01of 17Cassidy Hutchinson’s Shocking TestimonySTEFANI REYNOLDS/AFPFormer White House aideCassidy Hutchinsonmade headlines in June after hershocking testimonybefore the House committee investigating the Jan. 2021 Capitol riots. Among her bombshell claims was that then-PresidentDonald Trumpwas aware his supporters were armed in D.C. on Jan. 6, and thathe lunged at his Secret Service detail in the carin an attempt to reach the Capitol that day.Elsewhere in her testimony, Hutchinson offered other insights in Trump’s temper, telling the committee that she once walked in to a room in the White House to see a valet cleaning up “ketchup dripping down the wall and a porcelain plate shattered on the ground.” The valet allegedly told her that Trump was angry at an interview Attorney General Bill Barr gave to the Associated Press. Trump, she said, had “thrown his lunch against the wall.”
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Cassidy Hutchinson’s Shocking Testimony
STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP
Former White House aideCassidy Hutchinsonmade headlines in June after hershocking testimonybefore the House committee investigating the Jan. 2021 Capitol riots. Among her bombshell claims was that then-PresidentDonald Trumpwas aware his supporters were armed in D.C. on Jan. 6, and thathe lunged at his Secret Service detail in the carin an attempt to reach the Capitol that day.
Elsewhere in her testimony, Hutchinson offered other insights in Trump’s temper, telling the committee that she once walked in to a room in the White House to see a valet cleaning up “ketchup dripping down the wall and a porcelain plate shattered on the ground.” The valet allegedly told her that Trump was angry at an interview Attorney General Bill Barr gave to the Associated Press. Trump, she said, had “thrown his lunch against the wall.”
02of 17
The Fall of Roe v. Wade
Jemal Countess/UPI/Shutterstock
In the hours after the decision was announced, demonstrations quickly erupted on the streets outside of the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C.
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Ketanji Brown Jackson Makes SCOTUS History
Sarahbeth Maney/The New York Times
“I just remember seeing Judge Jackson smiling a lot, and I think she was receiving compliments and praise. And then I noticed how proud her daughter was of her,” Maneytold her paperof glimpsing an opportunity to document a mother-daughter moment amid the formality of the first day of testimony. “It gave me chills when I saw this look that her daughter gave her.”
04of 17
Russia Invades Ukraine
Olena Kurilo.Wolfgang Schwan/Anadolu Agency/Getty
Russia launched itsmilitary attack on Ukraineon the morning of Feb. 24. Black smoke from explosions could be seen shooting up in the sky as photographers captured the devastation on the ground.
05of 17Nancy Pelosi Steps BackElizabeth Frantz for The Washington Post via GettyHouse SpeakerNancy Pelosiannounced in November that shewould not seek reelection as the Democratic House leader— a position she’s held for 20 years — once Republicans took over the congressional body in January.Speaking from the House floor, 82-year-old Pelosi offered an emotional assessment of her decision, saying: “Scripture teaches us that for everything there is a season … And with great confidence in our caucus I will not seek reelection to Democratic leadership in our next congress.“Pelosi made history in January 2003 as the first woman chosen to lead a party in either chamber of Congress. She is also the only woman to have served as House speaker, a position she’s held two separate timesduring her tenure.
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Nancy Pelosi Steps Back
Elizabeth Frantz for The Washington Post via Getty
House SpeakerNancy Pelosiannounced in November that shewould not seek reelection as the Democratic House leader— a position she’s held for 20 years — once Republicans took over the congressional body in January.
Speaking from the House floor, 82-year-old Pelosi offered an emotional assessment of her decision, saying: “Scripture teaches us that for everything there is a season … And with great confidence in our caucus I will not seek reelection to Democratic leadership in our next congress.”
Pelosi made history in January 2003 as the first woman chosen to lead a party in either chamber of Congress. She is also the only woman to have served as House speaker, a position she’s held two separate timesduring her tenure.
06of 17Iranian Women Fight BackMiddle East Images/AP PhotoWhen a 22-year-old Iranian womandied in police custodyafter being detained for allegedly wearing a hijab too loosely,women took to the streets.Facing violence and even death themselves, protesters burned their own hijabs to publicly denounce Iran’smorality police, which the U.S. State Department has described as an organization that “arrests women for wearing ‘inappropriate’ hijab and enforces other restrictions on freedom of expression.“As U.S. Ambassador to the United NationsLinda Thomas-Greenfieldtold PEOPLE in an earlier interview, “The fact that these women are being forced to dress in a certain way, that many can not be educated, many are not allowed to work, not allowed out of their homes … We need to be aware of these things so we can add our voices to the chorus of others and give these women whatever support we can give them.”
06of 17
Iranian Women Fight Back
Middle East Images/AP Photo
When a 22-year-old Iranian womandied in police custodyafter being detained for allegedly wearing a hijab too loosely,women took to the streets.
Facing violence and even death themselves, protesters burned their own hijabs to publicly denounce Iran’smorality police, which the U.S. State Department has described as an organization that “arrests women for wearing ‘inappropriate’ hijab and enforces other restrictions on freedom of expression.”
As U.S. Ambassador to the United NationsLinda Thomas-Greenfieldtold PEOPLE in an earlier interview, “The fact that these women are being forced to dress in a certain way, that many can not be educated, many are not allowed to work, not allowed out of their homes … We need to be aware of these things so we can add our voices to the chorus of others and give these women whatever support we can give them.”
07of 17
The Mar-a-Lago Search
Department of Justice via AP, File
The controversy surrounding Donald Trump’s storage of potentially classified documents began shortly after he left office in Jan. 2021 and returned to Mar-a-Lago. The National Archives and Records Administration retrieved15 boxes of documentsthat Trump had brought to Mar-a-Lago shortly after his presidency ended — but believed some were still missing.
The Justice Department then issued a subpoena for additional records, and the FBI collected an additional 38 classified documents, along with a signed letter from the Trump team certifying that “a diligent search” of the property had been conducted and all classified documents had been handed over. But according to a court filing, the FBI later uncovered “multiple sources of evidence indicating that … classified documents remained at the Premises” after that June visit.
08of 17
Brittney Griner Comes Home
In December, President Biden announced the release of WNBA starBrittney Grinerfrom Russian custody.
Griner, 32, was detained in Russia in February for allegedlysmuggling “narcotic drugs"into the country andsentenced to nine years in prisonon Aug. 10, just below the maximum allowed sentence of 10 years.
In a Dec. 8 press release from the White House, Biden said Griner was “safe, she’s on a plane, she’s on her way home after months of being unjustly detained in Russia, held under intolerable circumstances.”
The basketball star wasreleased from Russian custodyin a prisoner exchange forconvicted arms dealer Viktor Bout, withphotos of her returnsending a wave of relief around the nation.
09of 17Herschel Walker’s Senate Race ImplodesJason Selvig, Herschel Walker.Jessica McGowan/GettyFormer football starHerschel Walkerannounced his Republican candidacy for a Georgia Senate seat in Aug. 2021, at the urging of prominent Republicans including former President Donald Trump.But Walker’s campaign was consumed with controversy from the beginning as he was caught in a string of lies about things likehis education,his employment historyandCOVID cures that he claimed to haveat the start of the pandemic.In October, more of Walker’s familial and relationship history made headlines when the Daily Beastreported that the anti-choice candidate had once paid for a woman to abort a pregnancy in 2009 — a claim hevehemently denied. Days later, the Beast was back with a new report, this time alleging that not only did Walker know the woman, but he alsohas a child with her. A second woman thencame forward with similar accusations, which he also denied.When comedian Jason Selvighanded Walker a roll of condomsat one of his campaign events in October, it pointed to a larger problem for the Senate hopeful: His incredibly turbulent campaign had become the butt of jokes nationwide.In a Dec. 6 runoff election, Walker underperformed expectations,losing the race to incumbent Sen. Raphael Warnock.
09of 17
Herschel Walker’s Senate Race Implodes
Jason Selvig, Herschel Walker.Jessica McGowan/Getty
Former football starHerschel Walkerannounced his Republican candidacy for a Georgia Senate seat in Aug. 2021, at the urging of prominent Republicans including former President Donald Trump.
But Walker’s campaign was consumed with controversy from the beginning as he was caught in a string of lies about things likehis education,his employment historyandCOVID cures that he claimed to haveat the start of the pandemic.
In October, more of Walker’s familial and relationship history made headlines when the Daily Beastreported that the anti-choice candidate had once paid for a woman to abort a pregnancy in 2009 — a claim hevehemently denied. Days later, the Beast was back with a new report, this time alleging that not only did Walker know the woman, but he alsohas a child with her. A second woman thencame forward with similar accusations, which he also denied.
When comedian Jason Selvighanded Walker a roll of condomsat one of his campaign events in October, it pointed to a larger problem for the Senate hopeful: His incredibly turbulent campaign had become the butt of jokes nationwide.
In a Dec. 6 runoff election, Walker underperformed expectations,losing the race to incumbent Sen. Raphael Warnock.
10of 17
The Obamas Are Cemented in History
Andrew Harnik/AP
Former PresidentBarack Obamaand former first ladyMichelle Obamareturned to the White House in September for a ceremony tounveil their official White House portraits, more than five years after moving out of the president’s mansion.
11of 17Beto O’Rourke Fights for Gun SafetyALLISON DINNER/AFP via GettyOne day afterthe tragedy at Robb Elementary Schoolin Uvalde, then-Texas gubernatorial candidateBeto O’Rourke interrupted a press conferencewhere state politicians were providing updates on the mass shooting.Footage of the press conference shows Texas Gov.Greg Abbott, a Republican, beginning to speak when O’Rourke, a Democrat, walks up to the officials, points his finger at them and calls them out.“You’re doing nothing!” O’Rourke shouted, adding: “You said this is not predictable. This is totally predictable,” before being escorted out.The viral moment wasone of many passionate outburstsin O’Rourke’s political career, and perhaps the one that best defined Texas' stark division in 2022.
11of 17
Beto O’Rourke Fights for Gun Safety
ALLISON DINNER/AFP via Getty
One day afterthe tragedy at Robb Elementary Schoolin Uvalde, then-Texas gubernatorial candidateBeto O’Rourke interrupted a press conferencewhere state politicians were providing updates on the mass shooting.
Footage of the press conference shows Texas Gov.Greg Abbott, a Republican, beginning to speak when O’Rourke, a Democrat, walks up to the officials, points his finger at them and calls them out.
“You’re doing nothing!” O’Rourke shouted, adding: “You said this is not predictable. This is totally predictable,” before being escorted out.
The viral moment wasone of many passionate outburstsin O’Rourke’s political career, and perhaps the one that best defined Texas' stark division in 2022.
12of 17Congress Enshrines Marriage EqualityHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi kisses former Rep. Barney Frank, the first congressman to voluntarily come out as gay.Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times via GettyDemocratic lawmakers celebrated in December as theRespect for Marriage Actpassed both the House and Senate before heading to President Biden’s desk for a signature.House SpeakerNancy Pelosi, in herfinal days as the Democratic House leader, hosted an enrollment ceremony for the legislation on Thursday, where she and Senate Majority LeaderChuck Schumersigned the final bill before onlookers.In joyous photos from the event, Pelosi was seen planting a kiss on former Rep. Barney Frank, the first congressman to voluntarily come out as gay, who’d returned to the Capitol for the historic moment.
12of 17
Congress Enshrines Marriage Equality
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi kisses former Rep. Barney Frank, the first congressman to voluntarily come out as gay.Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times via Getty
Democratic lawmakers celebrated in December as theRespect for Marriage Actpassed both the House and Senate before heading to President Biden’s desk for a signature.
House SpeakerNancy Pelosi, in herfinal days as the Democratic House leader, hosted an enrollment ceremony for the legislation on Thursday, where she and Senate Majority LeaderChuck Schumersigned the final bill before onlookers.
In joyous photos from the event, Pelosi was seen planting a kiss on former Rep. Barney Frank, the first congressman to voluntarily come out as gay, who’d returned to the Capitol for the historic moment.
13of 17A Groundbreaking Press SecretaryKarine Jean-Pierre.Chip Somodevilla/GettyKarine Jean-Pierrewalked into the White House press briefing room on May 16 with a big smile on her face, as she ran her first meeting as a leading face in the Biden administration. Jean-Pierre became the first Black and first openly gay White House press secretary afterJen Psakistepped down from the role.“I am a Black, gay, immigrant woman. The first of all three of those to hold this position,” Jean-Pierre told reporters in her first briefing.She added: “If it were not for generations of barrier-breaking people before me I would not be here. But I benefit from their sacrifices, I have learned from their excellence and I am forever grateful to them. Representation does matter – you hear us say this often in this administration, and no one understands this better than President Biden.”
13of 17
A Groundbreaking Press Secretary
Karine Jean-Pierre.Chip Somodevilla/Getty
Karine Jean-Pierrewalked into the White House press briefing room on May 16 with a big smile on her face, as she ran her first meeting as a leading face in the Biden administration. Jean-Pierre became the first Black and first openly gay White House press secretary afterJen Psakistepped down from the role.
“I am a Black, gay, immigrant woman. The first of all three of those to hold this position,” Jean-Pierre told reporters in her first briefing.
She added: “If it were not for generations of barrier-breaking people before me I would not be here. But I benefit from their sacrifices, I have learned from their excellence and I am forever grateful to them. Representation does matter – you hear us say this often in this administration, and no one understands this better than President Biden.”
14of 17
Biden’s Fist Bump with the Crown Prince
Royal Court of Saudi Arabia/Anadolu Agency via Getty
President Biden elicited criticism during afour-day tour of the Middle Eastwhen he was photographed fist-bumping Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.
The meeting came four years after themurder of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi Arabian journalist who was assassinated at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in late 2018.
The president faced backlash from both sides of the aisle for his hand movement, with many believing that the move effectively reset U.S.-Saudi relations, which had been tense prior to the meeting.
15of 17
Maryland Chooses Its Leader
AP Photo/Bryan Woolston
The November midterm elections saw Democratsfend off a red wavethat polling — and history — warned was imminent. While congressional races took the spotlight, gubernatorial campaigns were also prominent.
In Maryland, DemocratWes Moorewas victorious in his bid to succeed outgoing Republican Gov.Larry Hogan, making history as the first Black governor in the state.
16of 17
A White House Wedding
Corbin Gurkin
A long-anticipatedWhite House weddingtook place on a Saturday morning in November, as President Biden’s granddaughterNaomi BidenmarriedPeter Nealin a private ceremony on the South Lawn.
Naomi’s nuptials — the first time a grandchild of a sitting president has been married at the White House— came as authorities investigate her father,Hunter Biden, for his tax dealings. Hunter has been a target of the political right, and was largely kept out of the spotlight in images shared of the ceremony.
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Pelosis Push Forward
Paul Morigi/Getty
The attack became a harrowing demonstration of growing political violence in America,prompting bolstered securityfor elected officials and their loved ones.
source: people.com
