Washington, D.C
Hunter Biden and Trump indictments and speaker drama: Washington Photos of the Year 2023
Plenty of political firsts and historic events marked the year 2023 in Washington.
Republicans won back the House with a slim majority in January that commenced a marathon 15 rounds of voting for Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) to win the speaker’s gavel. The power, however, was short-lived when, on Oct. 3, he became the first House speaker ousted on a motion to vacate brought by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL).
FREEDOM CAUCUS WARNS GOP LEADERSHIP AGAINST ‘SHADY SIDE DEALS’ AS CONGRESS RETURNS TO SPENDING FIGHT
McCarthy’s removal ignited a frenzy to find a replacement, and after a three-week impasse and numerous failed nominations, House Republicans settled on little-known Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) to lead the unwieldy caucus. Among Johnson’s first moves was ramping up the pressure on President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, who this year became the first child of a sitting president to be indicted on federal criminal charges.
The initial indictment came in Delaware on alleged gun violations and a second in California on tax fraud charges. House Republicans voted to open an impeachment inquiry into the president on Dec. 13. It was the same day the younger Biden defied a congressional subpoena and instead held a press conference outside the Capitol, saying his father was not financially involved with his overseas business ventures that have become the centerpiece of the investigation.
Former President Donald Trump dominated headlines in 2023 when he was hit with 91 felony charges across four criminal cases but still managed to be the runaway front-runner for the GOP primary nomination over Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley.
Health and vitality questions about sitting politicians were a persistent storyline throughout the year, from an 81-year-old Biden’s quest for a second White House term to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) public freeze-ups in the aftermath of his recovery from a concussion.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) entered the Senate in January after surviving a near-fatal stroke that left him struggling to communicate. Then in February, Fetterman took a novel 44-day public leave of absence for in-patient hospitalization for severe depression. Ailing Sen. Dianne Feinstein, 90, faced increasing pressure to resign from the Senate until the trailblazing California Democrat died in office on Sept. 29.
The year ended on a tragic note after the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel that resulted in 1,200 deaths and about 240 hostages being taken. Israel’s retaliatory assault on Gaza to end Hamas has killed more than 21,000 people, according to figures from the Hamas-run health ministry. The Hamas-Israel war exposed a deep divide among Democrats over how far the United States should support Israel. The war also became enmeshed in an ongoing political fight in Congress over an aid bill to tie border security to billions in assistance to Israel and Ukraine as the latter seeks to fend off Russia’s invasion.
The House capped its year with three censures of Democratic lawmakers, the most since 1870. Also, Republicans moved to expel one of their own members, New York GOP Rep. George Santos. With a bipartisan vote, the indicted freshman congressman was removed from office on Dec. 1 over a rash of campaign finance, ethics, and fraud allegations.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Here’s a look at the 2023 photos of the year captured by Washington Examiner photographer Graeme Jennings.
Washington, D.C
They’ve Got the Power: Washington, D.C., USL Super League Club Unveils Name, Logo
The newest professional women’s soccer franchise in the United States is ready to power up with their new name and crest.
Washington, D.C.’s entry in the USL Super League unveiled its identity on Monday, May 20. They’ll be known as DC Power Football Club, or Power FC for short, and unveiled a striking black-and-red crest.
The crest consists of a black and red shield with an eagle wing cutting through the middle “reflecting our attacking style of play.” The negative space in the wing has three lightning bolt shapes to represent the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. At the top of the shield, “POWER FC” is written out in white, with three red stars underneath to “evoke the iconic DC city flag.” And in the red bottom half of the shield, there’s an interlocking “DC” monogram.
“This is a monumental day for our club and the integration into the community as we officially launch our team’s name and crest,” said club president Jordan Stuart on their website. “Power FC’s identity is deeply rooted in the dynamic spirit and resilience of its hometown, Washington, DC. As our nation’s center of power, Washington, DC bears a unique responsibility. The responsibility to lead. To effect change. To inspire. This energy drives Power Football Club.”
The black, red and white color scheme may be intentionally evocative of Major League Soccer side D.C. United as a partnership has been established between the two clubs. Devin Talbott, a part-owner of D.C. United, is also part of Power FC’s ownership group, along with Angel Reese of the WNBA’s Chicago Sky.
Power FC will play their home games at Audi Field, which they’ll share with D.C. United. The USL Super League will kick off in August 2024 and continue until spring 2025 with a winter break, but a detailed schedule has not yet been released.
The initial eight teams for the 2024-25 USL Super League season include:
Other markets identified for future expansion include: Chattanooga, Tennessee; Indianapolis, Indiana; Jacksonville, Florida; Madison, Wisconsin; Oakland, California; Palm Beach, Florida; Phoenix, Arizona; and Tucson, Arizona.
Washington, D.C
Enstrom among select few helicopters in Washington, D.C. flyover
On May 11, Enstrom Helicopter Corporation had the distinct honor of taking part in a general aviation (GA) flyover of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The flyover was in commemoration of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)’s 85th anniversary.
The diverse group of aircraft included 15 chapters of planes, telling the story of GA in America, including aviation’s Golden Age, the postwar boom, and all the way up to modern business jets and wildfire-fighting airplanes.
Of the 60 or so aircraft that participated, only three were helicopters, distinguishing Enstrom as part of a select company.
“AOPA sent us an invitation back in January,” said Enstrom chief commercial officer Dennis Martin. “From there, I had to go through multiple briefings and background checks from the FAA and Secret Service. It was a fairly involved process”
FAA personnel and AOPA staff timed the operation to the second, organizing the flight based on aircraft and pilot capabilities. Officials shut down Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport for an hour to make way for the flyover.
Martin flew the Enstrom 480B from Menominee, Michigan, to Frederick Municipal Airport in Maryland, where he then flew down the Potomac along the designated flyover route.
After reaching Roosevelt Island, Martin took a turn at the Lincoln Memorial, flew down Independence Avenue, and dipped south at the Hirshhorn Museum. Martin and his fellow aviators flew at an altitude of about 1,000 feet, all just a half mile away from the White House, one of Washington, D.C.’s most restricted flight zones.
“It was surreal. Millions of people see these landmarks from the ground every year, but unless you’re the president, nobody gets to see them from the air,” said Martin. “And for the locals, they might typically only spot military aircraft or massive airliners in the airspace above D.C., so for 60 smaller airplanes and helicopters to fill the skies, it must have made for a unique and breathtaking experience.”
Following the flyover, Martin exited the restricted airspace and flew back up to Frederick. He recognized Enstrom’s participation in the flyover as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“But if AOPA ever hosts a celebration like this again, I’d accept an invitation in a heartbeat,” added Martin. “My 11-year-old daughter had a blast flying alongside me.”
For anyone unable to watch the flyover live, a rebroadcast is available here. You can also watch a highlight reel from the event here.
This press release was prepared and distributed by Enstrom.
Washington, D.C
Honor Flight Continues Salute to Veterans in Washington D.C
FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – The Minnesota North Dakota Honor Flight continues as veterans from the region celebrate their service in Washington D.C. 102 veterans loaded onto buses and visited several museums and memorials on Monday; first visiting the National Archives where there would be able to see historic documents and relics such as the Declaration of Independence.
Navy Veteran, Robert Leslie reflected on the trip thus far outside the Navy Memorial.
“It’s awesome, seeing the World War 2, and the Iwo Jima and the archives and now the Navy.. It’s exciting. It’s exceeded my expectations.”
Leslie remembers his service fondly, taking pride in his service to his country.
“I would gladly do it again, I was in ‘65-69 during Vietnam and I’d gladly do it again, i have no regrets whatsoever going into the service// It’s fun and talk about some of our experiences in the service, year, it’s kind of neat, yeah, find out what other people did, yeah.”
Veterans from the Vietnam War, The Korean War, and even a veteran from World War 2 were chaperoned across the Nation’s Capital by dozens of honor flight volunteers. ND/MN Honor Flight Vice President Lori Ishaug says that organizing and coordinating this trip is her way of giving back to the veterans.
“For the love of the country, for the love of the veterans and really if the veterans didn’t do what they did we wouldn’t be here and this is our way of giving back and thanking them, plus the two sisters on either side of me are veterans so I grew up with, you know, the military family so for me personally it’s just my way of giving back,” said Ishaug who also volunteers with here sisters, Susan Schoeder and Diane Modrow.
The trip will conclude Tuesday with visits to the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Korean Memorial, and Fort McHenry before flying back to Hector International Airport in Fargo Tuesday afternoon.
Copyright 2024 KVLY. All rights reserved.
-
News1 week ago
Skeletal remains found almost 40 years ago identified as woman who disappeared in 1968
-
World1 week ago
India Lok Sabha election 2024 Phase 4: Who votes and what’s at stake?
-
World1 week ago
Ukraine’s military chief admits ‘difficult situation’ in Kharkiv region
-
Movie Reviews1 week ago
Aavesham Movie Review
-
News1 week ago
Trump, Reciting Songs And Praising Cannibals, Draws Yawns And Raises Eyebrows
-
World1 week ago
Catalans vote in crucial regional election for the separatist movement
-
Movie Reviews1 week ago
Unfrosted Movie Review: A sweet origins film which borders on the saccharine
-
Politics1 week ago
North Dakota gov, former presidential candidate Doug Burgum front and center at Trump New Jersey rally