Power Shifts
A change in presidential administrations is a transformative event for the capital city
The peaceful yet transformative transfer of power in Washington, D.C., with Donald Trump’s return to the presidency, marks a cultural and economic shift for the city. While resistance to his administration has softened compared to 2017, Trump’s renewed mandate is reshaping the city’s identity through changes in civil service policies, debates over D.C.’s Home Rule, and an influx of wealth that could deepen income inequality.
WASHINGTON—Power shifts in this capital city with near-clockwork precision every four years. This tradition dates back to 1801 when Thomas Jefferson became the first president to be inaugurated here. Before then, it was held in the temporary capital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for presidents John Adams and George Washington.
Sometimes, this shift is as simple as an ascendant presidency transitioning to a lame-duck one—when a president's influence and power diminish when they can’t run for office again. Other times, like this week, it’s more transformative—a move from one governing party and ideology to another, from an administration steeped in norms and tradition to one that promises disruption at every turn.
Starting late last week, Donald Trump’s supporters began their pilgrimage to Washington, D.C., hoping to catch a glimpse of the president-elect and participate in his return to power. They came from all walks of life, from the rural family farmers who drove hours from the Heartland to the billionaire tech CEOs who flew on their private jets from the West Coast to be here.
It was hard to miss the sea of red MAGA caps on the streets and in the hotel lobbies around town, including at the Hay Adams Hotel, which sits on Lafayette Square across from the White House. Here, on Saturday night at Off The Record, a cozy bar in the hotel’s lower level, well-heeled Trump supporters chatted up political celebrities, like former Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-FL), and curious locals, like yours truly, over cocktails before heading out to the parties across the city. The mood was festive, and the crowd was convivial.
This past week symbolized the peaceful and celebratory transition of power and a cultural and economic shift that will impact this city for years.
This is not a repeat
When Donald Trump first assumed the presidency in 2017, he did so without securing the popular vote and was immediately under siege from the opposition, including many locals. Just a day after he took office, historic protests filled the streets of this city, including the Women’s March, which drew over 470,000 people. Washingtonians, who lean heavily Democratic, adopted a resistance mentality, treating the Trump Administration as an occupying force.
Trump staff, including cabinet-level officials, were regularly targeted at dining establishments across the city. Protesters would show up outside restaurants where they dined, jeering and chanting slogans, sometimes forcing officials to leave through back exits to avoid confrontation. Public shaming became a form of social currency in D.C., with stories of run-ins going viral on social media.
The over 4,000 people who worked for President Trump as political appointees during his previous administration were effectively ostracized. Many of them settled in Navy Yard, a newer development on the banks of the Potomac River. They chose to cohabitate with political allies rather than live alongside the roughly 700,000 residents of Washington, D.C. Navy Yard became a de facto enclave for the administration’s loyalists.
Today, resistance has been replaced with resignation, to a degree. No mass protests are blanketing the National Mall—only roughly 50,000 people showed up to protest on Sunday. Instead, the streets are eerily quiet, reflecting perhaps fatigue and an acceptance of the shift in political tides.
A New Day
With a clearer mandate, Trump’s return to power has forced Washington’s population to adapt again. His appointees may still be pariahs to many of the city’s residents, but their influence is impossible to ignore. Old power dynamics are shifting, and new alliances are being forged, especially between the tech industry and the Trump administration.
For Washingtonians, Trump’s second act feels less like an invasion and more like a reshaping of the city’s identity. As I walked the city streets this weekend and engaged his supporters, I couldn’t help but ponder the greatest changes his administration could bring to this city. While it’s impossible to predict what will happen perfectly, it is clear that these three areas could fundamentally reshape Washington, D.C., for years to come.
Civil Service—Trump and his team have set their sights on reshaping the civil service in Washington, D.C., through the Department of Government Efficiency, better known as DOGE. Under the leadership of the richest man in the world, Elon Musk, DOGE aims to cut $2 trillion from the federal budget. However, perhaps the most immediate impact on life in D.C. is the return-to-office mandate signed by Trump on Monday. Like most American cities, D.C. has struggled to revive its downtown following the pandemic. The influx of federal employees is expected to rejuvenate local businesses, including restaurants, retail stores, and service providers, which have suffered from reduced patronage due to widespread telework. Increased foot traffic could stimulate economic activity and support the recovery of the downtown area, and public transportation ridership is expected to see a boost. However, the directive may face resistance from federal employees accustomed to remote work, with some considering resignation over returning to in-person roles.
Home Rule—The Home Rule Act of 1973 grants D.C. limited self-governance, but Congress retains the authority to review and overturn local laws and budgets. This federal oversight means that any significant changes to D.C.'s autonomy could be enacted through congressional legislation. In recent years, some Republican lawmakers have introduced bills to repeal the Home Rule Act, effectively stripping the District of its self-governing powers, including a bill introduced in August 2023. During his campaign, Trump criticized the District's leadership and suggested a federal takeover to address issues like crime and urban management. A unified Congress and executive make this possibility all the more likely.
Real Estate and Wealth—President Donald Trump’s administration has attracted high-profile and high-net-worth individuals to the capital, increasing activity in the luxury housing sector. Notably, Howard Lutnick, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald and Trump's nominee for commerce secretary, purchased Fox News anchor Bret Baier's mansion for $25 million in cash last month. Transactions like this one indicate robust demand for high-end properties in neighborhoods like Kalorama and Massachusetts Heights, areas home to Gilded Age mansions now owned by the likes of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. The new influx of wealth could exacerbate income inequality in the city, which already has one of the highest rates in the nation.
How do you anticipate the new Trump administration will reshape your local community?