©  AP Photo/Andrew Harnik

In his first appearance in Washington, D.C., since leaving office Jan. 20, 2021, former President Trump voiced support for sentencing convicted drug dealers to the death penalty, among a series of drastic measures to curb crime.

“The penalties should be very, very severe. If you look at countries throughout the world, the ones that don’t have a drug problem are ones that institute a very quick trial death penalty sentence for drug dealers,” the former president said at a summit hosted by the America First Policy Institute (AFPI). 

AFPI is closely aligned with Trump and is led by several of his former aides and advisers. 

Trump, who hasn't formally announced whether he plans to run for president for a third time in 2024, teased the prospect again during the event, saying he "may just have to do it."

But Tuesday's speech primarily focused on public safety and crime.

“It’s terrible to say, but you take a look at every country in this world that doesn’t have a problem with drugs, they have a very strong death penalty for people that sell drugs,” he said. (Read more on Trump's speech)

Also on Tuesday, Trump's team announced he will hold a rally in Wisconsin next month in support of his endorsed candidates, including Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Tim Michels (R).

Sen. Ron Johnson, a Wisconsin Republican who will also be on the ballot this fall with Trump's backing, told reporters he won't be attending the rally, though.

"I hope former President Trump enjoys his time in our state and I’m sure those attending will enjoy rallying with others who love America," Johnson said in a statement. "Because this event supports one of the Republican gubernatorial candidates I will not be attending. I do not endorse candidates in contested primaries."

Welcome to The Hill's Evening Report, catching you up on news from the afternoon and looking at the big stories likely to impact tomorrow.

Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) won’t say whether he will support bipartisan House-passed legislation to require states to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states until the bill comes to the Senate floor.

Former CNN anchor Chris Cuomo told NewsNation’s Dan Abrams on Tuesday that he’s neither a victim nor guilty of many of the things that led to his ouster from the network last year.

A Washington, D.C.-area man has been sentenced to five years in prison for assaulting police officers during the Jan 6, 2021, attack at the Capitol. 

Attorney General Merrick Garland said former President Trump’s potential candidacy in the 2024 presidential election will not affect the Justice Department’s work holding those responsible for the Jan. 6 riot accountable. 

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) says he will support Joe Biden for reelection in 2024 if the 79-year-old president runs for a second term, which some Democrats and analysts say is becoming more of an open question.  

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg received slightly more support compared to President Biden among likely 2024 New Hampshire Democratic primary voters when asked their first choice for president, according to a poll released Tuesday.

Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) says it is “disgusting” for Democratic groups to support election-denier candidates during Republican primaries in hopes of winning general elections against them.

The campaign wing of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus is behind Nevada in its bid to host the first-in-the-nation Democratic presidential primary in 2024. 

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NASA says it has not received official word from Russia on plans to stop working on the International Space Station after 2024.

Senate Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) says the prescription drug reform proposal that Democrats plan to move under special budget reconciliation rules is “weak,” because it covers a limited number of drugs and doesn’t substantially take effect until 2026. 

Amid continued spread of omicron subvariant BA.5, a new report from The Commonwealth Fund shows a booster campaign carried out this fall could prevent up to 160,000 American deaths.

Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.) attended his son’s same-sex wedding on Friday, days after he voted against a bill that would codify a right to same-sex marriage into federal law. 

Former President Obama has released his always anticipated, yearly summer reading list and music playlist. Check them out here.

Former Trump White House communications director Alyssa Farah Griffin will replace Meghan McCain as a permanent host of ABC’s “The View,” according to multiple reports.

Families of victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks are condemning golfers who plan to compete in a Saudi-backed tournament at former President Trump’s golf club, accusing participants of taking “blood money.”

The MTV Video Music Awards are entering the metaverse with a new category dedicated to the performance innovation.

"With the McKinney-Vento Act’s 35-year-old promise still unfulfilled, the need is crystal clear — and visible on streets across the country," writes Maria Foscarinis, founder and former chief executive officer of the National Homelessness Law Center.

You're all caught up! Stay with TheHill.com for the latest and recommend this newsletter to others: TheHill.com/Evening. See you tomorrow.