POGO Stands With Calls to End the Federal Takeover of our Nation’s Capital

Washington, D.C. — Americans are speaking out against the federal government’s takeover of our nation’s capital and cities across the country. The Project On Government Oversight, a non-partisan watchdog organization, stands in solidarity with the citizen-led “We Are All DC” march, and is calling on Congress and the courts to stop the administration’s unjustifiable and dangerous power grab.

Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette, acting vice president of policy & government affairs at the Project On Government Oversight (POGO), issued the following statement:

“There is currently no crisis in Washington that requires putting armed soldiers and tanks on the same streets where people are walking their kids to school, riding the metro to work, and playing in neighborhood parks. We stand with those who are safely exercising their First Amendment rights to demand an end to the administration’s abuse of emergency powers — powers that exist to address genuine crises with a specific timeline in mind.

“Using our service members for wasteful political stunts and turning our cities into police states is unjustifiable. This isn’t leadership. This isn’t patriotism. This is militarized strongman theatre, and it sets a dangerous precedent for what could come next — an escalation into true authoritarianism. Congress and the courts should listen to the chorus of Americans in Washington and across the country opposing this power grab, so no president can use the military just to get their way.”