Washington’s Relationship with Donald Trump
Introduction
Washington, D.C. has never been a welcoming place for former President Donald Trump. However, after pleading not guilty to federal charges related to the 2020 presidential election, Trump wasted no time expressing his disdain for the city.
Disillusionment with Washington, D.C.
During a visit to Reagan National Airport in Virginia, just a few miles from Washington, Trump bemoaned the state of the city, describing it as filled with filth, decay, broken buildings, walls, and graffiti. However, skeptics pointed out that Trump’s exposure to the city was limited to just two blocks of its streets. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Washington’s non-voting delegate in the House of Representatives, dismissed Trump’s comments as impulsive remarks from someone who barely spent any time in D.C.
District’s Response
Norton reminded Trump that when he last left Washington as president, the downtown federal area was heavily fortified with massive fences around the U.S. Capitol due to the January 6th insurrection. Washington, being largely Democratic, was particularly hostile towards the Trump administration. Conservative officials faced public confrontations in district restaurants, and Trump’s absence from the Kennedy Center Honors was a relief to organizers who wanted to avoid annual boycott threats from artists. Trump received only a small percentage of the presidential election vote in the district.
Trump’s Criticism of Washington
Continuing his criticism, Trump called for a federal takeover of Washington, referring to it as a “filthy and crime-ridden embarrassment” and claiming an unfair trial would be inevitable in the city. Republicans in Congress, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, echoed Trump’s sentiments about Washington’s perceived corruption and bias. Trump’s behavior aligns with his past patterns, as he spent most of his time in D.C. at the White House and his hotel, rarely exploring the city.
Tension Between Trump and Local Government
Throughout Trump’s presidency, he frequently clashed with the local government in Washington. Disputes ranged from playful banter to personal attacks. Trump’s proposal for a massive July 4th military parade with tanks rolling through the streets was mocked by the D.C. Council. During the summer of 2020, Trump and Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser found themselves at odds over protests against police brutality. Bowser responded by having “Black Lives Matter” painted on a street near the White House. After Trump left office, the Republican-held House Oversight and Accountability Committee scrutinized new Washington laws and government management.
Trump’s Portrayal of Washington
Trump’s dystopian portrayal of Washington has not permeated the entire Republican Party but has gained traction among his most fervent supporters. The rhetoric may be stronger, but the tactic remains the same. During a congressional hearing on crime in Washington, conservative Republican members displayed a limited understanding of the city’s realities. Misinformed questions were asked about the legality of public urination and the charging of 25-year-old defendants as minors. Despite the inaccuracies, Rep. Gary Palmer of Alabama criticized Washington’s schools as both dropout and inmate factories.
Read More of this Story at apnews.com – 2023-08-07 04:03:00
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