Trump allies claim victory in debate, criticize moderators as 'pro-Kamala activists'

Former President Donald Trump’s top allies are rushing to declare victory after his debate against Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday night.

GOP lawmakers are touting a Trump win even as they criticize ABC News moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis for their handling of the debate, accusing them of acting with bias against the ex-president.

"President Trump delivered a powerful America First message directly to the American people focusing on reining in inflation and strengthening our economy, securing our border, and peace through strength foreign policy," House GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., said in a statement at the tail end of the debate.

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"The ABC moderators were not journalists, they were pro-Kamala activists who baselessly attacked President Trump leading to a 3 on 1 debate, while allowing Kamala to lie repeatedly. President Trump won overwhelmingly and will win again on Election Day."

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said Trump "exposed" Harris as a "radical" despite her seeking to reflect more moderate positions on firearm ownership and the border at times.

"While Harris lied about her radical positions and spoke about things she would supposedly do as president, and despite the biased moderators shamelessly covering for Harris, there are two problems that Americans were reminded of in prime-time: she has a lifelong record as a Marxist, and she's the sitting Vice President who could secure the border and bring down costs today," Johnson said.

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Trump’s running mate, Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, similarly told Fox News host Sean Hannity, "The moderators didn't do their job, but President Trump did do his job."

Senate GOP Conference Chair John Barrasso, R-Wyo., wrote on X, "President Trump tonight shared his strong vision to reverse the high prices and open borders of the Biden-Harris administration. He articulated a plan to unleash American energy and to get our country back on track."

Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, Trump’s former White House physician, said the ex-president "just DESTROYED Kamala Harris on national television and EXPOSED her administration for the harm it caused!!"

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Meanwhile, Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., said on X at the end of the debate, "Joe Biden set the bar low enough to bunny hop over it and she still somehow managed to limbo underneath."

However, not all Republicans agreed it was a clear victory for Trump. One GOP lawmaker, granted anonymity to speak freely, told Fox News Digital that Harris appeared to be getting under Trump’s skin.

"She talks to us like toddlers but is doing a good job of provoking him," the GOP lawmaker said during the debate. "He’s right on policy but can’t keep to a message."

Protests break out in DC after body cam footage released of deadly police shooting, 6 demonstrators arrested

A group of demonstrators held a protest in Washington, D.C., Tuesday night over a recent fatal police shooting of a man in the southeast part of the district.

This comes after 26-year-old Justin Robinson, a member of the D.C. violence interruption program called Cure the Streets, was shot and killed by police officers earlier this month at a McDonald's on Marion Barry Avenue.

Cure the Streets is a pilot public safety program launched by the Office of the Attorney General of D.C. that seeks to reduce gun violence.

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The Metropolitan Police Department released body camera footage showing Robinson, who police say was initially unconscious in his car with a gun in his lap after crashing into the McDonald's, attempting to grab an officer's gun through his car's window after regaining consciousness before he was shot by police, Fox 5 DC reported.

The group marched from the 7th District police station to the McDonald's where the fatal shooting took place on Sept. 1, according to the outlet.

Protesters chanted "No justice, no peace" and "Arrest the officers" as they faced officers standing behind barricades, the outlet reported.

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The demonstration that grew to more than 100 people on Tuesday forced streets to shut down, and police said they arrested six protesters.

"At approximately 10:05 p.m., peaceful protests at MPD's Seventh District station turned violent when individuals began throwing bottles, rocks, and other objects at officers," the police department said in a statement. "MPD immediately began giving dispersal warnings as individuals continued to throw objects at officers."

"We will continue to support those who choose to protest peacefully and safely, and we will continue to hold accountable those who commit criminal acts," police added.

Police said that there will be an increased police presence at the Seventh District out of an abundance of caution.

The officers involved in the shooting are on administrative leave as an investigation into the incident is underway.