Federal Government

DC AG “lawsuit challenging the federal government’s unlawful attempt to take over the District of Columbia’s Metropolitan Police Department”

By Prince Of Petworth

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…)

Fury against Fed Police Builds as Checkpoint Goes Up across from the Tatte and High End Retailer Backcountry on 14th Street Last Night

By Prince Of Petworth


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…)

“DC Council Statement on Presidential Announcement”, Mayor Bowser’s Response

By Prince Of Petworth

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…)

“Norton Requests Comprehensive GAO Study on Railway Noise Pollution”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Josh Bassett

From the office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton:

“As ranking member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today wrote the Comptroller General of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting that it conduct a comprehensive study on the causes and effects of railway noise pollution. Additionally, Norton asked GAO to propose ways that the federal government can reduce the negative effects of railway noise pollution. The request is similar to a bill Norton reintroduced in April to require the GAO to submit recommendations to Congress on how to reduce train noise and vibrations near homes.

“D.C. residents contact me regularly about the negative impacts train noise and vibrations have on their health, quality of life and even the structural integrity of their homes,” Norton said. “Although trains provide an essential mode of transportation, we can’t simply ignore the harms suffered by those who live near them, which can include structural damage, reduced property values and negative health effects. We must examine whether there are viable, cost-effective ways to mitigate the harms caused by long-term exposure to train noise and vibrations.”

Norton’s letter follows, with personal contact information redacted. (more…)

“shout out to the folks at Union Station today who were posted at the top of the escalator with pro-federal worker signs”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Emma K Alexandra

“Dear PoPville,

Can you please help me give a shout out to the folks at Union Station today who were posted at the top of the escalator with pro-federal worker signs? I wanted to thank them in person but had to literally run for a train. These small-ish acts these days (more…)

“Norton Urges Department of Transportation to Prohibit Use of Helicopters for Transporting Government Officials in National Capital Region”

By Prince Of Petworth

From the office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton:

“After receiving conflicting information from officials regarding the use of ADS-B transponders, a type of transponder used to communicate GPS data and project aircraft trajectory, in helicopter flights in the National Capital Region (NCR), Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) wrote Department of Transportation (DoT) Secretary Sean Duffy on Friday urging DoT to prohibit the use of helicopters for these flights in the NCR, except for the president, vice president, and in certain emergencies. A U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter from the Army Aviation Brigade at Fort Belvoir and a passenger plane collided in D.C. airspace on January 29, killing 67 people. The helicopter was not using its ADS-B transponder when the collision occurred. (more…)

“Capital Area Food Bank holding pop-up distributions for former feds/contractors”

By Prince Of Petworth

From an email:

“The Capital Area Food Bank is holding pop-up food distributions for former federal workers and contractors affected by the recent reductions. Starting tomorrow, these distributions will be held twice a week through June: Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., or while supplies last each day. (more…)

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