As the area鈥檚 Arab American population continues to grow and evolve, so too does its political identity that is shaped by a deep-rooted call for representation, cultural understanding, and security. Community members say this evolving voice seeks not only a place in the political discourse but also an active role in shaping the nation鈥檚 future. 

The growing political influence of Arab Americans was evident in their shift toward Trump in the 2024 election, reflecting a change in priorities and allegiances. Dissatisfaction with Democratic leadership prompted many within the community to reevaluate their political leanings. 

Khadija El Mouden, a Moroccan American and catering specialist at a French restaurant in Falls Church, Va., embodies the shifting political tides within her community. For years, she said she consistently supported Democrats, but the 2024 election marked a turning point. 

“My vote was always for Democrats, but not anymore,” she said, reflecting on her decision to turn to Trump this time around.  

El Mouden’s shift was driven by a blend of personal and cultural priorities, including her belief that the economy thrived under Trump鈥檚 leadership. 

鈥淭he economy was better when Trump was president, I can鈥檛 stand another term under these conditions,鈥� she said.  

鈥淲e鈥檝e tried the Democrats, and they haven鈥檛 listened. It鈥檚 time to give someone else a chance.鈥� 

Economic concerns were at the forefront of Arab American voters鈥� minds. Liam Berry, a data analyst with the Arab American Institute, said that more than 81% of respondents cited the economic burden as the key issue in a recent of 500 Arab American registered voters by the Arab American Institute.  

 A central message that resonated with Arab American voters was the Trump campaign’s emphasis on economic recovery and security, offering practical solutions to address the immediate challenges many across the community were facing. 

鈥淚 won鈥檛 have to pay tax on tips; that makes me happy,鈥� said Sam M., a Tunisian emigrant who recently moved to Washington. Sam was not comfortable sharing his full name.  

Sam works at a Shawarma restaurant, and he said he mainly relies on tips to make ends meet.  For him, supporting Donald Trump in the recent election was a practical choice.  

鈥淗e is the best for average workers like me,鈥� he said. 

Sam said Trump鈥檚 economic promises resonated deeply, adding that he finally felt heard. 

鈥淚 like that he listens to the Arab community. Maybe he鈥檒l build a new era of understanding with us,鈥� he said. 

Similarly, Mohammed Ezzahir, who runs a security business in Northern Virginia, echoed sentiments about Trump鈥檚 economic leadership and praised him for creating a stronger economy during his term.  

鈥淗e is a businessman, he knows how to roll the wheel,鈥� he said.

Ezzahir also praised Donald Trump for not declaring any wars during his term, therefore he said he believe Trump will restore peace and stability in the Middle East and Ukraine. 

鈥淭here was no war when he was in office, I think he proved he is not a war person unlike the other party. Now we鈥檙e on the brink of World War III,鈥� he said. 

While Trump鈥檚 messaging resonated with some, there remains skepticism about his past policies, particularly those targeting Arabs, Muslims, and immigrants, as well as doubts about his ability to deliver lasting solutions. 

鈥淭rump鈥檚 promises often feel like empty gestures, not genuine commitments,鈥� said Hammad Elbedour, a Palestinian American computer science professor at George Washington University. 

Elbedour said that he perceived his community support for Trump with much disappointment.  

鈥淯nfortunately, we’re divided, and Trump is good at making promises. He gave them what they wanted to hear. He showed that he cares but I don’t trust him or anything he said just like any other politician,鈥� he said. 

One of Elbedour鈥檚 primary concerns was Trump鈥檚 decision to move the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, as such actions embolden settlement expansions and diminish hopes for a fair resolution for Palestinians.

鈥淚t legitimized Israel鈥檚 claim over the city and undermined Palestinian sovereignty,鈥� he said. 

Many Arab Americans expressed criticism of the Biden administration鈥檚 failure to push for a ceasefire in the long ongoing Middle Eastern war, feeling that diplomatic efforts were insufficient to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Lebanon. On the other hand, Trump鈥檚 promises to end the war appealed to some voters, even as skepticism remained about his true intentions and alignment with Israeli policies. 

 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think there鈥檚 a day that Trump gives a thought to the Palestinian cause in any other way than through Israel’s lens,鈥� said Berry. 

In addition to economic challenges, and foreign policy, a segment of conservative Arab Americans in the DMV area felt that their family values and cultural concerns were being overlooked by the broader Democratic coalition.  

Trump鈥檚 promises including restricting federal funds for gender-affirming care, banning transgender surgeries for minors, and prohibiting schools from promoting the idea of gender transitions draw many supporters among the community who are concerned about these issues. 

鈥淚鈥檓 worried about my kids, they鈥檙e being introduced to things like sexuality at a very young age. This doesn鈥檛 align with our culture or values,鈥� said Kadir Mari, an Ethiopian American who has lived in D.C for 14 years. 

Mari is a father of three young children, including a six-year-old kindergartner he said he decided to homeschool. He said that while he doesn’t have much political knowledge, he couldn’t wrap his head around the idea of his children being exposed to discussions about sexuality at an early age in school.  

This concern led him to make the decision to homeschool as a way to shield his children from what he described as premature exposure to sensitive topics. 

This issue has been significant enough for him and many within the Arab community in the DMV area to consider Donald Trump as an alternative in the recent election. 

“I鈥檓 afraid of decisions being made in schools without my consent or me being in the loop, especially regarding gender changes,” said El Mouden. 

With one child in elementary school and another in high school, El Mouden emphasized her desire to be fully informed about any steps her children take, especially while they are still under her responsibility as minors. She said parental awareness and involvement are essential in guiding her children through important life decisions. 

For some of these Trump supporters, the decision to support him was more about dissatisfaction with the Democrats than genuine support for his platform. Skepticism about his past policies and motives persisted among many within the community who couldn鈥檛 find comfort in either major party.  

 Fatin Mojahid, an American Egyptian nursing student, voted for a third-party candidate, citing a deep distrust of both Trump and the Democrats. 

 She said that neither major party aligned with her values, prompting her to look for alternatives during the election. 

“There is no way I vote for Trump, he sparked discrimination against immigrants and Muslims in 2016. I can鈥檛 forget that, and I can鈥檛 trust him,” she said. 

The post Complex political identity: Diverse drivers behind Arab American support for Trump in the DMV first appeared on 最新蜜桃影像.

Initiative 83 has passed in D.C. with almost 73% of the vote meaning semi-open primaries and ranked voting are set to begin in 2026. 

Before then, the ballot initiative will face more challenges with two lawsuits and the final decision to fund the decision made by D.C. Council. 

Deirdre Brown, chair of the Vote No campaign told 最新蜜桃影像 on election day, 鈥淲e鈥檙e hoping that they won鈥檛 fund it. We don鈥檛 believe that this is needed, this is an unnecessary election reform.鈥�

The initiative will allow D.C.鈥檚 76,000 registered independents to vote in a partisan primary election of their choosing. This would open D.C. up in line with other states, as only have closed primaries. 

Ruby Coleman, student engagement coordinator of the Vote Yes campaign said this would help many disenfranchised people in the most important election for always democratic D.C. – the primary. She drew attention to federal employees and journalists whose careers may be affected by having a partisan attachment.

鈥淭he reason we oppose that is because our Home Rule Act clearly states that our primaries are partisan,鈥� Brown said. She also reminded people that independents can change their party affiliation even on election day if they want to vote. 

The second half of the initiative is ranked choice voting – allowing voters to rank up to five candidates, and the lowest performing candidates would be eliminated until a winner receives at least 50% of the vote.

The Vote No campaign said this is a confusing system, and it is more likely that people of color, lower-income voters, and elderly people鈥檚 votes won鈥檛 count if they fill in the ballot incorrectly. 

Kishan Putta, ANC Commissioner said, 鈥淎ll important reforms in American history and world history have taken some time to get used to. I have faith in the voters they have been able to manage and understand lots of complexities in our society. Filing taxes for example, is much more complicated than ranked choice voting.鈥�

An expert in voting rules and electoral systems, Josep Colomer professor of political science at Georgetown University, was voting for Initiative 83 at Hardy Middle School, as it is 鈥渓ess bad than what we have.鈥� He told 最新蜜桃影像 the current winner-takes-it-all system of voting in America 鈥渋s the worst. That is a general opinion among academics all across the world.鈥� 

Peter Gosselin speaking outside Chevy Chase Community Center said he can understand ranked voting for races where there are a lot of candidates, but ultimately he voted against the initiative. 鈥淰oting is our way of conveying authority,鈥� he said, 鈥渢hink of being the second choice president, it鈥檚 a weird way to convey authority.鈥� 

There has been controversy surrounding the campaign. 鈥淲e really believe this has little to do about D.C. voters, and has a lot to do with outside special interest groups and PACs meddling in D.C. politics,鈥� said Brown chair of the Vote No campaign. 

Mayor Muriel Bowser who has been publicly against the initiative, said 鈥淭hese groups want to come in and control our local elections,鈥� on WAMU鈥檚 The Politics Hour.

Vote No have spent just under $5,300 during their campaign according to the, compared to

Coleman of the Vote Yes campaign acknowledged they have received 鈥渟ignificantly more funding,鈥� from larger organizations like Fair Vote. She said, it 鈥渋s right over the border in Silver Spring, it鈥檚 barely outside D.C.,鈥� and that funding allows them to hire people to work within D.C. on the campaign.

While the Yes campaign will be celebrating today, it is still not a clear path ahead.

Brown said, 鈥淭his isn鈥檛 the end, there are two court cases that are currently challenging the validity of Initiative 83 and we believe at least one of those should prevail in the future.鈥�

Because the initiative has a fiscal impact, it now goes to D.C. Council to decide whether to fund the change. 

The post DC passes Initiative 83 bringing ranked choice voting and semi-open primaries to the District first appeared on 最新蜜桃影像.

Carla Brannum described poll workers at Fort Stanton Recreation Center as 鈥渄ependable鈥� and said she was just happy to 鈥渧ote without nonsense, no paper fires, no once scratching each other.鈥� 

Carla was referring to reports of ballot boxes that were set on fire in Oregon last week. 

Many voters we spoke to were concerned with national elections, but voters still turned out to vote for local down-ballot issues. Ward 8 voters chose to stick with embattled councilmember Tryaon White. With over 17,000 votes, about 75% of Ward 8 voters, Councilmember White clenched a victory by the end of the night for his re-election bid. 

Residents we spoke to shared mixed reactions to Trayon White鈥檚 re-election. 

Edward Ford, a longtime supporter of White and volunteer for the campaign, said, 鈥淐ouncilmember White is walking in the shadow of Mayor Marion Barry,鈥� something we鈥檝e heard before from Ward 8 residents and one that has a basis in history.

Edward said Trayon White is advocating for the people. 鈥淭he FBI came against Marion Barry because he was an advocate for his people.鈥� 

The civil rights movement From which Marion Barry came is littered with figures the government effectively targeted. 

Ermias Woldu, a D.C. resident of nine years and first-time voter, said that even though our city is divided up by wards, we are still one city. Ward 8 residents should be supported by the rest of the city as the case surrounding White unfolds. 

That’s why he voted for Initiative 83, saying that having more voting options might bring greater accountability among elected officials,  鈥渄own the road with Initiative 83, with people having more options, people might not do corruption.鈥� 

But in a part of the district that often doesn鈥檛 receive the attention and care it deserves, having a city leader like a council member who remains as present in that community as White garners substantial support shouldn鈥檛 be a surprise. 

鈥淗is record remains strong of how he shows up in the ward and how everyone knows him because he always shows up. He supports people, he makes people feel seen and heard, and that is probably the powerful thing a candidate can do, especially outside of election season,鈥� said Sandy Patel, who works in Ward 8. 

Despite facing a federal bribery charge, DC Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White has easily won reelection. I spoke to White earlier tonight, he says this should send a message to the DC Council that it should not vote to expel him.

鈥� Tom Roussey (@tomroussey7news)

The D.C. council ad hoc committee leading an independent investigation of White could restrict White鈥檚 power and political influence or remove him from his seat, effectively rejecting the voters’ election day. Their decision is expected to be announced next month. 

Voters in Ward 8 echoed sentiments heard across the country. The issues that guided the voters we talked to were reproductive rights, the economy, and ending the tensions and violence that seem to have animated politics and everyday life in this country over the last 8 years. 

鈥淚 hope that we can reach some sort of unity as a country. I hope that we can accept the outcome of the elections without violence,鈥� said Magean Hayes, who we spoke to at Arthur Capper Recreation Center

According to the D.C. Board of Elections, about 26% of Ward 8 residents attended the polls. In a ranked ballot, Councilmember White would not have necessarily won a re-election bid, and voters in Ward 8 would theoretically have more options in candidates to vote for, meaning Candidates would have to work harder for D.C. residents鈥� votes. 

The post Mixed reactions to Trayon White鈥檚 re-election in Ward 8 as DC investigates potential ethics violations first appeared on 最新蜜桃影像.