Jessica Chasmar

Jessica Chasmar was a continuous news writer for The Washington Times, covering topics on culture and politics.

Articles by Jessica Chasmar

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal talked about defunding Planned Parenthood in his state at the Values Voter Summit on Friday, Sept. 25, 2015. (Associated Press). ** FILE **

Bobby Jindal: Umpqua shooter’s dad ‘has no right to be lecturing’ us on gun control

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal continued his criticism of the pro-gun-control father of the Umpqua Community College mass shooter, saying he has "no right" to be lecturing the rest of the country on responsibility. Published October 12, 2015

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Calif. walks out of nomination vote meeting after dropping out of the race to replace House Speaker John Boehner, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, on Capitol Hill in Washington. In a stunning move, McCarthy withdrew his candidacy for House speaker Thursday, throwing Congress' Republican leadership into chaos. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

DHS investigating Wikipedia entries alleging Kevin McCarthy, Renee Ellmers affair

The Department of Homeland Security is investigating after changes made to the Wikipedia pages of House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Rep. Renee Ellmers alleging an affair were tracked to an IP address at the department's Springfield, Virginia, office. Published October 9, 2015

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, left, and Police Chief Cathy Lanier, arrives for a news conference in Washington, Thursday, May 21, 2015, to discuss the mysterious slayings of a wealthy Washington family and their housekeeper. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

Lorenzo Sanders, Muriel Bowser staffer, arrested on crack dealing charges

D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser said she has begun the termination process for a staffer in her religious affairs division who was arrested Tuesday and charged with possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. Published October 9, 2015

Rep. Reid J. Ribble, Wisconsin Republican, and other House GOP members speak about the passage of the conservative deficit reduction plan known as "cut, cap and balance" at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday, July 19, 2011. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Reid Ribble becomes second Republican to resign from House Freedom Caucus

Rep. Reid Ribble announced Thursday that he is resigning from the House Freedom Caucus, making him the second Republican to leave the conservative group since its founding. Published October 9, 2015

In this June 18, 2015 file photo, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks at the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials in Las Vegas. Clinton's campaign is planning a major push to organize Latino voters ahead of the Nevada caucuses and early primary contests in Texas, Florida and Colorado, all with an eye toward connecting with Hispanics in the 2016 election. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Hillary Clinton heckled at Hispanic Caucus: ‘My deportation will be your funding’

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton was interrupted Thursday by an immigration activist protesting her campaign's acceptance of donations from corporations that run private prisons. Published October 9, 2015

Newt Gingrich (Associated Press) **FILE**

Newt Gingrich open to House speaker run after Kevin McCarthy withdraws

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has indicated that he would be open to running for the position again after Kevin McCarthy removed his name from consideration. Published October 8, 2015

Ben Carson: I was held at gunpoint at Popeyes in Baltimore

Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson said Wednesday that he was once held at gunpoint at a Baltimore Popeyes, following backlash over comments he made about the mass shooting last week in Roseburg, Oregon. Published October 8, 2015

Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio was caught off guard during a campaign event Tuesday after a heckler accused him of adultery. (NBC News)

Marco Rubio interrupted at campaign event by heckler

Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio was caught off guard during a campaign event Tuesday after a heckler accused him of adultery. Published October 6, 2015

Jasemin Stephenson, of Virginia Beach, was shocked to open up her son's delivery from Toys "R" Us to find 800 rounds of ammunition. (WVEC)

Jasemin Stephenson, Va. mom, finds 800 rounds of ammunition in Toys R Us delivery

A Virginia mom said she was shocked to open up her son's delivery from Toys "R" Us to find 800 rounds of ammunition. Published October 5, 2015

Ian Mercer, the father of Oregon mass shooter Christopher Harper-Mercer, said Saturday that his son never would have killed nine people last week at Umpqua Community College if he wasn't able to get his hands on a gun in the first place. (CNN)

Ian Mercer, Oregon shooter’s dad: ‘That’s what guns are, the killers’

The father of Oregon gunman Christopher Harper-Mercer argued Saturday that his son never would have killed nine people last week at Umpqua Community College if he wasn't able to get his hands on a gun in the first place. Published October 5, 2015

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown addresses community members gathered at a candlelight vigil for those killed during a shooting at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Ore., Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015. (Michael Sullivan/The News-Review via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

Kate Brown, Oregon governor: Not the time to talk gun control

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown says now is not the time to debate gun control laws, despite President Obama's impassioned plea to politicize Thursday's shooting at Umpqua Community College. Published October 2, 2015

Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee looks on during an interview with The Associated Press in Jerusalem, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner) ** FILE **

Mike Huckabee: Obama’s gun control remarks ‘ignorantly inflammatory’

Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee rebuked President Obama's comments on gun control as "ignorantly inflammatory" following Thursday's shooting at Oregon's Umpqua Community College. Published October 2, 2015

The entrance to a Planned Parenthood Clinic is seen here in Oklahoma City on July 24, 2015. (Associated Press) **FILE**

Planned Parenthood target of arson in Southern California

Authorities have reportedly determined that a fire at a Planned Parenthood facility in Southern California Wednesday night was caused by arson. Published October 1, 2015

The seal affixed to the front of the Department of Veterans Affairs building in Washington. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

VA apologizes for ‘ill-advised’ ban on veterans’ cellphones

The Department of Veterans Affairs apologized Wednesday for an "ill-advised" policy that banned veterans from bringing their cellphones to appointments. Published October 1, 2015

Secretary of State Colin Powell looks April 4, 2002, on as President Bush makes a statement in the Rose Garden of the White House. (Associated Press) **FILE**

Colin Powell: I continue to be a Republican ‘because it annoys them’

Former secretary of state Colin Powell joked Wednesday that he remains in the Republican Party so he can continue to "annoy" ultraconservatives. Published October 1, 2015

In this Tuesday, June 3, 2008 file photo, an employee smokes a cigarette at a bar and restaurant in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Senate Democrats propose bill to raise smoking age to 21

Democratic Sens. Brian Schatz, Dick Durbin, Sherrod Brown and seven others have backed legislation that would prohibit the sale of tobacco products to individuals under the age of 21. Published September 30, 2015

Dwayne Johnson, ‘The Rock,’ mourns loss of Brutus, issues warning to other dog owners

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson announced Tuesday that he had to make the painful decision of putting down his French bulldog Brutus, just weeks after he made headlines for rescuing the dog from a pool. Published September 30, 2015

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback signed a proclamation Wednesday officially making October "Zombie Preparedness Month," as a fun way to get Kansans ready for natural disasters. (Facebook/@Kansas Division of Emergency Management)

Sam Brownback, Kansas governor, signs ‘Zombie Preparedness Month’ proclamation

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback signed a proclamation Wednesday officially making October "Zombie Preparedness Month," as a fun way to get Kansans ready for natural disasters. Published September 30, 2015

Jim Carrey arrives at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's 50th anniversary gala in Los Angeles on April 18, 2015. (Richard Shotwell/Invision/Associated Press) **FILE**

Jim Carrey’s girlfriend Cathriona White commits suicide after breakup

Jim Carrey's girlfriend Cathriona White was found dead Monday of an apparent suicide, just four days after the couple reportedly broke up for the second time. Published September 29, 2015

Aiden Wright, 7, has found himself $100 richer after he did the right thing and turned in $8,000 that he found Saturday at the top of a playground slide. (ABC News via Danny Wright)

Aiden Wright, 7, turns in $8K he found on playground

A 7-year-old Massachusetts boy has found himself $100 richer after he did the right thing and turned in $8,000 that he found Saturday at the top of a playground slide. Published September 28, 2015