By Ben Meiselas
Donald Trump thinks he can lie his way through an occupation of Washington, D.C. He’s sending Stephen Miller and other MAGA goons on TV babble about “liberation” like they’re narrating some cheap North Korean propaganda reel. But meanwhile, people in D.C. feel less safe than ever as they’re surrounded by soldiers, and they’re standing up against Trump’s tyranny.
I sat down with DC Shadow Senator Ankit Jain and Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau to cut through the lies and get to the truth of what’s really happening on the ground, because we all deserve to know what’s really going on. Both made clear that Trump’s so-called “law and order” stunt has created chaos, fear, and distrust across our nation’s capital.
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Senator Jain explained that while Trump claims restaurants are bustling, the actual data shows reservations are down about 20% because residents and visitors are too afraid to venture out with National Guard troops swarming the streets. Instead of filling judicial vacancies or supporting prosecutors, real solutions that would actually improve public safety, Trump is sending soldiers to wander museums like confused tourists. It’s like some sort of fascist dress rehearsal.
Councilmember Nadeau shared the devastating impact on D.C.’s immigrant community. ICE raids are tearing families apart, workers are being hunted on their way to school or jobs, and armored military vehicles have literally collided with civilians. People aren’t feeling free. They’re terrified. And as she pointed out, when Trump pardoned January 6th insurrectionists, he put more criminals on the streets in one day than any so-called “crime wave” Fox News fearmongers about.
Yet through this fear, the people of D.C. are rising up. Residents are organizing, protesting, and confronting federal agents in their neighborhoods. They’re filming, shouting, and refusing to back down. Because they know what’s really at stake: Trump is using Washington as his testing ground. If he can seize control here, he’ll take this MAGA occupation blueprint to cities across America to places like Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, New York, Phoenix...you name it.
We cannot let that happen. As Senator Jain warned, it’s time for Democrats in Congress, especially Senate Democrats, to draw the line and refuse to enable Trump’s takeover. And as Councilmember Nadeau reminded us, this isn’t just about D.C. It’s about all of us.
The people of Washington are fighting back. And they need us to stand with them, before Trump’s sends the military to your doorstep.
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