President Donald Trump touted the record-breaking fireworks display prepared for Saturday&#8217;s festivities celebrating America&#8217;s 250th birthday on the National Mall.
&#8220;Best fireworks show, EVER! President DJT,&#8221; he posted via his Truth Social platform after the last of the munitions had been spent.
The 40-minute display included more than 850,000 individual fireworks, breaking the Guiness World Record for the largest fireworks display on record. American military service members provided the soundtrack for the massive spectacle, singing hits like Chicago&#8217;s &#8220;25 or 6 to 4,&#8221; Journey&#8217;s &#8220;Don&#8217;t Stop Believin&#8217;,&#8221; Bon Jovi&#8217;s &#8220;Livin&#8217; on a Prayer,&#8221; the Village People&#8217;s &#8220;Y.M.C.A.,&#8221;  Toby Keith&#8217;s &#8220;Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American),&#8221; and Neil Diamond&#8217;s &#8220;Sweet Caroline.&#8221;
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The largest firework show in U.S. history for America’s 250th birthday!!! 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/Id0oyS8uLN">pic.twitter.com/Id0oyS8uLN</a>
— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://x.com/MargoMartin47/status/2073629242013737274?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2026</a></blockquote>
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🚨 BOOM! THE SPIRIT OF AMERICA IS ALIVE AND WELL!
Washington DC and President Trump just BROKE THE RECORD for most fireworks EVER, and cities nationwide launched their own celebrations on America 250
After weather evacuations, patriots BROKE OUT into Star Spangled Banner before… <a href="https://t.co/MnqtfylDG4">pic.twitter.com/MnqtfylDG4</a>
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) <a href="https://x.com/EricLDaugh/status/2073747253252993264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2026</a></blockquote>
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The 250 fireworks finale! <a href="https://t.co/qbgkLDhHFr">pic.twitter.com/qbgkLDhHFr</a>
— Beverly Hallberg (@BeverlyHallberg) <a href="https://x.com/BeverlyHallberg/status/2073630024586932306?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2026</a></blockquote>
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The entire National Mall fireworks show in about a minute, seen from the webcam at the top of the Washington Monument starting with the B1 Lancer flyover. <a href="https://t.co/BY0AlLawBl">pic.twitter.com/BY0AlLawBl</a>
— Alejandro Alvarez (@aletweetsnews) <a href="https://x.com/aletweetsnews/status/2073632498760749119?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2026</a></blockquote>
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World War II veterans who were honored during President Trump&#8217;s remarks watched the incredible display from their memorial.
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They left home as boys 8 decades ago to go out and save the world. Last night they sat at the WWII Memorial together and celebrated their country&#8217;s 250th. Still heroic. <a href="https://t.co/RXnOmtMVj7">pic.twitter.com/RXnOmtMVj7</a>
— Jerry Thornton (@jerrythornton) <a href="https://x.com/jerrythornton/status/2073740039574474823?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Throughout the evening, the fireworks and other program events competed with uncooperative weather, as a large thunderstorm blew through the nation&#8217;s capital and even forced a delay in the president&#8217;s remarks.
Lightning lit up the sky behind the Washington Monument as the crowd joined in singing &#8220;Sweet Caroline.&#8221;
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HOLY SH*T:
I just caught the moment lighting strikes near the Washington Monument as &#8220;Sweet Caroline&#8221; plays during the Freedom 250 fireworks in Washington D.C.
God bless America. 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/5Q92TgBGST">pic.twitter.com/5Q92TgBGST</a>
— Evan Kilgore 🇺🇸 (@EvanAKilgore) <a href="https://x.com/EvanAKilgore/status/2073628449533468718?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Lightning photobombs DC&#8217;s fireworks show.
Remarkable images shared with us by Russell Moy. <a href="https://t.co/fJhYtuYDfk">pic.twitter.com/fJhYtuYDfk</a>
— Capital Weather (@capitalweather) <a href="https://x.com/capitalweather/status/2073765107562135955?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Watch: Dramatic lightning strike during DC&#8217;s fireworks Saturday night.
While lightning appears to strike Washington Monument, the bolt actually is behind it.
Video by <a href="https://x.com/AlyssaNegvesky?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AlyssaNegvesky</a> <a href="https://t.co/oTVxARQ4oK">pic.twitter.com/oTVxARQ4oK</a>
— Capital Weather (@capitalweather) <a href="https://x.com/capitalweather/status/2073746243860246790?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Photo of the night contender from angela n. Stunning shot!!
More lightning + fireworks photos compiled on the site or at the Capital Weather app. <a href="https://t.co/bgPFCIQxOH">pic.twitter.com/bgPFCIQxOH</a>
— Capital Weather (@capitalweather) <a href="https://x.com/capitalweather/status/2073780201260003355?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Despite the weather, well over 100,000 spectators gathered on the National Mall to witness the display — and cities all across the United States joined in with their own celebrations.

Local Weather U.S.

Trump Raves About Record-Setting Fireworks Display For America 250

Donald Trump

Fireworks

Fourth of July

Washington D.C.

A heat dome affecting much of the United States has turned the nation&#8217;s capital into one of the hottest places on earth as Americans gather to celebrate the Semiquincentennial.
On Friday, only the Sahara Desert, China&#8217;s Gobi Desert, parts of the Middle East, and parts of America&#8217;s Desert Southwest will reach higher temperatures than America&#8217;s capital, Washington Post meteorologist Ben Noll <a href="https://x.com/bennollweather/status/2072681704456638543?s=46">reported</a>. Temperatures in D.C. are expected to reach 102 degrees, with the heat index potentially hitting a blistering 110.
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D.C. will be hotter than 99 percent of the planet on Friday.
Only parts of Africa&#8217;s Sahara Desert, the Middle East, China&#8217;s Gobi Desert and a few spots in the Desert Southwest will be hotter. <a href="https://t.co/GGedfFhpr4">pic.twitter.com/GGedfFhpr4</a>
— Ben Noll (@BenNollWeather) <a href="https://x.com/BenNollWeather/status/2072681704456638543?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2026</a></blockquote>
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The Great American State Fair on the National Mall temporarily closed Friday afternoon due to the extreme heat. The fair is expected to reopen at 5:00 p.m. ET.
&#8220;The safety and well-being of our guests, volunteers, performers, vendors, and staff is our highest priority,&#8221; Freedom 250 said. &#8220;Conditions are expected to improve later this afternoon, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back at 5:00 p.m. as preparations continue for this evening’s festivities.&#8221;
The major heat has also resulted in some parade cancellations on the East Coast on Friday, including the massive Philadelphia Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade. Parade organizers in Philadelphia said they made the decision to call off Friday&#8217;s parade for the safety of participants and would-be parade watchers, CBS News <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/philadelphia-4th-of-july-parade-canceled-heat/">reported</a>.
The historic town of Leesburg, Virginia, also <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/live-updates-extreme-heat-temps-over-100-in-dc-area-disrupt-july-4-celebrations/4125412/?cardId=1:14:4125495">canceled</a> its parade planned for Saturday and moved its concert and fireworks show back one hour.
The heat wave will continue in D.C. on Saturday during the Fourth of July celebrations, with temperatures expected to reach 99 degrees and the heat index rising to 113. A potential afternoon thunderstorm could also throw a wrench in the celebrations, according to AccuWeather.
&#8220;Dangerous heat [and] storms that can bring damaging winds and downpours may disrupt outdoor holiday plans,&#8221; AccuWeather noted.
The heat wave is not stopping President Donald Trump&#8217;s massive celebrations, however, as numerous events on the National Mall scheduled for Friday and Saturday are still moving forward. Americans who brave the high temps get to take in hours of military flyovers for Trump’s “Salute to America 250” celebration, The Daily Wire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/hundreds-of-military-aircraft-to-roar-over-d-c-for-trumps-fourth-of-july?topStoryPosition=undefined&amp;author=Drew+Berkemeyer&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=1&amp;rowHeadline=Top+Stories&amp;rowType=Top+Stories&amp;title=Hundreds+Of+Military+Aircraft+To+Roar+Over+D.C.+For+Trump%E2%80%99s+Fourth+Of+July">reported</a>. The flyovers feature historic and modern aircraft from every branch of the military.
The &#8220;Salute to America&#8221; live programming will begin on the Washington Monument grounds at 7:00 p.m. ET, and President Trump will deliver his address at 9:45 p.m. before the &#8220;World&#8217;s Largest Fireworks Display.&#8221;
D.C.&#8217;s annual &#8220;A Capitol Fourth&#8221; concert is also moving forward on Friday night, but entry into the event will be delayed until 7:00 p.m., just one hour before the start time.

Heat Dome Settles Over US Bringing Hot And Humid Conditions To Millions Of Americans

Only Four Places On Earth Are Hotter Than D.C. As Temps Soar During America 250 Celebrations

America 250

Heat wave

A grand jury on Thursday indicted three-time U.S. Olympian David Hearn, alleging he ripped a piece of sealant from the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool with his bare hands, federal prosecutors said.
Hearn, 67, faces a single felony count for destruction of property following his arrest last month in the nation’s capital, according to Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. 
“This was a deliberate act to damage the reflecting pool at the National Mall that members of the National Park Service actually have worked hard to restore,” Pirro said at a press conference. &#8220;We can state and prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he caused damage, and that damage is over $1,000.&#8221;
On June 19, Hearn, a former Olympic canoeist, was on a bike ride when he stopped to see the reflecting pool following reports of algae in the water, describing himself as a “curious, concerned citizen” to <a href="https://abcnews.com/Politics/olympian-arrested-reflecting-pool-damage/story?id=134078925%5C%5C">ABC News.</a> 
That’s when U.S. Park Police warned, then cited, the former Olympian after he touched a piece of blue coating. Prosecutors say he later tore two square feet of sealant from the bottom of the pool, an account Hearn denies.
“I saw a piece of this loose end of this blue coating … I reached out and touched the end of that piece that was loose but still attached to the bottom,” he told ABC News. “I was able to reach out and touch the edge that was still attached at the bottom and handled it a little bit.”
Federal prosecutors paint a different picture of the incident. 
“Our evidence further shows that the National Park Service employees observed Hearn actually forcefully and violently pulling up and removing the bottom liner with both hands,” Pirro said, adding that witnesses described Hearn’s behavior as &#8220;belligerent&#8221; and &#8220;disrespectful.&#8221; 
An attorney for Hearn <a href="https://x.com/ryanjreilly/status/2072768984160534736?s=20">said</a> his client was innocent and that the charges are &#8220;outrageous and should be alarming to every American.&#8221;
&#8220;On the eve of our nation&#8217;s Independence Day, Americans should be deeply concerned by the misuse of government power against an ordinary citizen based on a concocted narrative.&#8221;
Speaking to ABC, Hearn directly denied wrongdoing. 
“I did not remove, I did not damage, I did not rip, tear, break, destroy, or harm any part of the Reflecting Pool,” he told ABC. “The condition of that part and all other parts of the Reflecting Pool were in the same condition after I walked away as they were before I walked up to it.” 
On June 9, <a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.292242/gov.uscourts.dcd.292242.22.1.pdf">U.S. Park Police responded</a> to reports of damage to the reflecting pool, including foam sealant that had been cut with a sharp knife or razor. As a result, crews scrubbed algae from the pool as strips of “American flag blue” paint and sealant peeled from its bottom, just weeks after the $14.8 million restoration project, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-says-national-monument-vandalized-as-restoration-efforts-mobilize?author=Catherine+Maxwell&amp;category=undefined&amp;elementPosition=23&amp;row=3&amp;rowHeadline=Latest+News&amp;rowType=Vertical+Carousel&amp;title=Trump+Says+National+Monument+Vandalized+As+Restoration+Efforts+Mobilize">The Daily Wire</a> previously reported. 
Thursday’s indictment follows a string of alleged vandalism and protests, including one woman chanting, <a href="https://x.com/EndWokeness/status/2068070926994846144?s=20">“algae’s better than MAGA.”</a> 
The issues and negative publicity surrounding the iconic landmark have drawn Trump’s ire as he pushes to restore the site ahead of America’s 250th anniversary, describing vandals as <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116790016615762850">“SICK, DERANGED PEOPLE!” </a>
At least six individuals have been arrested in connection with reflecting pool-related vandalism, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/6-people-arrested-connection-alleged-vandalism-reflecting-pool-trump-s-rcna351409">according to NBC. </a>
“These landmarks and monuments belong to all of us, and they must be protected for generations to come,” Pirro said. “We will not allow our sacred monuments to be roped off, defaced, or diminished, or in any way impacted by disgruntled individuals.”
If convicted, Hearn faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

REFLECTING POOL

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Case Just Took A Turn For An Ex-Olympian

Crime

Jeanine Pirro

News

Reflecting Pool

U.S.

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The nation&#8217;s capital turned into one giant soccer party Wednesday night as thousands of red-white-and-blue-clad fans packed the National Mall&#8217;s Freedom 250 Fan Zone, roaring beneath a Jumbotron with the U.S. Capitol as a backdrop, as the United States knocked off Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 to punch its ticket to the World Cup round of 16.
From D.C. to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkuA3TFiGnA">Old Town Scottsdale</a>, Arizona, fans erupted in celebration — some even declaring this the greatest American soccer squad ever assembled.
The good vibes came with an asterisk. Folarin Balogun <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49243502/usa-bosnia-herzegovina-2026-fifa-world-cup-knockout-round-32">buried</a> the game&#8217;s opening goal right before the half — his third of the tournament — but was tossed just past the hour mark after replay showed he&#8217;d raked his cleats down a Bosnian defender&#8217;s leg. The red card leaves the Americans without their leading scorer for Monday&#8217;s showdown against Belgium. Balogun becomes just the fifth American ever ejected at a World Cup, and the first player anywhere to score and get sent off in the same knockout match since Zinedine Zidane&#8217;s infamous 2006 final meltdown.
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Down a man, the Americans didn&#8217;t blink. Malik Tillman curled a stunning free kick past the wall in the 82nd minute to seal the game — his first World Cup goal — while <a href="https://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/freese-usmnt-advance-to-round-of-16-with-win-over-bosnia-and-herzegovina">Union Homegrown Matt Freese</a> anchored the back line with a clean sheet. The win snapped a lengthy losing skid against European sides and marked just the United States&#8217; second knockout victory in tournament history. Now it&#8217;s on to Seattle, where the Americans get a shot at payback against the same Belgian team that eliminated the United States in 2014.
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As for that <a href="https://discoverdcnow.com/freedom-250-fifa-fan-zone-2026.html#:~:text=Even%20though%20Washington%20DC%20is,viewing%20screen%20on%20the%20grass.">Fan Zone</a> lighting up D.C., even without a host stadium, Washington built its own World Cup showcase, transforming the Mall between 3rd and 4th Streets into a free, open-air viewing hub running through July 19 — timed to coincide with America&#8217;s 250th birthday celebrations.
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More scenes from the National Mall.
Last few world cups the watch party was in dumpy DuPont Circle. Trump putting it on the National Mall is incredible.
And good to see the youth loving America instead of trashing a Chipotle! <a href="https://t.co/5iqrqH1kib">pic.twitter.com/5iqrqH1kib</a>
— Brent Scher (@BrentScher) <a href="https://x.com/BrentScher/status/2072514665398100039?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2026</a></blockquote>
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For anyone still catching up on the new format: this year&#8217;s tournament ballooned to 48 teams across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, split into 12 groups of four. The top two from each group move on automatically, joined by the eight best third-place finishers, for a 32-team knockout bracket. From there, it&#8217;s pure sudden-death — Round of 32, Round of 16, quarters, semis, and the final on July 19 in New Jersey. Ties after regulation mean extra time, and if that doesn&#8217;t settle it, penalty kicks decide who goes home and who keeps dreaming.
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For the United States, the dream stays alive — for now.
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USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina – FIFA World Cup 2026 – Round 32

WATCH: Americans Go Wild As U.S. Storms To Next Round Of World Cup

Soccer

World Cup

Two young men were injured in a double shooting in Washington, D.C., outside a gun violence prevention event at a local church.
The double shooting took place outside of Peace Baptist Church on 18th Street Northeast, just two miles from Capitol Hill, police <a href="https://www.fox5dc.com/news/2-men-shot-near-dc-church-holding-stop-violence-campaign">told</a> Fox 5 DC. 
The pastor of Peace Baptist was reportedly hosting a program to educate students on how to be gun violence prevention leaders when the shots rang out. The pastor said the two injured men were not affiliated with the church, and police have not released their identities or confirmed whether they took part in the summer jobs program near the church. Both men are expected to recover. Both men are expected to recover.
Washington, D.C., City Council member Wendell Felder stated on social media that he is working with the Metropolitan Police Department to apprehend the criminals and notify the community of the situation.
“I am deeply troubled by yesterday’s shooting near Peace Baptist Church. My prayers are with the two individuals who were injured, their loved ones, and everyone in our community who was impacted by this act of violence.” Felder <a href="https://x.com/CMWendellFelder/status/2071940279641293209">posted</a> on X. “It is particularly heartbreaking that this incident took place directly next to a youth gun violence prevention program. No one should have to fear for their safety while working to better themselves or attending community events.”
Police arrived on the scene shortly after the shots were fired and prevented the participants of the nearby summer youth employment program, most of whom were in their teens, from leaving the church for nearly two and a half hours, parents <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/2-men-shot-near-northeast-dc-church-housing-gun-violence-prevention-program/4123449/">told</a> NBC Washington. 
During those two and a half hours, officers reportedly went door-to-door asking for surveillance footage and tips about the potential suspects.
While searching the scene, police found a 16-year-old in the group carrying two backpacks that held two firearms. He was arrested and charged with carrying a pistol without a license, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of a large-capacity feeding device. Police have not said whether the teen was connected to the shooting, which remains under investigation.
Electrician Jamil Davis was working outside a block away when he heard gunshots. 

“We heard the shots. The first was four, and probably about two seconds later, we heard a few more,” Davis <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reels/DaM7i7VDQY5/">told</a> WUSA 9. “I don’t understand the logic behind why this even happened. You got kids around there.”
“I just wanted to make sure there were no kids [harmed], because I had to deal with this a couple years ago, and the last thing I want to hear is somebody else losing a kid,” Davis added.

Screenshot 2026-06-30 at 4.18.19 PM

Two Men Shot Outside Gun Violence Prevention Event

Shooting

Unlicensed food trucks operating around the National Mall have become a growing safety, tax, and law enforcement problem — a problem exacerbated by Washington, D.C.&#8217;s soft-on-crime leadership.
Local legislators passed the Street Vendor Advancement Amendment Act in 2023, decriminalizing unlicensed street vending — including food trucks — which means that illegal vendors will now never face criminal prosecution for operating there without the proper permits and licenses. The problem has gotten so pervasive that U.S. Park Police told the <a href="https://washingtonian.com/2026/06/29/dc-food-truck-mafia-national-mall/">Washingtonian</a> that many of the illegal operations amount to organized crime.
The trucks, <a href="https://x.com/jsidman/status/2071551385548501311">often clustered</a> along Constitution Avenue near some of the country’s most visited museums and monuments, have been accused of blocking fire hydrants, operating without proper licensing, avoiding taxes, and creating fire and food-safety hazards.
Some of the trucks have been seen with unsecured propane tanks, gasoline spills, questionable generator setups, and no posted prices, according to the Washingtonian. In one case, the outlet said a small chocolate ice cream cone cost $16.50. The company listed on the receipt reportedly had no record with the D.C. Office of Tax and Revenue.
Officials said the problem is not just a handful of independent vendors breaking rules. Park Police said that “the majority of the illegal operations in the city are organized crime,” describing repeat offenders who replace one truck with another when enforcement removes a vehicle.
The illegal trucks have also created conflict with licensed food truck owners. One longtime legal vendor told the Washingtonian that some operators appeared to be selling food without proper refrigeration or ventilation, while another licensed truck owner said unlicensed vendors had blocked off spots and made the Mall difficult for rule-abiding operators.
In some cases, the issue has escalated to violence. Park Police said assaults around the Mall are often vendor-related, and some legal food truck owners told Washingtonian they avoid the area because unlicensed operators are aggressive and territorial. One vendor described a parking dispute in which another driver allegedly attacked him with a screwdriver near his eye.
Safety officials have also warned about the fire risk. The Washingtonian reported that a food truck caught fire in 2024 near the National Museum of African American History and Culture, critically injuring two people. In the last four years, the D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department has responded to 15 food truck fires in the city.
D.C. officials have issued hundreds of vending violations, but enforcement remains difficult because many trucks come from Virginia, leave before inspectors can act, or simply pay the fines and then return. Former and current officials told the Washingtonian that some operations appear to use multiple trucks, repeated addresses, shell companies, and coordinated lookouts to avoid enforcement.
The dispute is now moving to the City Council, where lawmakers are considering bills that would give civil officials more power to tow or seize vehicles and crack down on repeat offenders. One proposal would make unlicensed vending a misdemeanor again, while another would keep it decriminalized but give agencies more tools to target repeat violators.

Multi-ethnic customers buying from owner in food truck against building

DC’s Soft-On-Crime Leadership Enables Migrant Food Truck Mafia

Organized crime

President Donald Trump ripped into the Democratic socialist who is poised to be the next Mayor of Washington, D.C., in a Sunday afternoon <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116829276650028561">social media post</a>.
The president noted that city council member Janeese Lewis George, who ran on a platform that included universal childcare and taxpayer-funded housing, won the Democratic primary with 54.1% of the vote — nearly 20 points ahead of her closest competitor, Kenyan R. McDuffie. Because there is no standout opponent going into November&#8217;s general election, Lewis George&#8217;s primary victory likely means that she will be the city&#8217;s next mayor.
&#8220;Janeese Lewis George, the Communist who is almost certainly going to be elected Mayor of Washington, D.C., has stated that she wants to empty the prisons, make D.C. a Sanctuary City, oppose ICE, welcome Criminal Illegal Aliens back into our beloved Capital, resist Anti-Crime Crackdowns, Defund the Police, continue and expand Cashless Bail, and so many other Capital destroying &#8216;things,'&#8221; Trump posted on Sunday.
&#8220;In the end, it will never work out, nor will I let it even have a chance because I have worked too hard to make Washington, D.C., the Envy of the World, with almost No Crime, and a Beautification process that has been second to none,&#8221; he added. &#8220;I will meet with Janeese Lewis George, but must forewarn everyone that Washington, D.C., is again a Safe and Prestigious Community. Many people, including myself, have worked long and hard to get it there, and we will not let it be destroyed by a Communist adherent who has no intention to, MAKE WASHINGTON GREAT AGAIN!&#8221;
Lewis George&#8217;s primary victory comes on the heels of a number that followed a similar pattern. Three Democratic socialists in New York, backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, also won their primaries. Two of the three bested incumbent Democrats in the process — and are unlikely to face any meaningful opposition in November&#8217;s general election.
As more and more primaries go in that direction, it has become clear that not everyone in the Democratic Party is <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/panic-sets-in-dems-tailspin-as-they-realize-the-hostile-socialist-takeover-already-started">on board</a> with the dramatic shift. Governor Josh Shapiro (D-PA), comedian Bill Maher, and longtime Democratic strategist James Carville are among those who have warned that the Democratic socialists are not Democrats, and may be steering the party in a direction they do not want to go.

President Trump Attends G7 Summit In Evian, France

Trump Trashes The Socialist Poised To Be Next Mayor Of D.C.

Democratic Socialism

Politics

Zohran Mamdani

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump will head back Friday to the Washington hotel where a man allegedly tried to kill him in late April, The Daily Wire can first report. Trump&#8217;s return to the Washington Hilton comes as he rallies religious voters ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Trump will speak at the 17th Faith and Freedom Coalition&#8217;s Road to Majority Conference on Friday morning, a White House official shared with The Daily Wire. A slew of other Trump officials will also speak, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought, and border czar Tom Homan.
The event will be held at the Washington Hilton, where, on April 25, a shooter named Cole Tomas Allen attempted to charge into the White House Correspondents&#8217; Dinner and open fire on multiple top Trump administration officials, including the president, according to federal prosecutors.
Trump has not been at the hotel since the incident. A Secret Service official assured The Daily Wire that the agency is well prepared for his return.
“At every protective site, the U.S. Secret Service deploys a sophisticated, layered security framework that is custom-designed and continuously evolves to meet today’s heightened security environment,&#8221; the official said.
&#8220;While the existing security plan at the April 2026 White House Correspondents&#8217; Dinner was effective in interdicting an identified threat, the agency continually reviews our security posture and will make adjustments, as necessary.”
<div id="attachment_1122001" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/exclusive-trump-heads-back-to-scene-of-assassination-attempt/donald-trump-addresses-the-faith-and-freedom-road-to-the-majority-conference-2" rel="attachment wp-att-1122001"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1122001" class="wp-image-1122001 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/GettyImages-2158271657-864x576.jpg" alt="" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/GettyImages-2158271657-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/GettyImages-2158271657-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/GettyImages-2158271657-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/GettyImages-2158271657.jpg 1024w" sizes=" (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" /></a>Donald Trump addresses the Faith and Freedom Road to Majority Conference at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C., on June 22, 2024 (Photo by Andrew Leyden/NurPhoto via Getty Images).</div>
The conference is expected to host more than 2,000 attendees and focus on inspiring and empowering conservatives to fight for America&#8217;s founding principles, with a strong emphasis on pro-family policy. Friday&#8217;s conference is specifically focused on mobilizing conservatives ahead of the midterm elections.
The Faith and Freedom Coalition has a massive outreach program that targets people of faith all over the United States, cognizant of the pivotal role that religious voters played in electing Trump in the 2024 election. Exit polling showed in 2024 that conservative Christian voters <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/elections/2024/general-results/voter-analysis/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">made up 33% of the electorate</a>, with multiple polls showing that a majority of that group voted for Trump over Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.
Trump&#8217;s return to the Washington Hilton comes as his accused attempted assassin&#8217;s legal team argues that Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro should be removed from the case, since they were present at the White House Correspondents&#8217; Dinner on the night of the attempted shooting.
U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/judge-rejects-defense-move-to-disqualify-top-prosecutors-in-whcd-shooting-case">rejected that request</a> in an 18-page opinion earlier this week, saying that Blanche and Pirro “are unlikely to be trial witnesses, nor do they meet the legal definition of victims.&#8221;
&#8220;Their statements about the investigation and friendships with the President likewise present no basis for screening them from the case,&#8221; McFadden noted.
Authorities indicted Allen on four charges: attempting to assassinate the president, assault on an officer of the United States with a deadly weapon, transporting a firearm, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/exclusive-trump-heads-back-to-scene-of-assassination-attempt/suspect-in-custody-after-shooting-incident-at-white-house-correspondents-dinner-2" rel="attachment wp-att-1121449"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-1121449 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/GettyImages-2272620977-768x576.jpg" alt="" width="768" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/GettyImages-2272620977-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/GettyImages-2272620977-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/GettyImages-2272620977.jpg 1024w" sizes=" (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></a>
His manifesto describes how he was “no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes,&#8221; calling himself &#8220;Cole &#8216;coldForce'&#8221; and &#8220;Friendly Federal Assassin Allen.&#8221;
He is the fourth known person to attempt to assassinate Donald Trump: Thomas Matthew Crooks shot at Trump during his Butler, Pennsylvania rally in July 2024, Ryan Wesley Routh attempted to shoot Trump on September 15, 2024, and Austin Tucker Martin was shot and killed by authorities as he attempted to breach Mar-a-Lago in February 2026. Crooks was also killed by authorities, and Routh is serving a life sentence in prison.
The White House Correspondents&#8217; Dinner has been rescheduled for July 24, at the Waldorf Astoria in downtown Washington, D.C. Weijia Jiang, the president of the White House Correspondents&#8217; Association, said the rescheduled event will take place with &#8220;significantly enhanced safety measures and new access procedures.&#8221;

US-POLITICS-TRUMP

EXCLUSIVE: Trump Heads Back To Scene Of Assassination Attempt

Washington Hilton

White House Correspondents Association

A top House Democrat claimed Monday that algae in Washington, D.C.’s reflecting pool is the only issue her constituents back home are talking about.
U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) said her constituents were “outraged” by algae in the picturesque reflecting pool, calling it “sad” and a “real problem” on CNN.  
“That&#8217;s all anybody talked about at home this weekend,” Dingell said. “It&#8217;s very sad, actually, as we do go into the 250th and you know, the 250th is a time that all of us should remember how lucky we are to live in this country, and what our forefathers put into that Constitution.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
U.S. Rep Debbie Dingell claims algae in the Washington, DC reflecting pool is all that her constituents were talking about over the weekend in Michigan.
&#8220;Algae, that&#8217;s all anybody talked at home this weekend. They were outraged.&#8221;
I&#8217;ll take things that never happened for $500. <a href="https://t.co/kQ3fwFp4Iz">pic.twitter.com/kQ3fwFp4Iz</a>
— Thomas Hern (@ThomasMHern) <a href="https://x.com/ThomasMHern/status/2069040525823369276?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2026</a></blockquote>
“I don&#8217;t know what&#8217;s happened. Algae’s a real problem, and it is in Michigan, it is in the Great Lakes, so maybe people will study it and understand what he did to the reflecting pool, which is part of the beauty of Washington. I don&#8217;t like that it&#8217;s there,” Dingell added. 
The Michigan Democrat’s feedback follows days of protests and vandalism along the National Mall. 
National Park Service crews have been scrubbing algae from the pool as strips of “American flag blue” paint and sealant peel from its bottom, weeks after a $14.8 million restoration, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-says-national-monument-vandalized-as-restoration-efforts-mobilize?author=Catherine+Maxwell&amp;category=undefined&amp;elementPosition=23&amp;row=3&amp;rowHeadline=Latest+News&amp;rowType=Vertical+Carousel&amp;title=Trump+Says+National+Monument+Vandalized+As+Restoration+Efforts+Mobilize">The Daily Wire</a> previously reported. Algae growth has plagued the reflecting pool since it first opened in 1922, according to an X post from the <a href="https://x.com/interiorpress47/status/2067436655523369239?s=20">Interior Department.</a>
A White House reporter asked Trump in the Oval Office whether the contractors hired for the remodeling project were to blame.
&#8220;No, we had vandalism,&#8221; Trump said. &#8220;It&#8217;s not a lot of damage, but we&#8217;ll probably have to let the water out and re-fix it.&#8221;
Trump added that at least five have been arrested and five others are under investigation.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
Reporter: Are the contractors who did the initial work with a reflecting pool, are they to blame for the current condition?
Trump: No, we had vandalism. I think 300 ft slit right through, probably a box cutter or a knife of some kind or we had people lifting up. 5 people are… <a href="https://t.co/OZFqXDV00x">pic.twitter.com/OZFqXDV00x</a>
— Acyn (@Acyn) <a href="https://x.com/Acyn/status/2069153516225262018?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2026</a></blockquote>
Three-time U.S. Olympian David Hearn <a href="https://abcnews.com/Politics/olympian-arrested-reflecting-pool-damage/story?id=134078925">told ABC News</a> that police arrested him on Friday after touching a piece of blue coating that was partially detached from the bottom of the reflecting pool. He stopped by the reflecting pool as a &#8220;curious, concerned citizen.” 
“I saw a piece of this loose end of this blue coating … I reached out and touched the end of that piece that was loose but still attached to the bottom,” he told ABC News. “I was able to reach out and touch the edge of that that was still attached at the bottom and handled it a little bit.” 
Alleged vandalism aside, <a href="https://x.com/WallStreetApes/status/2068842606436790767?s=20">viral videos</a> circulating on social media show leftists holding “pro algae” protests, including one woman saying, <a href="https://x.com/EndWokeness/status/2068070926994846144?s=20">“algae’s better than MAGA.”</a>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
A literal pro-algae protest in DC today
You can&#8217;t make this stuff up <a href="https://t.co/6b5v5a0ayL">pic.twitter.com/6b5v5a0ayL</a>
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) <a href="https://x.com/EndWokeness/status/2068070926994846144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2026</a></blockquote>
The issues plaguing the iconic landmark have drawn Trump’s ire as he pushes to restore the site ahead of America’s 250th anniversary, calling alleged vandals <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116790016615762850">“SICK, DERANGED PEOPLE!” </a>
“Of the MANY Statues and Fountains that we rebuilt, renovated, cleaned, and fixed, the only one that was Vandalized was the Reflecting Pool, which is being taken care of, ASAP! It has been given a 300 foot long gash, chemicals have been illegally placed in the water, and the beautiful new grass field has been destroyed with a gigantic 86 47 chemically carved into it (Probably inspired by Dirty Cop, James Comey!),” Trump said in a <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116793994014541387">Truth Social post</a>.
“Please remember that there is a 10 year prison sentence for the destruction, or even the attempted destruction, of such things — Which will be fully enforced! Thank you for your attention to this matter,” he added.

House Democrats 2026 Issues Conference

Swing State Democrat Claims Reflecting Pool Algae Is The Biggest Issue Back Home

Debbie Dingell

Vandals damaged the newly restored Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, President Donald Trump said Friday.
The news comes as National Park Service members have been scrubbing algae from the pool while strips of peeled paint float in the water following weeks of a $14.8 million restoration. 
“Things are really looking good in our Nation’s Capital, and add to that the fact that when I became President, Crime was rampant, and now, Washington, D.C., is one of the Safest Cities anywhere in the United States,” Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116779961376108129">wrote</a> on Truth Social Friday. “However, we’ve had some real problems with Vandalism at the beautiful Reflecting Pool, which sits between The Washington Monument and The Lincoln Memorial.”
Trump said vandals have tried to damage both the inside and the outside of the pool.
“No different than the chemicals that were used on the National Mall, they used something similar in the Reflecting Pool to try to destroy and demean our beautiful work,” Trump said in the post.
Last week, the numbers “86 47” appeared in the grass near the pool, prompting an investigation. The Trump administration has interpreted the numbers as a call for violence against the president. “86” is slang in the restaurant industry for getting rid of something, while “47” might refer to Trump being the 47th president, The New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/11/us/national-mall-grass-vandalized-86-47-trump.html">reported.</a> 
Meanwhile, the National Park Service has used chemicals and ozone nanobubbles to counter the algae that had turned the pool bright green. The department also vacuumed out dead algae. Video shows the green algae water being pumped out of the pool.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
Crews continue to pump out the dead algae from the reflecting pool. <a href="https://t.co/qeS0t02wdv">pic.twitter.com/qeS0t02wdv</a>
— Andrew Leyden (@PenguinSix) <a href="https://x.com/PenguinSix/status/2068016161678356928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Algae growth has been a problem with the reflecting pool since it first opened in 1922, <a href="https://x.com/interiorpress47/status/2067436655523369239">according</a> to an X post from the Interior Department. The pool also has leaking pipes that disrupt its filtration system, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/19/us/politics/reflecting-pool-paint-algae.html">per</a> The New York Times.
In addition to the algae growth, the “American flag blue” paint and sealant are peeling from the bottom of the pool.
Trump said the pool’s damage will be fixed immediately, and law enforcement is investigating the potential vandalism.
“The algae is 75% gone, and the condition will soon be completely remedied, and the area that was vandalized, fortunately, is just a small area of damage, and will be fixed early next week,” he wrote on Truth Social.

Trump Says National Monument Vandalized As Restoration Efforts Mobilize

Trump Says Reflecting Pool Vandalized As Restoration Fights Algae, Peeling Paint

National Mall

The FBI thwarted a plot involving explosive-carrying drones and snipers targeting the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House Sunday night, FBI Director Kash Patel said. 
Patel revealed on Tuesday that the FBI first became aware of the plot on June 10 before arresting five suspects in the lead-up to the UFC event. Officials <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fbi-disrupts-alleged-explosive-drone-plot-targeting-white-house-ufc-event-officials-say">told</a> Fox News that the plot involved using explosive-laden drones targeting buildings to herd people in front of a group of snipers. An apparent “second wave” would have then targeted the White House, an official said. 
Those arrested included 19-year-old Tycen Proper, Bryan Omar Roa, and Michael Alan Thomas, Fox News reported. Proper was arrested in Ohio, and Roa and Thomas were arrested in California and charged with conspiracy to commit murder.
Proper was accused of four criminal charges including conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, attempted murder of any officer or employee of the United States, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and receipt or transfer of a firearm used to commit a felony, according to a criminal complaint viewed by The Daily Wire.
The FBI complaint said that local law enforcement showed up at a home in Knox County, Ohio, after Proper&#8217;s mother called them on June 10 at 9:18 p.m. &#8220;concerned about her son, identified as PROPER, due to his recent conduct, including firearms purchases and communicating with certain individuals online.&#8221;
Proper&#8217;s parents told law enforcement that their son had recently quit his job and started communicating online with unknown individuals about &#8220;missions&#8221; and &#8220;recons.&#8221; He also used $3,000 of graduation money to buy &#8220;several boxes of ammunition (estimated by law enforcement to be in the thousands of rounds of ammunition), two plate carriers with AR-style magazines, an AR-style rifle, and a bullpup rifle painted with an American flag,&#8221; according to the complaint. That equipment was turned over to law enforcement. 
Proper was then admitted to a local hospital based on &#8220;homicidal ideations,&#8221; and local law enforcement contacted the FBI. Proper&#8217;s mother alleged to the FBI that he joined a group that &#8220;expressed ultra-religious and anti-government sentiments, specifically citing grievances about government corruption, the handling of the Epstein files, data centers taking up all the water in communities, and other government actions.&#8221; 
On June 11, a search warrant was executed on Proper&#8217;s phone that found Signal chats &#8220;that laid out detailed plans to conduct an attack in Washington D.C.,&#8221; and &#8220;detailed imagery of the National Capitol Region and maps of the area,&#8221; according to the complaint. The maps highlighted &#8220;sniper locations, potential drone launch locations, and other detailed tactical planning,&#8221; according to the complaint. 
That same day, the FBI interviewed Proper, who &#8220;admitted to planning with others a coordinated attack against the United States government during the UFC event scheduled to take place on the White House lawn,&#8221; according to the complaint. 
He &#8220;stated that the plan was for members of his group to act as snipers and additional shooters, preferably with long guns, staged at or near the southern evacuation point to conduct shootings of members of the crowd and [high value targets] as they fled from the explosive devices which had just been detonated. The [high value targets] included both wealthy people and politicians. According to Proper, this attack was designed to &#8216;jumpstart&#8217; a revolution in the United States,&#8221; the complaint found. 
One of the potential targets was Senator Marsha Blackburn because &#8220;she&#8217;s taken money from the Israel pro Israel lobby and supports them,&#8221; according to a text message included in the complaint. Other purported targets included Senator Jim Justice, Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Rep. Carol Miller, and Rep. Riley Moore. Their images appeared to be taken from the website &#8220;TrackAIPAC.com,&#8221; according to the complaint. 
<div style="max-width: 728px; margin: 0 auto;"><iframe style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; max-width: 100%; width: 100%; margin: 20px auto 5px; border: 0;" src="https://player.mux.com/00T00DoxJgLnSAQStOdA2yNFRAdCXG2O79?metadata-video-content-type=embed_video&amp;metadata-video-id=22ee7535-ce3c-4786-b286-1ff8dea5879a&amp;metadata-video-stream-type=on-demand&amp;metadata-video-title=2026-6-16%20White%20House%20UFC%20drone%20plot%20&amp;poster=https%3A%2F%2Fdailywireplus-v2.imgix.net%2Fimages%2Fembedded-videos%2F7a9ad121-a12a-429e-9d1d-74f079d6d439.jpg&amp;autoplay=false&amp;accent-color=%23DB3D3B&amp;primary-color=%23ffffff&amp;secondary-color=%23000000" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>
&nbsp;
“On June 10, FBI and our law enforcement partners became aware of a potential threat to the UFC America 250 event in Washington, D.C. involving individuals outside of the National Capital Region — and thanks to the rapid action of this FBI, our partners, and the Department of Justice in a multi-state operation, multiple individuals are now in custody and allegedly planned attacks were stopped cold,” Patel said. 
A total of 23 individuals were reportedly investigated over suspected ties to the plot. One suspect was arrested in Cincinnati, Ohio, and others planned to travel to Fredericksburg, Virginia, in the days leading up to the UFC event, the official told Fox News. Plans for the attack were found in Signal chats, investigators said. 
One suspect allegedly told officials that he wanted to target &#8220;capitalist elites,&#8221; billionaires, and politicians who received donations from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
Over 4,000 people showed up to the event, including President Donald Trump, key administration officials, and prominent businessmen like Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. 
“While the result represented the best of investigative work, it was also nothing out of the ordinary for this law enforcement team — we are built to detect, respond to, and bring to justice those who threaten the lives of American citizens — particularly during large gatherings like the historic UFC 250 fight,” Patel added. “That’s exactly what we did here. I want to thank our great agents and partners, this work remains ongoing and we will continue to update the public as permitted.”
The attack was allegedly planned after a recent surge in Left-wing violence with the assassination of Charlie Kirk, attacks targeting Trump and administration officials, and the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The man accused of starting the Lachman and Palisades fires was reportedly inspired by Luigi Mangione, who is accused of murdering Thompson.

President Trump Hosts UFC Freedom 250 Fight Topuria v Gaethje At The White House

Suspects Identified In Explosive Drone Plot Targeting UFC White House Fans

domestic terrorism

kash patel

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA — Bishop Michael Burbidge is aware that a good percentage of the 432,700 Catholics in his flock are politically important.
“One of the first shocks I experienced when I became the Bishop of Arlington was being in this office and looking out and seeing the Capitol and the Washington Monument from my window,” Burbidge told The Daily Wire in a recent interview. “There are some heavy hitters here who are influencing our country&#8217;s politics.”
For about two years, those heavy hitters included Vice President JD Vance, who, as a first-term senator from Ohio, settled his family in Northern Virginia. Vance’s Catholicism has been a central part of his identity since his <a href="https://www.theamericanconservative.com/j-d-vance-becomes-catholic/">2019 baptism</a> — back when he was still just “the author of ‘Hillbilly Elegy’” and a promising young man.
Vance, who tells the story of his faith journey in a forthcoming book, <a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/communion-j-d-vance?variant=45116963192866">“Communion,”</a> may have broken the land speed record for transition from catechumen to prominent Catholic. By the time Donald Trump asked him to join the presidential ticket, he was one of the most well-known American Catholics, second only to the man he and Trump were running to succeed.
Once in office, Vance became the locus for Catholic critiques of the Trump administration’s <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/pope-leo-addresses-narrative-suggesting-he-and-trump-are-at-war">foreign policy</a> and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/hours-before-zelensky-meeting-vance-praises-trump-for-pursuing-a-path-of-peace">immigration crackdown</a> — which earned the White House rebukes from Pope Francis and now Pope Leo XIV, whose elevation to the Throne of St. Peter moved Vance a few notches down the list of prominent American Catholics.
Burbidge knows all of this. He’s met Vance, he says, but hasn&#8217;t had a formal meeting with him since he became vice president. And Burbidge realizes the vice president has a particular challenge before him, not just as a Catholic leader, but one with a countryman in Rome. But the bishop — who <a href="https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/2025/01/31/a-pastoral-statement-on-the-catholic-imperative-of-upholding-human-dignity-and-the-common-good-in-american-immigration-law/">encouraged</a> Trump and Vance in January 2025 to “develop a national immigration policy that reflects the Catholic commitment to human dignity and the common good” — stressed that Vance has all the tools he needs to navigate choppy theological-political waters.
“We have a mandate to be not only citizens, but to be faithful citizens,” Burbidge says. “You can&#8217;t separate what you know to be true and what you profess to believe into your life as a politician. And will you have to pay a price for that sometimes? Of course you will. Will you maybe be rejected by others? Of course you will. But there&#8217;s no other path.”
“This is what&#8217;s so great about being Catholic,” the bishop adds. “There&#8217;s a consistency of the gospel of life and the truth.”
“Now, does this become more challenging for a politician? I&#8217;m sure it does. But you can&#8217;t be one person here and another person here.”
A Philadelphia native ordained in 1984, Burbidge began his episcopal journey as the auxiliary bishop of his hometown in 2002. Named bishop of Raleigh in 2006 by Pope Benedict XVI, he held that post for a decade before Pope Francis named him the fourth bishop of Arlington. It’s a role to which Burbidge — a polished speaker unafraid to preach the “gospel of life” to all manner of politicians — seems uniquely suited.
“It really doesn&#8217;t matter who&#8217;s in office,” Burbidge says when asked how he’s navigated the transition from President Joe Biden, a Catholic who flouted the Church’s teaching on abortion, to Trump and Vance, whose paeans to the faith have not kept them out of the fray.
“It&#8217;s always going to be a challenge, because [the Catholic Church is] so beautiful, the way we teach the gospel of life. It confuses people that we can be on this side or that side, but the truth of the gospel, what we&#8217;re teaching doesn&#8217;t change because of who&#8217;s in office.”
The bishop certainly practices what he’s preaching here. Burbidge issued his statement on immigration less than two weeks after Inauguration Day, reminding the Trump team of the Church’s stance before it had finished unpacking.
Burbidge had plenty of practice dealing with politicians by this point. From 2022 to 2024, he chaired the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Pro-Life Activities Committee. In that role, he <a href="https://catholicvote.org/bishop-of-arlington-calls-president-biden-to-repent/">chastised Biden</a> for “causing great scandal when he announces both his faith and his pro-abortion position publicly,” calling on the president to “repent.”
Still, Burbidge goes out of his way to stress that his role is no different than that of other bishops. He does not tell his priests to preach to the powerful in the pews and thinks there “should be no effort at all” for priests to do that.
For all that’s happening in the American church, Burbidge is most excited about the things that get bishops excited: seven ordinations this year and 12 in 2025; 39 active seminarians; mass attendance rebounding to pre-COVID numbers; 27 George Mason students brought into the church this Easter alone, the work of just one campus priest.
“We have so many young adults who are fully engaged in the life of the church,” Burbidge says. “We are very, very blessed with vocations … and we have so many beautiful holy families, holy marriages, from which vocations so often come.”
With a flourishing diocese and rising levels of religiosity among young Americans, Burbidge is optimistic about the future of the country and the church. And he sees even more reason for hope in Pope Leo, whom he praises for “the serenity and the simplicity and the joy” he has projected in his first year as pontiff.
“I think it was a blessing, a gift, that he knows the United States,” Burbidge says. “He&#8217;s lived here, he&#8217;s from here. He speaks the language. He gets us, and I think he understands us, in our politics and our culture and things like that.”
One might say it’s providential, the ascension of an American pope at the dawn of a very Catholic age in American politics. Abortion and immigration, the twin issues of our time, make it clear that Catholic social teaching does not cleave easily along party lines. And yet, the days of Catholics sidestepping politics seem to be over.
The Republican nominee for president in 2028 will almost certainly be Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio, both Catholics. And at least two Democratic frontrunners — California Governor Gavin Newsom and New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez — are proximately Catholic as well. Our nation’s next presidential election may not just be a referendum on competing political systems, but competing conceptions of Catholicism.
Regardless of whether that happens, American Catholics will certainly be glad to have one of their own leading the church in the coming years. But perhaps they’ll also look to a prelate just two years younger than Pope Leo, another son of a great American city whose ordination came almost two years to the day of the Holy Father’s.
“As a bishop, I have to have full responsibility for every soul entrusted to me,” Burbidge says. “And therefore, I have to speak truth and love, and love involves speaking the truth.”
“So, I think that if you&#8217;re a Catholic and you&#8217;re running for office, your bishop&#8217;s going to be talking to you.”

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