Washington, D.C

One year in, Trump’s troop deployment in D.C. is ongoing, unending, pointless — and very bad

Published

4 weeks ago

August 10, 2026

One year in, Trump’s troop deployment in D.C. is ongoing, unending, pointless — and very bad

On Tuesday, it will be one year since President Donald Trump called up the National Guard to be deployed in Washington, D.C., “to address the epidemic of crime in our Nation’s capital.“

It was a lie then, it’s a lie now, but here we are. And here they are. And here they are to remain through 2029, if Trump has his way.

On Sunday, like clockwork, moments after I saw a sign about the armed troops’ presence in D.C., a group of National Guard troops walked by.

A sign posted that says: If DC had statehood, armed soldiers wouldn't be patrolling our cat cafes. https://freedcproject.org/guard — Computer: Enhance.

The sign proclaims, “If DC had statehood, armed soldiers wouldn’t be patrolling our cat cat cafes.“

Although that is likely correct, I do want to add two notes. First, some Republican governors (in Tennessee and Louisiana) have made it possible for there to be National Guard deployment in Democratic-led cities — with deployments in Memphis and New Orleans. Second, even without statehood, the D.C. deployment still is likely illegal. A district court judge ruled as much last November, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit allowed the deployment to continue during litigation (which is moving slowly at the D.C. Circuit).

Returning to the bigger picture, though, the legal case aside, what Donald Trump has done — and what Congress and the courts have thus far allowed — is appalling.

There is no plan for this deployment to end. At this point, it basically involves National Guard troops who are deployed within D.C. or sent away from their homes to patrol D.C. with no real purpose for their deployment beyond showing Donald Trump that he has troops and showing D.C.’s residents that Trump can use those troops to attempt to intimidate us.

The attempt hasn’t worked, but it is still a very bad development of historic proportions.

It is bad that children — and adults! — have now spent a year with the military patrolling an American city.

It is bad that Congress didn’t take action immediately to stop this bullshit.

It is bad that this is now such a long-term project that the federal government awarded a nearly $300 million contract to Placemakr to house troops in apartments in D.C. (The three D.C.-based buildings are in Dupont Circle, the West End, and Navy Yard.)

The Declaration of Independence — as many have noted over the past year — has something to say about this, citing, as a reason why we were declaring our independence from Great Britain and King George III, that “he has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.”

On Sunday, the troops who walked by me on 14th Street were wearing badges — American flags — celebrating the 250th anniversary of that document and declaration.

It was a particularly empty emblem on Sunday, displayed as it was on the uniforms of members of standing armies he has kept among us in times of peace and without our consent.

For those who don’t know what this is, it’s my effort to give a little thank you to paid subscribers. “Closing my tabs” is, literally, me looking through the stories and cases open — the tabs open — on my computer and sharing with you all some of those I was unable to cover during the week but that I nonetheless want to let you know that I have on my radar. Oftentimes, they are issues that will eventually find their way back into the newsletter as a case discussed moves forward or something new happens that provides me with a reason to cover the story more in depth.

This Sunday, these are the tabs I am closing:

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Washington, D.C

Stevie Wonder surprises crowd at DC JazzFest, worshippers at Alfred Street Baptist Church

Published

2 hours ago

September 8, 2026

Press Room

Stevie Wonder surprises crowd at DC JazzFest, worshippers at Alfred Street Baptist Church

Music icon Stevie Wonder thrilled fans at a music festival in D.C. and worshippers at a church in Alexandria, Virginia, over the weekend.

DC Jazz Festival President and CEO Sunny Sumpter got a call that Wonder’s son, who attends Howard University, wanted to go to JazzFest. And his father just might want to join him.

“I’m backstage at Arena Stage, I’m about to intro Dee Dee Bridgewater, and my phone’s blowing up,” Sumpter said.

Wonder and his family needed an escort into Saturday’s concert featuring the band Kes.

DC JazzFest

Stevie Wonder

“We rallied all of our security, and we had to get four members of the National Guard that were gladly, wonderfully willing to escort him,” Sumter said. “They had to go through a huge crowd to get up toward the front of the stage.”

Wonder and his family sat in the audience watching the show before the 25-time Grammy winner was coaxed up to higher ground.

“I was standing very close,” Sumter said. “Stevie was into the music. He was a fan. He was in the audience enjoying himself with his wife and his family, with his son was there, too. And I think Kes just kind of motioned to him, and the next thing you know, within a minute he was backstage and on that stage. And the rest is beautiful history.”

Anything but uptight, Wonder joined Kes for his ‘80s hit “I Just Called to Say I Love You,” and the show turned into a singalong with the Motown legend, Sumter said.

Wonder attended services at Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria the next day.

“He is the voice that’s defined the generation,” he was introduced. “Many of us are here because your momma and your daddy listened to what he was singing one night. Ladies and gentlemen, would you help me welcome the 25-time Grammy award winner, brother Mr. Stevie Wonder is in worship with us on this day.”

Wonder was invited to the service — signed, sealed, delivered — by a friend who is a member of Alfred Street Baptist, a church spokesperson said.

If you missed him, don’t you worry ‘bout a thing. Stevie Wonder will return Nov. 23 for a concert at Capital One Arena marking the 50th anniversary of “Songs in the Key of Life.” Tickets go on sale Thursday.

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Washington, D.C

Florida rep. Randy Fine warns UK sanctions on Israel threaten British economy | The Jerusalem Post

Published

12 hours ago

September 8, 2026

Press Room

Florida rep. Randy Fine warns UK sanctions on Israel threaten British economy | The Jerusalem Post

The United Kingdom’s recent decision to impose sanctions on Israeli settlements and individuals in the West Bank is a “disgusting” political calculation that could bankrupt major British companies, Florida Congressman Randy Fine (R) warned in an interview with The Jerusalem Post.

Fine, a leading voice in Florida’s pro-Israel legislative efforts, reacted sharply to the UK’s policy shift, attributing it to Britain’s changing demographics and what he described as a “desperate effort” to appeal to certain voter blocs.

“I think it’s disgusting, and I think it shows the risk of the mass Islamification of Western societies,” Fine said. “This is a political calculation. They let all of these people in who hate Britain, and now they’re catering to them for votes.”

He said Britain’s trajectory should serve as a “warning sign” for the United States on immigration and social integration.

Fine, who helped craft Florida’s anti-BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) legislation, said the consequences for the UK would be legal and economic, not merely rhetorical. Under Florida law, the state is prohibited from doing business with companies or entities that boycott Israel.

Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL) speaks as lawmakers offer rule changes at a House Rules Committee hearing on Capitol Hill on September 2, 2026 in Washington, DC. (credit: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

‘The law in Florida… if you boycott Israel, we boycott you’

“The law in the state of Florida is that if you boycott Israel, we boycott you,” Fine stated. “It is the law of Florida, and it will be enforced. It will destroy the British economy because Florida is not the only place that passed that law.”

Fine cited Airbnb’s 2018 decision to delist properties in Israeli settlements as an example. Florida responded by moving to place the vacation rental company on its list of scrutinized companies, threatening the platform’s ability to operate in its largest market.

“Airbnb needed to work with the state of Florida to collect the taxes on its bookings, and the state said, ‘We can’t do that anymore,’” Fine recalled. “A few days later, they abandoned the policy. There are dozens of British companies that have major operations in Florida. They may all go bankrupt as a result of this.”

Asked whether a trade dispute with the UK could also damage Florida’s economy, Fine dismissed the concern, pointing to the size of US state economies.

Economies of Florida, Texas larger than UK

“I think they’re wrong,” Fine said. “The economies of Florida and Texas combined are larger than the economy of the UK. We will be fine. That tiny little island will not.”

Fine said that between 18 and 38 other US states have enacted similar anti-boycott laws, creating what he described as a potential “ripple effect” that could see British firms blacklisted across much of the American market.

He argued that pressure was likely already mounting within the UK’s private sector. “I suspect what is happening right now is major British companies are going to 10 Downing Street and saying, ‘Your idiotic effort to cater to Muslim voters is going to bankrupt our business. You need to stop it.’”

Fine concluded that enforcing the statutes was a matter of settled law in Florida, regardless of any diplomatic tensions that might follow.

“Enforcing the law is not optional. This law has been on the books for eight years,” Fine said. “We’re going to stand up to Muslim terror, whether it’s in Florida, whether it’s in Israel, or whether it’s in the UK”.

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Washington, D.C

Jay Pharoah on comedy, impressions, coming home to DC – WTOP News

Published

22 hours ago

September 8, 2026

Press Room

Jay Pharoah on comedy, impressions, coming home to DC – WTOP News

Jay Pharoah is bringing his stand-up act to DC Improv this week for six shows over four nights. The return to D.C., he said, feels a bit like a homecoming for the Chesapeake, Virginia, native.

“It’s definitely a home show because I mean, it’s DMV, you feel me,” Pharoah said.

Pharoah told WTOP contributor Joe Yasharoff he has been performing in D.C. since he was 19 years old, recalling that Charlie Murphy was among the first comedians to bring him to the city.

While he’ll sprinkle in a few D.C.-specific references into his act, Pharoah said the material is designed to connect with audiences everywhere.

And he believes comedians have an important role to play at a time when many people are dealing with stress and uncertainty.

“I think it is our jobs as comedians to make people forget about their problems, or forget about the problems, or just laugh about their problems so they can forget about the pain,” he said.