@schaffermichael.bsky.social
DC's mayor has given everything a blue-city pol could realistically give a MAGA president. Trump kicked her in the teeth anyway. But even the outrage of having her government usurped hasn't changed the dynamic. Is it time for a change in tactics?
Even After Trump’s DC Takeover, the Mayor Is Still Playing Nice. Should That Change?
For Muriel Bowser and her allies, Trump’s bluster represented a victory of sorts.
www.politico.com
August 13, 2025 at 4:44 PM
DC's mayor has given everything a blue-city pol could realistically give a MAGA president. Trump kicked her in the teeth anyway. But even the outrage of having her government usurped hasn't changed the dynamic. Is it time for a change in tactics?
Just about the only group I could find who are happy about Trump's demand to bring back "Redskins": The activists who want to nix the plan to build them a stadium. politi.co/46WdW7g
Trump’s Effort to Quash DC’s NFL Team Has Some Lefties Celebrating
‘They’re destroying the chance of bringing the stadium.’
politi.co
July 22, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Just about the only group I could find who are happy about Trump's demand to bring back "Redskins": The activists who want to nix the plan to build them a stadium. politi.co/46WdW7g
People are canceling conferences in Trump era DC thanks to politics. So the city has a new, unlikely, visitor come-on: We're nice! Really! www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Event Planners Are Cancelling on Trump-Era Washington. Is This a Sign of Things to Come?
DC has lost millions of dollars in events since Trump 2.0 began.
www.politico.com
July 15, 2025 at 6:40 PM
People are canceling conferences in Trump era DC thanks to politics. So the city has a new, unlikely, visitor come-on: We're nice! Really! www.politico.com/news/magazin...
What does the wonky panel that oversees Washington's urban planning have to do with Trump's fight against Jerome Powell? It's a wild story. politi.co/3GujqeN
What Does an Obscure Urban Planning Board Have to Do With Trump’s Campaign Against Jerome Powell?
The White House's pressure campaign against the Federal Reserve has taken a bizarre turn.
politi.co
July 11, 2025 at 7:16 PM
What does the wonky panel that oversees Washington's urban planning have to do with Trump's fight against Jerome Powell? It's a wild story. politi.co/3GujqeN
I wrote about a very 2025 DC dillemma: An Elderly Lawmaker’s Staff Keeps Walking Back Things She Tells Reporters. Should They Keep Quoting Her? politi.co/4eHIHPq
An Elderly Lawmaker’s Staff Keeps Walking Back Things She Tells Reporters. Should They Keep Quoting Her?
A media conundrum for the age of gerontocracy.
politi.co
July 7, 2025 at 2:41 PM
I wrote about a very 2025 DC dillemma: An Elderly Lawmaker’s Staff Keeps Walking Back Things She Tells Reporters. Should They Keep Quoting Her? politi.co/4eHIHPq
I wrote about the decision to shut down Dupont Circle ahead of Pride — a sign of changing life in Trump-era DC (and the absurdity of Uncle Sam owning so much local land) politico.com/news/magazin...
The Trump Administration Is Shutting Down a Gay Landmark Ahead of WorldPride
Thanks to a quirk of local rules that puts the federal government in charge of city parks, Dupont Circle has been fenced off just as people around the world come to DC for pride.
politico.com
June 6, 2025 at 7:07 PM
I wrote about the decision to shut down Dupont Circle ahead of Pride — a sign of changing life in Trump-era DC (and the absurdity of Uncle Sam owning so much local land) politico.com/news/magazin...
Ooof. Actual sculptors tell me Trump's $34 million "Gaden of American heroes" will actually be a collection of Chinese mannequins. "Totally unworkable" by USA 250th — unless it is 3D-printed schlock. politi.co/43RUKpg
Trump Is Planning a 'Garden of American Heroes' For the Country's Anniversary. Sculpture Experts Say It'll Never Happen.
Actual sculptors who’ve seen the specs for Trump’s signature project say it’s in deep trouble.
politi.co
May 31, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Ooof. Actual sculptors tell me Trump's $34 million "Gaden of American heroes" will actually be a collection of Chinese mannequins. "Totally unworkable" by USA 250th — unless it is 3D-printed schlock. politi.co/43RUKpg
The history of Americans committing violence against foreign embassies in Washington is very very short. Will it stay that way? www.politico.com/news/magazin...
‘I Did Not Have a Security Detail’: Killings Pierce the Diplomatic Bubble
When two Israeli embassy staffers were gunned down outside the Jewish Museum, Washington’s entire diplomatic world felt the effects.
www.politico.com
May 23, 2025 at 3:26 PM
The history of Americans committing violence against foreign embassies in Washington is very very short. Will it stay that way? www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Reposted
“I find it ironic that the guy who made the same argument on behalf of so many people is now pursuing the case against me.”
Ed Martin Called Jan. 6 ‘Mardi Gras.’ Now He’s Trying to Put a Guy in Jail for a Nonviolent Protest.
Jan. 6 looms large in a case against a nonviolent demonstrator.
www.politico.com
May 8, 2025 at 12:47 PM
“I find it ironic that the guy who made the same argument on behalf of so many people is now pursuing the case against me.”
I wrote about a guy being facing jail for a nonviolent version of what Jan 6 mob got pardoned for. Trial will be a test of whatr Trump's pardons mean for future DC protest arrests. Easy to see defense playing up the hypocrisy, getting jury to acquit. www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Ed Martin Called Jan. 6 ‘Mardi Gras.’ Now He’s Trying to Put a Guy in Jail for a Nonviolent Protest.
Jan. 6 looms large in a case against a nonviolent demonstrator.
www.politico.com
May 8, 2025 at 2:22 PM
I wrote about a guy being facing jail for a nonviolent version of what Jan 6 mob got pardoned for. Trial will be a test of whatr Trump's pardons mean for future DC protest arrests. Easy to see defense playing up the hypocrisy, getting jury to acquit. www.politico.com/news/magazin...
It sure looks like Trump’s controversial US Attorney is coming for medical marijuana politi.co/42EzWRD
May 2, 2025 at 5:19 PM
It sure looks like Trump’s controversial US Attorney is coming for medical marijuana politi.co/42EzWRD
Trump hasn't messed with legal pot. His lightning-rod US Attorney in DC may have other ideas. If you think DC's deep-blue electorate should be free to choose blue-state rules for itself, this ought to worry you: www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Trump’s Controversial US Attorney Is Coming for Medical Marijuana
The Trump-allied prosecutor has threatened Wikipedia, medical journals and Congressional Democrats. Now he’s putting a medical-marijuana dispensary on notice, too.
www.politico.com
May 2, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Trump hasn't messed with legal pot. His lightning-rod US Attorney in DC may have other ideas. If you think DC's deep-blue electorate should be free to choose blue-state rules for itself, this ought to worry you: www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Notable cartoon on WaPo editorial page today
April 25, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Notable cartoon on WaPo editorial page today
I wrote about DC, Bezos, and the end of the affair. www.politico.com/news/magazin...
How Donald Trump Revealed Jeff Bezos’ True Self
Not long ago, Washington dreamed that Jeff Bezos would become the king of the Beltway. Then the rules changed.
www.politico.com
April 24, 2025 at 2:26 PM
I wrote about DC, Bezos, and the end of the affair. www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Oh man driving around with Maryland tags would make me cringe. But maybe it's worth it?
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
DC Isn’t Becoming a State. But It Could Become Maryland.
Washingtonians may be aghast at the thought of reconnecting with their northern neighbor, but some think it’s preferable to appeasing Trump.
www.politico.com
April 18, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Oh man driving around with Maryland tags would make me cringe. But maybe it's worth it?
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Reposted
“The benefits they can reap from relationships with the government can make up for any loss from a bad real estate deal.”
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
The Mystery Buyer of That $23 Million DC Mansion? Mark Zuckerberg.
The Meta chief is the latest mogul to have a personal embassy in Donald Trump’s Washington.
www.politico.com
April 3, 2025 at 1:11 AM
“The benefits they can reap from relationships with the government can make up for any loss from a bad real estate deal.”
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Reposted
New constituent.
The Mystery Buyer of That $23 Million DC Mansion? Mark Zuckerberg.
The Meta chief is the latest mogul to have a personal embassy in Donald Trump’s Washington.
www.politico.com
April 3, 2025 at 1:45 AM
New constituent.
That $23 million mystery house sale? The buyer was Mark Zuckerberg. www.politico.com/news/magazin...
A local high-end real estate agent on why a mogul would want to buy a house in DC, where he doesn’t live:
A local high-end real estate agent on why a mogul would want to buy a house in DC, where he doesn’t live:
April 3, 2025 at 12:50 AM
That $23 million mystery house sale? The buyer was Mark Zuckerberg. www.politico.com/news/magazin...
A local high-end real estate agent on why a mogul would want to buy a house in DC, where he doesn’t live:
A local high-end real estate agent on why a mogul would want to buy a house in DC, where he doesn’t live:
Reposted
Rose: Elon is soon leaving DC where I live
Thorn: www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Thorn: www.politico.com/news/magazin...
The Mystery Buyer of That $23 Million DC Mansion? Mark Zuckerberg.
The Meta chief is the latest mogul to have a personal embassy in Donald Trump’s Washington.
www.politico.com
April 2, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Rose: Elon is soon leaving DC where I live
Thorn: www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Thorn: www.politico.com/news/magazin...
The mystery buyer of that $23 million DC mansion? Mark Zuckerberg. He's the latest mogul to set up an outpost in Trump's DC. www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Mark Zuckerberg Is the Mystery Buyer of a $23 Million DC Mansion
The Meta chief is the latest mogul to have a personal embassy in Donald Trump’s Washington.
www.politico.com
April 2, 2025 at 9:04 PM
The mystery buyer of that $23 million DC mansion? Mark Zuckerberg. He's the latest mogul to set up an outpost in Trump's DC. www.politico.com/news/magazin...
I wrote about local DC's latest bizarre Trump-pleasing move: Cops are hunting for people who wrote anti-Elon graffiti on Tesla windshields — and say they may be charged with hate crimes. www.politico.com/news/magazin...
It’s Now a Hate Crime to Vandalize Teslas in DC
A splashy manhunt over anti-Musk graffiti shows just how far the capital will go to placate the Trump administration.
www.politico.com
March 27, 2025 at 2:51 PM
I wrote about local DC's latest bizarre Trump-pleasing move: Cops are hunting for people who wrote anti-Elon graffiti on Tesla windshields — and say they may be charged with hate crimes. www.politico.com/news/magazin...
“A sense that there’s a class war on against the people and professions that represent Washington’s highest ideals” www.politico.com/news/magazin...
They Were Raised to Serve America. MAGA Sees Them as Its Enemies.
The latest Trump targets feel like a metaphor for the capital’s travails.
www.politico.com
March 20, 2025 at 10:53 AM
“A sense that there’s a class war on against the people and professions that represent Washington’s highest ideals” www.politico.com/news/magazin...
How did the Washington press corps miss the Kay Granger story while a small Dallas site got it? It's an outrage — but not necessarily the outrage you might think. www.politico.com/news/magazin...
A Congresswoman with Dementia Stopped Coming to Work. The DC Press Corps Never Noticed.
Here’s the story behind how the media missed the story.
www.politico.com
March 14, 2025 at 4:46 PM
How did the Washington press corps miss the Kay Granger story while a small Dallas site got it? It's an outrage — but not necessarily the outrage you might think. www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Reposted
Michael Schaffer points out that the Washington Post editpage ALREADY favors the free market. Free speech, too. Always has. So what Bezos must crave is a radical anti-regulatory and anti-tax agenda well outside the mainstream that indulges hateful rhetoric.
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Dying in Darkness: Jeff Bezos Turns Out the Lights in the Washington Post’s Opinion Section
The tech mogul’s decision to revamp the editorial pages around his own views threatens not only independent journalism, but the Post’s business future.
www.politico.com
February 27, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Michael Schaffer points out that the Washington Post editpage ALREADY favors the free market. Free speech, too. Always has. So what Bezos must crave is a radical anti-regulatory and anti-tax agenda well outside the mainstream that indulges hateful rhetoric.
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
February 27, 2025 at 1:08 PM