DOGE, a proposed federal agency designed to streamline government operations under incoming President-Elect Donald Trump, aims to enhance transparency and reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies. Specific focus areas include modernizing outdated IT systems, consolidating overlapping agency functions, and introducing advanced data analytics to improve decision-making processes.
Its primary focus is on evaluating and modernizing processes across federal departments to improve service delivery, optimize resource allocation, and eliminate redundancy. Specific targets include outdated systems and overlapping roles within federal agencies.
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Cox Farms, a staple of Fairfax County’s fall festivities, has sparked conversations once again – not for its famous pumpkin patch, but for the witty political messages it displays on its roadside marquee. The farm, known for taking a clear stance against President-Elect Donald Trump, has become a local landmark for seasonal fun and its outspoken signage.
The popular Centreville farm, which recently wrapped up its fall season on November 5, is seeking input from the community to help keep its marquee fresh with new anti-Trump messages. Known as a “Never Trump” farm, Cox Farms’ previous signs have included statements like, “OMG SO EMBARRASSING,” “EW CRINGE,” “WE NEVER LIKED HIM,” and “WE’RE NOT MAD, WE’RE DISAPPOINTED (AND AFRAID).”
The farm’s owners say the signs, displayed along a busy road in Northern Virginia, are intended to make a statement and engage with like-minded community members. “We actually are mad,” they wrote in a recent post, clarifying their commitment to maintaining a “Never Trump” stance. Although the signs already make bold statements, the farm frequently rotates messages and invites the public to suggest new ideas.
The request comes as Cox Farms closes its doors for the winter season, typically from the end of April to early November. During the off-season, the farm uses its marquee to reach commuters with messages that, according to staff, serve as “yelling into the void that is NoVa traffic.”
While reactions to the signs vary, the farm’s online following has grown, with many supporters cheering on their stance and providing feedback. However, some community members have expressed disapproval, leading to heated discussions online. For Cox Farms, this blend of engagement is part of their brand’s identity.
Those interested in pitching a fresh anti-Trump sign idea can leave comments on the farm’s social media channels. With the next seasonal opening months away, there’s ample time for creativity. The farm has encouraged contributors to keep ideas clever and family-friendly while using all caps for maximum roadside impact.
Cox Farms’ political messaging has now become an off-season tradition almost as popular as their fall festival itself, drawing attention from Fairfax County residents and Northern Virginia as a whole.
In a notable shift from the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump (R) has made gains in reducing the Democratic lead in the latest 2024 election results, even as Kamala D. Harris (D) secures a majority of votes in the area.
The latest results show that Trump narrowed the margin between Democratic and Republican votes, reflecting a change in voter sentiment across the region.
In 2020, President Joe Biden won a decisive victory in the area with 142,863 votes, claiming nearly 63.8% of the vote in the county. Trump, in comparison, garnered 81,222 votes, capturing 36.2% of the total. This left a substantial margin of 61,641 votes in favor of Biden.
Fast forward to 2024, and the numbers reveal a tighter race. Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate, received 124,465 votes, amounting to 57.29% of the vote, a 6.51% drop in Democratic support. Meanwhile, Trump’s numbers rose to 85,951 votes, increasing his share to 39.56%, up by 3.36 percentage points from his 2020 performance.
With all precincts reporting, Harris won the county by 38,514 votes in the 2024 election—considerably slimmer than Biden’s margin four years prior. Trump successfully trimmed 23,127 votes from the previous Democratic advantage.
The shift suggests increased support for Trump among voters and may reflect broader trends in voter concerns or shifting perspectives on policy issues under the Biden administration and Harris’s campaign.
As of 10:50 p.m., the race between Kamala D. Harris and Donald J. Trump in Virginia remains too close to call, with Harris holding a narrow lead of just 2.57 percentage points.
With 1,660,941 votes, Harris currently commands 50.19% of the vote, while Trump trails closely with 1,575,792 votes, or 47.62%. The razor-thin margin underscores the heightened stakes in Virginia, a state traditionally leaning Democratic but showing signs of tightening support in this election.
Vindman posted on her X account (formerly Twitter): “No ears were harmed. Carry on with your Sunday afternoon.” The comment referenced a prior assassination attempt on Trump in July 2024, where a bullet grazed his ear during a political rally in Pennsylvania.
In a subsequent post, she added: “Sorry you’re triggered. I mean no I’m not. I don’t care a little bit.”
The tweets drew criticism from both sides of the political aisle, with many calling her remarks inappropriate and insensitive.
This morning, Rachel Vindman deleted the tweet and apologized: “I have deleted my tweet. It was flippant. Political violence is a serious issue, whether it’s aimed at a former president, the media, immigrants, or political opponents. Every incident should be addressed appropriately if we want to change the tenor of our political discourse.”
Yevgeny Vindman condemned the violence in a post on his own account but did not comment on his sister-in-law’s tweet. He wrote: “I am deeply disturbed by yet another attempt of political violence in our nation. I am grateful that no one was hurt and thankful for the law enforcement agents who acted bravely and swiftly.”
When Potomac Local asked for a statement, a Vindman campaign spokesperson said only that he would speak for himself. At a rally in August in Dumfries, Yvgeny Vindman declined to answer questions from the press, directing reporters to email their inquiries to his campaign manager.
His Republican opponent, Derrick Anderson, responded strongly to the situation, saying: “My opponent has refused to condemn the hateful statements made by his family members and political advisors. In fact, the Vindman family has doubled down on their rhetoric, justifying the second failed assassination attempt on Trump. This sets a dangerous precedent. While my opponent fails the leadership and decency test, I will always stand up for what’s right for this district — my home. The American people must come before partisan politics.”
Tonight, both candidates are scheduled to participate in a voter town hall at the Fredericksburg Convention Center at 6 p.m., where they will answer questions from the audience.
Vindman, a Ukrainian immigrant, is one of the twin Army officers targeted by former President Donald Trump for their roles in his impeachment.
Vindman served as deputy legal advisor for the National Security Council under Trump. He and his brother, Alexander, were forced into the public spotlight after Alexander testified before Congress about phone calls between Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that ultimately led to the U.S. president’s first impeachment trial.
Virignia’s 7th Congressional District includes Prince William, Stafford, and Spotsylvania, King George counties, and Fredericksburg. Early voting begins Friday, Sept. 20, 2024.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2o24.
The Donald Trump campaign will open a field office in Manassas on the same day as an office in Stafford County. In 2020, President Joe Biden won Manassas with 25% more votes than Trump. He also performed well in neighboring Prince William County, winning the county by 27%.
Press release:
Location Name: Trump Force 47 Manassas City Office
Address: 9113 Church St. Manassas, VA 20110
Join us for an exciting event with the Northern Virginia Trump Team as we celebrate the grand opening of our Manassas City Trump Force 47 office! Be a part of the team and get trained to become an official Trump Force 47 captain at 9113 Church St. Manassas, VA 20110. Connect with fellow supporters, and gear up for a pivotal role in the campaign. Don’t miss this opportunity to make a difference and help ensure President Trump wins Virginia and the nation. Free Trump Captain Training will be provided to those who still need it after the launch. See you there!
The Donald Trump for President campaign will open a field office in Stafford County. The event, titled “Grand Opening of the Stafford Trump Force 47 Headquarters,” invites supporters to attend the opening.
President Trump’s Virginia campaign team will meet at 9 a.m. to provide training on the Trump Force 47 get-out-the-vote program. The team will discuss how attendees can participate in efforts to help President Trump and J.D. Vance Senator Vance, Trump’s vice presidential pick, try to win Virginia in the upcoming November election. Official campaign yard signs will be available for those attending the training session.
The new field office is located at 1229 Garrisonville Road in Stafford, in the building once occupied by Fletcher Construction.
Polls taken before President Joe Biden dropped out of the race showed Trump ahead of Biden by two points in Virginia, a state Biden won by 12 points in 2020. Trump now faces Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive presidential nominee for the Democrats.
The alleged shooter was killed, the AP reports. As many as two other bystanders are dead, reports ABC News.
We have a local reaction coming in.
“Moments like these test a nation. It’s vital we pull together and strengthen local community bonds when so much hatred and anger is overtaking the presidential election. I’m grateful to see President Trump emerge safely, and pray for the United States of America.”
-Stephen Kent, candidate, Manassas City Council
“This is a sad day for America. Trump has proven himself a brave man. He will not back down. He lives to fight for America another day. My heart goes out to the other victims of this assassin. Through this horrible event may America become more tolerant for each other,”
-Xiao-Yin “Tang” Byrom, candidate, Manassas Mayor
“Praying for President Trump, his family, those injured, those in attendance, our brave secret service, and our country. Hearing the shots and seeing the images on the news is surreal.”
-Lynn Forkell Greene, candidate, Manassas City Council
I’m deeply concerned by this situation and am praying for President Trump and everyone at today’s event.
— Tim Kaine (@timkaine) July 13, 2024
There is no place for political violence in a democracy. I’m monitoring this terrible situation and praying for all those at the Pennsylvania rally.
— Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) July 13, 2024
Absolutely appalling.
— Delegate Ian Lovejoy (@IanTLovejoy) July 13, 2024
Political violence is unequivocally wrong and only leads to more violence, all of which undermines the very essence of representative democracy. We must all condemn it without exception.
— Sen. Danica Roem (@pwcdanica) July 13, 2024
There is no place for political violence in a democracy. I’m monitoring this terrible situation and praying for all those at the Pennsylvania rally.
— Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) July 13, 2024
By Sarah Roderick-Fitch
(The Center Square) – If there were any doubts that Virginia is returning to its status as a key battleground state in the upcoming presidential elections, visits by First Lady Jill Biden and former President Donald Trump would indicate confirmation.
Biden is scheduled to greet campaign volunteers in Virginia Beach on Thursday, hours before the president and former president will square off in their first presidential debate. Trump on Friday comes from Atlanta to a 3 p.m. rally in Chesapeake.
In January, the president and Vice President Kamala Harris essentially chose Virginia to kick off their bid for reelection by holding a joint event in Manassas with a focus on abortion.
In recent weeks, Trump has signaled Virginia is very much in play between visits and new campaign investments.
The most significant piece of evidence is that the Trump campaign is zeroing in on the commonwealth with plans to open 11 field offices, as reported by CBS News.
Earlier in the month, Trump met with Virginia’s Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin during a closed-door meeting at the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling to strategize how to win in the commonwealth. At the time, Youngkin told ABC 13 News Now that the commonwealth appears “competitive” in the presidential race.
“There’s a lot of interest in how this election is going to go,” Youngkin said. “So our political teams have been coordinating on how best to do that and we had to sit down and talk about it and we talked about Virginia and, and how I was able to win my election in 2021. And the lessons learned.”
Youngkin is expected to appear with Trump at the Friday rally. The governor did not attend a March rally by the Trump campaign in Richmond.
A May poll by Roanoke College shows Trump and Biden are neck-and-neck in the commonwealth, despite Biden beating Trump by over 10% in the 2020 election and Hillary Clinton handily winning Virginia in 2016.
The commonwealth has not gone for a GOP presidential candidate in 20 years, when former President George W. Bush was up for reelection.
(WUSA-TV) Reaction to former President Donald Trump’s conviction has been mixed yet strong in Stafford County, where in 2016, voters favored him more.
