photo by Victoria Pickering
“Dear PoPville,
I saw this latest EO on “addressing crime” in DC and I can’t shake it – and I don’t understand why it’s not getting more attention.
In “Additional Measures to Address the Crime Emergency in the District of Columbia,” POTUS directs further action, including Sec 2(c) which states, (more…)
Any chance this can possibly pass the House or is everything just symbolic these days?
From the Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton:
“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill today to require members of the armed forces, including the National Guard, deployed in D.C. in response to an order of the president to address crime or civil disturbances to participate in a body camera program similar to the one in use by D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). MPD stores videos for defined periods of time based on the type of activity captured and provides access to the video for the public and the press.
“The Trump administration has deployed more than 2,000 troops to D.C. who are wholly unaccountable to D.C. residents. Even the D.C. National Guard troops are under the president’s control and do not report to the D.C. government,” Norton said. “This unwarranted deployment politicizes the military and does a disservice to members of the National Guard, who are being taken from their own families and jobs, and to D.C. residents, who neither requested nor consented to it. Body cameras would promote transparency and protect both the National Guard troops and D.C. residents from allegations of inappropriate or unlawful behavior.”
Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (more…)
“Dear PoPville,
Here are two trees purged due to RIFs, forks, early retirements, and office consolidations at EPA.
Not sure that they’d count, as they are sad and perplexing for entirely different reasons, but thought that I’d submit for your consideration! Only the popville commentariat will really understand.” (more…)
photo by Jim Havard
Author Honorée Fanonne Jeffers shared:
“Beloved:
I’m so sad to report that, due to current events in Washington, D.C., I have decided not to travel to D.C. to participate in the National Book Festival on September 6, 2025.
I really—REALLY!!!!— wanted to attend to be in conversation again with the incomparable, brilliant Imani Perry, but given all that’s happening, frankly, as an African American, I’m just afraid to be in that city. I wish I had more courage—but my cancellation is in no way a reflection of those who do have the courage to attend or on the wonderful organizers of the National Book Festival! I’m just a person who suffers from anxiety and I have to be a better shepherd of my personal health. (more…)
Thanks to P. for sending above Monday around 5:30pm in Logan Circle.
T. writes: “my friend filmed this after 8 this morning, just unimaginable. Hope you’re able to watch the video.
“happened in Mt Pleasant, Washington , DC at the corner of 18th and Park Road NW. They were just driving to work. They took three workers. Neighbors came out but they threatened us. (more…)
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission at 131 M Street, NE
A reader reports around 8:15am: “They’re not letting employees to work.”
Anyone hear what’s up/what was going on?
Updates as more is learned.
photo by Fritz Myer
Should you capture notable sights during these crazy days, please send to me via email at [email protected] or you can direct message me on our socials (IG, Threads, X/Twitter, and/or BlueSky) @PoPville thanks!
Thanks to Fritz for documenting and sharing these crazy days with us: (more…)
From the office of Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb:
“Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today filed a lawsuit challenging the federal government’s unlawful attempt to take over the District of Columbia’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). The lawsuit targets the President’s August 11 Executive Order and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi’s August 14 order to Mayor Muriel Bowser invoking a never-before-used provision of the Home Rule Act to claim federal command of the District’s local police force. These orders far exceed the President’s limited authority to request services from MPD, which can only be done on a temporary basis, under emergency circumstances, and solely for federal purposes. The Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) lawsuit seeks to defend the District’s authority under the Home Rule Act, block the Administration’s unlawful orders, protect the safety of DC residents, workers, businesses and visitors, and affirm that MPD remains under District control. (more…)
2100 block of 14th Street, NW
Thanks to Nathaniel for sharing the photo above with us around 9:40pm Wednesday night:
“Police stopping people on 14th Street in Northwest DC as a crowd of onlookers chant in opposition.”
Another reader sends a photo from 14th and W Street, NW said to have started around 9:10pm: (more…)
From the Office of DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson:
“This is a manufactured intrusion on local authority. Violent crime in the District is at the lowest rates we’ve seen in 30 years. Federalizing the Metropolitan Police Department is unwarranted because there is no Federal emergency. Further, the National Guard has no public safety training or knowledge of local laws. The Guard’s role does not include investigating or solving crimes in the District. Calling out the National Guard is an unnecessary deployment with no real mission. (more…)