A note from Martin

What. A. Year. It. Has. Been. 

I know you hear that every year, but this year it feels especially true. The second coming of Trump has hit D.C. like a tidal wave: Locals have lost jobs as the federal workforce has been slashed; Republicans on the Hill have increasingly targeted the city's local laws and budgets; and federal agents are still prowling our streets — and disappearing our neighbors in the process.

I can’t think of a more important time to have an active and aggressive local media out there to report and make sense of what’s happening, hold the powerful to account, and find glimmers of hope and joy in these difficult times. 

That’s where we want to be. And with your help, we’re building the team and outlet we think D.C. deserves. And I can’t downplay how critical you are to all of this — hell, it was because of generous contributions from thousands of readers like you that I was brought on to be The 51st’s first full-time reporter. To say I’m honored and humbled by your support doesn’t come close to how I really feel, but it’ll have to do.

Next year is going to be just as significant, both for the local news we’re covering and in our team’s ambition to grow. Trump and the Republicans are still going to be around, and we’ve a huge election cycle coming up. We want to tell even more stories that reflect and represent D.C. as it really is, and that means more fundraising to hire more staff —an additional full-time reporter would be a gamechanger. 

To that end, your support — whether you’re currently a free subscriber or already a paid member (thank you!!) — will help us keep local independent news alive and active in the District. We’d love to pick up 3,000 new subscribers by the end of the year, and if you choose to kick over some money, we’re a part of Newsmatch so all gifts are doubled through December 31.

Thanks so much for all your support this year; it wasn’t an easy one, but it felt good knowing we have each other's backs. Let’s keep that going in 2026.

Regards,
Martin