Out of Sight, Out of Mind
It's All about Appearances in Trump's World
Homeless in D.C.
Following the 3 a.m. carjacking of a former DOGE employee in the District of Columbia on August 3, President Trump declared a public safety emergency allowing him to deploy 800 National Guard troops and assorted federal agents to work with metro police to combat an outbreak of rampant crime.
Violent crime in D.C. is down 30% since 2023, with robberies declining 39% and armed carjacking by 53%. No one would argue that safety couldn't be improved. But 30 days of crime-stopping under the Home Rule Act isn't likely to achieve a lasting solution.
Trump waited three hours on January 6, 2021 when the U.S. Capitol was besieged by a violent mob before the National Guard was called in to help the metro police. We all witnessed this. Eventually he issued a blanket pardon, including for those who assaulted police officers.
Trump's real motive behind his pledge "to clean up the Capital" can be parsed from the words on his social media site. He said homeless people should "immediately" move, "FAR from the Capital."
An estimated 800-900 people live unsheltered in D.C. That's 9% fewer than 2024. A total of 70 homeless encampments already have been removed in the District of Columbia since March, following Trump's executive order earlier this year.
His White House spokesperson delivered the ultimatum to move from their encampments to a shelter, where they should:
· Seek mental health services
· Enter substance abuse treatment
If they refuse, she said they would be "susceptible" to fines or jail time.
Being homeless is not a crime. Trump is purposely conflating it with crime. Our most affluent U.S. cities have the highest proportions of homelessness. What does that tell you? (1) Affordable housing is in short supply. (2) A stronger social service network is needed.
It's true that homelessness is an escalating problem across the U.S. A total of 5,616 people in D.C are homeless, and most are living in emergency shelters. But there aren't enough beds for many more. Since federal troops arrived, additional beds have been opened up, setting off a scramble to find more.
What happens after homeless people are released from jail? Or after 30 days when the Home Rule "emergency" passes? Is there a stable, permanent solution at hand? Des Moines faced a similar situation in 2024 when the City Council passed ordinances regarding encampments on public property.
"They're not allowed to turn our capital into a wasteland for the world to see," Trump has announced. That says it all. He doesn't want to see homelessness, and he doesn't want visitors to see it. It's uncomfortable. What comes next? Resurrecting County Poor Farms?
Out of sight, out of mind.
American history and culture
Trump recently notified the Smithsonian Institute that its Board of Regents will have 120 days to conduct an internal, comprehensive review of its exhibits and materials and "implement content corrections where necessary." Voluntary interviews with curators and senior staff will begin in 75 days.
The U.S. is observing its 250th anniversary this year. Trump wants the Smithsonian to "celebrate American exceptionalism" by "removing divisive or partisan narratives and restoring confidence in our shared cultural institutions."
The initiative is aimed at eight of the Smithsonian's 21 museums. Additional museums will be included in a second phase:
· the National Museum of American History
· the National Museum of African American History and Culture
· the National Museum of Natural History
· the National Museum of the American Indian
· the National Air and Space Museum
· the Smithsonian American Art Museum
· the National Portrait Gallery
· the Hirschhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
The obvious implication? If an issue or event is divisive or ideological, it's deemed "historically inaccurate." Most troublesome is the Trump directive to remove "improper ideology." Who will be the arbiter of "proper" ideology? The current president, or his staff? What qualifies them to decide for 347,275,807 Americans how our history should be whitewashed?
For example, only a few weeks ago a temporary placard disappeared from a Smithsonian's National Museum of American History exhibit related to Trump's two impeachments. After this made news, it reappeared with a few revisions.
This is a blatant attempt to deprive generations of Americans of our hard-earned knowledge and experiences so critical to telling the story of how we got where we are today, and what we've learned from it.
The letter to the Smithsonian states, "As we prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our Nation's founding, it is more important than ever that our national museums reflect the unity, progress and enduring values that define the American story." Let that sink in. What about celebrating our diversity?
Out of sight, out of mind.
But here's an Iowa angle. Following the Iowa State Fair, our beloved Butter Cow is headed to the Smithsonian as part of a year-long art exhibit celebrating state fairs. To be explicit, 650 to 800 pounds of fresh butter will be shipped there, and sculptor Sarah Pratt will create a new butter cow for display from August 22, 2025 until August 23, 2026. But before that happens, should we consider if there's anything subversive about this bovine institution of ours? Does the Butter Cow truly represent our Iowa history or culture? Some might argue it's divisive and partisan: dairy farmers only represent a minuscule proportion of Iowans today. Watch out, Butter Cow!
Impaired Iowa Rivers
Last year, the U.S. EPA declared sections of seven Iowa rivers "impaired waterways" under the Clean Water Act due to high concentrations of nitrates. This week during a visit from EPA director Lee Zeldin, Iowans learned this decision had been rescinded. High nitrates, ranging from 14 to 16 milligrams per liter this summer surpassed the federal safety standard of 10 milligrams per liter for weeks. Central Iowa Water Works announced its first lawn watering ban so it could focus on lowering nitrates in its drinking water.
The EPA ruling included segments of the Des Moines, Cedar, Raccoon, South Skunk, and Iowa Rivers. Under the Clean Water Act, listed waterways require a clean-up plan.
Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources director Kayla Lyon lodged a protest with EPA, pointing out that nitrate is not officially listed as a toxic pollutant under the Clean Water Act.
Technically, this may be true. However water quality is an urgent issue for human health and safety. Polk County's recent study reveals increasing nitrate concentrations in the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers. Out of 2,000 rivers tested nationally, Iowa's rivers rank in the top 1% regarding nitrate concentration.
The Iowa DNR has not commented on this reversal.
What's next? Iowa's river segments no longer appear on the impaired waterways list. Their removal doesn't change the numbers, but it erases the requirement to develop a water improvement plan.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Monthly Bureau of Labor Statistics Report
Trump fired Commissioner Erika McEntarfer after the July jobs report showed the economy isn't doing well. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is a nonpartisan agency, but McEntarfer was a Biden appointee. So Trump said the numbers "were rigged." The BLS monthly data on inflation, employment, unemployment, and compensation is followed closely by policymakers. Previous report numbers typically are revised as more data becomes available.
Two unpaid advisory committees of economists and statisticians representing businesses, academia, and nonprofits already were dismissed in March with the explanation they "had fulfilled their intended purpose."
Trump's choice to head the BLS. E. J. Antoni has worked as an economist at two conservative think tanks, including the Heritage Foundation. Prior to his nomination, he's suggested doing away with the monthly BLS jobs estimate, and only using quarterly reports.
The Wall Street Journal editorial board isn't impressed, writing "Mr. Antoni will have to take off his MAGA hat if he wants to ensure that the public and markets can trust BLS data." He must be confirmed by the Senate.
Trump knew the BLS numbers weren't a good look, but offered no evidence they were "rigged." Regardless, now they've been politicized.
Out of sight out of mind.
U.S. Presidential Portraits
To what lengths will Trump go to turn a blind eye to unsightly, inconvenient truths? This spring, President Obama's official portrait was replaced by a painting of Trump pumping his fist following an attempted assassination. More recently Obama's portrait was moved to a staircase out of view of White House tours. Trump had moved the portraits of President George W. Bush and his father George H. W. Bush there earlier.
White House protocol and historical precedent determines that the most recent Presidential portraits are given the most prominent placements, remaining visible to guests and visitors.
Isn't the White House known as the People's House? Since when is any president allowed to disrespect our former presidents by moving their portraits out of sight of White House tourists and visitors? This petty and vindictive window-dressing is beneath the dignity of a U.S. president.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Governing by Executive Order
Democracy is messy. History can be ugly. Homeless people make us uncomfortable. Numbers thwart political agendas and diminish bragging rights. Scientific measurements threaten industries and contradict political narratives. Former presidents and their legacies deserve respect even if the current occupant of the White House is jealous and resentful.
Each manufactured crisis declared by Trump, along with the legitimate ones he ignores, represents a long-standing problem crying out for a thoughtful solution. However, these solutions would require Trump and this Congress to hammer out bipartisan legislation through the hard work of governing.
Out of sight, out of mind may be Trump's modus operandi, but it's not a strategy to address serious national issues. And it's certainly no way to run a country.
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Thanks, Cheryl.
Well done. I appreciated how you tied seemingly disparate things together.