It is a weird time to live in the District. If you’ve walked past the U.S. Capitol lately or grabbed a coffee in Navy Yard, you’ve probably noticed the camouflage. It’s hard to miss. National Guard troops are still patrolling the streets, and a new memo just confirmed they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Honestly, the "new normal" in D.C. feels a lot more like a permanent state of high alert. While most of the country watches national headlines, those of us on the ground are dealing with a city that's caught between federal muscle and a local government that's about to undergo a massive earthquake.
Between the 2026 mayoral race blowing wide open and the Commanders finally showing us what they want to do with the RFK site, there’s a lot to dig into. Here’s the reality of the latest District of Columbia news and why the next few months are going to be some of the most chaotic in recent memory.
The Military Stays: Why the National Guard Is Still Here
You might have thought the troops were a temporary fixture. Many did. But a memo signed by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, officially extended the National Guard mission in Washington, D.C., through the end of the year.
Right now, there are about 2,600 troops stationed across the District. Only 700 of them are actually from D.C.; the rest are imported from 11 different states, including Florida and Mississippi.
The justification? The administration calls it an effort to "restore law and order." But if you look at the daily task lists, it’s a bit of a head-scratcher. In October, troops were reported clearing over 1,000 bags of trash and pruning 400 trees. It’s a strange sight: soldiers in fatigues doing city beautification work.
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But it’s not all landscaping and trash pickup. This mission has teeth, and it’s been dangerous. Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, only 20 years old, died from injuries after a shooting involving West Virginia National Guard members back in November. It’s a somber reminder that having a permanent military presence in a residential city isn't just a political talking point—it has real, sometimes tragic, consequences.
The 2026 Mayoral Race: It’s Wide Open
For the first time since 2014, Muriel Bowser isn’t the name to beat. She’s officially out of the running for a fourth term, and that has set off a scramble.
The District is basically a one-party town, so the Democratic primary on June 16 is where the real fight happens. If you’re a resident, you’ve probably seen the names popping up already.
- Janese Lewis George is leaning hard into universal child care and social housing.
- Kenyan McDuffie just resigned his Council seat to jump into the fray, switching back to the Democratic party to do it.
- Gary Goodweather and Rhonda Hamilton are also in the mix, bringing different flavors of local activism to the table.
This isn't just about who sits in the big chair. It’s about how much control D.C. actually has. With Congress constantly meddling in the local budget—Eleanor Holmes Norton recently had to fight to strip 17 "anti-D.C." provisions from an appropriations bill—the next mayor needs to be a diplomat as much as a manager.
The Commanders and the RFK "New Vision"
If you’ve lived here long enough, the RFK Stadium site is a sore spot. It’s been a decaying relic for years. But the Washington Commanders and the design firm HKS just dropped conceptual renderings for a new 65,000-seat roofed stadium on the Anacostia River.
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It’s meant to be a year-round venue. Think concerts, conventions, and maybe even World Cup events down the line. But don't expect a shovel in the ground tomorrow. The debate over who pays for it and how it impacts the surrounding neighborhoods in Ward 7 and 8 is going to be a slugfest.
Real Life: Crime and Infrastructure
While the big-picture politics play out, the day-to-day District of Columbia news is often more about the "meat-and-potatoes" issues.
Last week, a man was sentenced to 40 years for a brutal stabbing at a D.C. hotel—a case that has rocked the local community. Meanwhile, the D.C. Council is trying to stop people from being evicted when the temperature hits 95 degrees. It’s a basic human right issue that sounds small but matters immensely to the thousands of residents living without reliable AC.
On the infrastructure side, keep an eye on the bridges.
- The H Street Bridge is slated for major work.
- The Theodore Roosevelt Bridge is undergoing massive cleaning and painting, which means your commute is probably going to be a nightmare for a while.
- The 11th Street Bridge Park project is finally moving forward, trying to connect Capitol Hill and Anacostia in a way that actually benefits both sides.
The Shutdown Scare and Federal Pay
If you work for the federal government (which, let’s be real, is half the city), the "Shutdown Fairness Act" introduced on January 16 is the biggest news of the week.
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Representative Josh Gottheimer and a bipartisan group are trying to make sure that even if Congress can't agree on a budget, federal workers and troops still get paid. After the 43-day shutdown a few years back, the anxiety is real. People missed rent. They couldn't buy groceries. This bill is designed to stop federal employees from being used as "political pawns."
What Most People Get Wrong About D.C.
People outside the District think we’re just a collection of monuments and marble. They don't see the 700,000 of us who pay taxes without a vote in Congress.
There’s a misconception that the National Guard presence is purely about crime. In reality, it’s a complex jurisdictional tug-of-war. Because D.C. isn't a state, the President has direct control over the local Guard in a way he doesn't in Virginia or Maryland. That’s why you see them here and not in Alexandria.
Actionable Insights for D.C. Residents
- Primary Prep: If you aren’t registered as a Democrat or Republican, you won’t have a say in the June 16 primary. Given the District’s political lean, that’s where the mayor is chosen. Check your registration status now.
- Commuter Alert: Bookmark the Alert DC site. With the Roosevelt Bridge construction and ongoing First Amendment protests, traffic patterns are changing hourly.
- Budget Watch: Keep an eye on the "Grow DC" budget proposal. There are talks of reducing Universal Paid Leave taxes and pausing building energy requirements to help local businesses.
Washington is changing fast. Whether it's the military on the corner or the new face in the Mayor’s office, the District of Columbia is in the middle of a massive identity shift. Stay informed, stay vocal, and remember that this is your city, regardless of who's holding the keys in the "other" Washington.