The story has all the makings of a political thriller: a young man spared prison, a sealed record, and three second chances that reshaped his life. Today, that same man—now a rising Republican star and self-styled champion of “law and order”—is pushing legislation that would deny those very opportunities to others. His target? Young adults in Washington, D.C., who would face harsher penalties under a controversial crime bill he is championing.

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A Past Forgiven

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A Political Reinvention

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The D.C. Crime Bill

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The Hypocrisy Laid Bare

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Why It Resonates

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Political Calculations

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The National Conversation

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A Warning Sign for 2026

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Final Word