On a recent Tuesday night, about half past 8 PM, I met 19-year-old Elli outside an event at a downtown Mormon church. I was joining the teenage worshipper, who uses they/them pronouns and declined to share their last name for this story, for their evening’s second act—which is slated to put far less emphasis on obedience. Our ride pulls up to the curb; Elli unhitches their necktie and climbs in.

Though Trump’s 30-day takeover of the DC police force has lapsed, federal law enforcement and National Guard troops will remain on the city’s streets indefinitely. The resulting atmosphere feels like evidence enough of the District’s waning autonomy, and more permanent efforts to limit the legislative power of our local government are underway: The House Committee on Oversight and Government Refor

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