September 2, 2025
Dear Mayor Bowser:
Since the end of January we watched you interacting with the Turmp administration. From the very beginning you seemed completely unprepared for what everyone beside you, knew was coming. I was stunned when you said in a press conference, you were surprised Trump ordered troops into DC. How could you be surprised when he mentioned taking over DC at least three times prior to the actual action? In the news you looked like a frightened deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car. I also watched you at the courthouse after Brian Schwalb convinced you that the city needed to legally challenge the federal attempt to wrestle command of the police from Chief Pamela Smith. You seemed terribly uncertain and could not even muster the pretense of courage.
The lastest round of your press interviews and statements was, simply put , disgraceful. No Mayor Bowser, the federal occupation is not going well. Perhaps in your insulated corner of upper northwest it is. But residents where I live, have to deal with the day to day realities of seeing our neighbors kidnapped and our youth harassed. Come out of your tower and walk the streets of Columbia Heights, Mt. Pleasant, Adams Morgan or anywhere in Ward 4, the ward that is responsible for your political career. Cross the river and actually talk to the people in Wards 7 and 8. You stated that you didn’t know the numbers of immigrants being arrested. You are the mayor of this city. How can you not know? It is your absolute responsibility to know. The information is available. You can ask any of the agencies on the ground. You can ask the people who are patrolling our streets to keep neighbors safe from federal goons who DAILY try to terrorize our neighborhoods. If you do not know, it is because you have turned your back on the residents of this city, in order to secure your own paycheck.
Unfortunately Mayor Bowser, you are the perfect example of why dynastic politicians are bad for democracy. You became a politician because your parents were politicians. You saw them do their jobs and you thought I can do that too. But these times are different from those of your parents. These times require leaders who can think outside of the box and create and support ideas that take our communities forward in this decade…not the last. In the entire time you’ve been mayor, I cannot think of even one innovative idea or project you created or sponsored to help DC address our own unique problems. And, you clearly do not have the type of courage or strength that officials of color need now. We are left to wonder how the city would have fared if you had even a small fraction of the strength of Letticia James, the tenacity of Nicole Collier or confidence of Gov. Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve. Instead we are left with a frightened woman who never learned that you cannot negotiate with a bully and in doing so you have deprived the residents of this great city of leadership that can provide them comfort, encouragement, and hope during these dark times. You will end your legacy laying in the dirt at the feet of a corrupt dog.
We all sincerely hope you have no further political aspirations in the district. If you decide to run again, I can guarantee there will be a multi-ward effort to run you out office. We need people who can lead, and who can really represent the interests of the residents of the district above their individual needs for a paycheck.
Regretfully,
s/
Michelle S Jacobs
Resident Ward 1