Washington
Trump makes a victor's return to Washington to meet with Biden and GOP lawmakers
WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is making a victor’s return to Washington.
President Joe Biden will welcome him to the White House on Wednesday for an Oval Office visit that is a traditional part of the peaceful handoff of power — a ritual that Trump himself declined to participate in four years ago.
Trump also planned to meet with Republicans from Congress as they focus on his Day 1 priorities and prepare for a potentially unified government with a GOP sweep of power in the nation’s capital. His arrival amid Republican congressional leadership elections could put his imprint on the outcome.
It’s a stunning return to the U.S. seat of government for the former president, who departed nearly four years ago a diminished, politically defeated leader after the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol but is preparing to come back to power with what he and his GOP allies see as a mandate for governance.
Ahead of the visit, House Speaker Mike Johnson said that Republicans are “ready to deliver” on Trump’s “America First” agenda.
After his election win in 2016, Trump met with President Barack Obama in the Oval Office and called it “a great honor.” But he soon was back to heaping insults on Obama, including accusing his predecessor — without evidence — of having wire-tapped him during the 2016 campaign.
Four years later, Trump disputed his 2020 election loss to Biden, and he has continued to lie about widespread voter fraud that did not occur. He didn’t invite Biden, then the president-elect, to the White House and he left Washington without attending Biden’s inauguration. It was the first time that had happened since Andrew Johnson skipped Ulysses S. Grant’s swearing-in 155 years ago.
Biden insists that he’ll do everything he can to make the transition to the next Trump administration go smoothly. That’s despite having spent more than a year campaigning for reelection and decrying Trump as a threat to democracy and the nation’s core values. Biden then bowed out of the race in July and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to succeed him.
In the wake of the election, the president has abandoned his dire warnings about Trump, saying in a speech last week, “The American experiment endures. We’re going to be okay.”
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden is committed to “making sure that this transition is effective, efficient and he’s doing that because it is the norm, yes, but also the right thing to do for the American people.”
“We want this to go well,” Jean-Pierre added. “We want this to be a process that gets the job done.”
Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan echoed that sentiment, saying the administration will uphold the “responsible handoff from one president to the next, which is in the best tradition of our country.”
Wednesday’s visit is more than just a courtesy call.
“They will go through the top issues — both domestic and foreign policy issues — including what is happening in Europe and Asia and the Middle East,” Sullivan told CBS of Wednesday’s meeting. “And the president will have the chance to explain to President Trump how he sees things … and talk to President Trump about how President Trump is thinking about taking on these issues when he takes office.”
Traditionally, as the outgoing and incoming presidents meet in the West Wing, the first lady hosts her successor upstairs in the residence — but Melania Trump isn’t expected to attend.
After his 2016 meeting with Obama, Trump also visited lawmakers on Capitol Hill and will be doing the same Wednesday — not far from where a mob of his supporters staged a violent January 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol to try and stop the certification of Biden’s election victory.
When Trump left Washington in 2021, even some top Republicans had begun to decry him for his role in helping incite the Capitol attack. But his win in last week’s election completes a political comeback that has seen Trump once again become the unchallenged head of the GOP.
It’s not the first time Trump has returned to the Capitol area since the end of his first term, though. Congressional Republicans hosted Trump over the summer, as Trump was again solidifying his dominance over the party.
His latest visit comes as Republicans, who wrested the Senate majority from Democrats in last week’s elections and are on the cusp of keeping GOP control of the House, are in the midst of their own leadership elections happening behind closed doors Wednesday.
The president-elect’s arrival will provide another boost to Johnson, who has pulled ever-closer to Trump as he worked to keep his majority — and his own job with the gavel.
The speaker said he expects to see Trump repeatedly throughout the week, including at an event later that evening, and at the president-elect’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida “all weekend.”
It’s unclear whether Trump will also visit the Senate, which is entangled in a more divisive closed-door leadership election in the three-way race to replace outgoing GOP Leader Mitch McConnell.
Trump’s allies are pushing GOP senators to vote for Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, who had been a longshot candidate challenging two more senior Republicans, Sen. John Thune of South Dakota and Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, for the job.
___
Associated Press writer Kevin Freking contributed to this report.

Washington
North Hagerstown’s Rian Johnson headlines 2025 All-Washington County Girls Track & Field
All-Washington County Girls Track & Field First Team
Here are the 2025 All-Washington County Girls Track & Field first-team selections.
Here are The Herald-Mail’s 2025 All-Washington County Girls Outdoor Track & Field selections.
Rian Johnson, North Hagerstown
Athlete of the Year
Johnson, a senior, emerged as the greatest distance runner in county history on the track. She set county records in the 800 (2:12.73), 1,600 (4:43.51) and 3,200 (10:25.74) and won Class 3A state gold in the 1,600 and 3,200 and silver in the 800. Her state-winning time of 4:45.88 in the 1,600 set a meet record for all classifications.
All-Washington County First Team
Alaina Barnhart, Boonsboro
Barnhart, a junior, captured CMC Small School, county and 1A West region titles in the 100.
Madison Booth, Hancock
Booth, a freshman, won CMC Small School and 1A West region titles in the high jump before tying for second at states.
Anna Chamberlin, North Hagerstown
Chamberlin, a junior, ranked No. 1 in the county in the high jump (5-3), 100 hurdles (16.19) and 4×800 (9:35.59) and No. 2 in the triple jump (32-5 1/2). In Class 3A, she tied for second at states in the high jump.
Abigayle Fluharty, Boonsboro
Fluharty, a junior, ranked No. 2 in the county in the 200 (26.24) and 400 (58.81). In the 1A West region championships, she placed second in the 400 and fourth in the 200.
Cora Gentzel, Smithsburg
Gentzel, a senior, earned Class 1A state gold in the 4×800, silver in the 3,200 and bronze in the 1,600.
Chloe Gietka, South Hagerstown
Gietka, a sophomore, ranked No. 1 in the county in the long jump (17-0) and triple jump (37-0 1/4). In Class 3A, she placed fifth at states in the triple jump and seventh in the long jump.
Lilian Hade, Smithsburg
Hade, a sophomore, placed first at the county championships and third in the 1A state meet in the pole vault. She also placed seventh at states in the 400.
Kayla Hawbecker, Smithsburg
Hawbecker, a senior, scored at states in five events in Class 1A, placing first in the 4×400 and 4×800, fourth in the 1,600 and 3,200 and eighth in the 800.
Jenna Howe, Smithsburg
Howe, a senior, ranked No. 1 in the county in the 100 (12.58), 200 (25.70) and 400 (57.95) and was a member of three No. 1 relays — 4×100 (50.22), 4×200 (1:45.14) and 4×400 (4:04.41). She scored at states in all six events in Class 1A, highlighted by gold in the three relays and silver in the 400.
Kailyn McCauley, Clear Spring
McCauley, a senior, ranked No. 1 in the county in the shot put (36-8) and No. 4 in the discus (95-7). In the shot put, she was the 1A state runner-up and the CMC Small School, county and 1A West region champion.
Sarah Mohler, Boonsboro
Mohler, a freshman, placed second in the state in Class 1A in the discus and seventh in the shot put. She was the 1A West region runner-up in both throws.
Alexandria Spithaler, Smithsburg
Spithaler, a senior, ranked No. 1 in the county in the pole vault (10-0) with her Class 1A state runner-up performance.
Lauren Stine, North Hagerstown
Stine, a senior, ranked No. 2 in the county in the 800 (2:19.58), 1,600 (5:02.23) and 3,200 (10:39.52) and was a member of the No. 1 4×800 (9:35.59). In Class 3A, she placed fourth at states in the 3,200 and fifth in the 1,600.
Sidney Turner, Boonsboro
Turner, a junior, ranked No. 1 in the county in the discus (123-4) and No. 3 in the shot put (34-6). She won CMC Small School and county titles in the discus.
All-Washington County Second Team
- Kiara Barker, Fr., Williamsport, throws
- Dayanah Brunson, Fr., North Hagerstown, hurdles
- Grace Ellis, Sr., Smithsburg, middle distance/hurdles
- Hadley Elwood, So., Clear Spring, jumps
- Ella Fisher, Sr., Smithsburg, distance
- Ella Hajel, Sr., North Hagerstown, distance
- Juliet Hodge, Fr., Clear Spring, sprints
- Rhianna Ignasiak, Sr., South Hagerstown, hurdles
- Emma Joyal, Sr., Smithsburg, jumps/hurdles
- Taylor King, Sr., Smithsburg, hurdles/sprints
- Katelyn Moffit, So., Clear Spring, throws
- Brielle Morales, Jr., Clear Spring, hurdles
- Alaina Pate, Sr., Smithsburg, sprints
- Audrey Roberts, Fr., Clear Spring, jumps
- Annabelle Schaberl, Jr., North Hagerstown, sprints/jumps
- Olivia Smith, Jr., Clear Spring, jumps
Washington
Commanders could trade $68 million disgruntled star

The Washington Commanders have an unhappy star in wide receiver Terry McLaurin.
The former Ohio State wideout has one year remaining on his contract, and he wants a new deal before the start of the season.
Bleacher Report writer Kristopher Knox thinks the Commanders could trade McLaurin to the Arizona Cardinals for pass rusher Zaven Collins if a deal isn’t struck.
READ MORE: Commanders’ Dan Quinn shouts out Capitals coach for major honor
“The Arizona Cardinals might not seem like an obvious candidate for McLaurin because they added their No. 1 receiver when they drafted Marvin Harrison Jr, in 2024,” Knox wrote.
“What the Cardinals don’t have, however, is a top-tier receiver who can complement Harrison and help get more out of quarterback Kyler Murray. McLaurin could be that, and now could be the perfect time to add him.
“Murray and head coach Jonathan Gannon are both entering a pivotal season. Murray hasn’t performed at a Pro Bowl level since 2021 and may need help to get back to the form he had before his 2022 ACL tear. Gannon has delivered just 12 wins in his two seasons at the helm.
“Adding McLaurin could help Murray return to his pre-injury production and, potentially, help Arizona get over .500. To sweeten the pot, the Cardinals could include edge-defender Zaven Collins, who had five sacks last season but could be a potential 2026 cap casualty.
“The Cardinals could save $4.4 million this year by trading Collins, and they’ve added Calais Campbell, Josh Sweat and rookie first-round pick Walter Nolen III to their pass-rushing rotation this offseason.
“Washington could be very interested in a little edge help.”
The Commanders will hope to get a new deal done with McLaurin in the near future.
READ MORE: Commanders coach eyes growth for second-year linebacker
Stick with CommanderGameday and the Locked On Commanders podcast for more FREE coverage of the Washington Commanders throughout the 2025 offseason.
• Deebo Samuel’s viral post-practice work has Commanders fans buzzing
• Commanders linked to 4-time Pro Bowl RB in new report
• NFL insider says Commanders braced for beating vs Eagles in wild claim
• Former Commanders defender announces retirement after 10-year career
Washington
Search expands for former Army soldier accused of killing his 3 young daughters in Washington state

SEATTLE — Authorities have closed a wide swath of popular campgrounds and backpacking areas along the Pacific Crest Trail in Washington as they search for a former Army soldier wanted in the deaths of his three young daughters.
Dozens of additional law enforcement officers from an array of agencies joined the investigation and search Friday for Travis Caleb Decker, 32, four days after the girls – 9-year-old Paityn Decker, 8-year-old Evelyn Decker and 5-year-old Olivia Decker – were found dead at a remote campsite outside Leavenworth.
The girls’ mother reported them missing the night of May 30 when Decker failed to return them to her home in Wenatchee, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) east of Seattle, after a scheduled visit.
Gov. Bob Ferguson announced Friday night that he was ordering the state’s National Guard to help with the search, saying “we will be providing helicopter transportation for law enforcement as they search in remote areas.”
“The brutal murder of these young children has shocked our state,” he added in a statement on social media. “I’m committed to supporting law enforcement as they seek justice for Paityn, Evelyn and Olivia.”
The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that there were more than 100 officers involved in the search, which covered rugged terrain in the Cascade Mountains of central Washington, and more than 500 tips had poured in from the public.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we have been given notice to, and are working in conjunction with our surrounding counties in the event Mr. Decker moves through the forest into their jurisdiction,” the statement said.
Decker was an infantryman in the Army from March 2013 to July 2021 and deployed to Afghanistan for four months in 2014, according to Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Ruth Castro. From 2014 to 2016, he was an automatic rifleman with the 75th Ranger Regiment at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington.
Last September his ex-wife, Whitney Decker, wrote in a petition to modify their parenting plan that his mental health issues had worsened and that he had become increasingly unstable, often living out of his truck. She sought to restrict him from having overnight visits with the girls until he found housing.
“He has made huge sacrifices to serve our country and loves his girls very much but he has got to get better,” she wrote. “I do not want to keep Travis from the girls at all. … But I cannot have our girls staying in what is essentially a homeless shelter, at times unsupervised, with dozens of strange men, or staying in a tent or living in his truck with him both in extreme temperatures and unknown areas for their safety.”
Authorities warned people to be on the lookout for Decker and asked those with remote homes, cabins or outbuildings to keep them locked, to leave blinds open so law enforcement can see inside and to leave exterior lights on.
It was unclear if Decker was armed, but the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office said he should be considered dangerous. A reward of up to $20,000 was offered for information leading to his arrest.
An online fundraiser for Whitney Decker raised more than $1 million, and friends Amy Edwards, who taught the girls in a theater program called “Short Shakespeareans,” and Mark Belton thanked supporters during a news conference Thursday.

Undated photo of Travis Caleb Decker who the police are asking the public for help in locating the Washington state father who is wanted for murder.
Wenatchee Police Department via AP
“Their laughter, curiosity and spirit left a mark on all of us,” Edwards said. “They were the kind of children that everyone rooted for, looked forward to seeing and held close in their hearts.”
Edwards and Belton said Whitney Decker hopes the tragedy prompts changes to the state’s Amber Alert system as well as improvements in mental health care for veterans. The night the girls were reported missing, Wenatchee police asked the Washington State Patrol to issue an Amber Alert but it declined, saying that as a custody matter without an imminent threat, the case did not meet the criteria for one.
The patrol did issue an “endangered missing person alert” the next day, but those do not result in notifications being sent to mobile phones.
As searches expanded for the girls last weekend, a sheriff’s deputy found Decker’s pickup in the area of Rock Island Campground, northwest of Leavenworth. There were two bloody handprints on the tailgate. The girls’ bodies were discovered down an embankment nearby with evidence that they had been bound with zip ties, according to an affidavit filed in support of murder and kidnapping charges against Decker.
County Coroner Wayne Harris said Friday that his office was awaiting pathology results to determine when and how the girls were killed.
Authorities issued closure notices the previous day for that camping area, which lies in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, as well as for a large swath of rugged territory to the north. That included trails and campgrounds along the Pacific Crest Trail, which runs from the Canadian border to Mexico, and around Stehekin, at the northern end of Lake Chelan.
Copyright © 2025 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
-
Politics1 week ago
Michelle Obama facing backlash over claim about women's reproductive health
-
Technology1 week ago
OpenAI wants ChatGPT to be a ‘super assistant’ for every part of your life
-
Movie Reviews1 week ago
The Verdict Movie Review: When manipulation meets its match
-
Technology1 week ago
Why do SpaceX rockets keep exploding?
-
West2 days ago
Battle over Space Command HQ location heats up as lawmakers press new Air Force secretary
-
Finance1 week ago
Here's what will boost your feeling of financial well-being the most, researchers say
-
World1 week ago
Two killed in Russian attacks on Ukraine before possible talks in Turkiye
-
News1 week ago
Department of Homeland Security lists sanctuary jurisdictions in Northern California