🔴 Can Trump actually change DC?

What's CITY Talking About?

Harris Concedes at Howard University

Vice President Kamala Harris gave her concession speech at her alma mater Howard University yesterday afternoon amid thousands of supporters. With a smile, she addressed the crowd, “To everyone who is watching do not despair. This is not a time to throw up our hands, this is a time to roll up our sleeves." [AP]

Commanders Pick Up New Cornerback

The Commanders acquired 28-year-old cornerback Marshon Lattimore from New Orleans, boosting the team significantly. Lattimore is under contract for the next two seasons. [NBC Sports]

Georgetown Barnes & Noble Opens

If you’re looking to escape to another world, the long-awaited Barnes & Noble opened yesterday. The huge bookstore is three stories and 30,000-square feet and looks like every book nerd dream. A cafe will open on the first floor later this year. [Popville]

DC’s Redesign of North Capitol Crossroads

D.C.’s Office of Planning is trying a new approach to development in D.C., one that takes locals’ opinions into account and seeks to prevent pricing out longtime residents. They're starting with the redevelopment of North Capitol Street into a connected, multi-modal neighborhood. Here’s what it could look like. [City Cast DC 🎧]

⭐ Council At-Large Correction

Yesterday, Councilmember Robert White won reelection alongside independent candidate Christina Henderson, filling D.C.’s two at-large seats. Our apologies for the late night writing error, thanks for bearing with us!

How Trump Plans to ‘Takeover’ DC

Donald Trump’s return to the White House could mean a rough four years for local D.C. He has promised to “take over our horribly run capital,” and gut federal programs. But what will this mean for us in reality?

Breaking Presidential Tradition

Normally, presidents let D.C. deal with its own local affairs, but Trump is fixating on D.C. in a way no other recent presidential candidate has. Throughout his campaign, he said he wants to make an example of our Democratic city and punish what he calls the “swamp,” a.k.a federal bureaucracy.

Federal Workers Purge

Trump has threatened to replace tens of thousands of current federal government workers with loyalists and cut the Department of Education entirely.

Most recently, he said he wants Elon Musk to lead a government efficiency commission to do a “financial and performance audit” of government. Not only could this leave thousands of Washingtonians without work, it introduces risk to a work culture that has long been seen as one of the most stable in the city.

Expect More DC Micromanaging

We can expect a LOT more intervening in local D.C. politics, especially if Republicans gain control of both congressional chambers, Axios’ Cuneyt Dil tells us. “It's going to be very random what House Republicans will go after, and it will cause a nightmare for city leadership because they don't know how to legislate if they’re getting knocked down by Congress,” said Dil.

Republicans have already expressed opposition to several D.C. policies, like:

• D.C. traffic safety laws, specifically banning right on red and adding traffic cams.
• Gas stove ban and other environmental policies.
• New cannabis regulations

He Could Call In the National Guard

Trump refers to D.C. as a “filthy and crime-ridden embarrassment to our nation” and says he would bring in the National Guard to help. Because D.C. is not a state, this is something Trump could actually make happen as president. He could also appoint a tough-on-crime federal prosecutor for D.C. and nominate more conservative judges.

Reality Check

Words are one thing, micro-managing a $21 billion city is another. Additionally, any of Trump’s most drastic changes will need Congressional approval, and it’s not guaranteed lawmakers would play along. So, prepare, but don’t panic.

What To Do