Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin questions Secret Service director about Trump rally assassination attempt

Maryland U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin (D - 8th District) called the attempted assassination of former president Donald Trump "a grave assault on our democracy" in his opening remarks at a contentious U.S. House of Representatives committee questioning of U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle this morning. Cheatle faced heated questioning from members of both political parties seeking answers to security failures at the July 13, 2024 Trump campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump and two rally attendees were wounded in the shooting, and a third attendee was killed. It was the first attempted assassination of a current or former U.S. President since 1981.

"We are united in condemning all political violence," Raskin said in his opening remarks, after U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R - KY 1st District) began the hearing by declaring bipartisan concern about the tragic events. Raskin pledged to seek explanations of the "shocking security failures" at the Trump rally, but - in terms of speaking time - his remarks placed greater emphasis on mass shootings in general, and the availability of AR-15 semi-automatic rifles in America. Before concluding his opening statement, Raskin called for a ban on the AR-15, "and other assault weapons."

Raskin recited the media narrative that has developed in the days since the assassination attempt, in regard to the shooter having been identified as a suspicious person long before the start of the rally. "Why was [Trump] allowed to take the stage with a suspicious person having been identified in the crowd?" Raskin asked.

Cheatle responded that a suspicious person is not the same as a threatening person in the view of the Secret Service. If Secret Service agents had been advised that the shooter had been deemed a threat, she said, Trump would not have been allowed to take the stage. 

Raskin asked if the Secret Service had denied any requests by the Trump campaign for additional security resources for the July 13 rally. "There were no assets denied for that event in Butler," Cheatle said. She confirmed to Raskin that the serial number on the shooter's weapon was the key to identifying him, as he was carrying no identification.

But the bulk of the answers sought by Raskin and other committee members were not provided by Cheatle. She repeatedly referred to being only "nine days out" from the incident, and being unable to answer critical questions until the completion of a Inspector General investigation, as well as an internal Secret Service investigation she confirmed is also taking place. It is not currently clear when either investigation will be complete, raising the possibility that existing security weak spots and lapses might not be identified even by the time a new president is elected, much less to protect candidates before Election Day.

Raskin asked Cheatle what her response would be to an American citizen who asked her, "What went wrong?" on the day of the rally. Cheatle again avoided answering the question with her "nine days out" excuse. Under questioning from Rep. Jim Jordan (R - OH 4th District), she also claimed to be unprepared to answer many obvious questions that she could have expected to be asked at today's hearing, including the type and number of requests for additional resources made by the Trump campaign. Exasperated as his initial question time expired, Jordan noted that Cheatle hadn't answered any of the pertinent questions asked by himself or Raskin.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore endorses Kamala Harris as Biden quits race

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race. Moore lauded President Joe Biden's decision to not pursue reelection on Sunday, but did not immediately join the many other prominent Democrats who quickly endorsed Harris shortly after Biden gave her his support. "I am proud to voice my full support and offer my full endorsement to Vice-President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic Nominee for President," Moore tweeted this morning.

Moore said that he had spoken to both Biden and Harris yesterday. He noted that Harris was one of the first officials to call him after the collapse of the Key Bridge in Baltimore earlier this year. In his statement, Moore said Harris could attract a "unique coalition" of support, and urged Democrats to quickly "rally around her" for the nomination. 

Former president Barack Obama, to whom Moore is often compared when future Democratic presidential nominees are discussed, also declined to immediately back Harris yesterday. Moore has been one of the leaders to appear on the short list of possible candidates to replace Biden in a "mini-primary" ahead of next month's Democratic National Convention in Chicago. His name has been less-often mentioned as a potential running mate for Harris since Biden dropped out yesterday. Leading candidates to be Harris' running mate are Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Arizona U.S. Senator Mark Kelly, North Carolina Gov. Roy Moore, and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.

Moore and the many other Democrats who had been expected to run for the White House in 2028 will have to weigh their options in deciding whether to accept a VP slot in 2024, or to wait another four years. Endorsing Harris would allow Moore to leave all options open aside from running as Biden's replacement this year. The Democratic National Committee is expected to announce more details on its plan for the nomination process in the coming days.

Banana Republic closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Banana Republic has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Its space next to the Apple Store has been cleared out of merchandise. A sign on the door provides a number to call for deliveries, so it appears they haven't fully vacated the premises yet. However, the logo signage outside the store is gone. 

It's a shock to see a mall stalwart like Banana Republic vanish, even if smart shoppers knew you could always find similar items far cheaper at sister stores Gap and Old Navy, without leaving the premises. Operating a mall without a Banana Republic, Hot Topic, Cinnabon, and Auntie Anne's should probably be illegal, if it isn't already. Parent company Gap, Inc. said in 2020 that it planned to close 350 Gap and Banana Republic stores by the end of 2023. This location survived that cut, but I see that Banana Republics in Columbus, Ohio and Sacramento, California shuttered earlier this year, so a smaller round of closures appears to be taking place.

Kapow Buddy opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Kapow Buddy is coming soon to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. It's the latest in a long line of Chipotle-style fast-casual bowl restaurants. This time, the theme cuisine is Thai. 

Your imagination will suggest to you that a grain base will be loaded with vegetables, proteins, and Thai cuisine toppings, and - incredibly - your hunch is correct. In fact, Westfield says in its promotion of the restaurant that "Kapow Buddy is eager to introduce their famous Thai food in the 'Bowl Style' to offer customers a variety of choices including grains, proteins, toppings, and more." When it opens, look for Kapow Buddy on Level 1 in the Old Navy wing.

4 wounded in Rockville stabbing

Four people were wounded in a stabbing in Rockville last night. Rockville City police responded to a report of an assault near the intersection of Dawson Avenue and Upton Street at 9:40 PM. Officers arriving at the scene encountered a large crowd of people, and noticed trails of blood on the ground. Witnesses reported that a stabbing had taken place. Officers attempted to locate the victims at the scene, but found no one. At least one K-9 unit was called in to assist.

However, a short time later, four victims suffering from stab wounds arrived in the Emergency Department at a local hospital. Police say none of the wounds were life-threatening. Detectives have identified a person of interest in the assault, and are attempting to locate that person for questioning.

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact Cpl. Kelly Reidy at 240-314-8973 or at KReidy@RockvilleMD.Gov. Those providing information may remain anonymous.

Suspect detained in Rockville armed robbery

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery in Rockville Wednesday night, July 17, 2024. The robbery was reported in the 12500 block of Village Square Terrace at 9:50 PM Wednesday. @DCNewsLive on Twitter reported that a vehicle was later pulled over by police on Old Georgetown Road at the interchange with I-495 in Bethesda. At least one person in that vehicle was detained in relation to the armed robbery.

Free People closing at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Free People is closing at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The store's final day of operation will be Friday, July 26, 2024. A bohemian brand of Urban Outfitters, Free People opened this location in May of 2013. Despite that solid track record of success, the store has ultimately succumbed to the moribund Montgomery County economy, along with MoCo's high taxes and ever-shrinking business profit margins. Not only do I find no reports of Free People stores closing elsewhere in recent times, but Urban Outfitters is actually expanding the brand by opening additional Free People locations this year.