Washington, D.C

Mayor Johnson travels to Washington for final preparations before sanctuary city hearing

Published

10 months ago

March 3, 2025

Mayor Johnson travels to Washington for final preparations before sanctuary city hearing

CHICAGO (WLS) — Mayor Brandon Johnson is in Washington, D.C. Monday, preparing for his showdown with a congressional committee over Chicago’s sanctuary city law.

The hearing is Wednesday morning, and the mayor is expected to be grilled by Republicans in a hearing that could last all day.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Johnson will be stepping into perhaps the biggest spotlight of his political career this week when he goes before the Republican-led House Oversight Committee Wednesday morning.

Johnson, along with his counterparts from Boston, Denver and New York, were asked to appear to answer questions about their sanctuary city laws, which do not permit police to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on immigration matters, even when immigrants living in the U.S. without legal permission are accused of crimes.

“I don’t know that Brandon Johnson is going to be prepared to make that kind of commitment; so, he’s going to have to balance his argument that he wants to be humane and just, and provide support for immigrants at a very pivotal time,” ABC7 Chicago political analyst Laura Washington said.

Several key advisors traveled with the mayor to Washington, and are putting him through mock hearings to help him prepare. Sources say he has also hired a DC law firm that specializes in preparing people for congressional hearings.

The House Oversight Committee is made up of both Republicans and Democrats, who will alternate turns questioning the four mayors. These hearings often lead to viral, made for TV moments.

“So, there’s going to be a lot of grand-standing, a lot of back and forth, a lot of abrupt questioning, and the idea is going to be to make them make a mistake, to make them slip up, make them say something that will be embarrassing to them in their cities,” Washington said.

The Oversight Committee released an ominous video in advance of the hearing, saying the mayors will be held publicly accountable.

“If they’re gonna continue to disobey the law, then I think we should cut as much of their federal funding as we can cut,” someone says in the video.

Last week, the mayor said the hearing is about Chicago, not him.

“I am part of a long legacy of leaders in this city and this state that have stood up for working people, and that’s essentially what I’m prepared to do on March 5,” Johnson said.

“I’m not worried about the mayor going there. The mayor will be able to handle himself in the way that he knows how. The fact is that this city is a strong city, regardless of what talking points are coming out of MAGA,” 22nd Ward Ald. Michael Rodriguez said.

The key for Mayor Johnson could be the preparation he gets between now and Wednesday morning, and the help he gets from Democrats on the committee who support sanctuary city laws.

Source link

Click to comment

Washington, D.C

DC leaders considering transit options for new RFK Stadium

Published

4 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

Source link

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%.

Source link

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.”

Source link