Connect with us

Washington, D.C

Why Trump has pardon power over DC cases

Published

on

Why Trump has pardon power over DC cases


President Donald Trump’s pardons of the Jan. 6 defendants and two D.C. police officers convicted in the death of Karon Hylton-Brown have many people asking questions about the president’s pardon power.

A law professor who specializes in pardons explains the president’s unique power to intervene in local D.C. criminal prosecutions.

In his first hours back in office, Trump issued pardons to hundreds of Jan. 6 defendants, many who were convicted of attacking police officers during the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Trump also extended his pardon power to two Metropolitan Police Department officers who had been convicted in the death of Karon Hylton-Brown.

While the Jan. 6 defendants were charged with federal crimes, the two MPD officers were charged with local crimes.

Advertisement

“Article II of the Constitution gives the president of the United States the power to pardon offenses against the United States government, meaning federal offenses, but also, it turns out the president does have the pardon authority over District of Columbia offenses as well, given the novel nature of D.C.,” said Kimberly Wehle, author of “Pardon Power: How the Pardon System Works — and Why.”

Because most crimes in D.C. are prosecuted by the U.S. attorney, Wehle explains, the president has power in D.C. he doesn’t have elsewhere, whether the cases are brought in federal court or D.C. Superior Court.

“Given the unique nature of the District of Columbia, but there’s no other part of the country where he would be able to pardon a state crime,” Wehle said.

While reporters have asked the president about the reasons for the pardons, Wehle says the public rarely gets specific details.

“So not only is there no limits or oversight on the president’s ability to pardon, but there’s like a confidentiality lock on the information that the president has exclusive discretion whether to disclose it to the public,” she said.

Advertisement

As for how someone gets a pardon, and how they qualify: “There’s an application online on the Department of Justice website,” Wehle said. “And there are criteria, including that you have to have served your sentence and waited five years to be eligible, which of course is not what happened with the Jan. 6 insurrectionists. In addition, there’s a number of criteria. Two that are prominent are, you have to demonstrate remorse and accountability for the crime, and you can’t be violent. Those are generally disqualifying by the office of the pardon attorney in the Justice Department. But, of course, the president is not bound by those recommendations.”

About 10,000 people will apply for pardons during a president’s term, she said.

Once someone receives a pardon, rights such as the ability to buy a gun and to vote are restored. A person can refuse a pardon, as we have seen with one of the Jan. 6 defendants, she said.

It’s not just Trump who’s made headlines for issuing pardons. Former President Joe Biden has received backlash for pardoning his son Hunter in connection with his felony gun and tax convictions — a decision Biden made after previously stating he would not. Then, during his final hours in office, Biden also pardoned several people including Dr. Anthony Fauci, members of the Jan. 6 committee and members of the Biden family.

Advertisement



Source link

Washington, D.C

Global star Khalid heads to DC for ‘It’s Always Summer Somewhere’ tour

Published

on

Global star Khalid heads to DC for ‘It’s Always Summer Somewhere’ tour


Grammy-nominated singer Khalid will stop in the Nation’s Capital for his “It’s Always Summer Somewhere” tour.

The North-American tour has 25 dates at cities across the U.S. and Canada. Khalid will perform with special guest Lauv at MGM Music Hall at The Anthem in D.C. on May 31, 2026.

SEE ALSO | Most shocking snubs and surprises from the 2026 Golden Globe nominations

Khalid is mainly known for his global 2017 hits “Location” and Young Dumb & Broke.” He has been nominated for seven Grammys, including “Best New Artist” in 2018.

Advertisement

The full list of tour stops are:

  • Sat May 16 – Las Vegas, NV – PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
  • Mon May 18 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre
  • Wed May 20 – Chicago, IL – Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
  • Thu May 21 – Sterling Heights, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre
  • Sat May 23 – Hershey, PA – GIANT Center
  • Sun May 24 – Toronto, ON – RBC Amphitheatre
  • Tue May 26 – Laval, QC – Place Bell
  • Thu May 28 – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater
  • Fri May 29 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway
  • Sun May 31 – Washington, DC – The Anthem
  • Wed Jun 03 – Nashville, TN – Nashville Municipal Auditorium
  • Thu Jun 04 – Atlanta, GA – Synovus Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park
  • Sat Jun 06 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater
  • Sun Jun 07 – Philadelphia, PA – Skyline Stage at Highmark Mann
  • Tue Jun 09 – Portsmouth, VA – Portsmouth Pavilion
  • Wed Jun 10 – Richmond, VA – Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront
  • Fri Jun 12 – New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall
  • Mon Jun 15 – Charlotte, NC – Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre
  • Wed Jun 17 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
  • Thu Jun 18 – Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall
  • Fri Jun 19 – Austin, TX – Moody Amphitheater
  • Sun Jun 21 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre
  • Mon Jun 22 – San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
  • Wed Jun 24 – Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre
  • Fri Jun 26 – Berkeley, CA – Greek Theatre
Comment with Bubbles

BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT

Presale opens Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. General sale begins Dec. 12 at 10 a.m. on Khalid’s website.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Washington, D.C

Who will lead DC police? Search for new chief begins – WTOP News

Published

on

Who will lead DC police? Search for new chief begins – WTOP News


The D.C. police department is once again searching for a new chief who will lead the department following Pamela Smith’s departure.

About two years after Pamela Smith was approved to lead officers on a permanent basis, the D.C. police department is once again searching for a new chief.

Smith said Monday that she will step away from her position at the end of the year, calling it a personal decision she talked over with family.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser spoke about Smith’s resignation during a news conference Monday.

Advertisement

“I’ve been around long enough to know and to have lived through transitions,” Bowser said. “There are ways to approach this period of time and do it in a way that’s going to be most beneficial to D.C. residents. I’m going to marinate on it a little bit, and I’ll appoint the right, perfect person.”

Bowser will nominate the department’s next chief. The next permanent police chief will also need to earn the approval of the D.C. Council.

Smith’s resignation isn’t the only shake-up in D.C.’s leadership.

The mayor recently announced that she won’t seek reelection for a fourth term. With about a year left on the job, a reporter asked Bowser about the “challenges” associated with searching for a new chief as she prepares to exit office.

“I don’t call it a challenge,” Bowser said. “Because of the very deep bench we have and because of the great reputation of our department.”

Advertisement

Bowser said she will look internally for a new chief but would be open to nominating an external candidate.

“I’m obviously going to start first with the best police department in the nation,” Bowser said.

At the time Smith took over as chief in 2023, D.C. was at the peak of a crime wave.

Under her leadership, rates of crime have fallen. According to data provided by D.C. police, overall crime dropped 18% in 2025. Homicides are down 30% this year.

What should Bowser be looking for? Groups weigh in

The D.C. Police Union called on Bowser to collaborate with its members in the search for a new permanent chief.

Advertisement

“The ideal candidate must demonstrate proven leadership qualities that prioritize respect for the rank-and-file officers, foster trust within our communities, and commit to reforming broken policies lingering from the misguided ‘defund the police’ era, which resulted in laws and regulations that have undermined effective policing and officer morale,” the union wrote in a news release Monday morning.

Congressman Oye Owolewa, who represents the District in the U.S. House, said there’s an opportunity presented by the change in leadership. He also will not be seeking reelection as D.C.’s shadow representative in 2026.

“As we look ahead, it is my hope that this transition presents an opportunity to continue strengthening trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve, while advancing policies rooted in accountability, transparency, and true public safety for all,” Owolewa wrote in a statement.

Looking ahead, Bethany Young, policy director with D.C. Justice Lab, believes the next chief has a chance to make D.C. a national model.

“It feels like it’s in the air, like there’s something really that we’re on the precipice of,” said Young, whose organization pushes for police reform in the District.

Advertisement

Young said she hopes they will listen to residents and be open to reforms, such as limiting traffic stops for minor violations and supporting alternatives to policing for behavioral health crises.

“They want to see more accountability,” Young told WTOP. “They want to see more oversight. They want to have more information about how policing is operating in D.C.”

She also believes the next chief should rely on data, not politics, and be bold enough to speak out when policing practices don’t align with community needs.

“There are certain things that a police chief … cannot control,” Young said. “However, you always have a voice.”

She said the organization didn’t see eye to eye with the chief when it came to what she called an increase in unnecessary police interactions, collaboration with federal agencies and a lack of transparency and accountability.

Advertisement
‘What I’d like to do is give them encouragement’

Smith’s departure comes at a time when D.C. police officers have worked alongside federal partners, such as patrols with National Guard members.

City leaders have insisted police do not work directly alongside U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers; but some D.C. residents have reported instances where immigrants are arrested for minor infractions and arrested by ICE agents moments later.

Smith was asked about advice for the next chief and what guidance she has given to police officers in navigating law enforcement responsibilities alongside federal partners.

“They know probably better than I do what’s happening in community from day to day with our federal partners, because a lot of them are very intimately involved, especially our commanders,” Smith said. “At this point, I don’t need to give them any advice. I think what I’d like to do is give them encouragement.”

Smith, who has served in law enforcement for 28 years, said she will be available to support the department’s next leader.

Advertisement

“I will be available to the incoming or interim to provide him or her support with respect to the direction that the police department will continue,” Smith said.

For the next chief, Smith said three things are critical: communication, collaboration with partners and being involved with the community.

“My phone rings all time of day, all time of night, and you have to answer the call, you have to answer the phone, you have to show up,” Smith said.

A passion for D.C. residents is essential, she said.

“You may have to sit in somebody’s basement to have a conversation about something,” Smith said. “You have to dress down sometimes. Sometimes I’m in the community, and people don’t know I’m there. It’s just to protect the anonymity of the folks who really trust the Metropolitan Police Department, but sometimes are afraid to share the information that’s necessary.”

Advertisement

Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.

© 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.





Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Washington, D.C

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

Published

on

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.

Advertisement

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

Advertisement

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

Advertisement

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

Advertisement

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

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending