Why Trump is Targeting D.C.

Donald Trump has taken yet another step in the ruling class’ quest to trash civil liberties, expand the brutal role of cops and other agents of the state and wage an all-out assault on Black people across the country. On Monday the 11th, he announced that Attorney General Pam Bondi would be in control of the DC police, and that Secret Service, DEA, FBI and National Guard troops would be deployed around the District.

Trump and Bondi’s claims about crime in DC are just an excuse to launch an attack on Black residents in the city, along with the city’s homeless population - about whom Trump said “We’re getting rid of the slums where they live.” Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller even tweeted that DC will be safe, clean, beautiful and that “DC will be set free” - a chilling fascist dogwhistle.

Resistance has already sprung up in DC with protests outside the White House itself, at Dupont Circle and elsewhere, with calls to restore what’s known as home rule and for real statehood for the District to be enacted. On his side, Trump has threatened other cities including Oakland, California; Baltimore; New York; Chicago; and Los Angeles - where he had already deployed militarized troops to counter the rebellion against ICE.

We’re also joined by Walter Smolarek, Editor at LiberationNews.org, to discuss the upcoming Trump/Putin summit in Alaska.

Support the show