 28–31 (and confirmed the official peak around March 28).

2024: Peak bloom arrived very early, on March 17, several days ahead of NPS projections — tied for one of the earliest peaks in decades.

These examples demonstrate not only how much each season can differ, but also a trend toward earlier spring blossoms in recent years.

What to Expect for Spring 2026

As of early March 2026, the cherry trees are still dormant. The buds haven’t begun significant growth yet. The weather will become more critical in the weeks leading up to the bloom will be the biggest factor in determining when peak bloom happens in 2026.

Heavy winter cold, as experienced this year, tends to delay bloom compared with recent early springs. In contrast, an early warm stretch could push peak bloom earlier — as long as it doesn’t come with subsequent frost.

Look for the green bud stage first. This is when the buds are small, tight, and green, with no sign of petals yet. Trees are still several weeks from blooming.

Tips for Cherry Blossom Visitors

Plan in the “sweet spot” — peak bloom often lasts a few days to about a week, but weather (rain, wind, heat) can shorten that window.

Visit slightly before or after the predicted peak dates for smaller crowds and extended color. Blossoms can be gorgeous even before 70% bloom or as petals begin falling.

Check NPS updates and First Alert Weather forecasts in late March for tweaked peak bloom dates.

The cherry blossoms of Washington, D.C. remain one of the most iconic harbingers of spring in the U.S., and while exact bloom dates vary year-to-year, history and natural patterns point to late March through early April as your best bet for seeing the Tidal Basin in full floral glory.

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