Archived Newsletters

The 'takeover,' explained to the best of our ability

What we know, and where we may be headed

The 51st

14 Aug 2025 — 6 min read

Hi everyone,

We don't need to tell you it's been a horrifying week in D.C. You may have witnessed the absurd security theater staged on 14th Street NW, as Homeland Security officers conducted baseless "security" checks of passing cars last night. You've probably also seen the videos of tactical vehicles chugging past the Washington Monument, or the gaggle of FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration agents ambling aimlessly past a Georgetown Lululemon in bulletproof vests, or the camo-clad federal cops questioning an everyday D.C. resident for ... smoking a cigarette on his porch.

These are scary, unprecedented times. But for every disturbing (and laughable?) show of force, D.C. residents have fought back: Crowds warned approaching cars of the ICE presence on 14th Street – and heckled and booed the federal agents until they left; Free DC has called for nightly noise demonstrations; and neighbors have turned out to protect their own.

There's still a lot we don't know about what the coming weeks will hold (more on that in a second), but one thing we do know is that Washingtonians will stand up for their city – whether that's launching a sandwich-missile at close range or screaming at cops to "find a hobby, you piece of shit."

💡

A few reminders while you're out there: Free DC has the skinny on the five rights to keep in mind right now; we've also got an explainer on what to know if you're arrested and how to protect yourself and your neighbors from ICE.

Earlier this week, we asked what questions you had about the attempted takeover. Today, Martin has tried to clarify this moment for you as much as possible. What's happened so far? How long will this last? Is this even legal? What is Mayor Bowser doing?

From the expected homeless encampment clearings today to the potential legal challenges, the news is developing at a rapid pace. We're trying to make sense of what is, in many ways, a nonsensical, deeply disorienting era – even for a city that's frustratingly familiar with federal interference. We can't know everything right now – but we can cut through the noise to the best of our ability. And that's what Martin has done.

We'll be sticking closely to this story long after other journalists parachute out. You can continue sending us your questions on Bluesky, Twitter, and Instagram, or email us at tips@51st.news.

Take care,
Colleen

Trump's D.C. 'takeover': What we know so far – and where we're headed

A flag hanging over a bridge that reads FREE DC with the Capitol in the background. — (Christian Miles)

The changes to D.C. are coming thick and fast. Social media is bursting with images and videos of federal agents in tactical gear patrolling Georgetown, setting up traffic stops on 14th Street, and patrolling the border on… Benning Road. Meanwhile, residents have taken to the streets, right-wing commentators have entered a zone of broken-brain delusion previously unknown to mankind, and today, the president began zeroing in on another target: D.C.'s unhoused residents. It's easy to get lost in the news, so we break down what's happened so far, how long this could last, and what it all means for the people who actually live here.

Stay informed

Make some noise: Your August Civics Roundup

We've rounded up the next three weeks of actions, fundraisers, and community-driven events in D.C. – many of them in direct response to the attacks on our city in recent days. If you see anything we should add, let us know.

Hands off D.C.!

15 things to do this weekend (because D.C. is still a beautiful, creative, fun place to live)

While a short-term D.C. resident attacks Home Rule, it’s important for everyone to stay safe. But if your mode of protest is enjoying this city for all it offers, there’s plenty to get up to this weekend.

I <3 D.C.

More links to help make sense of this week:

Street Sense is following the expected encampment clearings today. You can follow their live coverage and hear directly from the unhoused residents impacted by Trump's attacks. [Street Sense]
Neighboring Montgomery County is bracing for an increase in shelter demand in light of the D.C. sweeps. [WTOP]
As some of her Democratic colleagues on the Hill lambast the president's attacks on Home Rule, many are asking: Where is Eleanor Holmes Norton? [Politico]
Meanwhile, what's going on with Bowser's "zen" approach to Trump? [Politico Mag]
Here's a bunch of links speaking to D.C.'s crime statistics, which disprove Trump's fantastical claims about violence in the city. [Axios DC/AP/Post/The 51st]
His rhetoric, by the way, is nothing new; using racist narratives about urban areas to justify policy changes is a well-documented tactic. [AP]
What to know about Terry Cole, the Trump official appointed to oversee MPD. [Post]
Trump has also taken over the Kennedy Center Honors; he selected the honorees (after vetoing "wokesters") and will be hosting the award ceremony in December. [NPR]
How D.C.'s lack of statehood impacts the city's justice system. [DC Justice Lab]
Instead of listening to Jeanine Pirro's latest crime rant, hear from the mentor and graduates of the T.R.I.G.G.E.R. Project – a program that actually works to address the root causes of gun violence in D.C. [WAMU]