A trashy man-child is trashing Washington, D.C. Left to right: The Ellipse ruined. The White House Rose Garden ruined. The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool ruined. (Photos credit: Facebook, USA Today, AP News)

What would you do?

Chicagoan’s reaction? I’ll get to that in a moment.

Right now, Washington, D.C. is getting run over. In the nation’s capital, Trump is waging war against one of the world’s great cities. Whereas, in Iran Trump combines bombs with his (and Pete Hegseth’s) stupidity, in Washington, D.C., Trump’s tools of choice are heavy machinery and unbridled tastelessness.

In less than two years, Trump has ingloriously trashed D.C., starting early on by paving over Jackie Kennedy’s serene Rose Garden at the White House. Evidently, the deviant Trump prefers asphalt and patio umbrellas over roses, hedges and a manicured lawn.

Gluttony is the theme at the White House, where Trump also knocked down the East Wing to begin construction of a garish, unnecessary ballroom. Work started then stopped, leaving a mess that resembled an abandoned project that lost its financing. (Chicagoans will recall the outsized eyesore hole in the ground after the Chicago Spire skyscraper finances didn’t add up.) However, in August, the complicit, corrupt Supreme Court ruled work can continue on the ballroom.

Trump’s ignorance and corruption were on full display when his no-bid, favored contractor ruined the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool during renovations. What was supposed to cost $1.7 million ballooned to $16 million. Now, apparently, Trump has moved on. The Reflecting Pool is ruined and sits empty, the fence barricade is gone, and it appears the construction workers are gone, too.

Which is a reminder that one thing worse than a chicken is a quitter. And Trump has surrendered rather than repair the damage he’s inflicted upon the Reflecting Pool. (Well, what is worse than either a chicken or quitter is a 34x felon liar, rapist, and presumed pedophile.)

Left photo: The current view looking over Arlington Memorial Bridge toward Arlington National Cemetery. At the top center is Robert E. Lee House overlooking the cemetery’s entrance. Right photo: The view is ruined if Trump builds his gross Nazi arch. (Photos credit: NPR)

South of the White House is The Ellipse, a once lush, 52-acre grassy area. But following Trump’s absurd and tacky UFC event, The Ellipse was reduced to smashed brown grass and dirt after hordes of uncouth MAGAs trampled on the grounds.

A short distance away, the Kennedy Center – through no fault of its own - is literally shrouded in embarrassment with a large tarp covering the name of the performing arts center. If destructive Trump has his way, the building could join the East Wing as having been reduced to rubble. (The People did succeed in reverting to the original name: The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.)

Unfortunately, the populace in the D.C. area has been unable to prevent Trump from turning the city into an expanding excavation site. Lawsuits, rulings by judges, and protest marches have mixed results. Trump continues to run roughshod over D.C., with plans to build a Nazi-like arch monstrosity that will dwarf the Lincoln Memorial and block the view of, and desecrate, the hallowed grounds at Arlington National Cemetery.

Obviously, Trump has the accouterments necessary to make it difficult for local citizens to access sites like the White House. Therefore, I acknowledge the tall task facing the people of D.C. in their fight to stave off Trump’s destruction of the nation’s capital.

What would Chicagoans do?

Would Trump dare mess with The Wrigley Building, Baha’i Temple or Obama Presidential Center? (Photos credit: Enjoy Illinois, Wikipedia, Curbed)

What would Chicagoland do if Trump tried to knock down the iconic Wrigley Building or demolish the beautiful Baha’i Temple or put his name on the inspiring new Obama Center? Chicagoans probably wouldn’t put up with it. What about a massive Trump arch blocking the spectacular view of Michigan Avenue’s Magnificent Mile? Hmmm… that would not be tolerated either.

(Powerful filmmaker George Lucas had grandiose plans for a museum, backed by deep pockets and high-priced lawyers at his disposal. Lucas intended to build his museum along Chicago’s lakefront, a large-scale profit venture plopped into an area long ago designated for public use. Lucas’ spectacular museum was just completed… in Los Angeles.)

If Trump tried to ruin signature Chicago classics, there’d be lawsuits and big protest marches for sure. But I also believe the people of Chicagoland would bring an intimidating physical presence as well.

That’s a ploy D.C. denizens have not fully seized.

Lawsuits and protest signs can be effective yet are sometimes not enough. But there’s another tactic available: hassle the construction workers who are the ones doing the actual work of tearing down or building up, i.e., the people driving bulldozers, operating forklifts and jackhammers, and pouring cement.

A construction project within Dallas’ Dealey Plaza? Rename or tear down New Orleans’ Superdome? Add gaudy gold elements to Chicago’s “Bean?” The people wouldn’t stand for it. (Photos credit: Britannica, The Weekly Opine, Wikipedia)

MAGA construction goons should be made to feel embarrassed and uncomfortable. To be clear, this is not a call for violence. But workers should be shamed into questioning themselves, and finding their conscience about what they are doing by taking part in damaging beloved treasures.

Physically block construction crews from accessing the work site. Or hound workers as they try to do their jobs (“Really, you’re OK with desecrating Arlington Cemetery?”), thereby forcing local officials, including law enforcement, to make a choice; are they on the right or wrong side of history? Create so much chaos and unpredictability that construction crews reconsider showing up for jobs that require them to ruin beautiful art and historical cultural masterpieces.

Observing what’s being done to destroy the elegant allure of Washington, D.C., it’s time to try something different to stop Trump’s rampage.

Do not allow what’s happening in D.C. to be repeated elsewhere.

Can you imagine Trump getting away with replacing the Hollywood sign with a Trump sign? Or painting the Golden Gate Bridge metallic gold? Californians would have none of it. (Photos credit: The Weekly Opine)

Testimonials

Now, back to focusing on the upcoming November midterm election. Don’t take my word for it, here is what people are saying:

“This is great -- thanks for sharing.” – Mayor Daniel Biss, Evanston, Illinois

“Brilliant!” – Myrtis W., a The Weekly Opine subscriber

“Good stuff.” – Virgil S., president of media coaching & training firm

“I love it. Thanks for sharing.” – Gracie @mygracieskahu on Bluesky social media

“I like this!” – Sam @separker on Bluesky social media

If you haven’t yet seen it, click the link below and check out The Weekly Opine 43-second midterm election video titled “Think About It.”

https://youtu.be/_U3cCFRFX08

WHAT WOULD CHI-TOWN DO?