The beginning of August had the makings of a slow week in Washington with Congress on recess until September and President Joe Biden in Delaware on vacation.
But the arraignment of former President Donald Trump on charges stemming from his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, plus highly anticipated testimony from one of Hunter Biden’s former business associates, book-ended what became an eventful few days in the nation’s capital.
DONALD TRUMP INDICTED: JACK SMITH LOCKED EYES WITH FORMER PRESIDENT DURING HISTORIC ARRAIGNMENT
The week started with Devon Archer sitting down Monday for a transcribed interview with the House Oversight Committee that lasted more than five hours. The panel, run by Republicans, is investigating allegations Joe Biden was involved in the foreign business dealings of his son Hunter.
A 141-page transcript of the sit-down, released on Thursday, had something for each side of the aisle to latch on to. Republicans seized on Archer’s testimony that Joe Biden was present for phone calls with his son’s business partners, but, as Democrats pointed out, Archer cast doubt on an allegation central to the investigation — that the senior Biden accepted a bribe during his time as vice president.
Attention then shifted to Trump, who was indicted for the third time on Tuesday. Already facing charges related to hush money payments paid to adult film actress Stormy Daniels as well as a federal investigation into his handling of classified documents, Trump was accused by special counsel Jack Smith of knowingly attempting to subvert the will of voters following the 2020 election.
Trump was arraigned at a federal courthouse in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, where he pleaded not guilty to four charges.
But before the arraignment gripped Washington, a Wednesday active shooter scare at the Capitol forced staffers and members of the press to evacuate Senate office buildings. The false alarm was prompted by what turned out to be a “bogus” 911 call, Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger told reporters afterward.
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Here’s a look at scenes from Washington during the week of July 31, 2023, captured by Washington Examiner photographer Graeme Jennings.
Devon Archer testifies before the House Oversight Committee
Cabinet members Antony Blinken and Xavier Becerra help launch a new bureau at the State Department
A “bogus” call sparks an active shooter scare on Capitol Hill
Trump is arraigned in D.C. federal court on Jan. 6-related charges
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen delivers remarks on modernizing the IRS
