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Tennessee Republican: Call DC a ‘sewer,’ not a swamp

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Tennessee Republican: Call DC a ‘sewer,’ not a swamp


Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) says Washington should no longer be dubbed a “swamp” because it gives real wetlands a bad name.

“I wish people would quit calling it a swamp,” the Tennessee Republican said during a Wednesday interview on Real America’s Voice.

“A swamp is actually something God created that actually works,” Burchett told the conservative media outlet.

“It actually filters water. It has an input and an output,” Burchett added of real-life swamps.

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The term “drain the swamp” has long been utilized by lawmakers in reference to the nation’s capital. Former President Trump further popularized the phrase in 2016 when he made it one of his campaign promises during his White House bid.  

In August, Republican presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the “swamp got worse” during Trump’s presidency.

The idea that Washington was built on top of a swamp is a “myth” that will “never go away,” according to Smithsonian Magazine. Rather than swampy origins, the city was actually “built on a firm and dry riverbank,” the publication reported.

Burchett said Wednesday there’s a better way than “swamp” to describe ridding Washington of corruption and lifelong, ethically challenged politicians.

“It really is an open sewer, is what Washington, D.C., is. And everything that comes out of it is a sewer,” Burchett said.  

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But Burchett’s preference for calling D.C. a “sewer” rather than a swamp appears to be more recent — his congressional campaign store sells “Drain the Swamp” bumper stickers that feature an image of a Bigfoot-esque creature seemingly descending on the Capitol.

Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.





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List: What to do in the DC area this week and weekend, through Dec. 14

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List: What to do in the DC area this week and weekend, through Dec. 14


We share the best things to do every weekend in The Weekend Scene newsletter – it’s completely free to subscribe!

Wreaths Across America returns this weekend, inviting people across the country to decorate service members’ graves with festive greenery.

Volunteers and organizers will work to place more than a quarter-million wreaths just at Arlington National Cemetery, and many more at over 5,400 locations nationwide. Anyone can donate or sign up to volunteer for this holiday tradition.

Here’s what else to do this week in the Washington, D.C. area.

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What to do in Washington, D.C.

Home Alone in concert with the National Symphony Orchestra: Tues., The Anthem, $102

Light Yards Express: Weds., The Yards Park, free

Tingey Plaza Holiday Market: Fri. to Sun., The Yards, free

Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington – The Holiday Show: Sat., Sun. and Dec. 20, Lincoln Theatre, $68.40

National Kiss Under the National Mistletoe: Sat., 3-6 p.m., Anthem Row, free

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WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event – John Cena’s Final Match: Sat., 7:30 p.m., Capital One Arena, $303+ (there’s also a free fan event)

National Menorah Lighting: Sun., The Ellipse, free


What to do in Maryland

Holiday Trains and Planes: Fri., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., College Park Aviation Museum, $5 adults; $4 seniors; $2 students and free for children under 2

Takoma Park Gift Market: Fri., Ethan Allen and Carroll Aves., free

Skate With Santa: Sat., 2-4 p.m., Tucker Road Ice Rink in Fort Washington, $6-$9 and $4 for skate rental

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BlackRock Center for the Arts Celebrates The Season market and music: Sat., noon to 4 p.m., Germantown, free

Concert – Earth, Wind & Fire: Fri. and Sat., The Theater at MGM National Harbor, $140+

Indoor Holiday Market at rio: Sat. and Sun., Gaithersburg, free


What to do in Virginia

Capital Art & Craft Festival: Fri. to Sun., Dulles Expo Center, $10 in advance or $12 at the door (free for kids 12 and under)

Wreaths Across America at Arlington National Cemetery: Sat., 8 a.m., Arlington, free

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Old Town Alexandria Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show: Sat., 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., John Carlyle Square, free

Kwanzaa Celebration: Sat., noon to 2 p.m., Alexandria Black History Museum, $15

Holidays in Purcellville – parade, market and more: Sat., various locations, free

Hillsboro Holiday Homes Tour: Sat., Hillsboro, $18-$28

Ice & Lights – The Winter Village at Cameron Run: Through Feb., Alexandria, $14.82

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Family of man killed by off-duty FBI agent in Metro Center files $15M lawsuit

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Family of man killed by off-duty FBI agent in Metro Center files M lawsuit


Three years after his death during an altercation with an off-duty FBI agent inside Metro Center station, Troy Bullock’s family continues to seek justice — now in a $15 million lawsuit.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia previously said there was insufficient evidence to pursue federal civil rights charges or D.C. criminal charges against the FBI agent.

The lawsuit’s court documents obtained by News4 describe the incident as a “violation of civil rights, use of excessive force, an assault and battery, and an unreasonable search and seizure of Troy Bullock that resulted in his death at the hands of a federal law enforcement agent.”

It also goes into details about the incident, stating that it was the unidentified agent who initially approached Bullock regarding his conduct while he was waiting for an oncoming train.

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After the incident, prosecutors said that the agent, whose identity was not released, said he saw Bullock start a fight with someone else.

The United State Attorney’s Office later said when the agent stepped in and told Bullock he should leave the person alone, Bullock became aggressive and pushed the agent, which allegedly caused the two to fall.

However, the lawsuit says, “Without provocation or legal justification, FBI Agent John Doe initiated a physical altercation by pushing or shoving Mr. Bullock.”

Surveillance video obtained by News4 at the time shows the struggle between the two men as they fell over a barrier about 8 feet to the ground below. Seconds later, shots were fired, and people started running.

As the struggle continued, the off-duty agent drew his service weapon and shot Bullock, who died at the station, authorities said.

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Police later said Bullock had a gun on him during the incident.

The lawsuit calls his death the “[…] direct and proximate result of the actions of FBI Agent John Doe,” and that his actions were quote “objectively unreasonable, unwarranted, and undertaken with a reckless disregard for Mr. Bullock’s life and constitutional rights.”

The paperwork also claims that the agent failed to de-escalate the situation or utilize less-lethal alternatives, contrary to established law enforcement protocols.

This lawsuit seeks 15 million dollars for losses suffered by Bullock and his family and punitive damages against the agent, in an amount to be determined at trial.

News4 reached out to the FBI, and it said its standard practice is to decline comment on any pending litigation.

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News4 also reached out to both Bullock’s family members, who have publicly spoken before, and the attorney that filed the lawsuit, but have not received a response.



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Man arrested after attempted robbery leads to knife assault in Northeast DC

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Man arrested after attempted robbery leads to knife assault in Northeast DC


A 21-year-old man has been arrested following an assault with a dangerous weapon incident in Northeast Washington, D.C.

The Metropolitan Police Department reported that on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at approximately 12:11 p.m., officers responded to a robbery in progress at a business on the 1500 block of Kenilworth Avenue, Northeast.

SEE ALSO | Alabama man accused of trying to rob a bank in Northeast DC

The suspect, identified as Alexis Rivera, who has no fixed address, allegedly entered the establishment and attempted to steal merchandise. When confronted by an employee, a struggle ensued, during which Rivera reportedly produced a knife, resulting in a laceration to the employee’s hand. Rivera then fled the scene.

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SEE ALSO | Blaze engulfs two-story home in Northeast DC

Officers conducting a canvass of the area located Rivera minutes later. Rivera was arrested and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon (knife).



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