The Trump Hotel, once a symbol of the former president’s presence in Washington, D.C., is now under new ownership. But Trump’s return to the city next month, when he is inaugurated as the 47th US president, has left many feeling uneasy.
Sally Quinn, an author and socialite, described the mood in the city as “pretty grim” and said that people are “depressed” and “not in the Christmas spirit.” This sentiment is shared by many, who are worried about the implications of Trump’s return on the city’s autonomy and way of life.
During his first term, Trump was known for his disdain for Washington, D.C., and his threats to “take over” the city and usurp the authority of the local government. He has repeatedly vowed to “slash the federal workforce” and has recruited billionaire Elon Musk to help him achieve this goal.
The city’s mayor, Muriel Bowser, is seeking ways to work with the Trump administration on issues such as bringing federal workers back to the office, but many are concerned about the potential attacks on democracy in the district. The fear is that Trump’s plans to shrink the federal government will fall disproportionately on the city, causing economic pain and job losses.
Congressional Republicans have become increasingly aggressive in using their power to override DC laws, restrict its budget, and target liberal policies. This has left many feeling that the city is in for a “bumpy ride” with a lot of Trump’s policy folks and administration.
The long-running campaign for DC statehood has also been dealt a blow, with Republicans fiercely opposed to the idea of adding two senators likely to be Democrats. Paul Strauss, the “shadow” senator for DC, admitted that the city is on “defence” and will be trying to preserve what little self-determination it has.
The storied culture of DC, which includes the Washington Post, is also under threat. The paper has suffered deep financial losses and job cuts, and its publisher, Will Lewis, has been accused of trying to pressure staff not to report on questions of whether he was involved in covering up crimes at Rupert Murdoch’s British tabloid newspapers.
Despite the challenges ahead, some business owners are looking forward to the return of Trump’s entourage. David Hackett, the owner of Lucia’s, an Italian restaurant near Trump’s golf club, said that the journalists who accompanied Trump on his golf outings were a “nice Saturday and Sunday boost” and that he is looking forward to their return.
