Washington, D.C

Opinion | A larger House is needed — and doable

Published

2 years ago

May 14, 2023

Opinion | A larger House is needed — and doable

I agree with Danielle Allen’s May 4 op-ed, “Can the Capitol hold a much bigger House? Yes, here’s how it would look.” There are too few members of the House, each now representing an estimated 700,000 people and growing. Smaller districts would mean more time for a closer, more accessible relationship with constituents. All members want to be judged by an informed public, and they would be better able to respond to constituents’ needs.

A member of the House was expected to represent 30,000 or so people in 1789. How can a member be expected to somehow legislate effectively for 700,000 residents, more than 20 times what was originally contemplated? Technological advances notwithstanding — email, social media, always the cellphone — people want to better communicate their concerns to their representatives, which can’t be done if the district population is so large, with so many constituents wanting someone in Washington to listen to their concerns.

Such a change would benefit everyone: the people, the member and our long-standing representative democracy. Though there will be costs incurred to accommodate more members, and committee structures will change for this equitable and fair system for apportioning new members among the states, it would be a small price for ensuring a lasting, effective, efficiently operating governing body in one of the greatest democracies in the world.

Samuel Isaiah Williams, Bowie

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Washington, D.C

Illegal immigrant arrested in DC robbery of Kristi Noem – Washington Examiner

Published

8 hours ago

April 27, 2025

Press Room

Illegal immigrant arrested in DC robbery of Kristi Noem – Washington Examiner

The man suspected to have stolen Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s high-value Gucci bag from a restaurant in Washington, D.C., has been arrested.

The suspect is believed to be in the country illegally, Ed Martin, the interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, said in an interview with NBC News.

It is not believed that the suspect targeted Noem because of her role in the federal government. The theft is part of multiple purse robberies believed to be a theft ring recently targeting Washington, D.C.’s Penn Quarter.

“This was not an amateur. This was a person, a thief, that knew how to do this. You could see how he scouted the room out,” Martin told the outlet. Authorities are looking for a second suspect who is also believed to be in the country illegally.

The investigation is being handled by the Metropolitan Police and the U.S. Secret Service. Martin said Immigration and Customs Enforcement is now involved due to the man’s believed illegal status.

MILLIONS DO NOT HAVE A REAL ID. HERE’S WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE THE MAY DEADLINE

Noem was dining at the chain restaurant The Capital Burger last week when her purse containing $3,000 in cash, her passport, DHS access badge, Louis Vuitton wallet, apartment keys, and checkbook, was stolen.

According to CNN, security footage of the theft showed the suspect moving close to Noem as he locked in on her Gucci bag near her feet. The man was dressed in dark clothing and sat down at an empty table next to Noem with his back facing her after surveying the restaurant. He then used his foot to slide the bag away.

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Washington, D.C

Commanders draft WR Jaylin Lane with 128th overall pick

Published

1 day ago

April 26, 2025

Press Room

Commanders draft WR Jaylin Lane with 128th overall pick

The Washington Commanders have selected wide receiver Jaylin Lane with the No. 128 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Lane (5-foot-10, 196 pounds) was a five-year player at the college level and spent time at MTSU and Virginia Tech. Over the course of his career, Lane amassed 2,532 yards and 18 touchdowns.

“Semi-versatile slot option with legitimate long speed and talent to add yardage with the ball in his hands,” wrote NFL.com’s Lance Zeirlein. “Lane can stretch defenses from the slot with his build-up speed and is a viable option in catch-and-run packages near the line of scrimmage.”

A three-star recruit out of South Carolina, Lane committed to MTSU after breaking every receiving record at Clover High School. He ended his three-year stint with the Blue Raiders by being a Second Team All-C-USA selection for leading the team with 69 receptions for 940 yards and five touchdowns.

Lane was an explosive athlete at the combine with a 4.34 40-yard dash to go with a 40-inch vertical and 11-foot broad jump. All three numbers were among the best for a wide receiver.

Lane also has five years of experience as a punt returner with 733 career yards on 67 returns with two touchdowns.

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Washington, D.C

Retired DC officer describes interrupting robbery in progress in Fairfax County

Published

2 days ago

April 25, 2025

Press Room

Retired DC officer describes interrupting robbery in progress in Fairfax County

A retired D.C. police officer on his way to work Thursday says he stopped by his neighborhood store and walked right into a robbery in progress. He says he pulled his weapon, told the suspect to freeze and shared with police what he saw after the man ran.

George Darley said his head is always on a swivel. It comes from years of chasing fugitives in D.C.

When he walked into a 7-Eleven in Fairfax County as usual on Thursday, he took a look around, grabbed a drink and saw the store owner.

“She has this look on her face like she’s terrified,” he said.

Darley said he saw a man scooping things up from behind the counter.

“So, I look at her and she has this horrified look on her face, and she goes ‘He’s got a gun! He’s got a gun!’ And she gives me a signal,” he said.

“I pulled my weapon out and I yelled at him and said, ‘Hey, what are you doing?’ He lifted up his shirt and I could see the butt of a gun,” he said.

The suspect hopped over the counter of the store in the 2400 block of Fairhaven Avenue, in the Huntington area, and ran into the neighborhood, Darley said.

The retired cop said he jumped into his car and started chasing the man through the streets.

He lost sight of him, but Fairfax County officers with long guns closed in after neighbors called 911 and said they saw a suspicious person running through their yards on Byrd Lane. It all happened before noon.

A neighbor shared doorbell camera footage he turned over to police.

After hours of searching, police thought they had cornered the man inside a vacant house on Byrd Lane. From the ruined windows and bashed-in door, you can see where police entered.

Anthony Edwards, 51, of Maryland, was found hiding in the attic, police said.

Officers returned to the neighborhood on Friday to look for a gun.

Darley said he was told by police the video inside the 7-Eleven shows the suspect dropped a gun and then picked it up as he ran out of the store.

Darley said he returned to the store Friday and was thanked by the owner.

“She said, ‘Thank you, George! Thank you!,’” he said.

Darley said he’s glad he didn’t open fire because the parking lot was crowded and there were patrons in the store.

“I just wanted him to get out of the store. I didn’t want him to come in the store and take a hostage, and so I kind of, like, gave him an exit,” he said. “I’m sure if I felt threatened enough to shoot him, I would have had no problem, you know, doing it, but he never pulled it out of his waistband to me. He just showed it, thinking that I was going to be scared.”

Fairfax County police had no comment on Darley’s role other than saying in a statement that “a community member was present in the store and attempted to apprehend the man.” They said no one was hurt.

Edwards were charged with robbery, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, felon in possession of a firearm and burglary. He was held without bond.

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